If you enjoy a side of history and tradition with your beer, be sure to visit to one of Amsterdam's atmospheric brown cafés during your stay. Dotted along the cobbled streets and picturesque canals of the Dutch capital, these rustic watering holes are an intrinsic part of the city's culture, and a charming place to get an authentic feel for local life. Whether you're keen on sampling regional beers, or simply want to relax and watch the world go by in a comfortable snug with a bit of an old-world feel, these time-honored establishments are certainly worth seeking out. Read on to find out more about Amsterdam's famous brown cafés, then check out our pick of the best establishments to discover for yourself.
What is a Brown Café?
A bruine kroeg in Amsterdam is not a café in the usual sense of a coffee shop, but rather a comfortable tavern where you can enjoy beer, genever (a juniper-flavored Dutch spirit, an ancestor of gin) and other beverages. Usually small and intimate in scale, these laid-back, friendly establishments serve a similar function to the local pub in British culture. Viewed by Amsterdam residents almost as an extension of their home, they're a place to unwind, read the newspaper, or chat with friends and neighbors over your favorite tipple.
Why is it Called a Brown Café?
The term brown café (also known as a brown bar) comes from the predominant color scheme of their interiors: think dark wooden paneling, well-worn furniture, antique fittings and yellowish walls tinted by centuries of tobacco smoke. This is not a façade put on for tourists, either – many of the brown cafés have been in operation since the 1600s, demonstrating how deeply entrenched and valued they are among the local population. If you love old buildings with plenty of period ambiance, you're sure to be enchanted by these vintage taverns.
What Can I Expect?
Brown cafés are the epitome of gezillig, which is the Dutch equivalent of the much-discussed Danish concept of hygge – a word that very loosely translates as a feeling of coziness and companionable contentment. They're the perfect place to hide away on a chilly winter's evening, savoring a peaceful drink with good companions, or to chill out on a lazy summer afternoon while watching the world go by.
Here you'll find an easy-going mix of regulars, students, and visitors who love to venture off the beaten track and drink where the locals drink – making it the perfect place to get a sense of Amsterdam society. Many of the cafés don't even play music, to ensure the atmosphere is just right for conversation.
Most of the brown cafés specialize in Dutch and Belgian beers and ales, and occasionally you may even get to sample a product brewed on site. The bartenders are knowledgeable and can help guide you through the different selections, and many of the cafés also serve simple, hearty bar food, such as cheese sandwiches, soup or bitterballen (crispy, deep-fried meatballs), to help line your stomach as you while away the time. If all this sounds appealing, check out our brown café recommendations below on your next trip to Amsterdam – the concierge team at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center will be happy to provide directions and help you choose.
Amsterdam's Best Brown Cafés
If you're in the mood for a lively, easy to spot place, then Café Hoppe is in the prime location in the busy Spui area. It is one of Amsterdam's most historic bars with vintage barrels posing as decoration. King's Day celebrations are definitely a must to see at this spot! Café Papenilland is set right on the waterside on the famous Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht canals and is the picture-perfect brown café, ideal for a quiet drink before heading out on one of the boat tours that moor out front. Head to the oldest pub in Amsterdam, Café Karpershoek near Central Station. The building itself dates from 1557, and there's been a tavern on the site since 1606, when it catered to sailors from the Dutch East India Company (VOC). It's easy to feel like you've stepped back in time here, with the simple wood interior, antique prints and paintings and sand-covered floors. Café De Pieper has low ceilings, blue Delft tiles, original stained glass and sawdust on the floor, making this small, friendly brown café as authentic as they come. Just a short walk from Leidseplein, the pub has been serving up Dutch beer since 1665 (the taps themselves date from the 19th century). Who would have thought you could go to a café called "The Grape"? Café De Druif is just that, translated in English, of course. This handsome brown café has been serving alcohol since at least 1631, putting it among the oldest taverns in the city. Formerly a distillery, as well as an embarkation point where sailors could sign up as crew on the VOC merchant ships, the building still evokes a bygone age with its gas chandeliers, vintage spirit barrels and traditional carpet-covered tables.
Psst! Once you've had your fill of coffee and beer, make sure you find out where you can eat out in Amsterdam!
Ready to get a taste of the craft beer scene in Amsterdam? Book your stay at the historic Radisson Blu to be right in the centre!
