The best cafe’s, pubs and bars in Amsterdam

LuminAir

In every city we visit we look for a rooftop bar to enjoy the view over the city. In Amsterdam the bar LuminAir, nestled atop the Doubletree Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station hotel offers an unrivaled panoramic view over the city. With its grand views over Amsterdam, LuminAir stands out as one of Amsterdam’s premier rooftop bars. 

Indulge in a captivating blend of creative cocktails that lie at the heart of LuminAir’s offerings. Complemented by an inspired menu featuring a flavorful selection of international drinks and innovative bites with a twist, LuminAir promises a culinary journey few can match.

During the sunny summer days and spring season you can relax on the outdoor terrace to enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam from above. But even during dark winter nights you can enjoy a mesmerizing experience as the city is illuminated by enchanting city lights. The cloud-themed decor is surprisingly fitting for a rooftop bar and adds a touch of whimsy to the ambiance, and as the name suggests, LuminAir lives up to its reputation with captivating dynamic evening lighting.

LuminAir takes the place of the renowned SkyLounge, a favorite among locals and visitors alike, which was also voted as the best hotel bar in Amsterdam. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to savor LuminAir’s delights. So if you wish to elevate your Amsterdam vacation experience, and capture lasting visual memories, then head to the 11th floor of the Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station for some unforgettable rooftop views at LuminAir.

In de Wildeman

Popular as one of the most incredible beer bars of the city, In de Wildeman is located in an old distillery in central Amsterdam. A gorgeous black and white chequered floor and walls loaded with memorabilia mark the interior, coupled by a no-music refreshing ambiance. But, what makes the place stand out is their huge array of craft beers, including 18 beers on tap and 250 bottled beer from across the globe. Dutch and Belgian beers being the specialty, the place has got Europe Germany, Ireland, Great Britain and America covered. To make it a bit easier, you can always go for the beer of the week or beer of the month. Speaking of the food, you have got ossenworst, meatballs, and cheese plates with chutneys as the chief delights which all goes down nicely with a refreshing glass of beer.

Floor 17

A picturesque rooftop terrace bar with mesmerizing views of the city, Floor 17 tops The Ramada Apollo hotel with sheer grace. Featuring a retro futuristic themed decor, a central counter, and lots of glass that make views even more amazing. Floor 17 has a restaurant where you can settle for a delectable lunch or a great dinner and a bar for who simply wants to cherish a signature cocktail at the oddest hours of the day with caramelized pineapple. Floor 17 won’t fail to impress you. A spectrum of wines, cocktails and champagnes line the menu.

W Lounge

The W Lounge is a luxurious hotel bar located on the sixth floor of the Exchange building which is in the heart of the Amsterdam city center next to Dam square. This location offers from the inside as well as from the rooftop terrace some beautiful views over parts of the city center. The rooftop terrace has also the first rooftop pool of Amsterdam, which is heated during the winter. The opulent design with gold lines printed on the windows and the nice background music makes it a perfect setting to enjoy their delicious cocktails.

Hard Rock café Amsterdam

The Hard Rock cafe has a chain of theme bars and restaurants all over the world. Since 1999 the Hard Rock cafe has a location in Amsterdam, a few steps away from the Leidseplein. The theme of the bar and restaurant are rock and roll, and the hamburgers in the restaurant are delicious. Besides the rock and roll music, drinks and a food experience you can enjoy the memorabilia from legends like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones that are displayed. In 2016 the Amsterdam location has been chosen as the best Hard Rock cafe in the world. Next to the Hard Rock cafe is also a shop where items of the Hard Rock brand can be bought.

Madam Amsterdam

Located on the 20th floor of the Adam Tower, Madam Amsterdam is a gorgeous panorama bar and restaurant engulfed in a New York style cosmopolitan ambiance. Cherish a warm cup of coffee and delectable snacks during the day, while the nights get even more colorful with a stunning 360˚ view of the city. The extensive menu by Chef David Baxter sports traditional French and Mediterranean cuisine. Steak tartare, ceviche, and beetroot marinated smoked salmon are a few must-try appetizers, while you would love to treat your taste buds with chicken supreme and the risotto for the main course. As the sun sets, Madam disguises itself as the highest nightclub of Amsterdam playing loud party numbers.

Whiskey Café L&B

The Whiskey Café L&B is a highly praised, small but cozy café with a Scottish atmosphere. It is founded in 1971 and owned by one of the founders of the International Whiskey festival. On the menu is a broad range of blends, classic single malts, older distillery editions and independent bottlers. The knowledgeable staff is friendly and willing to share their knowledge. This makes it a recommended experience for any lover of whiskey, bourbon or scotch.

Belgique

Café Belgique is specialised in Belgian beer and has built a cult status over the years. It is a very small, but cozy, pub with character and over 50+ different beers on bottle. It would be impossible to offer anything like a complete range of 700+ Belgian beers, but they have made a very good selection. If you are not familiar with the different Belgian beers we from Meet The Cities would recommend to try a Pauwel Kwak which probably will be served in its own unique and distinctive glass.

‘t Smalle

Café ‘t Smalle was a Hoppe distillery in 1780. Nowadays it is a cozy old brown cafe located near the Anne Frank House and has wooden barrels above the wood-paneled mezzanine bar, and vintage brass furnishings. If you had some beers and got a little hungry you could order the tasty Dutch snack called bitterballen. But when you had a coffee we would recommend a slice of Apple Pie. Particularly beautiful is the waterfront terrace on one of the prettiest canals of Amsterdam which is open during summertime. Needless to say that the waterfront terrace is always packed with good weather.

Cafe Gollem

Café Gollum is a typical brown cafe with much character. It is founded in 1974 and has nowadays four locations in Amsterdam. They have a cozy atmosphere where everybody talks to everybody no matter if you are a local or a tourist. What makes them unique is their large selection of Belgian and other international beers. The cafes at Raamsteeg 4 and Amstelstraat 34 have a selection of 200+ different beers. The friendly bartenders are well informed and willing to give you some advice which beers you should try.

Canvas

Canvas stands as a chic rooftop bar, restaurant and club on the 7th floor of the Volkshotel, south-east of central Amsterdam. During the day the rooftop terrace offers a beautiful view over the city. Having a blue bar as the showstopper, the spot offers an ever changing menu with toothsome starters. Canvas is a great place to settle down at for a yummy lunch or a memorable late night dinner, while the guests enjoy the amazing views on all sides. On friday and saturday night Canvas turns into a club that hosts numerous events and DJs.

SKYY Bar

Near the World Fashion Center on the 10th floor of the WestCord Fashion Hotel sports this ultra lively and extremely chic bar that’s largely adored for its marvellous city views and over a dozen drinks. Large windows and glitzy elements mark the decor, while weekends are brightened up with resident DJs.

Beginning right from the most classic cocktails, the place also offers in-house blends, such as Skyy is the Limit which is a sweet and sour mix of citrus vodka with lemon juice and strawberry, combined with sugar. Another one is The Wake Up Call that blends genever with butterscotch liqueur, some espresso and hazelnut syrup. The cocktails can be supplemented with Dutch and Asian delicacies, including mini Wagyu burgers, tiger prawns, traditional Dutch bitterballs, and sweet vegetarian mini spring rolls.

Twenty Third Bar

The Twenty Third Bar is a luxurious skybar, notable as it’s also one of the highest ones. Located on Hotel Okura’s 23rd floor, the spot offers a sparkling 180 degree night view of Amsterdam and a splendorous day-time meal with a fun-filled ambiance. The modern interior with subtle shade of blue and tiny lights above the bar make the place absolutely eye-pleasing to look at. Order yourself classic martinis and daiquiris, or some wonderful drinks from the stylish cocktail menu, while you can also select from 17 different champagnes and wines. As a bonus you can satisfy your food cravings with a range of decadent snacks offered by the great chefs of the michelin awarded Ciel Bleu kitchen next door.

Vesper bar

The Vesper Bar is a small but stylish bar where you can enjoy delicious cocktails prepared by top bartenders. Vesper is the name of the Bond girl where the bar has derived its name from. Their cocktail menu includes many classic cocktails, but also some beers and wines. Because of its location, which is right in the heart of the charming Jordaan area, it attracts many local people from Amsterdam. Please note that this cocktail bar opens late in the evening.