10 Best Brown Cafés in Amsterdam (From a Local)

Amsterdam might have one of the most underrated pub scenes in Europe. Most people immediately think of Dublin or London for a classic pub environment, but Amsterdam’s brown cafés are just on par with any other historic, big cities in the world. I’ve made it a point to try nearly every brown café in Amsterdam.

First off, a brown café (or brown bar or brown pub) is simply just a traditional Dutch pub that typically serves traditional Dutch snacks and tasty drinks, including cold beers on tap, spirits, and wines. However, if you prefer, there’s always traditional coffee or tea as an alternative.

Brown pubs are a quintessential part of Amsterdam life. These traditional bars/cafés are known for their dark, cozy interiors, made darker by years of cigarette and cigar smoke along with wood-built interiors.

Every Amsterdammer has their own favorite brown café and it is clear to see why. A cozy brown café is a must-visit during any trip to Amsterdam (or anywhere else in the Netherlands for that matter).

The Best Brown Cafés in Amsterdam, Netherlands

1. Café Hoppe

Address: Spui 18-20, 1012 XA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Café Hoppe is one of the most popular brown cafés in Amsterdam and is a great spot to relax and have a drink with friends. This Amsterdam staple is located in Spui, which is right in the heart of Amsterdam’s city center.

The atmosphere here on a Friday during happy hour is unreal, with a fun overflow of people out on the front terrace, no matter the weather – rain, snow, or shine. Even though it’s in the heart of the city, this bar is still a staple for many locals that live in the area.

Café Hoppe is my personal go-to for a cold Amstel beer. They also distill their own jenever (Dutch gin), so it’s a great place to taste new or aged jenever.

You can see the old barrels lined behind the bar. In the summer, grab a spot outside and enjoy the moment with the beautiful architecture that surrounds you. In the winter, grab a large table in the back to cozy up and enjoy some traditional Dutch food.

2. Café In ‘t Aepjen

Address: Zeedijk 1, 1012 AN Amsterdam, Netherlands

Café in ‘t Aepljen translates to “Cafe in the Monkeys.” This is the oldest brown café in Amsterdam and features an incredible story. It’s called “In The Monkeys” because when sailors would return from their trips around the world, they would…