Café Belcampo is the reading café of OBA De Hallen, the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA) branch inside De Hallen, a converted tram depot in Amsterdam Oud-West. It is a bright, fairly calm place to have coffee or lunch, read the papers or work on a laptop. Literary and cultural events take place on its mezzanine during the day and in the evening.
Café Belcampo at a glance
| What it is | The reading café of OBA De Hallen, a branch of the Amsterdam Public Library |
| Address | Hannie Dankbaarpassage 10, 1053 RT Amsterdam (inside De Hallen) |
| Area | Oud-West, between Kinkerstraat, Bellamyplein, Tollensstraat and the Ten Katemarkt |
| Opening hours | Weekdays from about 09:00-09:30 to 17:30, weekends 10:00-17:30. The café’s own site lists Friday until 19:30. Official listings differ and hours change around events and holidays, so check before you go. |
| Phone | +31 20 303 2886 |
| Good for | Coffee, lunch, reading, studying, laptop work, meetings, families with young children |
| Website | cafebelcampo.nl |
Who was Belcampo?
The café is named after Belcampo, the pen name of Dutch writer Herman Pieter Schönfeld Wichers (1902-1990). He was known for fantastical, often bizarre short stories, and his pseudonym is an Italian rendering of Schönfeld, “beautiful field”. He grew up in Rijssen and studied law in Leiden and Amsterdam, where he lived for a time on the Overtoom in Oud-West, a short walk from De Hallen. He later retrained as a doctor and worked in Bathmen and Groningen.
Café Belcampo opened in De Hallen on 4 April 2014.
What to expect inside
The café has two levels: a ground floor and an open mezzanine (entresol) above it. The space is large and gets plenty of daylight, and it is open to everyone, not only library visitors. The library’s newspapers and magazines are kept in the café, so you can read them even when the library itself is closed.
The menu covers coffee, sweets and sandwiches, with small and larger lunch options. De Hallen’s current listing names Moyee FairChain as the coffee supplier; earlier descriptions mentioned Lot Sixty One, so the roaster may have changed over the years.
Because it sits inside a library, Belcampo is quieter than most Amsterdam cafés, and many people come to study, meet or work. Freelancers with laptops are a common sight. Families are welcome too: there is a play corner for small children and a children’s selection on the regular menu. The mezzanine is sometimes closed to the public when an event is being set up or held.
Events at Café Belcampo
Belcampo runs a programme of literary, social and cultural events on the mezzanine and in OBA De Hallen, both during the day and in the evening. Over the years it has hosted concerts, readings, theatre performances, presentations and workshops. One recurring example: the Alzheimer Café Amsterdam West meets there on the fourth Wednesday of every month, offering information and conversation for people with dementia and their families, friends and carers.
The programme changes often, so check the Café Belcampo agenda or the De Hallen listing for upcoming dates.
How to get to Café Belcampo
- By tram: take tram 7 from Leidseplein or tram 17 from Amsterdam Centraal. The nearest stops are Bilderdijkstraat, Kinkerstraat and Ten Katemarkt.
- By bike: De Hallen has underground bicycle parking.
- By car: there is a parking garage under De Hallen with its entrance on Bellamyplein. The pay machines accept only debit or credit cards, not cash.
The entrance has a ramp and space to park prams.
Renting space at Belcampo
All of Belcampo’s spaces can be booked for literary, cultural, social or business events. The ground-floor café and the mezzanine are mainly available in the evening, after the café closes. The meeting room De Wissel can also be booked during the day. The separate Belcampo Loft has a 10.5 x 10 metre sprung dance floor, a mirrored wall and a barre. Equipment includes a small grand piano, an upright piano, a projector and a sound system, and the café can provide catering.
More to do in De Hallen
Belcampo is easy to combine with other stops in the same building. De Hallen also houses the Foodhallen indoor food market, the Filmhallen cinema, Hotel De Hallen and a range of small shops and makers. The Ten Katemarkt street market is right outside.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a library card to visit Café Belcampo?
No. Café Belcampo is open to everyone, whether or not you are visiting or a member of the OBA De Hallen library.
Is Café Belcampo part of the Foodhallen?
No. Both are in the De Hallen building in Oud-West, but Café Belcampo is the library’s reading café and is run separately from the Foodhallen indoor food market.
Is Café Belcampo accessible for wheelchairs and prams?
The entrance has a ramp suitable for wheelchairs and prams, and there is space to park prams inside.
Is the mezzanine always open?
No. The mezzanine is sometimes closed to the public during events. If you want a seat upstairs, check the Café Belcampo agenda before you go.
