Discover Benelux | Amsterdam in 2019 | City Centre Highlights
The last of Amsterdam’s authentic diners TEXT: ARNE ADRIAENSSENS | PHOTOS: EETCAFÉ HET PAKHUIS
In the touristic centre of Amsterdam, an authentic place to take the edge off your appetite can be hard to find. Eetcafé Het Pakhuis is one of the last of its kind. In the atmospheric diner, you will find the best Dutch classics for a reasonable price. Don’t believe us? Ask one of the many locals who regularly grab a bite to eat here! When entering Eetcafé Het Pakhuis, you get transported to the Amsterdam of yore. Its warm colours, wooden panelling and tenderly-
lit bar make you feel welcome in a heartbeat. “For over 50 years already, locals, tourists and day-trippers have fallen in love with our unique décor,” says owner Klaas Veenhoven. “Surrounding us, you find many trendy bars and restaurants, but none are as authentic as ours.” On top of its charming character, Eetcafé Het Pakhuis’ affordable prices surprise many a client when they open the menu. For anything between five and 25 euros, you can enjoy a generous Dutch feast with nothing but quality products. “At noon, we invite you
for some tasty croquettes or an ‘uitsmijter’ (sliced bread with ham, cheese and a fried egg on top). We also have plenty of different pancakes, both the sweet and the savoury ones.” For dinner, the chef recommends his acclaimed schnitzel, spare ribs or satay. Nonetheless, the vegetarian courses and fish dishes have proven to be real crowd-pleasers as well. “Even if you have allergies, we go to great lengths to take them into account. This way, everyone can enjoy a worry-free meal at Eetcafé Het Pakhuis.”
Web: www.eetcafehetpakhuis.nl
Bagels, coffee and happiness TEXT AND PHOTOS: BAGELS & BEANS
A place where the issues of the day make way for a moment of tranquillity and something special: at Bagels & Beans, different rules apply. You feel it as soon as you walk through the door. “We want you to leave happier than when you came in. It’s been that way since 1996, when we started out on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam,” smiles owner Ronald Bakker. At the time, the bagel was hugely popular in America, but barely known on Dutch soil. Bagels & Beans is responsible for putting it on the map in the Netherlands. “Right from the start in 1996, we focused on natural products and socially responsible food. That includes coffee beans from a small-scale plantation family in Panama. We believe that healthy, sustainable and delicious go together perfectly. That quality is more important than 40 | Issue 67 | July 2019
profit. We approach life with an open mind in a committed but non-judgemental way. We all make our own choices.” On the menu you can find delicious coffees, bagels, fresh juices, salads and more. Why not enjoy coffee or tea with a treat, or perhaps a bagel filled with goats cheese or smoked chicken and avocado? Freshly prepared, ready within minutes and served with a smile. “We are big fans of slowing down to leisurely savour the flavour, but we understand that
sometimes you are in a hurry. That’s why all our yummy things are also available as a takeaway for home, the office or on the road.” Are you already excited to visit Bagels & Beans? Good news: there are 22 stores in Amsterdam. From extensive breakfasts, a relaxed cup of coffee or a quick lunch, you are always welcome. Check the store locator on the website to find a Bagels & Beans in the city.
Web: www.bagelsbeans.nl