Old center – Local tips (snacks)

Café Katoen is a really popular place amongst students. (Katoen means ‘cotton’ but to be honest I don’t no why the cafe has this name.) It is located in the city centre very close to the University of Amsterdam. This is why lots of students find their way to it.

The cafe isn’t very big but it doesn’t seem cramped thanks to all the windows. The room isn’t packed full with tables and chairs. This is a good thing because this makes it feel spacious and relaxed.

On the other hand a lot of times there aren’t any places to sit. This can be a disappointment. There are also a couple of seats at the bar but for the rest it isn’t the kind of place where you can stand with your drink. So whenever I go there and spot an empty table I’m very happy.

As I said the place is mostly visited by students. It opens quite early so in the morning it is a good place for breakfast. As it gets later it gets busier and during the day it is often filled with girls chatting and drinking coffee or having lunch.

In the evening they don’t serve dinner but they do serve small snacks to accompany your drinks. The evening is the busiest time, and the later it gets you have to find yourself lucky to find a seat. At evening time the cafe is filled with guys as well as girls. And lots of groups of students having a drink after a whole day of studying!

I like this cafe very much. The interior is a bit outdated but I guess this has its charm. Also if you aren’t a student it is a nice place for a drink. Right in the city centre but filled with locals.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cafe Katoen | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Wine € 2.50
Oude Turfmarkt 153 | Old center | +310206262635
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 01:00

I don’t have lots of spectacular things to say about this spot so I’ll just keep it simple. It is simply a really good spot.

The good things are to begin with the location, right on the Nieuwmarkt with views of De Waag. Secondly the reading chairs by the window, very nice! Check out the lunch menu during the day which is tasty and affordable. And last but not least the different kinds of Belgian beers and the nice housewine are worth a try.

Don’t forget to order some bitterballen to go with your drinks and just enjoy!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cafe Stevens | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | lunch € 5.00
Geldersekade 123 | Old center
10:00 – 01:00 daily

I never knew you were able to get good scones in Holland until I went to the Bakkerswinkel. Me and my friends met for lunch and started of having different kinds of savoury sandwiches which were all delicious. There is plenty of choice here and the ingredients used are tasty and fresh. The bread is nice and heavy so you are sure to be satisfied for the rest of the day after you get lunch here.

I have to admit that we were definitely satisfied, but we still couldn’t resist the temptation of ordering a scone as dessert. This was absolutely delicious. They have different kinds of scones, for instant with raisins, chocolate or cherries. They also have a wide range of different sorts of freshly made jam to go with it. Its really very good. And of course the clotted cream just makes it perfect!

De Bakkerwinkel also does high teas for which I think you have to make a reservation in advance. If you’re not that hungry you can of course also drop in for just a cup of coffee although I doubt if you can resist the temptation of all the cakes pies and scones around you!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
De Bakkerswinkel | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Scone (jam&cream) € 3.50
Warmoesstraat 69 | Old center | +310204898000
Tue – Fri 08:00 – 18:00, Sat 08:00 – 17:00, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Gartine is one of my favorites for an unique breakfast, excellent lunch and English high tea. I visited the place several times and mostly for breakfast. All raw products come from the owner’s vegetable garden. I experienced the dishes always as super fresh and of good quality!

The atmosphere is easy and pleasant. Recently I tried to get a grab there, but the place is always packed with people, well that means the business goes very well. Maybe they have to think of a bigger place?

The dishes are served on antique chinaware, which is collected by the owners with tender loving care during the past years. If you like antique chinaware only this is a reason to visit the place!

On top of that Gartine adopted 58 chickens at the foundation ‘Adopt a Chicken’ and these chickens provide the farm fresh eggs. Next to that the staff works with products of the ‘Ark van Smaak’ from Slow Food Netherlands. So when you eat there, you eat ‘eco and green’!

Gartine is in a small alley called ‘Takstee

g’ in the old centre of Amsterdam, between Rokin and Spui.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Gartine | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Big breakfast € 10.95
Taksteeg 7 | Old center | +31203204132
Tue – Sun 08:00 – 18:00

Snack Bar Bird is on the busy Zeedijk, this is the China Town of Amsterdam. By far the best place to eat here is Snack bar Bird.

This tiny place serves the best Thai food one can imagine. Unfortunately the place is also very small and cramped, so often you have to wait outside before there is a table available. But luckily they are really quick so the wait is never too long. Sit at the window if you get the chance. You’ll see some interesting people…Once you’ve managed to squeeze yourself into a seat you wonder how you will ever get out. Don’t worry, you’ll manage.

I always have the beef in oyster sauce and I’ve never tasted it better than here! To get you started the spring rolls are delicious too. This is really the place for a quick bite that isn’t junk food. The portions are big and will keep you going for the rest of the evening.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed dinner there is also the option of Bird restaurant just across the street. It has the same owner as the snack bar but it is a real restaurant with more tables and more space. For any group bigger then 4 people the restaurant is a better option than the snack bar. Unfortunately it does lack the snack bars atmosphere. So if it’s in any way possible, go for the snack bar!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Snack Bar Bird | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal € 12.50
Zeedijk 77 | Old center
14:00 – 22:00 daily

Although you might as well go to Belgium to try the Flemish fries, it’s a lovely country after all, you can get a taste of them in Amsterdam as well.

At Vleminckx in the Voetboogstraat, near Spui, you can help yourself to a beautiful bag of light-golden fries; thick, crispy on the outside, perfectly textured, slightly crummy on the inside.

They sell no other snacks than these little golden wonders, but you can cover them with a wide variety of Dutch and Belgium sauces.

You do have to wade through a horde of shopping tourists and families to get there, but the reward will be worthwhile.

If you are shopping on the busiest shopping streets of the city, Leidsestraat or Kalverstraat, you can get a quick power boost at this always busy little snack bar.

Don’t be fooled by the line of people standing in front of it; you will be served quickly and efficiently. If you are not in the neighborhood, but happen to be fond of fries, take the trip to have them at Vleminckx.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Vleminckx | Snacks | Flemish fries (medium) € 2.70
Voetboogstraat 31 | Old center
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:30