Contemporary off of the heels of the Amsterdam Espresso Fest, we discover some new faces within the metropolis’s café scene.
BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Featured picture by Javier Melpri
A few years in the past, we highlighted 4 of Amsterdam’s coolest roasters, and now we’re again to spend a number of days trying to find visit-worthy espresso retailers on this stunning locale—with shocking outcomes.
Bakeries, holes within the wall, and even some stellar Mexican meals … Amsterdam has all of it, and it’s able to be explored whereas at all times conserving one easy rule in thoughts: If you would like a cup of espresso, don’t search for a “espresso store.” (Right here, that’s what they name a hashish café!)
Be part of us on our tour by way of town’s latest spots, and do you have to ever end up roaming the streets of what some name the “Venice of the North,” make sure you take a look at these 5 cool spots.
Stomach Pepper
The extra I journey, the extra I develop blended emotions about brunch. Certain, I like the sensation of visiting a pleasant café late within the morning, grabbing one thing tasty to eat, and washing it down with a scrumptious espresso—however after a few years of sifting by way of menus with the standard suspects of pancakes, avocado toast, French toast, and all the different breakfast classics, I typically get a bit bored.
That’s why I used to be so comfortable the primary time I visited Stomach Pepper, a comfy espresso store that serves Turkish-inspired delicacies along with completely brewed espresso. Should you can solely go to as soon as, don’t miss the traditional spinach and cheese borek with poached egg, or the mouthwatering Çilbir (Turkish poached eggs). You received’t remorse it.
Morning Owl Espresso
Zeedijk, the guts of Amsterdam’s Chinatown and one of the crucial chaotic streets in all town, is residence to many tourist-oriented shops and eating places. That’s why I used to be so stunned after I stumbled upon Morning Owl Espresso: a small, extra genuine feeling café.
The store sells completely executed espresso and a curated collection of Dutch beans to take residence, all simply steps away from the gorgeous and bustling He Hua Temple. Behind the counter is proprietor/bartender Casey Kooyman, who advised me his story whereas making a tasty pourover.
“I’m a longtime California barista and began my journey in espresso at Starbucks in New York Metropolis over 22 years in the past,” Casey says. “I moved to Amsterdam in 2017 and have been working as a contract barista in a number of places, (along with) having a small cellular café on the Dappermarkt. Morning Owl Espresso is my first bodily location, and my purpose was to focus on the Amsterdam espresso scene by showcasing a few of my favourite roasters in Amsterdam and different cities within the Netherlands.” Undoubtedly an Amsterdam must-try!
Fort Negen
All the time looking out for the most effective artisanal bakeries in each metropolis, I undertook the lengthy stroll from the middle of Amsterdam to Fort Negen, on the suggestion of a good friend who, like me, has a infamous candy tooth.
Fortunately for my companion and I, we weren’t deterred both by the situation of the bakery—fairly far off the crushed path—or by the lengthy queue we discovered ready for us outdoors the door. A fast chew of the scrumptious ache au chocolat was all we would have liked to make certain we had made the fitting selection.
As soon as we completed our first spherical, we diligently went again in line to order extra: a miso chocolate cookie, a croissant, a loaf of sourdough bread, and a flat white made with beans roasted by the native Rum Baba Espresso. All scrumptious and completely noteworthy.
Elevate Espresso Lab
Among the many many cafés within the super-touristy district of De Pijp, Elevate Espresso Lab, which opened just some months in the past, deserves a particular point out.
The whole lot right here is devoted to providing a high-quality espresso expertise: The listing of obtainable beans is brief and unique, the house minimal to keep away from distractions, and proprietor/barista Ahmad Alshikh is pleasant and welcoming but extraordinarily educated. Over a cup of scrumptious espresso roasted by Eager Espresso, Ahmad recounts why they determined to open Elevate Espresso Lab.
“We wished to take the Amsterdam espresso scene to the following stage,” he shared with Barista Journal On-line. “We do that by serving high-quality, competitors espresso and signature cocktails—but in addition by making these coffees extra accessible to most of the people.” And after a second spherical of espresso, I might solely agree.
Café Tepoz
Now one in every of my favourite cafés within the metropolis, Café Tepoz made me fall in love with it at first sight. My companion and I walked into the small café on a chilly winter morning, searching for one thing to heat the physique and spirit—and inside minutes, we have been catapulted proper into the guts of Mexico.
Scrumptious machaca breakfast tacos that have been completely spicy and juicy, refreshing aguas frescas, and a beautiful Mexican horchata, all topped off by the stunning proprietor, host, chef, and barista, Yefte Fernandez, made this go to flavorful and memorable.
Yefte places it merely, describing Café Tepoz as “a special brunch, with robust beers and Mexican flavors. Meals with sazon. Espresso with corazon. A style of Mexico each time.” Undoubtedly a spot I’ll by no means tire of stopping by whereas on a visit to Amsterdam.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the espresso machine (or visiting some hidden nook of the world), she’s busy writing for Espresso Riot, a web site about specialty espresso that she’s creating alongside along with her boyfriend.
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