Best Brunches in Amsterdam - Public Transport

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Dom Bewley
brunch amsterdam

If you're one of those lost souls who think breakfast's too early, but lunch is too late, you'll probably be more than familiar with brunch. It's a craze that's taken over the world in the last decade or two, with brunchers heading out weekly to get their fix. So, what about Amsterdam? Does the city brunch like the rest? Well, yes. So let's talk about it. This is our guide to the best brunches in Amsterdam, and how to reach them by public transport!

Including:

  • G's Brunch Boat
  • Little Collins
  • Dignita
  • Coffee & Coconuts
  • Omelegg
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Getting around Amsterdam by public transport

Before we talk about the best brunches in Amsterdam, let's start with a quick guide to public transport in the city. You have several options available, which we talk about here. Here's the abridged version of that guide.

For trams, buses, and the metro, you can buy 1-hour, 24-hour, and 48-hour travel tickets at every Metro station, on the tram when you board, or at one of the many ticket machines you'll find at bus stops, tram stops, or at Centraal Station.

Alternatively, if you're going to be traveling for longer than 48 hours, you might want to pick up an OV Chipcard. This travel card lets you any amount of money you want, and then you simply swipe when you board and alight, and top it up when you're running low.

Now, on with the brunch!

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Brunch on a boat

All aboard, hungry souls! If you've never brunched on the high seas, then you've never brunched at all. But we can fix that. Just head down to G's Brunch Boat and try the seafaring life for yourself.

You've two choices, should you rightly choose to board this delightful vessel. Firstly, get a boozy drink and your choice of the wonderful menu. Pair your wine, bloody mary, mimosa, or beer with eggs benny, a breakfast burrito, or, our pick, the chicken and waffles. Your second choice? Go bottomless, and have as many drinks as you can during the 75-minute brunch extravaganza. Easily one of the best brunches in Amsterdam.

How to get there on public transport

Once you've booked your ticket, head to the pickup point near the Anne Frank House. It's a 5-minute walk from the Westermarkt tram and bus stops.

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An Easy Bruncher

Named after the bougie Melbourne road that marries designer shopping with brilliant cafes, Little Collins does things a little differently. Forgoing the Australian menu for something more traveled, you'll find plenty of interesting and exotic dishes at their two Amsterdam locations.

If you're brunching before 12, their morning menu will fill your belly. Try the eggs benny on a hash brown, and thank us later. Heading there after midday? Try their share plates and keep them all to yourself. It's brunch, but with an added touch of class.

How to get there on public transport

You'll find two Little Collins locations in Amsterdam.

The West spot is a 1-minute walk from the Bilderdijkstraat and Kinkerstraat tram and bus stops.

The De Pijp spot is a short walk from Sarphatpark, and an 8-minute walk from the De Pijp Metro station.

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Have a little dignity

Looking for a scenic brunch experience? Why not give Dignita a go? With two of their three locations nestled in some of Amsterdam's best green spaces, it's the perfect excuse to escape the city life, if only for a moment.

With all-day brunch on the cards, you can head there any time of the day to get your fix (until 4pm, at least, when they close). And what a fix it is, with all the usual brunchy offerings on offer. Eggs, bowls, pancakes, and even toasted sandwiches. Their signature dish is the Chook Norris; buttermilk chicken, black beans, avo, chipotle mayo, with some corn chips and sour jalapeno on the side. That ought to wake you up!

How to get there on public transport

You'll find three Dignita locations in Amsterdam.

Their Hoftuin spot is a 5-minute walk from Waterlooplein metro, bus, and tram stations.

Their Vondelpark spot is right by the Amstelveenseweg tram stop.

And their Westerpark spot is opposite the Assendelftstraat tram stop.

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Some coconuts with your coffee?

If you're looking for one of the city's coolest spots to be your brunch backdrop, start your day at Coffee & Coconuts.

With a wealth of coffees, teas, juices, and even stronger drinks on offer, you can have your beverage your way. They roast and squeeze everything on-site, so you can be sure you're getting nothing but the freshest morning brew.

As for food, they offer breakfast all day, with burritos, pancakes, french toast, coconut bowls, and scambled eggs just some of the things available. Or, from midday, you can dip into their fantastic Deli menu and chomp on some unique sandwich combinations.

How to get there on public transport

C&C's only spot is located in De Pijp. It's right across the street from the De Pijp Metro stop and a minute's walk from the De Pijp tram stop.

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Omelets that will make you weak at the knees

If you like your eggs folded over a host of delicious fillings and toppings, then you'll love Omelegg; they specialize in the stuff.

They offer quality omelets from 7AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends, so you can definitely get your belly filled before your day truly begins.

You'll discover their menu is filled with choices inspired by cuisines from all over the world. From meaty sorts to fishy sorts, and even some sweet ones to boot! Ideal for all your brunch sensibilities.

How to get there on public transport

You'll find two Omelegg locations in the city.

Their De Pijp spot is just down the street from the De Pijp Metro station, as well as the De Pijp and Amsterdam, 2e v.d.Helststraat tram stops . And their City Center spot is a five-minute walk from Centraal Station.

So now you know about all the best brunch spots in Amsterdam and how to reach them on the city's brilliant public transport system! Looking for more fun things to do in Amsterdam? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Amsterdam's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do Alone in Amsterdam

They say that 1 is the loneliest number. But what do they know? Sometimes, having the freedom to do and see whatever you want whenever you want is just what you need. So, if you're visiting Amsterdam alone, or you have a day to yourself, what are the best things to do? Well, we're going to tell you. Right now. So sit back, scroll down, and retain all this sweet information, because these are our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam! Including: Museums Boat tours Bike rental Stadium tours Brewery visits   Image courtesy of Gerard Arrey/Shutterstock Artifact watching Why not go check out a museum while you're on your lonesome? You get to stay as long as you want, and no one need drag you around any museum that doesn't interest you! The Moco Museum is for the modern art enjoyer, with an unofficial 'residency' courtesy of street art legend Banksy. Inside, you'll find works from many artists besides the elusive stenciler, each with their own views on modern life, governance, and greed. Truly some eye-opening works lie within, and plenty of photo ops, should you dare ruin the moment with your need for social media attention. Or, on the more classic side of art is the Rijksmuseum. Featuring works from luminaries of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, discover well-known pieces from Rembrandt, Vermeer, and many more. The museum houses over 8,000 works of art, so good luck seeing them all in one day! Or, if science is more your jam, big and little kids will love the NEMO Science Museum. With hundreds of interactive exhibits across multiple floors, exploring everything from electricity to chemical reactions, there's something for everyone inside. Then, when you're done, head to the roof for more exhibits embedded in a luscious garden.   Bayside High Or, leave your seasick friends and family at home and go explore Amsterdam on the open ocean. Well, not the ocean per se, but certainly on the city's many canals and rivers! If you want to see Amsterdam's highlights all rolled into one waterborne trip, then why not hop on a boat tour of the city? There are multiple stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to stretch your legs, explore, and snap some sweet pics. You'll head past the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, Centraal Station, and the Anne Frank House. Or, if you want to see what else the country has to offer, and take a roundtrip tour of The Hague, Rotterdam, and Delft! You'll tour Rotterdam's illustrious harbor by boat, see the historic Delft town center, and then onto The Hague, the governing center of the whole country. Just make sure you set aside a day for this one, because you'll be exploring for hours on end!   Two wheels, one rider Another fantastic way to explore Amsterdam on your own is by bike. It's no secret that Amsterdam is the most cycle-friendly city on Earth, so why not rent one for yourself and see what all the fuss is about? There's pretty much no place you can't go on a bike; even many of the country's freeways have cycle lanes! It's the easiest way to make your way through Amsterdam's many winding, cobbled streets as you explore the city from top to bottom. Then, swap urban for flora at one of Amsterdam's brilliant parks, which are all cycle-friendly too! A fair warning: the cyclists that call Amsterdam's lanes home take no prisoners. If you're a bit rusty, or are getting used to the hired bike's gears, do yourself a favor and go practice in a park. There's no room for slowpokes in the fast lane, baby, and you're likely to be stared at or tutted if you fumble your way on the lanes.   Image courtesy of Vladimir Zhoga/Shutterstock Stepover into history For the soccer fans out there, you might not wish to drag your partner out to a stadium tour. Not everyone digs the beautiful game, and there probably aren't many things more boring than a non-fan to walk around a stadium staring that silverware that means nothing to them. So, leave your soccer-hating partner in the dirt, and do yourself a favor. Go take a tour of the Johan Cruijff Stadium, home of European juggernauts Ajax. Comfortably the Netherlands' best team for decades, this 75-minute tour will take you around the team's facilities, including the changing room, down the tunnel, and even pitchside. Then, explore the extensive trophy cabinet, with many domestic and European trophies won by soccer legends like Johan Cruijff, the stadium's namesake. Simply the best, and one of the most perfect things to do alone in Amsterdam if you're the only soccer fan!   Go grab a beer Of course, one of life's many pleasures is sitting out in the sun, sipping a beer, and letting the warm calmness wash over you. Just us? Surely not. Thankfully, if that sounds like paradise to you, Amsterdam's got some treats you shouldn't miss. For craft beer connoisseurs, hop on a free ferry from Centraal Station over to Amsterdam Noord. There, a short walk from the harbor, you'll find the Oedipus Taproom, a delightful brewery cum bar, with plenty of outside seating, friendly staff, and a comprehensive number of different beers on tap. You can even order a burger from the resident eatery 'The Beef Chief'. Don't worry; they do veggie and vegan burgers too, if murder isn't your acquired taste. And, as the staff and patrons are both incredibly welcoming, with conversations struck up left, right, and center, it's one of the best things to do alone in Amsterdam! Or, if you want a more touristy experience, why not take a tour of the Netherlands' favorite amber export, Heineken? At the Heineken Experience, you'll tour the very first Heineken brewery, which opened nearly 200 years ago. You'll learn about the brand's heritage, how it's brewed, and what innovations they're planning to bring to the beer game. And don't worry, when all is said and done, you'll get a chance to try a couple of glasses yourself, on the house. And those were our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam!
Dom Bewley
Flowerbeds floating on water in front of Rijksmuseum
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Best Museums in Amsterdam

Globally renowned as a rich cultural center, Amsterdam is positively brimming with engaging museums and historical landmarks. Having grown from a small riverside settlement in the middle ages to a modern cosmopolitan paradise, the Dutch capital has seen its fair share of significant historical and cultural developments over the centuries. Whether you’re looking to retrace the steps of Dutch history, appreciate the works of influential artists or simply discover some brand new cultural insights, the best museums in Amsterdam cater to a huge variety of audiences. Rijksmuseum One of the most important museums in both the Netherlands and indeed Europe as a whole, the Rijksmuseum stands as the largest museum in Amsterdam. Dominating the popular Museumplein, the museum is easily one of the most recognizable monuments in the city, most notably for its striking Renaissance- and Gothic-inspired architecture. The grand halls of the Rijksmuseum are home to a vast collection of art pieces and historical artifacts, illustrating the art and history of the Netherlands from the Dutch Golden Age to present day. Among its more than 8,000-strong collection are priceless pieces from such renowned Dutch artists as Rembrandt and Vermeer, including the former’s famous Night Watch painting. Amsterdam Museum Combining both historical artifacts and striking artworks, the Amsterdam Museum stands as the Netherlands’ most complete public chronology of the Dutch capital’s history. The museum sits within the canal band, just a short walk from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. The museum documents the city’s growth from a thirteenth-century settlement on the banks of the River Amstel to the thriving cultural center we know today. Everything from archeological finds and historical artifacts to the works of such Dutch masters as Rembrandt help to paint a picture of life in Amsterdam and the Low Countries as a whole throughout various periods in history. Van Gogh Museum Having lived and worked in the Netherlands throughout his life, it’s only fitting that Amsterdam’s most significant art gallery be dedicated to the world’s most famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Just a brief walk from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum stands as the most complete permanent collection of the Dutch painter’s works. Among the gallery’s vast collection of permanent exhibits are over 200 original paintings and 500 drawings from the Post-Impressionist artist, alongside exhibitions showcasing the works of his contemporaries. The museum is separated chronologically into five periods, each exploring a different key period in his life and work. National Maritime Museum As a country defined by its fight against the ocean and its role as a pioneer in the Golden Age of Exploration, it’s no secret that the Netherlands is a country built on seafaring. The National Maritime Museum stands as a monument to Dutch nautical pursuits, covering everything from the Golden Age to Amsterdam’s historical role as an international trade hub. Situated quite fittingly upon the water, the museum recounts the history of Dutch maritime activity through the likes of naval maps, contemporary paintings, navigation instruments and a variety of replica ships. Moored outside the museum is a replica Dutch East India Company ship, upon which visitors can see what life was like for crew members on their exploratory voyages around the globe. NEMO Science Museum Housed within one of Amsterdam’s modern architectural marvels is the NEMO Science Museum, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to explore science and technology in an engaging, interactive environment. Various exhibits, workshops, activities, demonstrations and movies allow visitors to see, touch, hear and smell how the world works across five immersive floors. Situated in the Oosterdok area, the venue’s accessible rooftop offers an additional open-air exhibition, terrace and restaurant, as well as stunning panoramic views across the city. While this is an ideal experience for families with younger children, that isn’t to say older individuals can’t get just as much of a kick from the vast range of immersive exhibitions on offer. Anne Frank House Easily the most popular historical site in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House. Once the original house in which the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture, the building now serves as a museum documenting her family’s more than two years in hiding, along with sobering insights into Jewish persecution under the Nazi regime throughout the Second World War. Located on the outer banks of Amsterdam’s canal band, visitors can explore the former premises of the Frank family business including the original concealed annex in which they and two other families remained in hiding. While the rooms of the property now sit empty of original furniture, they still breathe the chilling atmosphere of the period. EYE Film Institute The EYE Film Institute is the Netherlands’ most important center dedicated to the medium of film and the moving image. Visitors to EYE Amsterdam can enjoy a selection of classic screenings across its four main cinemas and explore the many facets of the film industry through its expansive exhibition area. The museum explores current, historical and artistic developments in film, while its interactive basement offers visitors the opportunity to explore its vast digitized collection. EYE also hosts an impressive program of immersive, educational events and activities for families and individuals alike to learn about the industry. Rembrandt House A short ways behind the Red Light District sits the former residence of celebrated Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. A vast property on the banks of Zwanenburgwal, the Rembrandt House has been restored to replicate its exact layout during the artist’s residency, decorated according to an inventory drawn up shortly after his declaration of bankruptcy. Enthusiasts of the Golden Age painter’s works can explore his studio and living quarters, adorned with a rotating collection of his paintings. Demonstrations held at the venue also offer insights into Rembrandt’s painting and etching techniques, alongside other artistic techniques popular among his seventeenth-century contemporaries. Venustempel Sex Museum As a city now long famous for its various hedonistic offerings, it should be clear that Amsterdam isn’t one to shy away from topics often considered taboo in other parts of the world. The Venustempel (‘Venus Temple’) is the world’s oldest – and indeed first – museum dedicated to eroticism and sensuality. Fittingly situated close to Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District, the museum displays an extensive collection of erotic paintings, photographs and recordings, among other exhibits. At the museum’s entrance, visitors are immediately greeted by a plaster bust of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility, before embarking on an exploration of human intimacy throughout the ages.
Robert Heaney
Rijksmuseum exterior
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Museum Rembrandt House vs Rijksmuseum Comparison Amsterdam

Only got time for one? Here are our thoughts on two of Amsterdam's premier art museums: Rembrandt's House and the Rijksmuseum.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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