When it comes to cute and unusual cafes, Amsterdam has an embarrassment of riches. The city’s intrinsic whimsy seems to spill out and fill all its corners: Canals lined with skinny, crooked houses; open green spaces blanketed closely with the collective smoke of lit joints; a bright-blue, historic tram rumbling and bumping over the city centre’s cobble-stone streets. Given all this, it’s hardly surprising that cute cafes are easy to come by in the city. But when it comes to narrowing them down and knowing definitively which ones are The Cutest, that’s a little harder. Luckily, I’m a self-appointed cuteness expert and I can help you fine-tune your list.

Starting out with my personal favourite, Back to Black is arguably what comes to mind when you think of a ‘quintessentially Amsterdam’ café. Perched on the pointed corner of a street that hugs the canal, the building’s white facade is punctuated by a bright blue door and railings – with windows that look straight out onto the water. 

At the back of the cafe, an inviting wooden countertop runs underneath the windows, and a ginger cat splays in a puddle of sunlight, occasionally getting up to stalk empty plates in search of crumbs.

When it comes to their menu, Back to Black foregoes speciality and novelty drinks in favour of the classics. No cloyingly sweet syrups to be found, you’ll instead see a menu full of expertly-made cortados, flat whites, espressos and lattes made with their own house blend (in fact, if you go downstairs to use the bathroom, you’ll see their Giesen machine busily roasting beans.) 

For the coffee-averse, they have an extensive tea selection and fresh juices. Takeaway coffees are served in white to-go cups illustrated with a custom cartoon.

Ideal for visitors looking to squeeze multiple activities into one day, Espressofabriek is handily  located in Westerpark right next to the Fabrique des Lumières Museum. The old industrial building’s imposing, red-brick exterior gives way to a bright, spacious interior with high ceilings, a Giesen coffee roaster whirring in the corner, and minimal decor (save for some hessian sacks of coffee beans, and other coffee-related paraphernalia available for purchase.)

Similar to Back to Black, Espressofabriek’s menu is dominated by classic offerings like espresso (obviously), espresso macchiato, flat white, cortado… the usual suspects. There’s also a modest food menu of baked goods and toasted sandwiches (I had the grilled cheese dipped in ketchup, a modest but filling snack to keep you satiated as you walk around the museum.)

Like many Amsterdam cafes, Espressofabriek roasts their own beans, with coffee from Burundi, Columbia, Rwanda, Ethopia and Guatemala. 

When you’re done with your coffee, head next door to Fabrique des Lumières Museum where you can experience the feeling of being inside a digital painting, walking around as art is projected onto the walls with accompanying music. 

Café de Sluyswacht is another quintessentially Amsterdam institution. This whimsical bar looks out on the canal, leaning drunkenly to the side over a terrace dotted with picnic tables and umbrellas. The building has been standing (wonkily) since 1695, when it served as a lockmaster’s house. Now, it’s home to a busy bar, and two wood-panelled floors of seating.  

The cafe is sort of a must-visit when on holiday in Amsterdam, combining several items on any tourist’s checklist (visiting unique architecture, eating fried snacks, drinking cold beer, and sitting by the canal.) Serving coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, and a selection of traditional Dutch bar snacks, the cafe handily slots into any part of the day.

Café de Sluyswacht isn’t as heavily focussed on coffee as with the other cafes in this list, with more of an emphasis on food and alcohol – but if you need a caffeine fix, you’ll still be able to find it here. 

In just eleven minutes of walking, you’ll be in Dam Centre – where I’m, biasedly, going to recommend you take a ride on the MuseumTram. For ten euros, you’ll get to feel like you stepped directly into the past as you sit amongst shiny teakwood and rumble through the city centre. If you’re a lover of vintage transport like me, you’ll want to make the time for it. 

(This last part isn’t especially relevant; merely an excuse for me to recommend the MuseumTram.)