Brandmeester's on Van Baerlestraat is my favourite in Amsterdam. I've tried several others and every time I find myself going back to this spot. The Coffee Company locations have not really impressed me, so please do let us know if you find other good spots.
magicdblack Senior Member Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Edinburgh, UK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri May 9, 2008, 1:23am Subject: Re: Coffee in Amsterdam
I am also headed to Amsterdam. Any updates or other suggestions? I'm looking for places with great atmosphere, oozing charm, using fresh-roasted beans and preferably working La Marzoccos. Also if anyone knows of a good coffee roaster in Amsterdam, do let me know.
Posted Sun May 25, 2008, 1:14pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Amsterdam
Like said before, Brandmeesters is the place to go in Amsterdam (and in Haarlem & Utrecht). They are working with Faema's if I remember right. If you're lucky you'll get a god shot. Brandmeesters in Haarlem provides me 50% of the times i visit them with that. I guess it depends on who operates the machine because their roast is fresh; home roasted. There are a lot of other coffeebars and coffee franchises in Amsterdam (like Kaldi) but they just don't cut it.
I can confirm that Brandmeesters is the place to go in Amsterdam. A good outfit. Coffee Company is a ubiquitous chain in Amsterdam that had very mixed preparation. I only mention it because the best coffee that I had while in Amsterdam from one of their staff - the first time I visited it. Unfortunately never to be repeated.
There is a "new" coffee roaster called Bocca that is becoming known in the Netherlands. They specialize in direct trade coffees with the producers, and only buy the highest quality coffees they can find. They don't run their own cafes but can found found in restaurants around Amsterdam such as Ristorante Toscanini located in the Jordaan (Lindengracht 75) and you can buy their coffee from a shop called Marqt located on the Overtoom close to leidseplien (unfortunatly they don't serve espresso).
Brandmeesters is indeed the real deal. I went there twice and had excellent coffees both times: ristrettos, espresso, machiatto, and a cappuccino ;-). The second time I was there i ordered a ristretto, i noticed that the barista discarded one shot and pulled another. I was not happy with it and took it back- she apologized and made me another shot which was excellent. We talked a little about the weather and the affect on the grind and she noted that she already had to adjust the grind that morning. When I went back for a cappuccino, she told me it was on her as she hadn't made me a good shot the first time. what great service!! I think her name was marina.....
I also happened across a Coffee & Company. Had an o.k. ristretto and cappuccino- nothing to write home about but o.k.
I also had an o.k. coffee (regular dutch loooong espresso) at a local cafe. Had a bunch of bad coffee too.... seems to me that there are more and more 'upscale' coffee places in A'dam these days (i.e. with decent machines). more and more nice restaurants too. I look forward to my next visit and some more exploring.
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