Back to Black

Best espresso pulled in Amsterdam and the first cafe that I felt I could give an unqualified 5 out of 5. Vibe and setting is special without being curated or plastic. Like visiting your cool friend that knows coffee on your way to the park on a day off work.

The place is nice and has a good atmosphere and vibe, but it’s not very spacious and can get packed and loud quickly. The service is great, you order at the cashier and then they bring your order to the table. I ordered the lemonade and a mushroom tart and I didn’t love them. The lemonade is not fresh from the moment, but rather brought from somewhere else.

The apple pie is cool and refreshing, with a soft and delicious apple filling. Unfortunately, the crust gets very sweet towards the end. Although it’s not top tier, it’s still a pretty good apple pie. The dirty chai latte has a strong spicy flavor, which I personally don’t like very much. The atmosphere in the shop is nice, but you can only use a laptop on weekdays.

Amazing specialty coffe. Great atmosphere , amazing staff, coffe that week was amazing ( single origin from Columbia). The apple pie was a killing. Hopefully in Amsterdam you walk a lot. So you don't care about calories limit 🥳

This cafe has a very Kinfolk vibe and is very aesthetic. It was a relaxing spot to have an early breakfast on my recent trip to Amsterdam. Coffee excellent, Earl Grey scone palatable, although accompaniments could’ve been tastier to complement better. Atmosphere very quiet and patrons respectful of one another despite close confinement. Staff pleasant enough. Altogether an enjoyable experience and would visit again, primarily to try more of the coffee selection.

Every trip needs an HQ and this was ours in Amsterdam. One street further down you have the familiar lines of tourists running from Museumsplein to Red Light but here, as if by magic, village atmosphere, fashionable people and masterful coffee: pourovers and apple pie. The staff is friendly even for an undecided customer changing his order last minute, the atmosphere is homey, people reading journals or magazines, some working, some chatting, a cute dog jumped on my lap and it's owner told me why her name translates to "little lottery ticket": she saw her by chance in an animal shelter and adopted her. Amsterdam is a friendly and inclusive place and this here is the inner bailey 😃

I’m not sure if it was just bad luck or not, but the espresso I got was very sour. I don’t think this is normal, as it tasted really bad. I got two coffee bags to try at home, and they were much better. Maybe the barista was in a rush or the machine wasn’t dialed in properly.

Good -tasting coffee and a lovely view of the canal — the ambience was really nice. However, I ordered an iced Americano and it came lukewarm in a small hot coffee cup, with barely any ice. I had to ask for extra ice to make it feel like an actual iced coffee. Overall good experience, but the iced coffee could definitely be improved.

This is such a quaint little coffee shop! Needing a boost of caffeine, we stopped in for some drinks to start our day. It's very pet friendly and we saw a couple of cute little dogs enter with their owners and it certainly brightened the mood. The seating here was also perfect near open windows where we could people watch and get some fresh air. I could've easily stayed here for hours relaxing and enjoying their delicious coffee but we had sights to see.

This is the spot to grab coffee in Amsterdam! We came by right when they opened one morning, and had amazing service. Everyone was very kind and helpful, and our drinks were fabulous! They have a shop kitty who is too cute. Definitely budget some time so you can sit and chill while enjoying your order!

I stopped here for tea/coffee with a friend and had such a good time. I got Chai Latte which I absolutely loved and she enjoyed her coffee too. It felt like we were surrounded by friends. Staff were friendly, service was fast and everyone in general seemed to be having a good time chatting and enjoying snacks. I recommend going there and will certainly return myself.

My favorite coffee shop in all of Amsterdam. Real coffee, if you know what I mean. Clearly is a local favorite. Fantastic atmosphere, coffee (they have numerous delicious pour over options), and food (great yogurt & granola & berries, and great pastries). They hire well; baristas appear to be young students, but are almost always nice and smiling. Primary drawbacks -- is small and no guarantee you'll get a seat unless you arrive within the first hour + not a place for sitting and working on a laptop for a few hours (most tables have "no laptops" signs, so if you wanna work there, you have to arrive at opening or luck out; however, this appears to be typical in AMS, the coffee shop scene is very different from America in that way).

Flavorful dirty chai and the mushroom pastry was surprisingly delicious too. The staff is friendly. The cafe is a nice quaint spot that seemingly fills up fairly quickly. There's a section for laptop use.

Probably the best coffee we had in Amsterdam. Cortado presentation was on point and the Honey Bush Lavender Iced Tea hit the spot on a warm day. There was also a kitty sleeping in the shop! Only complaint was that the seating is a bit cramped, especially on a busy day.

Got some caffeine from this cute cafe before our Heineken experience. It seemed super busy so we were hesitant to even go in but good thing we did because it was an overall amazing experience. Favorite spot for coffee and matcha in Amsterdam! Great customer service, the baristas were all so cute, our drinks came out so fast despite how busy they were, and most importantly I had one of the best matcha lattes ever! Wish I lived in this city because I would be coming back to this place very frequently!

The hype is true: they HAVE the best Apple pie!! I'm from the States where Apple pie is tradition, we have competitions and family recipes etc but this place have put something that is just amazing. One pie led to three at one go. If you're willing to snuggle up with others in a small space, you'll enjoy something that'll stay in your memory as the best cafe in Amsterdam

Ahhh a place in Amsterdam that uses oat milk. YES!! Was laid up in the hotel sick and feeling like shit, crappy ass rainy weather outside and was fiending for a cup of joe. Jump on Yelp and lo and behold Back to Black came up with positive reviews. A short half mile walk from the hotel later we were welcomed inside a nice quaint coffee joint. Large table for groups, nice comfy chairs with a very cozy atmosphere. The staff was super friendly and very helpful, spoke great English ( as all Dutch do). Ok down to the nitty gritty! The coffee was DELISH!!! Not to strong with just the right amount of oat milk, reminded me of the good stuff I get back home. Very pleasant and hit the spot, especially if your feeling sickly or chill from the cool Dutch weather this time of year. It's very difficult to find decent coffee in these parts as the culture does change across countries in Europe, do your research first or check out Back to Black!

You had me at Oat Milk....then I find out it's not just any Oat Milk, it's Oatly brand Oat Milk!!! Be still my little heart! Now, mind you I was praying (yeah, praying as I LOVE espresso) that they don't burn their java like so many other places do when making my tiny cup of heaven! B2B is serving up one fine cup of perfectly prepared coffee! The hubs and I walked in the pouring rain to find this quaint little joint. I have to say, the ambiance outside and inside are in one word, amazing! It sits one block off the major drag, on a freakin canal! It's simply breath taking. Perfectly Amsterdammy (I know that's not a word but you know what I mean)!!! :-D The staff was genuinely friendly. I asked for my latte to be prepared extra hot and it was just right. To add to my delight, they had "apple cake" or "apple pie". Call it whatever you want, it was divine! The slice served was gigantic and I thought there was no way I could eat it all in one sitting. Ha! Was I kidding myself?! I scarfed that cake down with the quickness! It was served with some pretty tasty, not overly sweet fresh whipped cream. I highly recommend this spot if you want to have a great coffee drink, a bite to eat and a peaceful/serene moment. B2B is super close to the museums, so take a break and wander on over!

Smooth espresso, tasty rich oat milk, views of the canal, free WiFi and ample seating. Doesn't get better!!! I must say I was unimpressed with other espressos around but very much loved back to Black!! Worth the mile trek! (Oat and soy available for +€0,20; credit card fee €€0,20)

Delicious coffee. Perfectly prepared. Place was full on arrival. The person that took our order seemed a little off putting. Like a chore to get our order - which was straight drip coffee...nothing added. Kind of felt like we were being a nuisance. There are lots of cute coffee places in Amsterdam and this is one of them.

What a gem of a store this was! Perfect from the customer service to the coffee and even the apple pie with their homemade whipped cream! This was another place I believe we were at the right place at the right time. Even the lighting was perfect! Look at all the beautiful pictures! I'm not much of a coffee drinker but my friend absolutely loves his coffee so I just tag along to make him happy. I'm always in for a treat because I get to taste his delicious nectar and usually some sort of pastry/dessert to compliment his coffee! This time around, it was a perfect duo! The server highly recommended the apple pie with their homemade whipped cream. It was the best apple pie I've ever tasted especially with their own whipped cream! I couldn't believe it! And the coffee was perfectly made!

A gem - excellent coffee and even better pastries - it is perpetually crowded so plan on a wait - the line does move quickly

Great for space. Not much for latte or aero press. No finesse. And crabby barista mirroring the bitter notes and raisin aftertaste of her brew. Back end rakes the back of my throat making me thankful that the taste has taken me away from my heel blister for a minute.

Tucked away in the corners of Amsterdam's canal streets, is a tiny coffee bar that caters to your coffee needs. Prices are agreeable (EUR2 for an espresso / EUR3,40 for a flat white) and their homemade sweets are a pure delight. The place is decorated in a semi-modern boho chic style. It's small but it's cozy and that has a sort of charm to it. There's a cat too, standing by the door kingly, greeting you as you come in. Only coffee lovers allowed.

Winkel 43, take care! As most Amsterdammers (and wannabes) know, Winkel 43 on Noordermarkt holds the crown to being the best appeltaart place in Amsterdam. At least, it did; but I know better now that I have discovered Back to Black. Their appeltaart is very different in style from W43's, but just as good: smooth and creamy where W43's is chunky and spicy, with a crust that manages to be both crunchy and chewy; yes, crunchy *and* chewy at the same time, and don't ask me how that is possible. However, why W43 in the end loses its crown is because of the coffee. I had one of the best cappuccinos in my life there (and that is saying something from a former Melburnian): a good, somewhat nutty blend brewed to perfection, poured with perhaps just a bit too much foamed milk -- but foam and milk of exactly the right consistency and temperature, which in fact is not that easy to achieve. Add to that the nice atmosphere with a great mix of locals and some tourists that seemed to be happy to be lost on the museum trail, and great service from the barista/waitress team behind the counter, and you have a place where I definitely will be back next time that I am in Amsterdam.

There's a cat that roams the cafe freely. The espresso is amazing. Smooth and palatable. Ordered a latte - accidentally made it with soy (in my favour). Foam was practically velvet. Among the most masterful lattes I've ever had. Did I mention the CAT? It was napping so sweetly... Interior is nothing short of charming and dreamy. See photos. Not to mention awesome service. For a real cup of coffee and a sweet treat, I 100% recommend to visitors and locals alike. 5/5

Greeted by the aroma of baking chocolate croissants, we knew we had found a wonderful coffee place off the tourist path. Cozy atmosphere, great service, and each cup of coffee is individually brewed. Pastries were wonderful too. Highly recommended!

This was one of my favorite cafes in Amsterdam. It's small but really cute and cozy. There's one big table and then a few other seats by the Windows. They have a simple menu and reasonable prices for the setting. I actually would give this place five stars but the iced latte was a bit too milky. I ended up ordering an extra shot of espresso to put in the iced latte. Overall, I definitely want to go back!

What else can I say more about Back to Black that wasn't said? Great place for a winter/summer all seasons destination and for a good coffeine fix. Good cappuccino, good latte, yummy ice latte. My friends love their pastries too but I'm not into their selection, even though they look good. This place is loved both by the locals and by the tourists. They all know somehow about it, damn! At any time of the day it can get very crowded. The atmosphere in the coffee it's the perfect definition for gezellig, good music, small cute place, a cat hanging around, smell of coffee and most of all, the light that comes upon this place. I like the fact that it's located in the center but still away from the Leidseplein madness. I also like the people serving there. I will always be Back to Black.

Had a cappuccino and chai latte here (absolutely amazing latte!! ). We would have liked to have stayed but it was a pretty popular spot. I love that you can have an amazing view of the canal and definitely want to come back for the chai!

After spending a few weeks drinking shitty coffee in Tanzania, I was fiending for a proper cup of coffee. A quick search on Yelp brought me to Back to Black. I braved the pouring rain and mozied on over to Back to Black. The place had a nice, cozy feel it, which is perfect after coming in from the rain. There was some Black Keys playing and I could smell good coffee right away. The barista spoke great English and her recommendation to me was the Latte Macchiato. Once I ordered she had me take a seat and then promptly brought my macchiato. The macchiato had a nice thick froth to it and was amazingly delicious. After being on the go for so long, it was nice to relax with a proper cup of coffee. The free wifi was unusually fast, which is another plus.

Small space, but super cozy. Super friendly server when I was there who went above and beyond to talk to everyone walking in and find them space to sit down. Good flat white too. Will be back!

Quaint little coffee shop right near the museum district. Try the cappachino and the lattes. And don't forget the apple cake. It's all amazing. The staff is super nice and the ambiance is really chill.

The most beautiful and cosy place I've seen in Amsterdam. The coffee is great, the staff is very nice, the atmosphere is amazing. I can't recommend it enough. This place has it all, whether you're looking for some good quality coffee, tea, sodas or snacks, Back to black is the right place

Amazing apple pie, moist and sweet. The whipped cream on the side ... delic! Coffee really good, too! Great working area. Music not too loud, place not too crowded (at least before 11am). Really cute coffee place, highly recommendable.

It's just so easy to give this place five stars. I walked here this morning from my hotel and sat for over an hour enjoying this cozy, bright coffee shop. I ordered a double espresso, cappuccino, and slice of carrot cake. The cappuccino was one of the best I've ever had - not bone dry, but not a latte. Creamy, rich, frothy... Mmmmm. The carrot cake didn't have a gaggy sweet cream cheese frosting on it, but rather a glaze that made it just slightly sweet. There were good chunks of walnuts in the cake and the entire thing was moist. I should have gotten two. The coffee shop is situated on a quiet corner with large windows. Decor is old mixed with new creating a comfortable home vibe. The music here was really chill (thank you for playing some Bright Eyes while I was in!) and made it super easy to sit and write/read/chat. They have a resident cat who was very friendly, but also stayed out of your way (if you're not a cat person). There is no kitchen, so they only do granola and croissants for breakfast. I also didn't see a bathroom, so keep that in mind if you plan to drink a couple cups of joe. I would definitely be a regular here if I lived in Amsterdam, and you can bet I'll be back on my next trip.

I hate cats but somehow the charm of Back to Black swallowed my disdain for their furry needy mascot. As a fan of Amy Winehouse, great ambiance and high quality coffee Back to Black caters to me. There is a variety of seating; from counters facing the small canal in front to communal seating at a grand wooden table perfect for a gathering of friends or strangers to bar tops to cozy comfy interview chairs- something for everyone. We shared a delicious Ethiopian pour over and nibbles on a quiche with goat cheese that was to die for. The shop is small with a very local feel, but very welcoming of all. Would definitely be a weekend reading and hang out spot if we lived in Amsterdam.

Very nice place, lot of people in there. And great coffee . Prices is good. Location is excellent.

Another chic and cute café in central Amsterdam that is very welcoming to the right kind of people.

I've been waiting for this coffee bar for a while now. A very nice girl, Noortje, who taught me European law at the beginning of this year told me about her plans to open a new coffee specialty café in Amsterdam. She already handed me a card with the logo back then. Now Back to Black has finally arrived and that is a very good thing. In this area of town, the museum quartier, there is quite a lack of places to get a good cup of coffee. Of course there is Sweet Cup, but since this place is quite small, it is nice to have another option for your caffeine boost as well. Back to Black is located in a very cute, typical-Amsterdam corner along the canals. The place is not big, but big enough for about 20 people to sit down there. There is even a little terrace where you can enjoy your flat white or espresso in sun (if the weather lets you). The menu is quite big. The coffee is selected in black and white (with milk obviously) and both sections have plenty of options. If you're bringing a friend who is not into coffee that much this wont be a problem either, since there is also tea on the menu (served in cute cups), some soft drinks and there are daily smoothies, juices and milkshakes. I tried some of the daily milkshake with berries and banana and it was very good. I can also tell you that Back to Black serves an excellent Flat White. It is among the best in Amsterdam and I can tell you that I have not found one yet that is better (there are of course a few who are just as good). I am very happy with this new place. The owners are very friendly, the location is great, the coffee superb and the interior is cosy, cute and artsy. I am sure I'll be a regular here!

This place's got the best smooth latte. Would come back over again. Loved latte from here and sweet cup.

1. The atmosphere is so welcoming with light colors, plants and other nice decorations. 2. The establishment is kept very clean! 3. The homemade desserts are out of this work delicious (as is the coffee). All around, it's a great place to sit and sip for a while.

Came here for some tea and apple pie and it was absolutely worth it. Got rid of two hangry travelers and turned us into happy folks. The staff is extremely friendly and chit chatty.

Great coffee. Atmosphere is spectacular. Interesting pictures and crazy plants. Great place to sit and read although I couldn't connect to the wifi. Service was slow.

My favorite cafe in Amsterdam- cozy, beautiful, delicious, and super friendly! Definitely recommend for locals and tourists alike!

Very cute, simple coffee shop. Good service, yummy coffee and pastries, and the cat roaming around made our experience even better!

Amazing coffee. Up there with the best I've had. Really nice lady who runs and owns the place. Cute spot, lots of people on laptops. They have free wifi.

Fast service, friendly employees and a beautiful space. Easy to get to, and in a quiet(er) area in Amsterdam. Prepare to pay with cash to avoid the 0.20 EUR fee for paying with card! Didn't get to see the kitty that people talked about, which was the only upset of my visit. Had a latte (perfecto) and a slice of their apple pie. One of the only places I saw in AMS that has aeropress. No laptops on weekends - they have a sign on their door.

With Starbucks invading Amsterdam, it's good that there are still these little places with mismatched chairs, a big table to sit at and read the newspaper, and enjoy a good cup of coffee. Two thumbs up for the apple pie.

The place is small but makes a mean cappucino. I also had a slice of carrot cake that was super moist and delicious. The cat is friendly.

Beautiful café right on the canal. The light comes through the windows, the place is so sunny and calm. If you're alone you can sit at the wooden table and enjoy the view! However don't expect too elaborate a breakfast here, they just sell croissants and cakes.

I'm really starting to like this place. Very easy going grandma's living room style café with well, great coffee, super yummy backed goods to go with it, free wifi, good music and just a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Perfect to come and chat or work or study. They also have a few outdoor seating spots....

Came to this cafe on the weekend--sat down set up my laptop then ordered my coffee. When the worker brought me my coffee she informed me that there is a no laptop policy on the weekends, which is not clearly posted anywhere in the shop. The whole reason I came to the shop was to work on an essay. So I drank my watery over priced latte and left.

Superb coffee made by super friendly locals. No savory type foods, but lots of very tasty pastries to satisfy that sweet tooth. Cosy, grandma's living room-style set up. Love this place! Definitely a *recommend*!

Lots of women rave about carrot cake. I didn't get that. The carrot cakes I tried were dull and dry. More like pieces of bread than pockets full of fun. Two days ago I discovered that carrots do know how to 'dance'. It's just that you have to turn the right music on and put them in the right setting. Inge and Noortje know all about this recipe for success. They serve a carrot cake that rocks, a mighty moisty one - almost a pudding - with bits of walnuts. Try a piece at Back to Black, their vivid specialty coffee bar, coffee roastery and concept store with international vibes. Add even more value to your cake and have a regular espresso on the side or have slow coffee made by means of a siphon. Shop before you leave for art and design products or packages Back to Black coffee, brewed from Latin American (El Salvador) and African (Rwanda) beans. Walk or cycle via the Rijksmuseum back home.

Great secret hideaway in museum district. I lived around the corner for 2 years but the shop wan't there yet. Kinda bummer for us... But knowing it's there now, I definitely go back to my old neighborhood!! Great coffee and simple bites. They have a really small menu and therefore keep focussed on the good coffee! The bites are okay, but the brownie we had wasn't amazing. It was good, but in comparing with the coffee... Must see when you need a coffee after visiting the Rijks!

Nowadays thanks to a worldwide hipster influx, EVERYthing has become the new black. First it started with pink is the new black. Then for dudes, beards became the new black. I guess ebola is the new black now?? Just about anything and everything can be the new black. Thanks to some fun daring peeps around the corner from my office building, BLACK IS BACK, biaaaatches! And oooooh does black feel so good. The coffee here - great, the staff - friendly, the interior - super cute. You can come in here, bring your laptop and facebook your life away with a calming view of the gracht. Oh but there's more black action here than d-lish coffee. The sweets.... oh the succulent sweets haunt my dreams and an inappropriately wet way. The banana bread shines with a luster of moist radiance only to be outshined by immense flavor. The brownie makes my mouth weak to the touch leaving me orally gaping. I need not go on for the age old saying of "once you go black, you don't go back" accurately sums this place up!

It's not the best coffee I've ever had, but it's good, real good. Go try it, staff is friendly and the music is groovy. Oh, the apple tart they had was pretty well made.