From specialty coffee shops to charming all-day cafés, snack bars, and classic Dutch brown cafés, we’ve gathered the best spots where great coffee, ambiance, and stunning canal views come together. Looking for your next go-to spot? Here are the best cafés in Amsterdam with a canal view!
Café ‘t Smalle
Daily 10 AM – 1 AM, Fri & Sat until 2 AM | Egelantiersgracht 12
A true Dutch brown café in the heart of Jordaan, Café ‘t Smalle offers a timeless aesthetic with its rustic wood interior, the cozy ambiance, and a stunning canalside terrace on the Egelantiersgracht. Skip the trendy hotspots, this classic café near the Anne Frank House is all about authenticity. It’s the perfect spot for coffee or a fresh beer while watching boats and cyclists pass by. With its postcard-like views, it’s easily one of the most beautiful canalside cafés in Amsterdam.
Papeneiland
Daily 10 AM – 1 AM (Fri & Sat until 3 AM, Sun from 12 PM) | Prinsengracht 2
One of Amsterdam’s most historic cafés, Café ‘t Papeneiland is located at the picturesque junction of the iconic Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht canals, offering stunning views. Its 17th-century interior, with rich wooden details and traditional Delft blue and white tiles, feels like stepping back in time. While many prefer to visit Winkel 43 for apple pie, this canalside gem serves a slice just as good, with an even better view.
Wandu
Daily 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Sat until 6 PM, Sun from 9:30 AM) | Lauriergracht 71 H
Tucked away along a quiet canal, far from the tourist crowds, Wandu is a favorite neighborhood hangout. It’s the perfect corner to grab coffee with friends, enjoy a pastry or matcha, and unwind with a book by the window, all with a lovely canal view. While laptops aren’t allowed, there’s plenty to enjoy: browse their curated coffee-related goods (glassware, coffee, matcha, chocolate) or head downstairs to explore a boutique featuring handmade clothing and jewelry by a Brazilian designer. It doesn’t get more local than this!
Café de Jaren
Daily 10 AM – 10 PM (Fri & Sat until 11 PM) | Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-20
If you’re looking for a bright and spacious spot for coffee, lunch, or a relaxed drink, Café de Jaren is a great choice in the heart of Amsterdam. With plenty of natural light and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Amstel river, it offers a peaceful setting to enjoy the view. The large canal-side terrace is the highlight, making it one of the city’s best places to take in the view. Plus, it’s just a short walk from the famous Dancing Houses, perfect for a scenic stroll before or after your visit.
Kafenion
Daily 8 AM – 7 PM | Bloemgracht 49, 1016 KD Amsterdam
A cozy, rustic café with a touch of Greek warmth, Kafenion Amsterdam is perfect for a relaxed coffee break along the picturesque Bloemgracht canal. Known for its excellent coffee and freshly baked bougatsa, a traditional Greek pastry made of crispy filo dough filled with creamy custard, this local spot offers a welcoming vibe and friendly service. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet moment by the window or soaking in the canal views outside, it’s a unique blend of Greek tradition and Amsterdam’s café culture.
De Sluyswacht
Daily 12 PM–12 AM (Fri & Sat until 2 AM, Sun until 8 PM) | Jodenbreestraat 1
Set in a charmingly crooked 17th-century building, De Sluyswacht is a cozy café with stunning canal views along the Oude Schans. With its wooden benches, floor-to-ceiling wood interior, and nostalgic feeling, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or a local Belgian beer like La Chouffe. Inside or out on the terrace, this historic café is a true piece of Amsterdam’s past.
Café van Zuylen
Daily 10 AM–1 AM (Fri & Sat until 3 AM) | Torensteeg 8
This corner café in the heart of Amsterdam, Café van Zuylen, sits on a historic canal bridge, offering a picture-perfect terrace with beautiful views. Its ideal location makes it the perfect spot to relax with a coffee or cold beer while admiring the canal scenery and classic Amsterdam architecture. For the full experience, try Dutch snacks like bitterballen and kaassoufflés, a must for any visitor. A postcard-worthy Amsterdam café in the city center!
Back to Black (center)
Daily 8 AM–6 PM (Sat & Sun from 9 AM) | Weteringstraat 48
Back to Black is a modern café known for its in-house roasted coffee, homemade pastries, and relaxed vibe. Its light wooden interior, vibrant plants, and colorful carpets create a warm, homey feel. Located just off the Rijksmuseum, this spot offers canal views and a laptop-friendly setting on weekdays. Extra cozy points if you spot their cat enjoying a nap during your visit!
Herengracht
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–10 PM (Closed on Monday) | Herengracht 435
If you’re in Amsterdam’s shopping central area and need a break, this chic café and restaurant is the perfect spot. Named after the famous Herengracht canal, it offers a spacious terrace where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the view.
Cafe Marcella
Daily 10 AM – 12 AM | Prinsengracht 14
One of our favorite canal-side terraces in Amsterdam. We love sitting here, watching the boats go by while enjoying a local beer and a plate of Dutch bitterballen. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the Amsterdam vibes, especially on a sunny day!
Lanskroon
Daily 9 AM – 5:30 PM (Sunday from 10 AM) / Singel 385
Not many non-Amsterdammers know this, but Lanskroon is the perfect place to get a delicious stroopwafel without the long lines. You can enjoy it inside their charming old-fashioned salon or take it outside and sit on the bridge by the canal. A true hidden gem for a classic Dutch treat!
Café Twee Prinsen
Daily 3 PM – 12 PM (Friday & Saturday until 1 PM) / Prinsenstraat 27
A natural wine bar with a relaxed, local feel. Open from the afternoon, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a carefully selected glass of natural wine! It’s a modern Dutch brown café where you can enjoy people-watching from behind the large windows or on the sunny terrace.
Even More Insider Tips
As locals, we’re excited to share our best tips with you—after all, who better to ask? You might also enjoy reading:
- The best Hotspot in the Pijp Neighborhood
- Best Spots for Pizza in Amsterdam
- Our Favorite Mediterranean Restaurants in Amsterdam
- The Best Brown Cafes in Amsterdam
- Our Top Brunch Spots in the City
- Our Monthly Event Guide full of the best tips
