We decided to stay in Amsterdam on a whim really.
“Our flights to Morocco stopover in Amsterdam. Let’s stay for a few days,” Mario said looking back at me. Those were the cheapest flights — cheap but, goooooood (*Nacho voice*).
“Sure,” I replied — it was a no-brainer.
And, that was it. We were going to Morocco, but we were going to Amsterdam too. For five, cold, days, we would explore all we could.
Using the advice of a good friend Winston Douglas, who also happens to be a 3-time South African Coffee Barista Champion, made our way through the cosmopolitan city’s neighborhoods by searching out the recommended caffeine (not cannabis) waterholes. So this blog is about that. Read my blog My Top Amsterdam Tips, here to read about our other adventures and learnings.
Without much further ado…
COFFE SHOP ONE — BLACK GOLD AMSTERDAM
Korte Koningsstraat 13. 1011 ES Amsterdam
We arrived in Amsterdam mid-Afternoon, but after checking into our hotel, taking a shower, and getting food, we weren’t left with much sunlight. We were adamant to start exploring though, and made our way to Black Gold, the first shop on our list — also, closest to where we were.
We arrived at the entrance just before 7 pm, and were sad to find it closed (sad, because it was freezing cold and we weren’t prepared for the cold at all). We stood looking at the front of the shop knowing that we would come back first thing in the morning, and then we heard a voice.
“Are you coming to the exhibition,” a middle-aged woman said as she and husband locked up their apartment opposite.
“The Exhibition?” I said questioningly as I watched her come into the light — her thick grey curls were full and cascaded past her shoulder. She had round glasses and stood with her hands in her pockets. Spunky.
“Yes,” she replied in a New York accent. “It’s a closed, invite-only exhibition. Some photographer is launching his book. Come you’re invited.”
We weren’t invited. But, she walked into the shop as the owner opened the door and motioned to us to follow them inside. We did.
And, that’s how we ended up at Mark Manzi’s second photo-book exhibition, meeting Agatha (a local who would explore with us the next day), being introduced to the Nouva Napoli album by Nu Guinea as it was the record they spun in the shop that night and having some of the best conversations of our trip with the shop owner, Sie. It felt like home, and we went back nearly every day of our trip.
It was a bonus that the coffee was great (read: splendifirous) — flat white with oat milk? Yes, please.
COFFEE SHOP TWO — BOCCA COFFEE
Kerkstraat 96H, 1017 GP Amsterdam, Netherlands
We knew that a miserable day was coming our way after being blessed with two relatively splendid sunny days — great for exploring. We woke up to rain on our third day in Amsterdam but that didn’t stop us from missioning across the city to BOCCA Coffee. On the way there, we marveled at the natives who balanced riding their bicycles and carrying their umbrella’s to shield them from the showers.
When we found BOCCA, we were instantly taken in by the design, ambience and busy Saturday buzz. Like us, other locals wanting to get out of the cold were huddled into every corner of the reasonably sized coffee shop.
We sat down and immediately ordered their €10,00 special — a flat white, french toast with roasted almonds and blueberries and a little treat. Score!
The warmth and coffee were so alluring we ended up sitting there and trying out 3 more of their special roasts — they give you a card with information about the roast, farm, and more, every time you order a coffee.
COFFEE SHOP THREE — SCANDINAVIAN EMBASSY
Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands
After passing through the bustling Dappermarkt and grabbing a stroopwafel, we made our way to Scandinavian Embassy. The beautiful houses on the way to the coffee shop speak to the type of cafe we found it to be — a little bit more prim, rich, hipster, missing a bit of that soul but still, really good coffee.
The shop is small, but well designed and was packed to the brim when we arrived. We waited for a space and got one at the far back where we enjoyed a coffee, cinnamon bun, and eavesdropping on the conversations around us.
COFFEE SHOP FOUR — FRIEDHATS FAKU CAFE
Bos en Lommerweg 136 HS, 1055 ED Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our last day in Amsterdam was smiled upon by the gods and we had sun! We were excited to trek to FriedHats Fake Cafe which was situated in an area of town that we had not yet visited.
I literally only have one picture here, because we had hardly ordered our coffee when we heard a voice say from behind, “are you from Cape Town?”
Mario and I turned around to see a stylish, young couple perched against the window seat closest to the street with their two small children.
“We are, yes.” And, that was it. Before we knew it we were headlong into a conversation about politics, fashion, post-graduate studies, Pretoria, rock bands, Woodstock gentrification (an area in Cape Town), and more.
We’re ever grateful for that conversation though because the wife mentioned that we should visit the Stedelijk Museum for Contemporary & Modern Art and it turned out to be one of the best things we did! Read about it here.
Again, great coffee, great vibe and beautiful neighbourhood. Perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast and banter.
Hope that this helps you if you’re looking for some great spots!
Love,
Eden
#TheGoodSis
#TravelLight
