FAVORITES
More liked posts“Don’t do things to be different. Do things to be better. That’s different enough.”
Seth Simonds
- A special review by our friend Gijs Craenmehr -
DE VREDESPIJP
1ste vd Helstraat 11a
WHAT:
A double espresso and his smaller brother just to be sure!
HOW:
I visited this place called ‘de Vredespijp’ baldly translated ‘the Peacepipe’. Immediately I saw potential as I glanced at the coffee machine. “One double espresso” I said with a firm voice. “And,” I added quickly, “one cup of tea” (for my girlfriend of course).
When I saw my coffee, it looked so good I couldn’t resist taking a sip before making a picture. After this sip I new for sure this is one for the hall of fame! Great collar, smell and heroic taste! Just to be sure it wasn’t just a lucky SHOT, I ordered his smaller brother and even this little fellow blew my mind!
Even though my girlfriend doesn’t drink coffee, my enthusiasm made here a bit jealous. Although she had to miss this the black magic, we left ‘the Peacepipe’ in Peace!
Rating:
9 for the experience and because only Allah is perfect.
CAFE LOUTER
De Clercqstraat 82, Amsterdam (West)
WHAT:
A double espresso
HOW:
We’ve been at Louter many many times and had double espresso’s on a regular base… but unfortunately never posted about it.
A good cup of espresso, with the right amount of coffee. Looks great, tastes great but it doesn’t blow you of your chair.
Subtle, tasty, but we’ve had better. We’re maybe even spoiled, but we like the cafe a lot, great atmosphere and defo check it out.
Rating: average 07/10
DE STADSKANTINE
Van Woustraat 120, Amsterdam
WHAT:
A double espresso (unknown brand)
HOW:
First of all, apologies for silence. We’ve been out-and-about, had loads of double espresso’s but didn’t have the time to post.
But we’re back with this lovely double espresso from a newly opened lunch room.
Served very simple in a single cup, with a beautiful layer of crema, it tasted really good. In a great scenery with the view on a one of the most busiest streets… great lunch break.
Worth the check-out, cool guy running the place as well.
Rating: 7,0/10
DICE HOMEBREW
Bilderdijkkade, Amsterdam
WHAT
60 years of roasting beans experiance by the Urbano family of Sicily when true my grinder this moring. The wonderfull coffee of Miscela d’Oro is a true morning delight.
The taste is chocolate with a grounded undertone and a great aftertaste to enjoy on your bike ride to work. The coffee has an easy crema and a dark face.
Its a blend of African Robusta beans blended with a Arabica out of South America, dark roasted. This coffee is on its best 4 weeks after its roasting day. 17,- euros 1kilo.
85./10
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”
Timor Steffens
CAFE HET PALEIS
Paleisstraat 16, Amsterdam
WHAT:
An Illy double espresso
HOW:
We posted about Illy before, being the favourite at Cafe Baton at the Herengracht. As we know, even using the same coffee brand doesn’t give you a guarantee for success. Many factors: The machine used, the barista’s attention in making the coffee, amount of coffee used, etc. This edition of Illy was acceptable but didn’t come close to previous experiences.
Not very warm and an slight sour after-match. It been presented nicely, with a nice crema but maybe I visited ‘Het Paleis’ at the wrong time, being at the wrong place.
Will give it a go again soon, hoping to be mistaken.
Rating: 6,5/10
“Who are you? - Someone with an extravagant appetite (‘this is what I want!’) or a person that embraces modest living (‘this will do’)?”
‘Simplicity over Luxury.’ We are very curious who our readers are…
CAFE OSLO
Sloterkade 1A, Amsterdam
WHAT:
A Lavazza double espresso
HOW:
A lovely place to have coffee, unfortunately often too crowded, but good coffee.
Same as Illy, Lavazza is quite a common coffee brand at cafe’s.
As every barista brews coffee differently, this has been a nice creation. A crema which stayed with a good colour, which indicates the use of fresh coffee beans.
Nicely warm and strong double espresso, but not striking. So good but average.
Rating: 7,5/10 
LEXIE’S PLACE
Near Surinameplein, Amsterdam
WHAT:
A nice cup of Americano coffee
HOW:
When you look at the machine, you might raise some question marks… and although it’s not a double espresso, this is a nicely homemade black coffee.
No crema, brewed hot, it tasted great after a large asian meal.
RIng his door bell, you’re always welcome! ;-)
KALDI KOFFIE & THEE
Herengracht 300, Amsterdam
WHAT:
A Kaldi double espresso
HOW:
On for on-the-go on a Saturday, and although not the ever first, we’ve never been writing about the coffee. Kaldi is great!
Beautiful crema, freshly roasted coffee and perfectly brewed and served. Slightly bitter but no too strong. Subtle and lovely experience.
Kaldi has a renowned coffee & tea concept with more than 30 stores around The Netherlands. The store in Amsterdam doesn’t invite you to stay and sit down for a coffee, but the small space does gives you a great coffee/tea experience. Machines, different sorts of coffee brands (Alliance, barista’s choice, Brazilian Special Mild, Bright Colourful Guatemala, etc.).
Kaldi offers a wide variety of side products: barista workshops, piaggio mobile opportunities, event sponsoring and more.
It’s worth to check out their website for more info and for def to try out their double espresso’s of variety of blends.
We’ll be there soon again tot try the rest.
Rating: 8,5/10
ALBERT HEIJN TO GO
Station Lelylaan, Amsterdam
WHAT:
A single espresso on-the-go
HOW:
Well, we know AH To Go is a place to quickly by products whilst commuting, but the huge coffee machine is not very inviting. But with a train ride ahead, I felt like having coffee… luckily I had some small change to even start engine of the machine running.
And, with a price of only Euro 1,50, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. A single espresso comes down to a normal double espresso and didn’t bad at all (even better as a Starbucks version). A nice layer of crema, nicely heated and although the coffee tasted old, it hadn’t loose its strength.
So worth the try and positioned higher than coffee from the ‘Kiosk’ or anything close to that.
Rating: 7/10
Something which makes us happy… This great book we acquired at Brandmeesters is really brilliant. The perfect guide to coffee drinking & making. All categories, from espresso to latte, from americano to ice coffee. Last but not the least: striking photography.
Now we know why they call it a coffee table book! lol
