The Dutch haven’t always been big on brunch. Who can blame them, when sandwiches with cheese or hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles) are ready for grabs at home? But it’s safe to say the capital has caught up with the weekend trend – this is my guide to my all-time favorite brunch spots in Amsterdam (and what to order).
Bakers & Roasters
A brunch institution in Amsterdam, Bakers & Roasters specializes in New Zealand-style dishes with a dose of Brazil. That means many egg-oriented dishes with bacon, pulled pork or veggies, alongside spicy salsas like chilli jam or chipotle cream. I might be biased with my sweet tooth but their American pancakes are SO good, with blueberries mixed into the batter for extra flavor and fun.
Address: Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 54 or Kadijksplein 16
CT Coffee & Coconuts
Housed inside a former cinema building, CT Coffee & Coconuts draws in a crowd thanks to its beautiful, beachy interior and laidback atmosphere. Another reason is their scrambled eggs avocado, served on sourdough toast with miso paste, crumbled feta and tangy taggia olives. If you’re feeling indecisive, the full CT breakfast gives you bite-sized pieces of their bestsellers, including a bowl of granola, coconut pancakes and – you guessed it – scrambled eggs avo.
Address: Ceintuurbaan 282-284
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club was actually one of the first to open a destination dedicated to morning fare, available at any time of the day. With influences from Mexico City, London and New York, there’s something to suit anyone’s needs, whether you’re looking for a sweet treat or a hangover cure. There’s spicy huevos rancheros, served with soft tortillas and cheddar cheese; a full English, and healthy bowls with oats or granola. But ugh, you MUST order their buttermilk pancakes with a scoop of honeycomb butter (!), just like they do them at Five Leaves in New York.
Address: Haarlemmerplein 31, Wibautstraat 56 or Bellamystraat 2-h
De Wasserette
A corner spot in Amsterdam’s popular ‘Pijp’ neighborhood, De Wasserette is a mainstay for brunch and strong coffee. The star of the show is the chicken and avocado sandwich, covered in sheets of parmigiano, crispy pancetta and a generous drizzle of truffle mayo. The French toast (aka “wentelteefjes”) with vanilla mascarpone comes a close second.
Address: Eerste van der Helststraat 27
Metropolitain
Located in the heart of the city center, Metropolitain is perfect if you’re looking for a pre-shopping brunch. Featuring modern spins on French classics, the chefs top baguette with smashed avocado, transform croque monsieurs into burgers, and fill crêpes with caramel and sea salt. French toast gets an upgrade with Dutch sugar bread, which is a goeey wonderful thing that needs to be on your table.
Address: Rokin 81
Little Collins
This Australian café is really doing something different, cooking up globally-inspired fare with interesting ingredients. Think eggs with green hollandaise sauce and pickled apple, French toast with saganaki (pan-seared Greek cheese) or kimchi toastie with fermented chilli coriander. The menu changes with the seasons, but luckily you’ll always find their fluffy flatbread thrown in one or two dishes. A soft, doughy piece of deliciousness that can’t be missed.
Address: Eerste Sweelinckstraat 19F
Café George
A Parisian design, New York-style brunch and the casual ambiance of Amsterdam – café George brings it all together in one space. The menu is diverse yet classic, including eggs in every variety, bistro-style sandwiches and hearty plates of pasta or pizza. My favorite is the croque madame, a creamy comforting affair with béchamel and gruyère cheese.
Address: Leidsegracht 84
Mook Pancakes
The newest addition to Amsterdam’s popular pancake scene, Mook serves them American-style with a dose of creativity. You’ll find stacks with Greek yoghurt and dates, heaps of homemade chocolate sauce and melted peanut butter, and even savory toppings like hummus and veggies. Their Mancake is the showstopper though, with cheddar cheese, bacon and onions cuddling every pancake. Read my full review here.
Address: De Clercqstraat 34 or Jodenbreestraat 144
