Amsterdam

Cafe Marcella, Amsterdam: the classic hotspot at Amstelveld

20 March 2024

Cafe Marcella is one of those places that has been a household name for decades, yet it still feels modern. This typical Amsterdam café is located on the corner of Amstelveld and Prinsengracht. Despite having a new interior and owners, it has been a well-established name in the Amsterdam café scene for many years – and beyond. It’s time to get acquainted with the renewed Cafe Marcella, the revitalized hotspot in the city’s heart where you can enjoy lunch, drinks, and dinner.

Cafe Marcella Amsterdam

After the successes of Bar Bonnie (Amsterdam South) and Polly Goudvisch (Amsterdam North), owners Thijs Barelds and Omar Baggen felt it was time for a third establishment in collaboration with Amsterdam’s leading hospitality company: 3WO. They created a brand-new version of the old café at Amstelveld. It’s just as familiar but with a fresh approach. The interior of this place is small and cozy, but the terrace offers plenty of seating. And if you arrive by boat, it gets even better: you can dock for free if you buy a drink inside.

cafe marcella amsterdam centrum terras

© Café Marcella, @cafemarcella

Menu Cafe Marcella

Visiting this place feels like coming home, and spending the entire day there is not uncommon. You can start your day with a croissant and a cup of coffee, enjoy a leisurely lunch on the terrace (with a menu consisting of simple sandwiches like croquettes and aged cheese), and extend it into an evening filled with delightful dishes with a touch of Amsterdam flair. The drinks menu features classics such as cheeses from Kef, oeuf mayonnaise, and smoked ox sausage, which derives strength from their simplicity.

It’s a place you’ll instantly fall in love with. This place is even more appealing because they don’t take reservations. And that’s a rarity in Amsterdam nowadays.

more Amsterdam tips

cafe marcella amsterdam centrum diner

© Café Marcella, @cafemarcella

cafe marcella amsterdam snacks terras

© Café Marcella, @cafemarcella

Amsterdam Bucketlist & Things to Do
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
Fabrique des Lumières
NXT Museum
STRAAT street art museum
MOCO Museum for street and modern art
Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
Pancake Cruise
Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
Private Canal Boat Tour
Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
Youseum
The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
Visit Artis Royal Zoo
Go an a bike tour with the kids
NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
Paddle board tour on the canals
Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels in Amsterdam:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
Motel One: budget design hotel with several locations in Amsterdam.

Let’s get social

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

Café Marcella

Amstelveld 21

Amsterdam (Amsterdam City Center)
cafemarcella.nl
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Emma

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