One of Amsterdam's most gorgeous brown cafes, on a picture-perfect Jordaan canal since the 1780s. Wood, candlelight, jenever, and a tiny waterside terrace. Great for a beer or genever with bitterballen, not a full dinner. Open daily from 13:00-14:00 until late. Come early for a canal seat.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 14:00-00:00 Tue 14:00-00:00 Wed 14:00-00:00 Thu 14:00-01:00 Fri 14:00-01:00 Sat 13:00-01:00 Sun 13:00-23:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tram 13 or 17 to Westermarkt; ~10 min walk from Centraal via Jordaan |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Late afternoon on a dry day for the canalside terrace |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.7/10- Value7.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.0
Frequently asked questions
- Can I sit on the water?
- Yes, there's a small terrace right on the Egelantiersgracht plus a couple of tables on a floating pontoon. Those seats are the whole reason to come on a nice day, and they go fast, so arrive early.
- What's a 'brown cafe' and is 't Smalle a real one?
- A brown cafe (bruin cafe) is a traditional Dutch pub, named for walls stained brown by centuries of tobacco smoke. 't Smalle is one of the most authentic and beautiful, dating to the 1780s as a jenever distillery tasting room.
- Is it cash only?
- No, cards and contactless are accepted, as is now standard across Amsterdam. You won't need cash.
- Is it good in winter?
- Very. The candlelit, wood-paneled interior is at its coziest when it's cold and dark outside. The terrace closes down but the inside is exactly what you want on a grey Amsterdam evening.
- Do they take reservations?
- It's a walk-in brown cafe, so no table bookings for casual drinks. Just turn up. On busy evenings you may wait for a spot, especially for the coveted canalside tables.
- What should I drink?
- Try a jenever (Dutch gin) served in the traditional tulip glass filled to the brim, or a local beer on tap. The genever nod to its distillery past is the move here.
- Should I eat a full meal here?
- No, the kitchen does snacks and bar bites like bitterballen and cheese, not full mains. Come for drinks and nibbles. If you want dinner, this is a first-drink stop, not the main event.
- Is it touristy?
- Honestly, yes, it's on every Jordaan walking route and Instagram feed. But it earns the attention, and plenty of locals still drink here. Go on a weekday afternoon and it feels far more neighborly.
Nearby in Ask Amsterdam
- Café de ReigerRestaurant0.06 km · 1 min walk
- Anne Frank HouseAttraction0.16 km · 2 min walk
- WesterkerkAttraction0.18 km · 2 min walk
- JordaanNeighborhood0.21 km · 3 min walk
- Winkel 43Café0.45 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Café 't Smalle
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