Café de Tuin is a traditional brown café (bruin café) at Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13 in Amsterdam’s Jordaan. It opens every day from 10:00 (11:00 on Sunday) and closes at 01:00, or 03:00 on Friday and Saturday. By day it serves coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. In the evening it turns into a busy neighborhood bar pouring Dutch and Belgian specialty beers, with bitterballen coming out of the kitchen.
Café de Tuin at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13, 1015 RX Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood | Jordaan (Amsterdam-Centrum) |
| Opening hours | Monday to Thursday 10:00–01:00; Friday and Saturday 10:00–03:00; Sunday 11:00–01:00 |
| Phone | +31 20 624 4559 |
| Type of place | Brown café: coffee, breakfast and lunch by day, a borrel bar by night |
| What to order | Bitterballen, a Dutch or Belgian specialty beer, a jenever |
| Groups | Up to 20 people; contact the café first |
| Nearest tram | Westermarkt (lines 13 and 17) |
| Payment | Cards accepted |
Hours are from Café de Tuin’s official website. Check with the café before visiting on public holidays.
What Café de Tuin is like
Café de Tuin has become one of my go-to spots in Amsterdam, and it’s a good example of the city’s laid-back drinking culture. Look for the pale-green facade on Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, a narrow Jordaan side street that has filled up with shops, bars and restaurants over the years. According to the neighborhood history site Jordaanweb, the café opened around 1974. Back then its regulars were local residents plus a crowd of artists, hippies and students.
Inside, it looks the way a brown café should. There are worn wooden floors, vintage posters and soft, old-fashioned lighting. It’s a bit like walking into your Dutch grandma’s living room, if your grandma happened to run a great neighborhood bar.
The crowd is what I like most. It feels far less touristy than bars around Dam Square, and it draws all sorts of Amsterdammers. On my last visit I ended up chatting with everyone from young professionals to old-timers who’ve been drinking here for decades. You might pop in for “just one drink” and stay for hours. That’s gezelligheid, the Dutch word for coziness and good company, and this place has plenty of it.
The staff have plenty of personality and are quick with a joke or a story. On one visit I also spotted a cat lounging on a windowsill. As a cat lover, I was very pleased, though I can’t promise it’ll be there when you go.
What to eat and drink
Beer is the main event. The café stocks specialty beers from the region, the rest of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, as well as mainstream taps such as Grolsch and La Chouffe. I’m partial to whatever Brouwerij ‘t IJ is on offer. A crisp IPA by the big front windows is hard to beat. The beer list changes, so ask the bartender what’s pouring. They’re happy to suggest something that suits your taste.
Order the bitterballen. These are crispy, deep-fried balls of beef ragout, and they’re the classic Dutch drinking snack. The food tour company Eating Europe names Café de Tuin as its pick for a traditional bitterbal in the Jordaan. The kitchen also makes other borrelhapjes (bar snacks), and HappyCow lists vegan versions, including vegan bitterballen. In winter, try a jenever (Dutch gin) while the rain comes down outside.
If you’re coming earlier in the day, the menu has breakfast, cakes, club sandwiches, tostis and salads, and sandwiches come on organic sourdough country bread. Prices are reasonable for central Amsterdam, which is another reason locals keep coming back.
Best time to visit
I’ve been at all hours (don’t judge), and there’s no truly bad time to go. The best time depends on the atmosphere you’re after. The crowd patterns below come from the popular-times data on this page. They show typical patterns, not live numbers.
- Quiet and easy to get a seat: weekday afternoons and early evenings. Monday through Wednesday rarely get busy, so you can settle in and chat with the bartenders.
- Busiest: Friday from about 21:00 to midnight, when it peaks around 23:00. Saturday is lively from early afternoon and gets packed again after 21:00. Expect to squeeze in at the bar.
- Relaxed and local: Sunday afternoon. The café opens at 11:00 and is at its busiest mid-afternoon, but it still rarely gets crowded. A late breakfast and a hair-of-the-dog beer are both on offer.
- Sunny days: the outdoor seating fills up fast. If you see a free table, grab it.
Winter is a good time to go, too. The small, warm room feels even cozier when the weather outside is miserable.
How to get to Café de Tuin
Café de Tuin is on Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, a short side street that crosses Tuinstraat in the western Jordaan, a few blocks from the Prinsengracht. It’s easy to reach, but Amsterdam is best explored on foot or by bike.
- On foot from Dam Square: about 15 to 20 minutes northwest, across the canal belt.
- On foot from Amsterdam Centraal: about 20 minutes, heading west along the canals into the Jordaan.
- By tram: take line 13 or 17 to Westermarkt, which both run from Centraal Station. From the stop, it’s roughly a 5- to 10-minute walk into the Jordaan. It’s also the stop to use if you’re coming from the Anne Frank House.
- From Schiphol Airport: take the train to Amsterdam Centraal, then either tram 13 or 17 to Westermarkt or walk.
- By bike: the route from the center is flat and short. Always lock your bike to something fixed.
One small warning: when you search for Café de Tuin in Google Maps, check that the result says Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13, 1015 RX. Other venues have similar names, and I learned the hard way on my first visit that you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the city.
Tips for visiting
- Pay by card. The café accepts cards, and like most Dutch bars it’s used to contactless payments. A few coins are useful if you want to leave a tip.
- Tip for good service if you like. Tipping isn’t expected in the Netherlands, but rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for table service is appreciated.
- Learn two words. The staff speak excellent English, but “dank je wel” (thank you) and “proost” (cheers) always go down well.
- Order something local. Try a Dutch beer or a jenever instead of your usual drink, and get the bitterballen while you’re at it.
- Pace yourself. Belgian and Dutch specialty beers are often stronger than standard lagers, so check the ABV before your third round.
- Keep the street clear. If you’re sitting outside, keep your bags and feet away from passing cyclists.
- Be patient when it’s busy. Service slows down on Friday and Saturday nights. Use the wait to people-watch.
- Linger. People stay here for hours, so bring a book or a deck of cards if you like.
- Bring a jacket for the terrace. Even summer evenings in Amsterdam can turn chilly.
- Check social media for events. Use the café’s Instagram and Facebook links on this page to see what’s on before you go.
More brown cafés nearby
Café de Tuin makes an easy stop on a Jordaan bar crawl. De drie Hendricken on Bloemgracht and Café ‘t Papeneiland, where the Prinsengracht meets the Brouwersgracht, are both a short walk away. Café Kalkhoven near the Westerkerk is on your way to or from the Westermarkt tram stop. To plan a longer route, use the Brown Café Crawl Map. If you want a terrace, see our guide to places with outdoor seating in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation at Café de Tuin?
No reservation is needed for a drink or a bite; just walk in. For groups or birthday gatherings, contact the café in advance through its website. It can host groups of up to 20 people.
Does Café de Tuin have vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. HappyCow lists vegan snacks such as vegan bitterballen, vegan cheese rolls and a hummus sandwich, as well as plant-based milk for coffee. Menus change, so ask the staff what is available.
How far is Café de Tuin from the Anne Frank House?
Café de Tuin is in the Jordaan, about a 10-minute walk from the Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht. Both are close to the Westermarkt tram stop, served by lines 13 and 17.
Does Café de Tuin accept cards?
Yes, Café de Tuin accepts card payments. You do not need to carry cash, although a few coins are handy if you want to leave a tip.
