Best breakfast spots in Amsterdam
In a city where the collective population cycles two million KM each day, there is no shortage of breakfast spots for you to fuel up at. From bakeries, brunch spots, pancake houses, brasseries and cafes, here are the places to start your day in style. Always remember: breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
Greenwoods
The immensely popular Greenwoods at Keizersgracht and Singel is one of Amsterdam's best English breakfast and brunch spots. In fact, there is almost always a line of hungry breakfasters waiting at the door, not only because of their generous portions of eggs benedict, pancakes and banana bread but also because of the fantastic flavours and service. Add some bacon, and Greenwoods is the perfect place to kickstart your day strolling through Amsterdam.
Staring at Jacob
This excellent brunch spot in Oud-West serves American-inspired comfort food and killer cocktails all day, with one of the most creative brunch menus in Amsterdam and a wonderfully convivial atmosphere to match. It's possible to snag a table without booking, though to be guaranteed a spot it's best to book ahead – this place is deservedly popular.
Rum Baba
Sweet-toothed brunchers should head to this friendly cafe in Amsterdam's Oosterpark neighbourhood for a delectable range of freshly baked pastries and delicious hot coffee at any time of the day. Pull up a seat and stay as long as you like. And if you become particularly attached to your chair, you could even take it home with you - the furniture, books, plants, and other home accessories here are all for sale.
Bakers & Roasters
This cute breakfast and brunch spot in the bohemian neighbourhood of De Pijp describes itself as a ‘New Zealand-style café served with a heavy dose of Brazil’. It's an unusual mix, but we like it. The colourful breakfasts, baked delicacies, and fresh fruit salads will certainly put a spring in your Samba ahead of a day exploring Amsterdam.
The Pancake Bakery
Beloved by visitors, international students and locals alike, this cosy pancake house inside a 17th-century warehouse on Prinsengracht is something of an Amsterdam institution – which explains the queues frequently seen snaking out of the door and along the canal. Visitors can tuck into a choice of more than 100 (huge) sweet and savoury pancakes and help themselves from generous pots of syrup on the tables. Can't get enough of the sweet stuff? Check out our round-up of the best pancake spots in Amsterdam.
Anne & Max
Anne and Max are the fictional characters behind this eponymous Amsterdam café, open every day for breakfast, a quick coffee, lunch, high tea and savoury snacks. Every day, you can read the menu boards to see which specials Anne and Max recommend, including the baguette with hummus and avocado and the revitalising fruit shake made with pomegranate, blackberry, apple, strawberry and ginger. The ingredients are, wherever possible, sustainable and homemade.
De Bakkerswinkel
If you stumble across it accidentally, you may not even realise that this stylish but humble eatery is a much-loved national bakery chain. It has three Amsterdam branches to its name and, more often than not, queues out of the door. Select from tea, coffee or juices to perk you up while you decide whether you fancy a basic breakfast bun with a tasty filling, a slim-line yoghurt-muesli combo or a more elaborate mix of croissants, breads and eggs.
Omelegg
Omelegg pride themselves on being the Netherlands’ first “omeletterie”. And they’re not joking around regarding egg cravings, providing their first customers’ fix from 07:00. As you would expect from such a specialised place, the menu boasts some somewhat experimental items – think omelette with dates, currywurst or banana and peanut butter – but purists won’t need to abstain from the standard variations, either. While you wait, watch the eggs sizzling with fresh ingredients in the open kitchen.
Conservatorium Brasserie
If you’re looking to push the breakfast boat out, the bright and airy brasserie at the luxurious Conservatorium Hotel in the Museum Quarter makes the ideal spot for an elegant breakfast or brunch in Amsterdam. Located in an internal courtyard with a spectacular glass ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows, the brasserie offers a choice of exquisite a la carte breakfast or a modern buffet-style ‘ice table’. If you really want to start your day off in style/a bit tipsy, the breakfast menu also includes champagne by the glass.
The Cottage
This cosy little place in Amsterdam Oost serves delicious British comfort food all day long. Start your day (they open at 8:30) with great coffee, fresh scones, homemade jam or a full English – part of their all-day brunch menu. The lunch menu includes delicious pies, sausage rolls and a Sunday roast, plus they have an excellent range of drinks and cocktails, served from a beautiful old bar.
CT Coffee & Coconuts
Like coffee? Like coconuts? Then you’ll love this airy De Pijp eatery. Accommodated inside a former 1920s cinema, the art deco building has been lovingly converted into a hip hangout with stripped-back décor and a laid-back atmosphere ideal for long, lazy brunches. As well as a regularly updated selection of coffee to accompany your breakfast, visitors can enjoy an entire fresh coconut with a squeeze of lime (and a dash of rum if you like). Breakfast is served until 13:00 and includes a healthy range of overnight buckwheat porridge, avocado on toast and delicious coconut pancakes.
