Bruine cafés jordaan

The Jordaan is perhaps the best-known neighbourhood of Amsterdam when it comes to authentic brown cafés. Here you step into a world of dark wooden panelling, old photos on the wall, a well-poured beer and a warm welcome. Many cafés have existed for more than a hundred years and are still a fixed meeting place for local residents. Well-known names such as Café Chris, Café Papeneiland, Café ‘t Smalle and Café Lowietje breathe the atmosphere of old Amsterdam. Whether you come for a cup of coffee, a jenever, a specialty beer or a portion of bitterballen, in a brown café everything revolves around conviviality and good conversation. It is precisely that easygoing atmosphere that makes a visit to the Jordaan complete.
Where does the name come from?
The term ‘brown café’ refers to the dark brown colour of the interior. This came about in the past through wooden panelling that darkened over the years due to candlelight, oil lamps and tobacco smoke. Although smoking indoors is no longer allowed nowadays, the name has remained as a symbol of the traditional Dutch pub.
Fun fact
Did you know that Café Chris, opened in 1624, is regarded as one of the oldest brown cafés in Amsterdam? According to tradition, builders of the Westertoren could collect their wages there in the past. So a café visit once had a very practical reason – though afterwards people often stayed for a convivial while.