Café Kuijper

A neighborhood brown cafe on Marie Heinekenplein in De Pijp that hits the sweet spot between local hangout and destination drink. The interior is classic Amsterdam: dark wood, brass fixtures, big windows looking out on the square, and a mixed crowd of De Pijp residents and visitors who found it on a neighborhood walk. It doesn't try too hard, which is exactly why it works.

The beer selection is strong, with a good mix of Dutch and Belgian options on tap and in bottles. The borrelplaat (Dutch snack board with cheese, sausage, and bitterballen) is the ideal bar food companion. On warm days the terrace on Marie Heinekenplein fills up and becomes one of the best people-watching spots in De Pijp. The square has a neighborhood feel despite being five minutes from the Heineken Experience.

Café Kuijper is the kind of place where you stop for one drink and stay for three. The staff are friendly, the music is good without being intrusive, and the prices are fair. It's open from late morning through late night, making it equally good for a coffee after the Albert Cuyp Market, an afternoon beer on the terrace, or a nightcap after dinner. If every neighborhood in Amsterdam has one cafe that defines it, Café Kuijper is De Pijp's.