Checklist: the 11 coolest wine bars in Amsterdam
Say wine, snacks or haute cuisine and the food lovers of online food magazine FavorFlav know where to drink, how to eat and what to cook. This time our chefs serve you: the nicest wine bars in Amsterdam.
Wine lovers, pay attention: this will be your list. Especially if you live in Amsterdam or the surrounding area – or if you have a day planned in the capital. I have lined up the most fun wine bars in this city, and there are quite a few. At one you can also eat very well, another has a gigantic delicious snack platter, but they all excel in one thing: wine. As much as you want. White, red, rosé or bubbles. I say cheers!
Wine bar 4850
Campersstraat 48 – 50, Amsterdam
This is a really nice all-day spot, where you can go during the day for lunch or a piece of cake with coffee, but in the evening – that’s when you want to be there. This hotspot gives you a bit of choice stress, as they have no less than around 25 wines by the glass, and another 500 (!) by the bottle. And they serve little works of art of dishes alongside. I also think the interior is a big plus: nice and sleek and Scandinavian with a large wine cabinet as a full wall. That’s how I like to see them.
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Clos
Beukenplein 50, Amsterdam
New addition in Amsterdam, at Beukenplein to be precise. A pretty large place that has undergone a complete makeover. And the result is impressive! The owner previously worked for a long time at Grapedistrict, so you know the wines are good… For an evening of extensive dining, it’s a real recommendation, and be sure to be surprised by the wine choices (who knows, you might get to see the beautiful wine cellar downstairs).
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Shiraz
Lijnbaansgracht 267 HS, Amsterdam
This wine bar is located in a place where you as a true Amsterdammer might not come very often: at Leidseplein. I usually rolled out of Cooldown there in the later hours, but coincidentally I worked for years in the pub next to this wine bar. They don’t sell good wine there, in case you want to try that. Shiraz, on the other hand, does and it has become such a nice and cozy place. And incredibly busy too – so reserving is a must. In terms of food, it’s mainly shared dining, which I always find very nice for snacks. A well-deserved winner of the ‘Wine Bar of the Year’ award.’
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Winehouse SOMM
Baffinstraat 1, Amsterdam
Super cozy and snug, both inside and outside – and nice and colorful. You can also order dishes to share, but I personally find the tastings the most fun to do. With that, you are surprised by two white and two red wines, with matching cheeses and charcuterie. And a glass of cava and amuse beforehand. I don’t know if this sounds very alcoholic, but isn’t this the ideal Sunday afternoon activity? Enjoying wine to close the weekend.
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Café de Klepel
Prinsenstraat 22, Amsterdam
Next to my favorite wine bar, this is also my favorite restaurant in all of Amsterdam. I would love to come here much more often, but it’s usually fully booked weeks in advance. And I understand that. The service here is so friendly and passionate and tells you with all love about the wines, and why they pair so well with the French dishes you are served. And really… Everything here is so delicious. Unbelievable. Give it a chance and you’ll understand why it’s my all-time favorite.
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GlouGlou
Tweede van der Helststraat 3, Amsterdam
Nice: they serve natural wines here. Whether it’s a myth or fact that you don’t get a hangover from it, I still need to test that myself… But it’s a really nice spot here. Not for extensive dining, but to taste good wines and order a platter. Among my friends, this is also a popular dating spot, so it’s a recommendation for that too!
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Rayleigh & Ramsay
Multiple locations, Amsterdam
Perhaps the most famous wine bar in Amsterdam by now, or at least the only one with multiple locations: on Van Woustraat, Overtoom, and at Spaarndammerstraat. And they were already corona-proof before it was really necessary: here you pay with a card. And you can take a sip of wine, a half glass, a full glass, or a bottle. And they do the bottle very reasonably: the purchase price plus 25 euros. Makes it much more attractive to try that more expensive bottle, as it doesn’t go six times over the top. Nice!
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Bar Parry
Eerste Looiersdwarsstraat 15, Amsterdam
From the same kitchen as Balthazar’s Keuken, so it must be good, right? And it certainly is at this spot in the Jordaan. Each week they have different open wines, and the menu changes often: it just depends on what they find on the market. Never a dull moment here, and it’s also an incredibly cozy and atmospheric place.
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Barrica
Wilhelminastraat 109, Amsterdam
Very nice concept this: delicious wines, but also a Peroni if you feel like it, and Italian snacks. And those pizzas… I’m a big pizza lover anyway, but they are also extremely delicious here. And don’t forget the Oreo tiramisu for dessert, so make sure you have room for that. And if not, then still.
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Wijnbar Paulus
Ceintuurbaan 348, Amsterdam
So nice this little wine bar. Paul is the owner and he is so passionate about all the wines and knows how to convey that well to the guests. All platters are made in the tiny kitchen, so don’t expect full dishes but good quality. Here you can also take a tasting, varying from 3 glasses to 6 glasses. Cheese platter and Iberico ham on the side and I’m satisfied.
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Wijnbar diVino
Boomstraat 41A, Amsterdam
Here too, they combine the tastiest wines with delicious Italian antipasti or a cheese platter. I prefer to sit here on the terrace, but sitting inside is also nice – super cozy and atmospheric. The wines all come from Italy and you can really indulge. Antipasti first, a primi (pasta yes please), secondi, and dolce. And then a wine pairing. I say go for it.
Wine bar Paskamer
Lutmastraat 132, Amsterdam
Shared dining concept with a truly gigantic delicious menu. The same goes for the wines, which you can even order online to take home. I don't really have a favorite yet; I need to test them all first and that will take me a while... They have 50 wines by the glass and about 150 by the bottle. So I still have quite a few to test. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it... By the way, it was really nice, during the corona period this was also the spot that came up with the concept ‘Delivery Sommelier’!
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Wine café Worst
Barentszstraat 171, Amsterdam
If you're tired of all those cheese platters, then you should head to this wine bar in Amsterdam. The name says it all a bit: they specialize in sausage (and wine of course). So fennel sausage, chicken sausage... But also lobster sausage or octopus, and a few veggie dishes for the vegetarians. And I can tell you: they have those snack platters completely under control here.
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Extra: Winegarden Choux
De Ruijterkade 128, Amsterdam
FUN, during the summer months – if the weather is nice – top restaurant Choux opens their garden. Not fine dining, but pizza, bites, and wine is their concept. Open from Thursday to Sunday, they don’t take reservations so just come by. Just look for yourself, it looks too nice with some sunshine, right?
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Even more nice wine bars
Got a taste for it? Gather your wine squad because in the rest of the country you will find many more nice spots to enjoy wine. Here you will find the best wine bars in the Netherlands. From Groningen to Zierikzee and from Amsterdam to Maastricht. Cheers!
Text: Favorflav
