Some of my favorite moments in Amsterdam happen after the sightseeing is over: sitting beside a canal with a cold beer, lingering over wine on a sunny terrace, or ducking into a dimly lit brown café for a glass of jenever.
From natural wine bars and craft-beer pubs to inventive cocktail bars and classic Dutch cafés, these are the places I return to when I want a drink in Amsterdam.
Shiraz Jardin des Vins
Shiraz quickly became my go-to spot in Amsterdam for a glass of wine. If you're lucky enough to experience a sunny Amsterdam afternoon, their terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy it. And if the weather isn't so good, then the cozy interior will help you forget all about the rain.
They have an extensive wine list, including wines from all over the world, as well as some natural wines. They also serve plenty of small plates, so you can stop in for a pre-dinner drink or easily turn your visit into a full meal.
Mikeller at MoreBeer
If beer is more your thing, then I suggest Mikeller at MoreBeer, a collaboration between the Danish Mikeller brand and the Dutch MoreBeer brewery. They tend to have around 30 beers on tap, which they change up regularly.
It's a casual place, a great spot for a pint and catching up with some friends. Plus, they have a kitchen that caters to both vegans and meat eaters, so everyone can find something to enjoy.
Door 74
This one's for the cocktail lovers. If you want a well-crafted cocktail in a space with a classy, speakeasy-style interior, head to Door 74.
They put real thought into what's on the menu here, and you're likely to try something you might never have heard of before. It is a popular place though, so I recommend making a reservation in advance to be sure you can secure a spot!
Café t Genootschap der Geneugten
For a real taste of Dutch drinking culture, you have to visit a brown bar. These cozy pubs generally have dark wood panelling and dim lighting, the type of place that might have you thinking you stepped back a few centuries.
Café t Genootschap der Geneugten is a great brown bar experience, right in the center of Amsterdam. I actually discovered this bar while waiting for a table at their restaurant across the street, Café de Klos, which is also worth a try. Here, you can try traditional Dutch jenever, or stick with a beer, wine, or a cocktail. It's a welcoming space, and bars like this are unfortunately harder and harder to find.
Cafe Marcella
Café Marcella is the kind of Amsterdam café that's especially difficult to resist on a sunny afternoon. Its tables spill out beside the canal, making it a lovely place to watch the boats pass with a glass of wine or a cold beer.
The menu is broad enough to satisfy almost anyone, with coffee, wine, beer and plenty of snacks, but the real reason to come is the setting. It feels local and relaxed, even though it's within easy reach of Amsterdam's busiest sights.
House of Bols
House of Bols is more of an experience than a bar, but it's definitely worth checking out during your trip to Amsterdam.
Jenever is a traditional Dutch liquor, and here you can learn all about its history and production, plus make your own drinks! The cocktail-making experience here is super laid back and a lot of fun; we've taken multiple visitors here, and it's also a hit! Plus, you'll get to learn about something that is relatively unknown in the rest of the world.
Cafe Cenc
Cafe Cenc is where I tried one of the most memorable glasses of wine I've ever had. A Sicilian white wine, with tons of minerality, super dry, a slight hint of saline, just something so perfect and unique. That glass summed up what Café Cenc does especially well: distinctive wines from thoughtful producers that you might not encounter elsewhere.
This spot was opened by the team behind the wildly famous Bar Parry in the Jordaan, and I actually prefer this newer space. It's cozy and unpretentious, yet every bottle and every bite feels indulgent and intentional.
Fabus
If you know me, you know I can't resist adding another wine bar to this list. Amsterdam has a great natural wine scene, and Fabus is one of my favorites.
They have great wine, a menu of Levantine-inspired plates, and if you fall in love with the place, you can even sign up for one of their wine subscriptions, ensuring you'll always have great bottles on hand!
Final Thoughts
Whether you want natural wine and small plates, a perfectly made cocktail, or a cold beer beside the canal, these are the places I find myself recommending again and again.