Amsterdam: Top tips for the ultimate ‘coffee and a sweet treat’ guide

By Augusta Arron, Universiteit van Amsterdam, The Netherlands

If my time studying at Amsterdam this year has taught me anything it has been how much I love to explore cities… and pastries. Cafe’s offer the perfect means to do so, especially for students, providing hotspots for culture, community, food and some amazingly high-grade study sustenance (coffee).

Amsterdam is renowned for its food scene and since being here it has become apparent the Dutch diet largely consists of baked goods from Albert Heijn (their favourite supermarket). They are definitely partial to the sweet treat, and as they should be, boasting some of the best desserts around like stroopwafels, apple pie and different varieties of pancakes. This love definitely seeps into their bakeries, so as a seasoned professional I’m offering a run down of my favourite spots to grab a cup and a nibble. I’ve organised them by area of town for your convenience, followed by a short description of what I think they bring to the table (metaphorically and literally).

NB: Annoyingly, not all cafes allow laptops, especially on the weekends, and companies normally don’t say anything about this online so make sure to have other nearby options if you are on the work/coffee grind (pardon the pun).

De Pijp

Bakkerij mater: You’re unlikely to come across a more ‘sit-in’ bakery than this, where you literally sit inside of the open kitchen and watch the bakers get to work! Very cool vibes here and their cinnamon buns get a lot of hype. Make sure to pick up a loaf of sourdough while you’re here too.

Grammes: This is my local (a dangerous game to play) so I would recommend a few – namely the almond croissant and pistachio escargot (captured in the exquisite image below). Also the pilates girlies have the option of grabbing a matcha here.

My Little Patisserie: An adorable French bakery nested in the cute main square of De Pijp, and specialising in madeleines. Major childhood nostalgia for me here!

Anook: A very hippy-dippy hideaway with pristine beach vibes. Lots of inventative flavours of cakes and cookies.

De Wasserette: A great brunch spot also on the main square. I would recommend sitting outside, doing some people watching and chowing down their breathtakingly sticky and nutty cinnamon roll!

Jordaan and city centre

Winkel 43: This traditional bruin bar has blown up on social media for its apple pie, so if you’re going on the weekend get ready to queue. It’s definitely earn its fame! Super freshly made and generously portioned, it’s a great place to try this Dutch delicacy if you can.

Margos: A completely vegan bakery offering pastries-galore, sandwiches and great coffee too. I have only tried the plain croissant which I must say had some doughnutty-undertones. A thumbs up for the planet and your taste buds!

Hans Egstorf: On a lovely centrally-located, fairy-lit street, in a gorgeous building. This place says it’s the oldest bakery in Amsterdam and their ancient wisdom when it comes to fresh stroopwafels is a clear. Also would recommend their croissants.

De Laatste Kruimel: This place feels like you’ve just walked into your grandmas house for afternoon tea. Its interior is like nothing else and their selection is as infinite as I wish my stomach capacity was. Everything we tried, sweet and savoury, was 5 star, and I’m desperate to try their scones too!

West 

Salvo: Another place packed with influencers, but once you fight through the flood of hipsters you’ll find a brilliantly authentic Italian bakery and coffee spot. This is one for the pistachio lovers and all is authentically made – tiramisu is a must try as well.

Louf: Located in a gorgeous art deco-style building, this boasts a bakery deli and book shop so makes for an ideal Sunday hangout.

Fort Negen: This is a favourite for many of my friends, and rightly so. Its worth cycling slightly out of town for their sourdough and almond croissant!

Chez Rosie: This authentic French patisserie has a special place in my heart. Be sure to go and greet Rosie when you go, and I would trust her recommendations. Had to treat myself to their filter coffee and quiche of the day here…

Oost (East)

YUSU: This matcha-specialising cafe with very trendy deco is around the corner from our campus. They have some must-try matcha flavour deserts too.

Deguelle Patisserie: Another quaint French patisserie with no indoor seating but a very high quality range of pastries.

4850: This is the top of my list to try because I’ve heard on the grapevine they have some of the best cinnamon rolls in town. After all these sweet treats it may be time for a real meal too, and so you could hang around and come back for when it becomes a dimly-lit, quirky bistro at night.