Café Loetje

Café Loetje is one of Amsterdam's best-loved eetcafés, an institution since 1977 that has become almost synonymous with steak. What began as a neighbourhood billiards café grew into the city's go-to for 'biefstuk à la Loetje' — and Amsterdammers have been arguing it's the best steak in town ever since.

The vibe is homey and pub-like, busy and informal, with most tables filled by locals rather than tourists. There are several Loetje locations around the city now, but the formula is the same everywhere: no fuss, generous portions, good steak.

The food

The signature is the pan-fried tenderloin served in Loetje's rich, buttery jus, with soft white bread to mop it up, plus fries and a crisp salad. It's not a fancy steakhouse — it's a classic Dutch eetcafé doing one thing exceptionally well, though the menu also runs to satay, shrimp croquettes, fish and other comfort classics.

Where it all began

This is the original Loetje: Ludwig 'Loetje' Klinkhamer opened it in 1977 as a billiards café on the Johannes Vermeerstraat. Once the tenderloin steak arrived on the menu, the billiard tables soon faded into the background. Today there are around forty Loetjes in the Netherlands, but locals still see this one as the real thing.

Getting there

Take the tram to Museumplein; from there it is about six minutes' walk. Paid parking in the surrounding streets is limited. The café opens at 10:00 every day and has a large terrace.

Good to know

It gets busy, especially at peak dinner times and on the terrace in good weather, so booking ahead is wise. Come hungry, order the steak medium-rare in the jus, and don't skip the bread for dipping.

At a glance

Café Loetje is a restaurant in Museumkwartier (Johannes Vermeerstraat 52). It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Loetje elsewhere

Other Loetje locations: Loetje Centraal (Centraal Station), Loetje De Pijp (De Pijp), Loetje Oost (Oost), Loetje Zuidas (Zuidas), Loetje aan 't IJ (Noord / NDSM), Loetje aan de Amstel (Ouderkerk aan de Amstel).