It’s funny, the things you get asked as a food writer. People automatically assume you know all about bars, too – which I guess isn’t exactly surprising given that most foodies I know are partial to more than one pleasure of the flesh, including a well-mixed cocktail or a perfectly paired glass of wine. People also think I’ve stayed in every hotel in Amsterdam, which I always find odd because I live here, so why would I stay in a hotel? But more recently, I’ve been getting questions about coffee: where can Amsterdammers and visitors get a decent cup of caffeine? The answer, of course, is that I’m no expert. But I do drink a cappuccino every morning, and I will go on wild goose chases across the city to find a cap worth drinking (with the frequent result that I end up wired by noon from drinking my way through all the duds). So here’s my guide to the best coffee spots in Amsterdam – what are yours?
Bakers & Roasters
I’ve reviewed the food at Bakers & Roasters before, but the coffee is in another league. This might have something to do with the fact that it’s run by Antipodeans who, for some reason best known to themselves, seem to be remarkably accomplished at making divine cups of the brown gold. Their website (which seems currently to be their Facebook page) doesn’t give much away about where their beans come from, but suffice to say the baristas are doing a sterling job of churning out fantastic flat whites, mochas, and other exotic-sounding caffeinated combos (plus, of course, regular black coffees).
Drovers Dog
Like I said, Antipodeans. These guys are Aussies and, like their Kiwi competitors at B&R, they know their caffeinated stuff. (Aside: they do very good juices, too.) I’ve also reviewed their food before, with mixed feelings about the menu, but Drover’s coffee is universally likeable. So there.