Fifteen real Amsterdam beer gardens and canalside terraces, from a working windmill brewery to a converted shipyard warehouse across the IJ, each with what to expect, what’s on tap, and whether dogs are welcome. For our full guide to touring the city, see Best Beer Tours in Amsterdam.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ (Funenkade 7, near Windmill De Gooyer)
Amsterdam’s most iconic drinking destination, a craft brewery set beside an 18th-century windmill with a canal-side terrace pouring IJwit, Natte and Zatte straight from the tap.
- Open daily, 2pm-8pm (12pm weekends)
- Canal-side terrace beside a historic windmill
- Dogs welcome in the outdoor terrace area
- Flagship beers: IJwit, Natte, Zatte
Cafe Struis (Zeeburgerstraat 1)
Brouwerij ‘t IJ’s second tasting room, with a bright yellow terrace that catches the sun a little longer and stays open through winter thanks to outdoor heating.
- Open daily 10am-10pm/midnight
- Heated terrace, open year-round
- Coffee, breakfast and lunch alongside ‘t IJ beers
‘t Blauwe Theehuis (Vondelpark 5)
A UFO-shaped pavilion right in the heart of Vondelpark, with a sun-soaked terrace pouring ‘t IJ beers alongside sandwiches and pizza, no reservation needed for small groups.
- Open daily 10am-8pm
- Large sun terrace inside Vondelpark
- Walk-ins welcome for groups under 10
Hannekes Boom (Dijksgracht 4, near Centraal Station)
A waterfront hotspot built from a converted beach house, a short walk from Centraal Station, with a colourful terrace over the water and boats able to moor right outside.
- Open daily, 11am-1am/3am
- Waterfront terrace, boats can moor at the dock
- Extensive snack and beer menu
Brouwerij De Prael Oudezijds (Oudezijds Armsteeg 26)
A social enterprise brewery employing people with a history of mental illness, with a proeflokaal (tasting room) in the Red Light District serving its full range of Dutch craft beers.
- Open daily, noon-midnight/1am
- Social enterprise brewery
- Sunday brewery tours between 1pm and 6pm
Groot Melkhuis (Vondelpark 2)
Vondelpark’s largest terrace, a lakeside chalet-style cafe since 1874 with an adjacent fenced playground, wood-fired pizzas, and both coffee and beer on the menu.
- Open daily 10am-8pm/10pm
- Largest terrace in Vondelpark
- Adjacent fenced playground
- Wood-fired pizza and jeu de boules courts
Cafe De Ceuvel (Korte Papaverweg 4, Amsterdam-Noord)
A cafe on stilts inside a reclaimed sustainable shipyard site in Amsterdam-Noord, with an outdoor terrace surrounded by houseboats-turned-studios and a short ferry ride from Centraal.
- Open Tue-Sun (closed Monday), noon-11pm/midnight/1am
- Terrace accessible by wheelchair
- Sustainable, reclaimed shipyard setting
- Short ferry ride from Centraal Station
Brouwerij Troost Westergas (Pazzanistraat 27, Westerpark)
One of Troost’s Amsterdam taprooms, set in Westerpark with a large outdoor terrace pouring the brewery’s own IPAs, pilsners and seasonal beers.
- Large outdoor terrace in Westerpark
- Own-brewed IPAs, pilsners and seasonals
- Dog friendly, per past visitor reports
Mannenlief (Gedempt Hamerkanaal 87, Amsterdam-Noord)
An experimental brewery taproom in a converted Noord warehouse, with picnic tables outside, pizza, occasional DJs, and a laid-back dog-friendly vibe, a short ferry and walk from Centraal.
- Converted warehouse taproom with picnic tables
- Dogs welcome
- 10-minute free ferry from Centraal plus 5-minute walk
- Pizza and rotating DJ sets
De Biertuin (Linnaeusstraat 29, Oost)
A beer garden in Amsterdam Oost with a large, leafy outdoor terrace built around long communal tables, popular for after-work drinks in the eastern part of the city.
- Large communal-table terrace
- Located in Amsterdam Oost
- Popular after-work spot
The Beer Tree (Westerpark)
A summer-only outdoor beer garden inside Westerpark, a relaxed spot to bring a book or a group of friends among the park’s greenery.
- Open in summer months only
- Located inside Westerpark
- Relaxed, casual outdoor seating
Cafe van Zuylen (Torensteeg 4, near Singel canal)
A canalside cafe near the centre of town with a spiral staircase and intimate interior, and a terrace on the Singel that’s been a local and visitor favourite for over twenty years.
- Canalside terrace on the Singel
- Popular, can get busy, booking recommended
- Pub classics: burgers, pizza, salads
Waterkant (Zwanenburgwal 15)
A canalside bar blending Dutch and Surinamese food and culture, open more than 12 hours a day, with a relaxed daytime terrace that turns into a livelier evening spot.
- Open long hours, day into night
- Canalside terrace seating
- Surinamese and Dutch food menu
Cafe Brecht (Weteringschans 157, near Leidseplein)
A German-inspired literary cafe near Leidseplein with a terrace spilling over the canal, walls lined with books, and a strong list of German draught beers.
- Terrace over the canal near Leidseplein
- Dogs explicitly welcome inside and on the terrace
- German draught beer selection
Cafe Papeneiland (Prinsengracht 2, Jordaan)
One of Amsterdam’s oldest brown cafes, dating to 1642, perched on the corner where Prinsengracht meets Brouwersgracht, with a small terrace and famous homemade appeltaart.
- Historic brown cafe dating to 1642
- Small terrace at a photogenic canal corner
- Dogs welcome, famous homemade appeltaart
Try a Dutch Classic
If you want to try a Dutch classic before you go, we tasted Heineken, the country’s best-known lager and a fixture on taplists across the city.
More Beer Travel
See also our Best Beer Tours in Amsterdam guide, Best Beer Gardens in Europe, and the Beer Cities hub for 100 more cities to drink your way through.
FAQ
Which Amsterdam terrace is best for dogs?
Cafe Brecht and Cafe Papeneiland both explicitly welcome dogs, and most canal-side terraces in the Jordaan and De Pijp display ‘Honden welkom’ (dogs welcome) signs.
Which is the most famous?
Brouwerij ‘t IJ, set beside the historic Windmill De Gooyer, is generally considered Amsterdam’s most iconic beer destination.
Which is a short ferry ride from Centraal Station?
Mannenlief and Cafe De Ceuvel are both in Amsterdam-Noord, reachable by a free ferry from Centraal Station plus a short walk.
