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Café 't Smalle

Brown café

Café 't Smalle

A classic canal-side brown café on the Egelantiersgracht with a coveted waterside terrace.

  • Brown café

4.6· 1,536 reviews

Photo: Stephanie Han / Google

On the Egelantiersgracht in the Jordaan, Café 't Smalle ('the narrow') is perhaps the prettiest brown café in the city. The premises were tied to Pieter Hoppe's jenever distillery around 1780, and the space still carries the right details: wood panelling, brass fixtures and a mezzanine feel.

Its canal-side terrace is one of the loveliest spots in Amsterdam in good weather — there's even seating on a little boat in the canal in summer. Inside, the two-storey interior stays atmospheric whatever the season.

Pair a beer with bitterballen, or try a jenever in a nod to the building's distilling past. The staff are notably welcoming to visitors.

Highlights

  • Former 1780s jenever distillery

  • One of Amsterdam's loveliest canal-side terraces

  • Wood-and-brass mezzanine interior

Gallery

Café 't Smalle — 2
Café 't Smalle — 3
Café 't Smalle — 4
Café 't Smalle — 5

Photo: Family Movva / Google

Location

Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam, Netherlands

FAQ

Where is Café 't Smalle?
On the Egelantiersgracht in the Jordaan, on one of the city's prettiest canals.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes — a beautiful canal-side terrace, with extra seating on a boat in the canal in summer.
What should I order?
A Dutch beer with bitterballen, or a jenever as a nod to the building's distilling history.