Amsterdam: An overview - Part 13

CAFES

Cafes and Amsterdam are synonymous. It does not matter if you want to soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Dutch brown café, lounging in a city grand café or just enjoying a summer drink on one of the city’s many terraces. Amsterdam is one of the best places to enjoy either a coffee or something stronger.

XtraCold Ice Bar

The name says it all, everything is made of ice and it is similar to many other places like this around the world. When you enter the café, you are given special clothing to cope with the cold temperature. Some of the ice sculptures are by famous artists but this is an experience rather than a place to relax. You can visit at Amstel 194-194

Grand Café Ovidius

The Café Ovidius is located right at the very heart of Amsterdam, close to the Royal Palace, inside the upscale shopping mall Magna Plaza. The building dates from1895 and was the former main post office for Amsterdam. It is listed in the top 100 important historical public buildings in the city. It is also an excellent place for a break while in the city centre. Find it at Spuistraat 139.

Café de Jaren

Café de Jaren is possibly the largest café in Amsterdam. The building has a spacious café on the ground floor with an international reading-table. On the first floor you will find a pleasant restaurant which has a salad bar with a large choice, match this with a superb canal view terrace and you have a good place for a stop on your travels around the city. Plan your stop for Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22.

Café de Prins

Café de Prins is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Prinsengracht, just across from the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House, on the edge of the Jordaan. The Prins has retained its typical ' brown café' character and its kitchen has become something which distinguishes it from similar places. It is at Prinsengracht 124

Hard Rock Cafe

In the centre of Amsterdam you will find the standard American classic dining and a museum’s worth of rock memorabilia at Hard Rock Cafe. The waterside bar and specialty cocktails are worth a look and you pretty much know what the menu will be before you enter. It’s at Max Euweplein 57-61.

Café Blauwe Theehuis

In the centre of the 19th century Vondelpark is a building that looks something like a flying saucer. This is the Café Blauwe Theehuis, which translates as Blue Tea House, it is built like three rings on top of each other. This unusual construction with its large surrounding terrace attracts lots of people when thw weather is good. At other time you can still enjoy yourself here as they have outdoor electric heaters. You can find it at Vondelpark 5.

Continued in part 14