Café Emmelot is an old-fashioned Dutch café and bar at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 52, 1012 GE Amsterdam, in the Oudezijds Voorburgwal section of the Red Light District in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its appeal is its straightforward, late-opening local-bar identity: come for coffee, beer, spirits or a cocktail between canal-side walks, and stay for an unfussy break in one of the city centre’s busiest historic quarters. Travelers use it as a relaxed daytime café and a convenient evening drinking stop close to Dam Square, Nieuwmarkt and the medieval core.
What to Expect at Café Emmelot
This is a drinking-and-dining venue rather than a museum or attraction with exhibits: the signature experience is settling in at a Dutch café/bar on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal street. The venue’s menu is notably broad for a casual stop, with draft and bottled beers, wines, local spirits, liqueurs, gin, tequila, whiskey, vodka, cognac, rum, shots, cocktails and spritzes. Food is also available, making it practical when you want more than a drink.
Daytime visitors can choose coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea, fresh mint tea or hot chocolate; iced coffee is a summer-season option. The official menu lists coffee at €4.50, espresso at €3.50, cappuccino at €5, latte at €5.50 and flat white at €6. For a more indulgent warm drink, Irish Coffee and Irish Hot Chocolate are listed at €12. The terrace is part of the experience, though cannabis smoking is not permitted there. Wi-Fi is available for customers.
- Historic-centre setting: a canal-street stop on Oudezijds Voorburgwal in the Red Light District.
- All-day drinks menu: coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine and a substantial spirits selection.
- Cocktail choices: cocktails and spritzes sit alongside shots, rum, gin, tequila and whiskey.
- Food option: order with the waiters; FEBO orders can be paid online and delivered to your table.
- Late nights: open until 1am most nights and until 2am on Friday and Saturday.
Café Emmelot at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 52, 1012 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Red Light District, beside Oudezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam’s medieval centre |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Thu and Sun 11am–1am; Fri–Sat 11am–2am |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free entry; no admission ticket. Pay only for food and drinks. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 90 minutes for a drink, coffee or casual meal |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Nieuwmarkt metro station is about a 6-minute walk; Dam Square tram stops are about 7 minutes away. Paid city-centre garages are preferable to street parking. |
| Official Website / Phone | cafe-emmelot.nl / +31 20 622 1626 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a calmer coffee or lunch stop, arrive soon after the 11am opening, before the surrounding lanes become busiest. The atmosphere shifts toward drinks later in the day, particularly on Friday and Saturday when service runs to 2am. There are no entry tickets to book. For a group, or if a specific terrace table matters, call ahead rather than relying on walk-in availability. Check the official website for menu updates before visiting; individual drinks are priced separately.
From Nieuwmarkt station, follow Sint Antoniesbreestraat and the narrow central streets toward Oudezijds Voorburgwal; allow extra time for pedestrian traffic. Metro lines 51, 53 and 54 call at Nieuwmarkt, while Dam Square offers several tram connections. The surrounding centre is paved with uneven historic stone and can be crowded, so wheelchair users and visitors with strollers should allow a slower route and contact Café Emmelot directly about step-free entry, toilet access and terrace-table availability. Within a 5- to 15-minute walk are Oude Kerk, the National Monument on Dam Square, the Royal Palace Amsterdam and the Nieuwmarkt dining area around Waag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Café Emmelot’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
It opens at 11am daily. Closing time is 1am Sunday through Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday. Visit near opening for a quieter coffee or lunch; choose later evening for the bar atmosphere.
Does Café Emmelot charge admission or require reservations?
Entry is free and there are no attraction tickets. You pay for what you order: coffee is listed from €3.50 for an espresso, while specialty hot drinks such as Irish Coffee are €12. Call for group arrangements.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Allow 45 to 90 minutes. A quick coffee can take less time, while a meal, drinks and a pause between nearby sights can easily fill an hour or more.
Is Café Emmelot suitable for families or wheelchair users?
Families can visit during daytime café hours, but the Red Light District setting and late-night bar trade make daytime the most comfortable choice. The historic-centre approach has uneven paving; confirm step-free access and restroom arrangements with the café before arrival.
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