Best terraces in Amsterdam city centre
The best place for people-watching is on the terrace of a café—and it’s even better when it’s located in the centre of Amsterdam, one of the liveliest parts of the city. With a refreshing drink, good company and a view of the crowd and the canals, relaxing on the terraces in Amsterdam Central is always a favourite summertime activity.
Cafe de Jaren
Featuring one of the most unique terraces in Amsterdam, Café de Jaren is a charming, deceptively large café in the heart of the city. Feel free to arrive for breakfast, lunch or dinner by boat—the café boasts its own jetty, making it a perfect stop for a bite to eat after sailing the canals. In the late evening, guests can nibble on bar snacks while the sun sets and the canals calm down.
Café de Jaren | Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22
Dignita Hoftuin
Guests will eat well and do good at the Dignita Hoftuin: that’s part of its motto. The café, which features a secret garden terrace tucked behind H'ART Museum, serves locally-sourced, freshly made breakfast, brunch and lunch—and a socially responsible message, as all its profits go towards the Not For Sale organisation. Vegans and vegetarians are spoilt for choice at this café, but there is plenty on the menu for everyone.
Dignita Hoftuin | Nieuwe Herengracht 18A
Waterkant
Get transported to a tropical oasis at Waterkant, a canal-side café inspired by the Surinamese stylings of the capital Paramaribo—it’s got the cuisine to match, serving up specialties such as saoto soup and roti. More typical fare such as burgers and BBQ ribs are also on the menu, but there are always new surprises on the chalkboard. It’s first come, first served at Waterkant, where guests order at the bar and bring their food back to a table on the terrace—if there’s room!
Waterkant | Marnixstraat 246
Hannekes Boom
Beachy vibes permeate the atmosphere of this unpretentious hangout, which features a rustic interior of reclaimed wood and artsy décor. With a large outdoor terrace and rooftop bar stocked with plenty of beer and wine as well as a regularly changing lunch and dinner menu, guests can enjoy the soothing sights of the waterways from morning until evening—that is, until the sun sets. Evenings bring regular live music and DJ nights to Hannekes Boom, making it both a daytime café and a night-time party spot.
Hannekes Boom | Dijksgracht 4
Brasserie Nel
On a square nestled between the canals is NeL, a café that the locals love. All ages are welcome at this family-friendly space, which epitomises the Dutch tradition of enjoying the sun with good company at a cosy café. Try the award-winning burgers—paired with a cold beer, of course—while the kids go off and play nearby. Head over on Monday evening, when the café hosts live jazz from Dutch and international musicians.
Brasserie Nel | Amstelveld 12
Vooges aan 't IJ
Escape the city at Vooges aan 't IJ, which, although still located in bustling Amsterdam Central, is a lowkey place for locals and tourists alike. The large terrace puts on a spectacular display of the IJ River, where visitors can chow down on an unexpectedly sophisticated lunch or dinner, including mussels, salads and heartier main dishes.
Vooges aan 't IJ | Westerdoksdijk 40
Lion Noir
In the summertime, the dark-hued and dimly lit Lion Noir opens its doors to let the light in. Behind the restaurant, located in the heart of a busy nightlife scene, is a surprisingly picturesque and intimate terrace featuring white linen-covered tables and a lush green garden. The French-inspired kitchen presents an elegant menu: oysters and caviar, cheese plates and Black Angus steak—all supplemented by duck liver or sweetbreads on request—are served for dinner, while sandwiches and salads are on the menu for lunch.
Lion Noir | Reguliersdwarsstraat 28
Cafe in de Waag
Dine at an iconic 15th-century building that looms over the popular Nieuwmarkt. Its imposing towers and grand façade create the perfect backdrop when sitting out on the terrace, where guests have a perfect view of the square. Enjoy breakfast or lunch during the busy weekday markets for prime people-watching; for special outings, reserve a table for high tea. After the markets close, the café’s three-course menu offers the opportunity for a leisurely dinner.
Cafe in de Waag | Nieuwmarkt 4
Café de Sluyswacht
Perched on a corner of Jodenbreestraat, just a stone’s throw from Rembrandt House, this former lockkeeper’s cottage is now the charmingly crooked Café de Sluyswacht, with its picturesque canalside terrace on the historic waterway. It’s a lovely place to sit on a summer evening with a beer and bitterballen, and when the sun goes down, simply move indoors to the inviting pub, which oozes old-world appeal with its stone floor, wooden benches and ceiling beams.
Café de Sluyswacht | Jodenbreestraat 1
NEMO Roof Terrace
After filling your mind with science, fill your belly with a delicious sandwich, coffee or a snack at the museum restaurant and cafe—served with a view. Located on the roof of the NEMO Science Museum, this stunning terrace offers an unobstructed panorama of Amsterdam and a perfect place to relax with the kids after a few hours touring the museum. The rooftop lunch spot is also open for reservations for larger groups, along with a lunch package for adults and children.
Nemo Science Museum | Oosterdok 2
