Best bars to go with your boat in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is well known for its gorgeous canal houses with charming gabled facades. Its fair to say it has enough architectural treasures to keep design lovers busy for weeks. Despite its small scale, the city gains a far augmented perspective if you get to see it from the water.

With more than 400 years of history, Amsterdam currently counts 165 canals, 80 bridges, and over 2500 houseboats. With over 1515 cafes and bars in the city, many of them are reachable by boat, providing multiple opportunities for long lasting anecdotes.

As I am off to begin my fourth season onboard of The Malbec, I thought in sharing my own tips and recommendations on bars to make the best out of a sailing day. A Captain’s job is to leave nothing at random. Knowing which ones to visit depending on the weather, the people onboard, and the time of the day, is a beautiful craft to cultivate.

I’ll add more “hidden gems” to this list over time. For now, I wish you a happy cruising!

—

1. Edel – “Endless fun possibilities surrounded by gorgeous architecture”
A perfect city oasis posted in the monumental building Het Sieraad. Its interior decor is hip and provides enough space for intimacy, even when its crowded. It serves well made food, and the menu generally includes seasonal variations. It involves a nice selection of beers as well. Besides their friendly staff, their floating dock-terrace is one if its greatest features. Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to have lunch, dinner or just drinks al fresco.

edelamsterdam.nl/ | Postjesweg 1, 1057 DT (West)

2. Cafe Lennep – “The ideal spot for a placid afternoon”A small hidden venue on the side of the quietness of the Jacob van Lennep canal. Its glorious waterside terrace is ideal for the sun worshipers. Nice park-picnic tables offer the perfect environment for those who enjoy long conversations.  Its friendly service and yummy food make it a magnet for your boat. If you prefer the shade, they also have a nice patio with an industrial designed ambient.

cafelennep.nl/ | Jacob van Lennepkade 334,1053 NJ  (West)

3. van Mechelen stadscafe – “Get the full Belgium industrial experience”
The relatively small entrance opens to a wonderfully industrial and warm decoration. The old furniture makes you feel like if you were in an old factory, but in Belgium. The food and drinks are of shockingly high-quality and there’s great variety of beers. The tricky part usually lies in securing your boat lines in the Schinkel canal. There’s no dock and it usually involves heavy nautical traffic. You might want to have a couple of beers only and continue your way.

stadscafevanmechelen.nl | Sloterkade 96/97,1058 HK (West)

4. Cafe Hesp – “The real Amsterdam experience to mingle with locals”Hesp is right there on the wide Amstel riverbank. It can hardly be beat for location. It has nice outdoor setting that gets loads of sun late into the afternoon or evening. Usually with many groups of people enjoying a drink, an outdoor BBQ or even a swim. Their staff is always cool while shipping their orders as they can, as its usually busy. Their interior provides the ultimate Amsterdam “dark bar” experience. It has a great atmosphere and its always busy. Nice variety of beers and a great place to moor your boat, while having a private party onboard.

cafehesp.nl | Weesperzijde 130-131,1091 ER (South)

5. Amstelhaven – “Feel a bit chic in the water”
Opposite to the prestigious Amstel hotel, it has one of the nicest terraces in town. Great place to sit by the water on a sunny day, enjoy a beer, and watch the boats go by. It has a nice interior with a modern touch including chesterfield sofas as well. It gets wonderful at night. It has all sorts of people visiting. Their dock is unique and with enough spots to moor, although usually crowded.

amstelhaven.nl/ | Mauritskade 1,1091 EW (Center)

6. Cafe De Jaren – “Classy and cozy, with ample room for thought”
Big spacious café situated in the center of Amsterdam. It is classy and intelectual, but still low-key. One of those places that I keep coming to for it’s ambiance and chilled atmosphere. A bit intellectual as well. I love their colorful floor tiles. It has two floors and different areas to choose from. The dock for mooring is nice, although packed with tables and chairs, making it an adventure to get off your boat.

cafedejaren.nl | Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22,1012 CP (Center)

7. Brouwerij ‘t IJ – “The place where high percentage beer happens”Based at the side of the Niewuevaart canal and overviewing the Gooyer windmill. Its one of my favourites. They have a large terrace with long tables outside where you can sit at your ease, especially in summer. Inside, the walls present a huge collection of beer bottles. A great brewery with great selection of home brewed beers, ranging from lagers, up to pales or dark ones. Delicious snacks on the side. Their dock is lovely and small. Great spot to buy fuel as well, as there is a gas station right next to it. Beware: it closes at eight in the afternoon.

brouwerijhetij.nl |Funenkade 7,1018 AL (East)

8. Amsterdam Roest – “Like having fun on the beach, but in the city”
Roest at an industrial area involving an old steel factory and warehouses. I just love the vibe it has. Feels a bit like being in Berlin. Young crowd. Hip beauties. Selfservice. Take your drink from the fridge, checkout by the cashier. Find a couch or a bench and relax on the magnificent sand beach outside. The bar interior is one of its kind as well. Lots of space to moor your boat and even you can take a swim.

amsterdamroest.nl | Jacob Bontiusplaats 1,1018 PL (East)

9. Hannekes Boom – “The perfect spot in town. A mix of everything”One of the most solid places for the summer. Decor and ambience is nice, and the outside seating area is outstanding. The colorful park-picning table setting makes it unbeatable. A lovely view to the Nemo museum and the whole of Oosterdok. One of my favourites for burgers. Super friendly staff. It has a fantastic log burner inside. Their mooring dock one of the best in town. although mostly crowded.

hannekesboom.nl/ | Dijksgracht 4,1019 BS (North)

10. Delirium Café – “The best of Belgium, at a boat’s reach”

Based at the side of the IJ, it is a great place to sample a HUGE variety of beers. Their menu focuses onbelgium drafts, but still counts over 800 different beers in total. The staff is knowledgable and helpful and the decor very comfortable and welcoming. The difficulty is that you cannot dock in their beautiful huge dock. Yet, as a proper Captain, you’ll manage to get tie your lines somewhere somehow.

deliriumcafeamsterdam.nl | Piet Heinkade 4-6-8,1019 BR (North)

11. Ill Pecorino – “An Italian trattoria, across Central Station”

You’ll find it across the IJ. The perfect spot to gain some perspective and have a look at the city, from the other side. Oriented as an Italian-trattoria, you’ll most likely to find the best pizzas in town. It has a lovely side dock to moor which offer both good shade and a lovely sun bath. Ideal to enjoy a sunset and get away from the crowds.

ilpecorino.nl/ | Noordwal 1,1021 PX (North)

12. De Ceuvel – “A hidden paradise in the North Amsterdam”

Enjoy getting to this hidden spot. Along the Buiksloter canal you’ll suddenly feel away from civilisation. This sustainable place that grows it’s own veggies and recycles objects into furniture has great, tasty and simple food, nice atmosphere and beer selection. It’s in a little district that has been made out of reclaimed houseboats. It’s a really cool place. It has a very unique and innovative feel. Completely different than the historic parts of Amsterdam

cafedeceuvel.nl | Korte Papaverweg 4,1032 KB (North)

13. Noorderlicht – “Outstanding spirit of freedom in nature”

Across the water from the main city you’ll find this greenhouse cafe that looks back towards town. It provides some of the best views you can find. On your way there, you’ll cross many cargo boats and ferries. It will demand both some sailing and safety skills, but its totally worth it.  This place fits perfectly in this edgy area of Amsterdam, called NDSM. It has a great garden and an interior with lots of colorfoul light fixtures. You need to dock in a floating platform a couple of meters away.

noorderlichtcafe.nl/ | NDSM-Plein 102,1033 WB (North)

14. Pllek – “The everlasting festival lounging experience” 

Place of some of the best afternoons I ever had. You can easily spend all day in here.  A great venue made of containers and decorated with lots of taste.  The atmosphere is very cool and the beach is incredible wide. Their staff is great and the food was truly excellent. Relax with a view. The spot to dock is quite small and you need to make sure to fix some fenders to protect your boat. The tide can hit hard in that part of the IJ.

pllek.nl | Tt. Neveritaweg 59,1033 WB (North)

15. Pont 13 – “A classy refurbished ferry waiting to host a great moment”

A truly hidden gem. One of my favourite places for all times. Pont 13 is an old municipal ferry from 1927 with its large central space converted to a fine restaurant. The ferry has preserved most of its original details. It provides a great view of the port, where you can enjoy the houseboats, some storage silos, industrial buidlings and ships passing. Their dock is cute and almost always accesible. If the weather is right, you can tie your lines to the big yellow buoys and enjoy a wonderful swim as well.

pont13.nl/ | Haparandadam 50,1013 AK (North)

16. REM Island – “One of the best panorama views the city can offer”

REM Island has a fantastic story behind. Offering 22 meters above the IJ, this vivid red, oil rig structure was in the 1960s a pirate radio and TV broadcaster platform. It now hosts an extraordinary restaurant. On the terrace, a 360-degree panorama offers one of the best views in town. Check out industrial docklands, iconic buildings and the passing river traffic. You make your way to the top through a windy metal staircase experience, if you are brave enough to avoid the lift.

remeiland.com | Haparandadam 45,1013 AK (North)

17. Café ‘t Smalle  – “A piece of history in the middle of the Joordan”

Located at one of my favourite canal, this place is just cozy cozy cozy. In the middle of the Joordan, this typical Amsterdam café dates back to 1870, when it was initially a liqueor distilery. It has some  lovely large stained glass windows and a warm, friendly and gezellig atmosphere. Right across the hustle going on the other side of the Prinsengracht, at the Anne Frank Museum standing queue. Ideal for a Gin and Tonic and a piece of Apple pie. It has a relatively small suspended dock/terrace that makes it all wonderful.

t-smalle.nl | Egelantiersgracht 12,1015 RL (West)

18. Waterkant – “The five senses of Paramaribo in the middle of town”Current hotspot in Amsterdam. Below on a magnificent parking garage which was once intervened by artist Spencer Tunick. It has a lovely water view and fun contemporary interior. Fantastic atmosphere with a mix of young, old, locals and visitors. Pretty good Surinamese food. An opportunity to grab a traditional Parbo beer, some Gado Gado or even a chicken roti. Ample place to moor your boat as well, although usually crowded on a sunny afternoon. Yet, you wont be needing one of those difficult to catch tables on the terrace, as you’ll be having a private party in your boat. Great spot to buy fuel as well, as there is a Gas station right next to it.

waterkantamsterdam.nl | Marnixstraat 246,1016 TL Amsterdam (West)

19. Hotel Buiten – “Embracing nature in a place with a sustainable vision”
Cafe Buiten is known for having its own beach, accesible all year long and even in New Year. Revamping the neighbourhood since 2012, this place settles the initial groundwork for a future hotel to be constructed in the coming years. It has a wide dock welcomes you at all times. To reach there you’ll need to go through one of the two locks, either in the north or the south of Sloterplas. You’ll need to make a phone call to a number advertised on the spot for someone to open/close you. Ideal to enjoy the nature and woody rustic atmosphere.

hotelbuiten.nl | Th.J. Lammerslaan 1,1064 DH Amsterdam (North New West)

20. Restaurant Meerzicht – “Ideal after a long day of sailing”
Meerzicht is in the surroundings of the Nieuwe Meer lake. The journey to this spot in one of my dearest ones. It takes around 15-20 minutes to get you through the lock that levels the two meters height difference between the canal Schinkel and the lake. Then you weave your way off through an ample mass of water, with views to some harbours, the skyline of Amsterdam south and plenty of nature. The restaurant is large enough to seat you immediately when arriving unannounced. You can enjoy different views on either sides of the restaurant, or eat somewhere more central near the fireplace or the bar. Their dock/terrace is lovely under the sun. Ideal for after a whole day of sailing.

restaurantmeerzicht.nl | Nieuwemeerdijk 326,1171 NT Badhoevedorp (South West)

—

Do you know another bar to add to the list? Please make a comment below this post and I’ll do the scientific research. :p

Did you enjoyed this post? Please share it around so that others can benefit as well.

Can you include better picture? All pictures are taken from the internet and link to their original source. Some of them truly don’t make justice to the places or their interiors. I would suggest to check them out on your own. Eventually I’ll make a video to give this post a bit more life, and hopefully gather better pictures.

About me? You can get in touch via @aj_desalvo. This season you can also follow the Malbec’s adventures on Twitter #MalbecAms2016