8 Of The Best Cafes For Working in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2024)

Are you looking for a good cafe in Amsterdam to work or study?

Amsterdam is a city where you’ll find freelancers, entrepreneurs, students, creatives and more working side by side at the city’s many cafes that are as full of personality as the Dutch capital itself.

As an entrepreneur myself, I try to take a break from working from home whenever I’m writing a new blog or working on my website.

I really enjoy the change of scenery that comes with getting out of the house and temporarily setting up my office at one of Amsterdam’s cozy or trendy cafes.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite cafes to work from in Amsterdam where you’re sure to find great coffee and good WiFi.

While you’ll find that each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own selection of laptop friendly cafes, I especially love frequenting those located in Amsterdam’s up and coming Oost (East) part of town.

8 Of The Best Cafes for Working in Amsterdam

1. Rum Baba

Pretoriusstraat 33
1092 EX Amsterdam

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This is one of my favorite places to work from in Amsterdam Oost.

Rum Baba is a great spot to enjoy some delicious home-roasted coffee or a nice cup of tea. And you can even enjoy lunch or something sweet from their bakery.

One of my favorite quirks about this place is that you have to take a random little figurine like a hippopotamus or a dinosaur with you to your table to mark where you’re sitting.

2. Coffee Bru

Beukenplein 14H
1091 KGAmsterdam

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This is the sister café of the previously mentioned Rum Baba. It’s a colorful and trendy café in a beloved spot next to Amsterdam’s Oosterpark.

You can choose to sit at the bar by the window to do a little people watching when you need a break from work, or head to the back where you’ll find a number of tables to set up your laptop.

This place has a really nice vibe and if you’re craving something sweet while working, be sure not to miss the tasty treats available here!

3. Anne & Max

Various locations in Amsterdam

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Despite being a chain, Anne & Max is one of my go-to cafes for getting work done in Amsterdam.

They’ve got plenty of tasty snacks to choose from (the gluten-free blueberry coconut bar is a personal favorite), and offer breakfast, lunch, high tea, and brunch as well.

You’ll find Anne & Max in different parts of Amsterdam, and in other Dutch cities as well.

My favorite location in Amsterdam is their one in Zeeburg as it offers a great view of the water and a chance to take a walk along the waterfront when I need a break from work.

4. Zoku

Weesperstraat 105
1018 VN Amsterdam

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Zoku is actually an aparthotel, but the café/bar and restaurant space serve as a flex working space.

They aim to be the “international living room” of Amsterdam, which means it’s a great place for digital nomads and other location independent entrepreneurs to network with like-minded individuals from around the world.

They offer both monthly passes and day passes, as well as space on their outdoor terrace (which is gorgeous!) for people who are just planning to stay for a couple of hours.

If you’re looking for a good place to work in Amsterdam and to connect with others, Zoku is a great option.

5. Coffee & Coconuts

Ceintuurbaan 282-284
1072 GK Amsterdam

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This is one of the most frequently recommended cafés in Amsterdam, and for good reasons.

This movie-theater-turned-café in de Pijp neighborhood is a unique and spacious place where you can enjoy food, a coffee or even sip on a drink from a coconut!

I’d recommend going earlier in the morning to find a table, as it’s a very popular spot for working or studying and for lunch.

However, it’s definitely a place you don’t want to miss while in Amsterdam.

Also Read: Typical Dutch Food to Try in the Netherlands

6. The Hoxton

Herengracht 255
1016 BJ Amsterdam

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If you’re looking for a laptop friendly place to work in the popular Jordaan area of town, check out the lobby of the Hoxton hotel.

Situated on the picturesque Herengracht canal, it’s the perfect place for feeling at home, while still having a change of scenery while you work.

Head to the upstairs area if you’re looking for a quieter space to work.

I personally like the versatility of this space because I can work for a couple of hours and stick around to meet up with friends for drinks.

Also Read: 10 of the Coolest Hotels in Amsterdam

7. Monks Coffee Roasters

Bilderdijkstraat 46
1052 NB Amsterdam

This has been a popular cafe to work from in Amsterdam for years.

And maybe because of that, they do have some rules around working here.

You’re not allowed to work on your laptop on weekends because they get too busy, and during the week they ask you to sit in the back if you want to work.

That being said, I understand why people love working from here. The cafe has a nice atmosphere, the staff is very friendly and they have comfortable seats.

They also have good coffee and nice breakfast options so I’d recommend coming early when it’s still quiet, enjoy some breakfast, and a productive start of the day.

8. Bocca

Kerkstraat 96HS
1017 GP Amsterdam

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Just a short walk from Leidseplein, Bocca is a great place for getting work done if you’re looking for a café in the heart of Amsterdam.

It’s a beautiful and spacious location and all of their coffee is made from their in-house roasted coffee beans.

It’s also home to a tasting, training, and showroom, but if you go to the left at the end of the bar, you’ll find a long table that’s perfect for setting up your laptop (with plenty of electrical outlets!).

Update: at the moment, unfortunately, after 11:00 AM on weekdays Bocca doesn’t allow laptops on their couches. You can then only sit at the desk ledge near the kitchen.

Amsterdam’s Best Cafes for Working

Whether you work remotely, just need a break from the office or are a digital nomad, if you are looking for a café to work from in Amsterdam, definitely check out one of these eight!

And if you have any other recommendations for cafes to work from in Amsterdam, add them in the comments at the bottom of this article.

Also Read: How to Stay Productive While Working Remotely

One More Great Place to Work From in Amsterdam: The Library

Oosterdokskade 143
1011 DL Amsterdam

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Amsterdam has several libraries but the one in the center, OBA Oosterdok, is a particularly perfect place to work from.

The library has many different workspaces to choose from, including a café and a restaurant with a rooftop patio.

And no matter where in the library you end up working, make sure you go to that rooftop, at Restaurant Babel on the 7th floor, to check out the view of Amsterdam!

Note: to get wifi access in the library you need to provide a valid phone number and you’ll then receive unique login details via sms. So if you want to work from the library, do make sure you have a sim card that can receive text messages in the Netherlands.

Also Read:

  • Visiting Amsterdam? Check These Tips From a Local
  • Things to Do on a Weekend in Amsterdam
  • 10 of The Best Annual Events in Amsterdam
  • 10 Cool Hotels in Amsterdam Worth Checking Out
  • Places to Visit in The Netherlands Other Than Amsterdam

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8 Of The Best Cafes For Working in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2024)

FAQs

Where can I sit and work in Amsterdam? ›

Best laptop-friendly cafes and workspaces in Amsterdam
  • De Kanarie Club | Bellamyplein 51, Oud-West.
  • MidWest | Cabralstraat 1, De Baarsjes.
  • Zoku | Weesperstraat 105, De Plantage.
  • Benji's Toko | Baarsjesweg 188, De Baarsjes / Maassluisstraat 243, Nieuw-West / Wibautstraat 196, Oost.
  • Volkshotel | Wibautstraat 150, Oost.

Do you just sit down at a café in Amsterdam? ›

In Dutch cafés it is customary to take a seat and wait for service.

What is the difference between a coffee shop and a café in Amsterdam? ›

In the Netherlands, a café is the equivalent of a full bar, and sells liquor, co*cktails, wine, and beer. A 'koffiehuis' serves coffee, while a 'coffee shop' (using the English term) sells soft drugs (cannabis and hashish) and is not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages or other drugs.

Can foreigners go to coffee shops in Amsterdam? ›

To even step inside a coffee shop you must be at least 18 years of age. Also tourists can still visit coffee shops in Amsterdam. You have to be able to show I.D. Sales of large quantities of cannabis to coffee shop customers is prohibited.

What is a comfortable salary in Amsterdam? ›

Although cost of living varies considerably due to each individual's personal preferences and situation, according to our estimations a single person would need a net salary of €1,900 to live comfortably in most Dutch cities while a family of four would typically require a net salary of at least €4,800 per month.

Can you get a job in Amsterdam only speaking English? ›

If you're looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam, you'll find no shortage. In fact, with English being an increasingly common business language in the city, it's not always necessary to speak Dutch in order to find work. That said, learning Dutch can greatly improve your chances of landing a job in Amsterdam.

Do you have to pay for bathrooms in Amsterdam? ›

Finding a public toilet in the Netherlands

It can be a bit tricky to find a public toilet in the Netherlands and, when you do, it's quite likely that you'll need to pay to use it.

Do you tip waitresses in Amsterdam? ›

This one is pretty simple to answer – the Dutch do not have a tipping culture as strongly-ingrained as much of the English-speaking world. In a bar, restaurant, or private boat tour in Amsterdam, provided the service was good, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not automatically expected.

Is it rude to not finish food in Amsterdam? ›

It is polite to keep one's hands above the table until all have finished eating. It is recommended to take a small portion as your first helping, so you're able to accept a second helping. The Dutch tend to avoid wasting food. Thus, many appreciate it when their guests finish everything on their plate.

What is the most famous coffee shop in Amsterdam? ›

The hound with the studded collar is the symbol of The Bulldog, Amsterdam's most famous Coffeshop chain. There are five locations, but the best is 90. The Bulldog is a very famous Coffeeshop chain in Amsterdam with five establishments, a hotel, several souvenir shops and seed shops.

What are the rules for coffee shops in Amsterdam? ›

Rules for Coffee Shop in Amsterdam

Rules that should be followed when visiting a coffee shop in Amsterdam. Customers must have a valid 18+ ID card to enter. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Possession of drugs or weapons is strictly prohibited.

Can tourists use Amsterdam coffee shops? ›

That is why some cities in the Netherlands, mostly in the southern part of the country, require you to have a "weedpass" to enter a coffeeshop. These are issued only to the residents of The Netherlands. It is not like this in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam tourists are free to visit coffeeshops and buy cannabis.

Are edibles legal in the Netherlands? ›

Worldwide, the most popular types of edibles are cake, chocolate, gummies and drinks. In Amsterdam coffee shops, however, you can only legally obtain cake products. This is because in the Netherlands edibles may only be made with raw cannabis. Edibles made from THC or CBD extracts are prohibited.

What are the new rules in Amsterdam? ›

The Dutch city is also limiting the number of overnight stays by tourists. Amsterdam is banning the construction of new hotel buildings in its latest move to curb overtourism. The Dutch city is also limiting the number of overnight stays by tourists.

What is an actual coffee shop called in Amsterdam? ›

A place selling coffee is called a 'Koffie Huis' (coffee house) or café. You won't have any trouble finding one – just have a sniff outside if you're not sure which type it is – you'll be able to tell, trust us!

Can US citizens work in Amsterdam? ›

You must have an employment contract with an employer in the Netherlands. You need a Single Permit (combined permit for residence en work) for paid work or work experience (exept for work experience within the framework of an EU action programme). Send the application form and the requisted evidence to the IND.

Can Americans get a job in Amsterdam? ›

Non-EU nationals typically need to apply for a Dutch residence permit or obtain a Dutch work permit before they can start work in the Netherlands. Highly-skilled migrants in the Netherlands typically do not need a Dutch work permit but may need to apply for a Dutch visa to enter or live in the Netherlands.

Is it easy to get a job in Amsterdam as a foreigner? ›

How to find a job in Amsterdam. Whether you've moved for love or labour, finding a job in a foreign country is a challenge - but with the right help, it's very doable. The unemployment rate in the Netherlands is one of the lowest in the EU.

Can I work in Amsterdam if I dont speak Dutch? ›

Can you work in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch? The answer is Yes! In many companies in Amsterdam, Dutch is the first language. Dutch offices have become the most English-speaking in Europe.

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