One of Amsterdam's oldest brown cafes, on a storybook corner where the Prinsengracht meets the Brouwersgracht since 1642. Famous for homemade apple pie (Bill Clinton made a special trip). Come for pie, coffee, or a beer in a genuinely historic room. Cozy, small, and beautiful. Get here off-peak.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 10:00-00:00 Tue 10:00-00:00 Wed 10:00-00:00 Thu 10:00-01:00 Fri 10:00-01:00 Sat 10:00-01:00 Sun 11:00-00:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tram 3 to Nieuwe Willemsstraat; ~12 min walk from Centraal along the canals |
| Time needed | 45 min - 1 hour |
| Best time to go | Mid-morning or mid-afternoon, before the pie pilgrims arrive |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.7/10- Value7.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.0
Frequently asked questions
- How old is Café Papeneiland?
- The building dates to 1642, making it one of the oldest cafes in Amsterdam. The name references the area's Catholic history during a time when Catholic worship was pushed underground. The interior still feels genuinely 17th-century.
- Is the apple pie really worth it?
- Yes, it's a classic Dutch appeltaart, tall and homemade, served with a big dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. It's a bit pricey for a slice, but the setting and the history are part of what you're paying for.
- Cash or card?
- Card and contactless are accepted. You won't need cash, as is now the norm across the city.
- Can a big group get in?
- It's small and cozy, so large groups struggle, especially at peak pie hours. Come as a pair or small group and be ready to wait or sit close. This isn't a spacious spot.
- Where exactly is it?
- On the corner of the Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht at the northern edge of the Jordaan, about a 12-minute canal-side walk from Centraal. The Brouwersgracht is regularly called one of Amsterdam's prettiest canals.
- Is it good for just a drink?
- Absolutely. Beyond the famous pie it's a proper brown cafe, so a coffee, a jenever, or a beer in that historic corner room is a lovely thing to do any time of day.
- Did Bill Clinton actually eat here?
- He did, in 2011 he reportedly made a special stop for the apple pie, and the cafe is happy to remind you. It's a fun bit of trivia, though locals loved the place long before any presidential visit.
- Please confirm the current opening hours.
- Listed hours are roughly 10:00 to midnight most days, opening 11:00 on Sunday and running later Thursday to Saturday. Hours at small brown cafes shift, so DRAFT - verify with the cafe directly before a special trip.
Nearby in Ask Amsterdam
- Noordermarkt Farmers' MarketMarket0.2 km · 3 min walk
- Winkel 43Café0.22 km · 3 min walk
- Café de ReigerRestaurant0.63 km · 8 min walk
- Anne Frank HouseAttraction0.65 km · 8 min walk
- Café 't SmalleBar0.67 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Café Papeneiland
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