Best breakfasts in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's secret meal

Life is a little slower in Amsterdam. Our cafés tend to open later than most and many bakeries generally close on Sundays. So where do town folk go for a good breakfast or lazy brunch? We made it our business to find out with a fork in one hand and a pad in the other. Here are our top picks from fry-ups to French pastries and eggs multiple ways.

Bed and breakfast

Centrepiece of the Leidseplein, the Eden Amsterdam American Hotel serves up the coolest meal of the day with the Jazz Brunch every Sunday. In the Café Americain, an abundant buffet lets the morning roll into the afternoon, washed down with smooth live jazz, price 37.50 euros per person.

History-steeped Hotel de l’Europe, one of the leading hotels of the world, makes a decadent meal out of breakfast amid 19th century surroundings. Served from 9:00 to 11:00 four ways: English (25 euros), Continental (20 euros), American (28.50 euros) and Healthy Start (23 euros). You can also order a la carte.

Alternatively there’s Hotel Pulitzer eponymous breakfast buffet, which celebrates English, Dutch and American staples from 7:00 to 11:00.

When breakfast becomes dessert

While Gartine has been smuggled out of sight just off the Rokin, this twee breakfast and lunchroom has more followers than Facebook. What’s not to love about chintzy porcelain, antique furniture and a moody chandelier? The organic slow food menu harbours plenty of nice surprises from its chocolate brioche with lemon curd (3.95 euros) and French toast served with pear and cinnamon butter, to Dutch classics such as cinnamon bread (suikerbrood). Seating is very limited, so rise early or reserve. Breakfast served Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 12:00.

Gebroeders Niemeijer is also a specialist in French style breakfasting. This bakery-cum-café is run by brothers Marco and Issa who turn out fresh patisserie and viennoiserie all day from a specially imported oven. Anything goes with their superb espresso: croissants, brioches, pain au chocolates, financiers, canelés or tarts. Breakfast pastries are served all day, while the fruit and yogurt option finish earlier. Open Tuesday to Friday: 08:15 - 18:30, Saturday: 8:30 - 17:00 & Sunday 9:00 - 17:00 (limited bread selection on Sunday).

Rounding off the stylish eateries is bakery chain De Bakkerswinkel, which has three central branches to its name and, more often that not, queues out of the door.

Select from tea, coffee, juices and/or smoothies to perk you up while you decide whether you fancy a basic breakfast bun with a tasty filling (4.30 euros), something slim-line like the yogurt-muesli combo (8.35 euros) or something heavier, a la Fabriekson; eggs, bacon, sourdough bread and tea/coffee for 8.25 euros. Breakfast served Monday: 11:00 - 17:30, Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 - 17:30, Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00.

Just a five-minute walk from the Anne Frank Museum, Café Nielsen is the ideal spot to enjoy an excellent organic breakfast as you plan your shopping route through De Negen Straatjes’ (Nine Streets). Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 15:00 including sweet French toast, bagels and fresh juices, with distracting homemade cakes at the counter. There’s also a set menu available for 8 euros.

Arterial feasts

When Englishman Jason Hartley launched Lovefood, a pop-up brunch concept, he did this alongside his ad world day job. For this reason, this ode to everything breakfast should be only takes place once a month.

Hard-to-find-in-Amsterdam dishes that are those ‘simple things done well’ like Eggs Benedict and huevos rancheros, American-style pancakes and an English fry up known as ‘The Beast’ are such hits Lovefood tends to outgrow it's temp locations. Check the site for the latest on when & where.

For those who have never seen Sunday by sunrise (or noon), you can rely on O’Reilly’s for its restorative culinary powers. This Irish sports bar has all the cheer of a pint of Guinness with plenty of dark corners to snooze or sulk in while the fry-up arrives. All-day breakfasts (from 8:00 to 18:00) take three forms: the full Irish (10.50 euros), a Vegetarian with the works (8.50 euros) and a breakfast roll (7 euros).

Greenwoods on Singel 103 also do a mean fried breakfast, enjoyed inside or canal side. 8.75 euros will fortify you with eggs, crispy bacon, hash browns, sausages and toast, while 3.25 euros will get you homemade muesli and honey with no regrets.

Going Dutch

The final plaudit goes to Pancakes! Amsterdam for reminding us what Amsterdam is famous for. Not only are the ingredients as organically sourced and fair trade as possible but they also come in flavours of the world. Here’s what’s on offer: three Dutch pancakes in a pan with a choice of drinks (9.50 euros); blinis, goat cheese dip, salad and a hot beverage (9.50 euros); muesli pancakes with yogurt and fresh fruit (10.50 euros); or American pancakes with bacon and maple syrup (10.50 euros). Bonus: Lucky I amsterdam card holders get 25% off any breakfast option before 13:00.

Meanwhile native-experience seekers should head for Klavertje 4 where you’ve got cafeteria-style fare on heat between 8:30 and 11:00, except Sundays. Their open-faced sandwiches are legendary and seriously filling - a real treat to the traditional Dutch boterham (sandwich) breakfast of meat, cheese and egg; or they’ve a nice strawberry special and medley of yogurt, walnuts and honey worth a look.