Tucked into a narrow Centrum alley just steps from the Nieuwmarkt, Abraxas has been a beloved Amsterdam refuge for those who know where to look. Here, the city's restless energy gives way to warm interiors, strong coffee, and the kind of unhurried afternoon only Amsterdam's oldest neighbourhood can offer.
Abraxas opened its doors in the heart of Centrum when Amsterdam's café culture was still finding its modern identity, and it has remained a neighbourhood constant ever since. The low ceilings, mismatched wooden furniture, and amber light feel lifted straight from a classic bruine kroeg, yet the crowd is as international as the city itself. Whether you arrive off a canal walk or stumble in from the Spui, Abraxas feels immediately, unmistakably like Amsterdam.
Explore MoreFrom a slow-drip filter coffee to a tight double espresso, every cup is pulled with the quiet seriousness Amsterdam coffee lovers expect. The counter is stocked with locally roasted beans sourced from the city's specialist roasters.
A curated selection of loose-leaf teas and warming herbal infusions sits alongside the coffee menu, perfect for grey Amsterdam afternoons when the canal mist rolls in. Each pot arrives unhurried, with a small stroopwafel resting on the saucer.
The kitchen turns out simple, satisfying bites — toasted open sandwiches, fresh appeltaart, and seasonal soups that change with the Dutch weather. Nothing overreaches; everything earns its place on the worn wooden table in front of you.
Inside Abraxas, the narrow Centrum streets outside feel pleasantly distant — conversations drift, laptops open, and nobody watches the clock. It is the rare Amsterdam café that feels genuinely lived-in, where the patina on the tables is earned and the welcome is unconditional.
"I've been coming to Abraxas every Saturday morning since I moved to Centrum three years ago — it's the most honestly Amsterdam café I know. The coffee is serious, the light is beautiful, and no one ever makes you feel like you should leave."
"After a long walk along the Amstel I always end up here, and Abraxas never disappoints. There's a warmth to this place that most Amsterdam cafés spend years trying to manufacture."
"I visited Amsterdam for a long weekend and a local sent me straight to Abraxas — best piece of advice I received the whole trip. The appeltaart alone is worth the walk down that little alley."
Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14, 1012 PL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mon–Sun: 09:00–24:00