Cafe Bouwman in Grachtengordel-Zuid

For me, Café Bouwman is the soul of Amsterdam. A real Amsterdam pub, without frills, with character and a heart of gold. I've been coming here for over ten years and it's my regular pub. What makes this place special is not only the authentic atmosphere, but especially the people. Claudia, who works here, is a top woman. Having been homeless herself, she knows better than anyone what humanity means. On an icy cold evening, it was freezing outside -5, she gave a homeless person a hot meal and a beer — just out of kindness, and completely free. That typifies her, and that typifies Café Bouwman. When someone asks me: "What is Amsterdam to you?" I don't have to think long. As a born and bred Amsterdammer, I say wholeheartedly: Café Bouwman.

Great bar. Great Bitterballen. Great beer. Good music.

Bad coffe, bad service, bad hygiene, noisy, uncomfortable, not recommended at all

Hygiene still needs to be worked on

We stopped for a coffee, which was fine, great friendly service

This bar is a place not to be missed in Amsterdam. Just passing through the capital, my instinct guided me here and I was not disappointed!! The welcome is simply perfect, the waitress Monique welcomed me perfectly and we chatted about everything and nothing. I only spent one day in Amsterdam but I will always remember this very well located bar/pub! You can go there with your eyes closed to drink good beers, chat, hang out and have a bite to eat, you won't go wrong!!!!

Café Bouwman is a classic Amsterdam brown café with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Located along the canal, it offers a great selection of beers, including local favorites and seasonal options. The outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying drinks while people-watching. The friendly staff adds to the welcoming vibe, making it an ideal spot to relax. While the service can be slow during busy times and the food menu is limited, it’s a great place for drinks and casual socializing.

Bad service, high price compared to other places we visited in Amsterdam € 20.90 for only two beers

Very unpleasant waitress. Too bad given the location!

Beautiful cafe in a beautiful place. We sat with a group on the terrace on the canal, but we had to wait a very long time before we were helped. Furthermore, friendly service and everything in order.

The nicest pub in Amsterdam! Mariella and Claudia have been providing a wonderful and hospitable atmosphere for years! Every visit is a party.

I have been living and coming here for 5 years. I have now moved to the west but still cycle to this place because it is such a nice place! Had a nice chat with Claudia, definitely recommended :)!

Always a very nice and friendly atmosphere. I now live on the other side of the city, but I still enjoy coming here every week. It's always a fun evening with Claudia and Mariella!

Nothing Special—And That’s What Makes It Special. This is my go-to bar for watching football with friends. And every game, I seem to leave with even more friends—especially if we’re winning. The staff is a true example of Amsterdam hospitality. They wear their hearts on their sleeves. No kapsones allowed. They serve food and snacks if you’re really hungry. But if you need something fancy, there are multiple Michelin-starred restaurants just around the corner. I love these people. But I might be a bit biased. As always, everyone gets five stars.

This is always a wonderful cafe! Truly a household name in the city. The most friendly service and a beautiful terrace where I always feel at home. And if Claudia is behind the bar, you're in luck because she's really great!

Friendly environment and super bartender, delicious beer to celebrate my birthday

Precio ridículo dirigido a los turistas. € 12 por una pinta de Amstel a pesar de que estaba fuera de la plaza principal. . no recomendaría.

Always a lot of fun, especially with Ajax

Way too loud and significantly more expensive than nearby bars

8.5€ for a pint of pisswater (Amstel), service by a tired bartender. Do yourself a favor and go across to Onder de Ooievaar…

I've been biking past this place for over 25 years.....today I stopped in for a quick drink on my way to dinner. It was very welcoming and lots of laughter!!!

The gentleman behind the bar has a nice chat and keeps you happy. He does his best and it shows. This bar is recommended for a nice drink.

Great, old Amsterdam fun again with Claudia on tap. Delicious Grandma Bob bitterballen, good coffee and even better beer. Claudia still provides real Amsterdam hospitality and, above all, humor. Class!

As an Amsterdammer, I think this is one of the best bars in Amsterdam. The staff is super friendly, very fast and they are real Amsterdammers. All in all, highly recommended and I enjoy it every time.

A real Amsterdam café, a cornerstone of the neighborhood. Claudia in particular was amazing

Beautiful place, I loved the terrace and its views facing the canal. Comfortable chairs with blankets. Charming and friendly waitress.

A peaceful, enjoyable place with delicious presentations and full of wonderful people.

Stopped for a drink and bitternallen , and it was just what we needed,Claudia is a fantastic host and full of life!

Very cozy! Lovely people and a nice chat!

Great beer, lively outdoor setting to watch the world go by

Unfriendly staff several times. Humanly speaking, it's pretty disgusting.

Very bad service. We wanted to have a coffee and were greeted with rude comments. Then they left...

We stopped here for a few beers and sat at the outdoor tables because of the beautiful view of the canal. The table wasn’t clean when we arrived and no one ever came to clean it while we were there. The man serving the beer was friendly in his own way. He challenged us, saying that if we pronounced the name of the beer correctly, it would be free, and he also let me charge my phone. I appreciated that they had a variety of beer options here, not just Heineken like most bars in Amsterdam.

There are a lot of cool bars in Amsterdam, choose another one. Never seen a boss so..... particular. Don't bother her and go make someone else work

Cozy and nice cafe Definitely recommended

They have very good Belgian beers, and you can sit next to the canal. But the service left something to be desired. I ordered the Betterballs and it took over an hour to arrive.

The service here was very special than good. A very determined lady dispatched us. But the beer was nice and the view good.

Service yelled at me,they don't know what do they on the menu have,I have asked for the lemonade and they gave me Sprite. Also they've argued with me and so on,and so on. SHAME,DISAPPOINTMENT..... From me 0 stars,double 0

Whenever we spend a day in Amsterdam, we stop by Café Bouwman. Always pleasant and well served. Those girls work very hard to provide everyone with something to drink and something to drink. Great atmosphere….

It's a great cafe!! Very good and nice service with hard working ladies TOP!!

Original, old Amsterdam café, and in which the landlady/owner did her work in a fairly chaotic manner; café in a beautiful location, near the Amstelveld and the Prinsengracht tram stop.

Café Bouwman is just around the corner from me and is not only one of the best pubs in the neighborhood, but also in the entire city. The terrace is also one of the better ones that can still be found in the center of Amsterdam. Atmosphere is always good, cozy, never hassle!

Two fantastic dutch ladies, with two fantastic beers and more than two great moments here.

Lovely place, great service and outstanding beers!

We are from Mexico and we feel at home! Claudia was very kind (: The view is beautiful and the atmosphere is good.

Such a lovely time here! Casual, fun, chill vibes with a lovely view of the canal. Our bar tender, Claudia, was the very best! Seemed like a local haunt. Very nice

One of our favorite cafes in the area. How nice it is to have such a cozy neighborhood cafe! Unfortunately you don't see them much in Amsterdam anymore, which is a shame! Cafe Bouwman is definitely worth a visit. Claudia is a wonderful hostess. See you soon!

A really beautiful Amsterdam cafe with fantastic staff and a good atmosphere. Definitely recommended!!!

Tussen de buien door hebben wij een paar uur geborreld en gesnackt op het fraaie terras van deze zaak. De bediening was in goede handen van de 76-jarige vader van de eigenaresse, die even moest invallen wegens personeel dat niet kwam opdagen. Alert, vlot en ook tijd voor een praatje maakten dat wij het hier prima naar ons zin hadden. Jammer dat deze man weer terug gaat naar zijn woonplaats op Bali (!). Tegen het eind van ons bezoek hebben wij ook kennis gemaakt met zijn dochter (en de leuke kleindochter). Deze eigenaresse bleek toch heel wat strakker in de bediening te zitten. Maar goed, de bitterballen en frites hebben ons goed gesmaakt. Wij hebben dit café genoteerd voor een volgend bezoek.

Very good atmosphere! With very friendly service :)

Today I was at Café Bouwman with my family for my birthday Everything was great especially Claudia She has helped me and my family tremendously Despite it being very busy, a storm came I had the birthday of my life!!! Café Bouwman thanks you for the experience of real Amsterdam conviviality and hospitality

Great place for a beer on the canal. Lovely lady that the runs the place 😃

I visit Amsterdam every year and always come to this lovely bar on the canal. The lady who runs the place is so welcoming and friendly. Next time you visit Amsterdam don't forget to visit Cafe Bouwman!!

Absolutely lovely place, lovely woman that works very hard. 5 stars all round, check this place out!

Great place. Lovely lady who runs the place. 5*

The coffee was weak, I got a broken wafer for the price and the quality of the seats, I don't recommend it, it's better to go to the cafe next door

Got food poisoning and extremely Rude staff

Very nice to have a coffee outside on the terrace. Cozy place on the Prinsengracht with always a buzz. And always newspapers available.

Nice espresso and warm people. When you sit and watch the boats full of tourists you can pretend you’re not a one for while. The cafe really makes you feel like you’re part of the city.

Very cozy and good service. Lots of good beer on tap!

Met Claudia and Willemijn. Great people and a top location! Tomorrow we will make Café Bouwman unsafe again!!

Claudia and Willemijn are great, enjoy coming here

Lovely place right off the canal. Bartender was very nice and helped us learn a few Dutch words. Would come again!

Best bitterballen in Amsterdam. The beer is great.

At Café Bouwman the beer always tastes delicious, the service is always great and the atmosphere is always good. My favorite place to settle down.

Watch out on your bill - they are scammers!

Super location, very nice lady who likes a chat! Will definitely come back Bitterballen, cheese and beef sausage are recommended with a beer or bottle of wine

What a nice and cozy cafe! Really Amsterdam. Highly recommended for a drink and enjoying the surroundings!

The lady was all alone on a very busy day. Maybe it took a little longer than normal, but great service and a lot of friendliness! Drinks and food good. Nice spot.

Nice, I was here with my grandmother

Very friendly service in a lovely atmospheric spot. Really good coffee, fresh juice and my son thought toastie was great. We'll be back tomorrow! Thank you.

The best place to have a drink and watch the boats passing by! Close to nice vibrant Utrechtsestraat. Really love it as a local 👍🏼😉

The stewards were aggressive during the football match towards everyone, but especially towards foreigners. I didn’t get attacked, but that was unnecessary pushing and shouting. I live here, so I will never go back here, no one should get treated bad regardless of where they are from.

LOVE this place! Claudia is amazing, great vibes and drink selections.

We stayed at this great bar to watch 2024 Canal Pride, lots of outdoor seating and great owners

Always great! Typical Amsterdam café!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cafe Bouwman’s terras along the canals of Amsterdam is an absolute gem! Sitting here offers a stunning view of the iconic cityscape, making it the perfect spot to soak in the beauty of Amsterdam. The atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed, with the gentle hum of the city and the picturesque canals creating a serene backdrop. What truly sets this place apart is its exceptional beer menu. They offer an impressive selection of local and international brews, including some rare and special finds that you won’t easily come across elsewhere. Each beer is served with care, and the knowledgeable staff is always ready to recommend the perfect choice based on your preferences. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just looking for a delightful place to unwind, the terras at Cafe Bouwman is a must-visit. Enjoying a cold, expertly selected beer while watching boats drift by on the canal is an experience that captures the essence of Amsterdam. Highly recommended!

Nice place next to canal and tram stop, waitress Claudia was very friendly - had a lovely chat with us :)

Friendly and helpful staff, affordable drinks and great location for the Pride parade on the canal. Definitely worth a visit.

Amazing experience! Bartender was so friendly.

Real Amsterdam conviviality for years!! Top service and friendly waitresses!

Super nice barmaids, great service, great place!!

Great pub! Great team here! I feel at home here!

Bad experience here as a tourist - barman was quite rude and impatient with the English guy ordering ahead of me. When I (Irish) asked a question, I was given a sarcastic answer in an attempt to belittle me. A local tried to do the same by ridiculing my selection and seemed very annoyed that I wasn't taking him on. We left after a few sips of low quality beer and attempting to use the world's smallest and dirtiest toilet. Ultimately, very unwelcoming, substandard product and service, and unhygienic.

Had a beer here last night during the European Championships with the worst and most unfriendly service ever. I'm from the area but won't go here again. It's unbelievable how, as an owner, you can turn the place upside down here for no reason.

A wonderful place with nice people and delicious Amstel beer

Perfect place for a night out. Typical Dutch bar with a cozy atmosphere, the staff invites you to a friendly banter and it shows the Dutch mentality; no nonsense, just fun.

The owners Claudia and Mirella are lovely hospitable people. Great old school Amsterdam bar with a nice selection of beers and bar food!

The place is so beautiful, great service and atmosphere

Soooo delicious food, really the best thing ever!!!! Sasha and Claudia are The best

Lovely on the terrace!! Service was great!!! Super cozy!!! For Mirrel, Claudia and Sacha!! Recommended!!!

Premixed Aperol spritz. Enough said.

Incredibly rude barman who took ages to serve in an empty bar, laughed at me when I ordered in Dutch and tried to explain where we were sitting. I switched to English to give a detailed description and he was sarcastic and unfriendly, willfully misunderstanding. When the food was ready, he came outside aggressively shouting in the wrong direction to where he knew we were sitting, performatively shouting “no one wants the food, ok, I go back inside!”.

Came here to get a drink, got laughed at by the staff and told to leave. Was before the Netherlands games and we are Australian tourist so sort of understand why but she didn’t have to be disrespectful and belittle us while we are there to support Netherlands and there business. Bad attitude bad pub and toxic

Disgusting treatment. Rude staff with 0 willingness to serve. The workers literally assaulted some Brits for supporting the opposing football team.

If I could give this place 0 I would. Could not watch the euros here the staff were being aggressive and threatening clients. Pushing them and telling them they cannot be there. They also assaulted British people for supporting the opposing team. Don’t ever come here

Went in with my mates from Australia to watch and support Netherlands in their Euro’s quarter final, we were willing to put heaps of money over the bar to support their business, but the way we were treated and spoken to by the owner and the other customers was shocking and disrespectful. Walked in for less than 10 seconds and was told to leave quite disrespectfully because we weren’t from their country. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone to anyone, even from Amsterdam.

We attempted to go to this bar yesterday for a drink and to watch the Euro’s game. We were told we couldn’t enter - a young man literally body blocked two women and told us that ‘only Dutch people’ were allowed to enter due to the Euro’s game. Horrific encounter - incredibly rude and aggressive. I have lived here for almost 6 years and never experienced anything like this. I would highly recommend Cafe Krom or Cafe Marcella nearby instead!

Cozy pub with large terrace on the Prinsengracht. Good range of beer and snacks from the chip shop at reasonable prices.

Super rude staff, was even throwing insults at us for giving tips in coins. Terrible service too. Just go to the cafe next door.