Best museum cafes in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

It is the most extraordinary museum café on the Museumplein: the Garden House. Nestle yourself in the garden of the Rijksmuseum and enjoy a drink, snack or rocket ice cream in peace between the sculptures of world-famous artists. The images change regularly and are part of an open-air exhibition. So reason enough to revisit this green oasis.

Geelvinck Pianola Museum

Time has come to a halt in the Geelvinck Pianola Museum. Despite its modest size, the museum holds a proper brown cafe which will transport you into a different era. The petrol blue walls are covered with photos, while music plays past the open doors. Drape over the chaise longue and taste sweet nostalgia with a cup of tea.

Geelvinck Pianola Museum | Westerstraat 106

EYE Filmmuseum

Speaking of time machines, the futuristic building of the EYE Film Museum could easily belong to the year 2200. Its beautiful cafe sprawls under the meter-high ceiling, with enormous windows filtering the magnificent view over the IJ river. It’s an excellent spot for lunch or dinner - even if you are not visiting the museum.

EYE Filmmuseum | IJpromenade 1

De Hortus

The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. The Oranjerie, its accompanying grand café, is a true oasis of relaxation, as you are surrounded by tropical greenery throughout the seasons. Its terrace is open in good weather, offering the opportunity to enjoy the best of the sunshine in a unique and lush setting.

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam | Plantage Middenlaan 2A

H'ART Museum

The H'ART Museum café-restaurant brings the beauty and impact of art to your plate. The menu is filled with gastronomic creations, promising a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Try ‘Chef’s Lunch’, which can be enjoyed in the museum café on the first floor or the terrace in the courtyard. You can also catch the annual Jazz at the Plantage festival (July and August).

H'ART Museum | Amstel 51

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam

Go on a culinary trip around the world in De Tropen, the grand café of the Wereldmuseum. Here, on the edge of the Oosterpark, you can try delicious breakfast and lunch dishes from around the world. The menu promises Indonesian peanut soup, poké bowls, Surinamese pom, quesadillas and the Dutch weed burger. Don’t miss fun activities on the museum’s agenda while you’re here, such as film festivals or special events.

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam| Linnaeusstraat 2

NEMO Science Museum

While the kids are busy playing scientist, catch your breath in the restaurant on the roof of the NEMO Science Museum. The glass conservatory offers sweeping views over the Amsterdam city centre, and during summertime, you can lounge directly on the roof. Check the agenda for music performances, film screenings and yoga sessions.

NEMO Science Museum | Oosterdok 2

Muiderslot

End a walk through the impressive Muiderslot in style; treat yourself to a snack and drink in the cosy castle De Taveerne café. Sink your teeth into a luxurious lunch or high tea package or make it a picnic outing and order a filled wicker basket with freshly roasted nuts, prosecco and a matching picnic blanket. On sunny days you can also claim your spot on the terrace, with a view over the beautiful castle square.

Muiderslot | Herengracht 1, Muiden

Foam

Enjoy a delicious slice of apple pie and a cup of coffee with delightful foam art in the basement cafe of the Foam Museum. Situated right to the museum bookshop, the cafe is the perfect location to recharge and soak in the creative atmosphere of the museum.

Foam Café | Keizersgracht 609

Embassy of the Free Mind

With artefacts, drawings and documents lining the walls, the cafe within the Embassy of the Free Mind museum offers a beautiful setting in which to process everything you’ve learned during your visit. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the front room of this elegant canal house, engage in a philosophical conversation or browse the books detailing Amsterdam’s history: a visit is worth your time.

Embassy of the Free Mind Café | Keizersgracht 123

Stedelijk Museum

TEN good food cafe is located right within the entry of the enormous Stedelijk Museum on the Museumplein. The cafe acts as a living room where everyone is welcome to hang out and connect, and it also has a big sunny terrace. With an all-day breakfast and an array of delicious lunch dishes, this is the perfect spot to recharge between museums.

TEN good food cafe | Museumplein 10

Bar Vasari

Huis Vasari is not home only to the Vrije Academie with its lectures, workshops and guided art and culture tours, but also to the lovely espresso bar Vasari. The ambience and menu are intent on paying homage to the aesthetics of Italian cinema and the lifestyle of the ‘50s and ‘60s. An Italian-inspired patisserie awaits you to enjoy a proper break with a glass of wine in the courtyard garden or within the canal house walls.

Bar Vasari | Herengracht 366

Museum Van Loon

Venture into the Van Loon museum's beautiful courtyard garden and find Het Museumcafé: the perfect spot to enjoy a piece of traditional Dutch apple pie with a glass of lemonade. Relax in the shade and take in the atmosphere of this stately canal house hidden from sight in the heart of Amsterdam.

Museum van Loon | Keizersgracht 672

ARTIS - Groote Museum

The new kid on the block, het Kleine Lokaal, is serving delicious sandwiches under the roof of the Groote Museum. In collaboration with local makers such as the Stadsbakkerij van As, Instock and more, het Kleine Lokaal brings fresh and regional produce to the table. The sandwich shop is also supporting valuable initiatives such as Social Impact Maker by stocking delicious cakes made by Jailbird Bakery.

Het Kleine Lokaal | Plantage Middenlaan 41

Museum Het Schip

The cosy museum Het Schip lunchroom is part of experiencing the Amsterdam School of architecture. With a lovely courtyard garden waiting outside its doors, the cafe is the perfect setting for a cup of coffee with an artisanal bread sandwich.

Het Schip | Oostzaanstraat 45