Records + coffee: Amsterdam
A small selection of record shops and cafes in Amsterdam
Records and coffee. I am often looking for a list like this before visiting another city, so I figured I would make one for Amsterdam!
It’s simple:
you have limited time
you’re in a city that you don’t know that well
you’re interested to look in some decent record shops
you want to have a good coffee here or there while in town.
So, here it goes…
Records
Here are five record shops I recommend checking out if you’re in Amsterdam and keeping to the city centre. There are others, not on this map, but I think these five represent the best options when your time is limited.
City Records, Gelderskade 100A
Small independent shop offering new and used vinyl with strong selections in jazz and modern and classic rock and pop. Small but good selections of folk, world, experimental and other genres.
Concerto, Utrechtsestraat 54-60
The city’s most extensive selection of new and used vinyl and CDs across most mainstream and niche genres and styles. Also sells DVDs and books, and there is a cafe inside the shop.
Future Days, Haarlemmerdijk 39
Exclusive curated selection of vinyl by Tomo Taksurada and Eloise Ptito, owners of the shop. Also some tapes and a colourful selection of uniquely designed clothing, housewares, art and gifts.
Record Friend, Sint Antoniesbreestraat 64
Small independent shop offering new and used vinyl across most genres. Bargain bins feature plenty of classic rock, though quality can range.
Rush Hour Records, Spui 110
Retail shop of the Rush Hour distribution and label enterprise with strong selections of electronic, jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, and techno - new and used vinyl, including 7 and 10 inches.
Others not on map:
Black Gold, Kortekoningsstraat 13H
Record Mania, Ferdinand Bolstraat 30
Red Light Records, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 133
Velvet, Rozengracht 40
Coffee
There are many places to get a good coffee in Amsterdam. These are ones I have been to multiple times and have never had a bad brew at.1 They are also located somewhat near the record shops I have recommended, though you’ll find many other options along the way. Note that ‘coffeeshops’ in Amsterdam are weed bars! I mean, you can get a coffee at a lot of those too, but a cafe (or roastery) is where you’ll find coffee.
Bocca Coffee, Kerkstraat 96H
Typical range of coffee drinks made with their beans, plus a selection of pastries. Plenty of seating inside, but usually quite busy. Beans, ground and whole, available to buy.
Koffie Cultuur Centrum, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwaal 133
Small but mighty cappuccinos and a frozen coffee drink swirls in a machine during the summer months. Just a few tables inside, so recommend take away. Beans available to buy.
Koffiesalon, Spui 281
A couple of locations in the city, but this one shares a space with the HAY design store in case you want to look at something else besides records! Some seating, so recommend to take away.
Sango, Stromarkt 15
Friendly, independent cafe offering a wide range of coffee beans to select for pour over brews. A bit pricey, but nice to pick something out to try and they’re happy to suggest something. Also offers slices of loaf cake and cookies. A few tables inside, but recommend take away. Beans available to buy.
Screaming Beans, Utrechtsestraat 75
Multiple locations around the city, but this one is across the street from Concerto. In addition to good coffee they serve some cakes and pastries. Tables inside. Beans, ground and whole, available to buy.
Others not on map:
Koffieschenkerij, Oudekerksplein 27
L’Abeille, Dapperstraat 7H
Lot61, Oosterdoksstraat 4
Do you have other recommendations for records and coffee in Amsterdam? Let me know what you’ve tried and liked.
Wendy
I generally drink black filter coffee, like to try funky tasting blends and will occasionally spring for a pour over if it doesn’t look like I’ll have to wait too long. Sometimes I do like a strong cappuccino though!