Winkel 43 is a corner cafe at Noordermarkt 43 in Amsterdam’s Jordaan, best known for serving what locals and food writers widely call the best traditional Dutch apple pie (appeltaart) in the city. A thick slice with whipped cream costs about €5, the cafe is walk-in only, and it is open from early morning until late at night every day of the week.
| Winkel 43 | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Known for | Traditional Dutch apple pie (appeltaart), warm with whipped cream |
| Slice price | About €5 (confirm on the day; whole pies to order) |
| Address | Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam (Jordaan) |
| Hours | Daily from early morning to 1:00–2:00 AM; breakfast & lunch 8:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Reservations | Walk-in for the cafe and terrace; expect a queue on weekends and market days |
| Best time | Early morning (7:00–9:00 AM) for the freshest pie and shortest wait |
Winkel 43 occupies a 17th-century corner building on the Noordermarkt, the Jordaan square that hosts the Monday Lapjesmarkt (fabric market) and the Saturday organic farmers market. That location makes it a staple for market-goers and one of the easiest authentic stops to add to a walk through the Jordaan.
History and Location on the Noordermarkt
The cafe sits in a classic Amsterdam corner building (hoekpandje) on the Noordermarkt, in the heart of the Jordaan. The Jordaan began in the 17th century as a working-class district for laborers and immigrants during Amsterdam’s Golden Age, and is now one of the city’s most walkable, photogenic neighborhoods. Winkel 43’s spot on the square puts it steps from the weekly markets and a short walk from the canals, an easy detour while exploring the hidden hofjes of the Jordaan.
Two markets set the rhythm here: the Monday Lapjesmarkt for fabric along the Noordermarkt and Westerstraat, and the Saturday organic farmers market on the square. On market mornings, the terrace is one of the best seats in the Jordaan for a coffee and a slice of pie.
The Famous Winkel 43 Apple Pie (Appeltaart)
The reason most people come is the apple pie. Winkel 43’s appeltaart is a tall, dense, Dutch-style pie, closer to a spiced apple cake than a thin American pie, and the cafe sells hundreds of slices a day. A slice costs about €5 and is traditionally served warm with a generous spoon of fresh whipped cream (slagroom). Prices change, so confirm the current slice price when you order.
What sets the pie apart:
- A thick, crumbly, cookie-like crust rather than a flaky pastry shell
- Generous chunks of fresh apple, spiced with cinnamon
- Occasional raisins or sultanas for sweetness
- A filling that holds its shape, neither too firm nor too soft
- Best eaten warm with whipped cream and a coffee
Reviewers on Tripadvisor, Yelp, and food blogs routinely rank it among the best apple pies in Amsterdam, and one of the best Dutch apple pies in the Netherlands. You can also order a whole apple pie to take away: call 020-6230223 or email [email protected] to arrange it and confirm the current price.
Winkel 43 vs Cafe ‘t Papeneiland: Which Apple Pie?
If you are hunting the best apple pie in Amsterdam, the two names that come up most are Winkel 43 and Cafe ‘t Papeneiland, a historic brown cafe on the corner of the Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht canals (Prinsengracht 2). Both are famous, both are a short walk apart in and around the Jordaan, and locals genuinely disagree about which is better. Here is how they compare.
| Winkel 43 | Cafe ‘t Papeneiland | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Corner cafe on the Noordermarkt with a sunny terrace | 17th-century canal-corner brown cafe (Prinsengracht/Brouwersgracht) |
| Pie style | Tall, dense, crumbly cookie-crust appeltaart with big apple chunks | Firm biscuit crust with fork-tender apple and a few sultanas |
| Served | Warm, with a generous spoon of whipped cream | Large slices, whipped cream on request |
| Value | Popular and busy; slice about €5 | Often cited as the better bang-for-your-buck slice |
| Atmosphere | Market-day buzz, terrace people-watching | Old-world, wood-panelled, very local |
| Best for | A slice after the Noordermarkt markets or a Jordaan walk | A quiet canal-side coffee in a classic brown cafe |
Short version: go to Winkel 43 for the tall, chunky, cream-topped slice and market-day atmosphere, and to Papeneiland for a firmer biscuit-crust pie in an old canal-house cafe. Both are close enough that a determined pie lover can compare them in one afternoon.
The Menu: What Else to Order
Winkel 43 is a full cafe, not just a pie counter. Breakfast and lunch are served from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the lunch, market, and dinner menus change monthly, so seasonal dishes rotate through the year. The food is simple, well-priced, and built for casual meals.
| Menu | What to expect (sample prices) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Yoghurt bowl (€6.50), croissant with cheese or ham (€4.50), cheese toastie (€5) |
| Lunch | Club sandwich (€9.50), ossenworst roll with Amsterdam onion (€7), potato-leek soup (€8) |
| Snacks (borrel) | Bitterballen (€8 for 7), cheese sticks (€8.50), Dutch cheeses from Kef (€14) |
| Dinner | Monthly-changing menu; recent seasonal mains have run roughly €18–23 |
| Drinks | Coffee, tea, beer, wine, and a full bar |
The cafe has a sunny terrace on the Noordermarkt, one of the better terraces in the Jordaan for a coffee and a slice, plus indoor seating in a traditional Amsterdam house with wooden floors. It stays a relaxed, gezellig spot that Amsterdammers use for casual meetups and weekend breakfasts, not just a stop for visitors.
Hours, Reservations, and When to Visit
Winkel 43 is walk-in for its cafe and terrace, and queues are common on weekends and market days. (For dinner or a larger group, check the reservation page on winkel43.nl before you go.) Here is what to know before you visit.
Opening Hours
- Monday (market day): 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday (market day): 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Best Times to Visit
- Freshest pie, shortest wait: early morning, 7:00 to 9:00 AM (especially on market days)
- Quietest visit: weekday afternoons, 3:00 to 5:00 PM
- Market experience: Saturday morning for the organic farmers market
- Local atmosphere: early evenings, when Amsterdammers stop in for a drink
What to Know Before You Go
- Seating is walk-in; expect a queue in peak season (July and August) and on Saturdays, when takeaway is a faster option
- Cash and major credit cards are accepted, along with Dutch debit (PIN)
- A slice of apple pie is about €5; whole pies can be ordered ahead by phone or email
How to Get to Winkel 43
Address: Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam
The cafe sits in the Jordaan, an easy walk from several major Amsterdam attractions, including the Anne Frank House and the Prinsengracht canal.
Transportation Options
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Walking | About 15 minutes from Dam Square; about 10 minutes from the Anne Frank House |
| Public transport | The Jordaan has no metro station; the nearest tram stops (around Marnixplein and Westermarkt) are a few minutes’ walk. Plan your route and pay contactlessly with our OVpay guide |
| Cycling | Bike-rental shops are nearby; bike parking around the Noordermarkt is limited on market days |
| Taxi / rideshare | Drop-off on Westerstraat, then a short walk to the square |
Cycling is the most local way to arrive: bike-rental shops across the city offer daily rentals, and the ride through the Jordaan’s narrow streets is part of the experience.
What Visitors Say About Winkel 43
Winkel 43 holds strong ratings across review platforms, with hundreds of reviews on Tripadvisor and Yelp and a reputation built almost entirely on its apple pie. Common themes from visitor reviews:
- The apple pie lives up to the reputation: large, warm slices with plenty of whipped cream
- Service is quick and friendly, even when the cafe is full
- Queues tend to move fast; takeaway is a good option at busy times
- It remains a genuine neighborhood cafe rather than a tourist-only stop
Last Updated: July 2026 (What We Verified)
We re-checked Winkel 43’s details against the cafe’s official site (winkel43.nl) and current review platforms in July 2026. Confirmed this update: the opening hours above, the address and contact details (Noordermarkt 43; 020-6230223; [email protected]), and current menu prices (yoghurt bowl €6.50, cheese toastie €5, club sandwich €9.50, bitterballen €8 for 7, Kef cheeses €14). The apple-pie slice runs about €5, but prices change, so confirm on the day. We also note that a former apple-pie rival, Villa Zeezicht, has closed, while Cafe ‘t Papeneiland remains open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Winkel 43?
Winkel 43 is walk-in for its cafe and terrace, so no reservation is needed for a coffee and a slice of apple pie. Expect a queue on market days (Monday and Saturday) and in peak season. For dinner or a larger group, check the reservation page on winkel43.nl.
How much is the apple pie at Winkel 43?
A slice of the famous Dutch apple pie costs about €5 and is usually served with whipped cream. Prices change, so confirm the current price when you order. You can also order a whole pie to take away by calling ahead.
Can I buy a whole apple pie to take away?
Yes. Call 020-6230223 or email [email protected] to order a whole apple pie and confirm the current price and pickup time.
Does Winkel 43 accept credit cards?
Yes. The cafe accepts most major credit cards, along with Dutch debit cards (PIN) and cash.
What is the best time to visit Winkel 43?
For the shortest wait and the freshest pie, arrive early in the morning (7:00 to 9:00 AM) or on a weekday afternoon (3:00 to 5:00 PM).
Where is Winkel 43 located?
Winkel 43 is at Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam, in the Jordaan, about a 10-minute walk from the Anne Frank House.
