You don’t have to be a sommelier to appreciate wine. After all, you can’t beat a nice glass of wine and good company, especially after a week in the office. Wine bars are not the exclusive domain of those who know their merlots from their malbecs.
On the contrary, if you know nothing about wine but love it then a good wine bar is the place for you. The best wine bars will be able to direct you to the perfect drop of red, white or rose and you can learn a lot.
There are plenty of wine bars in Amsterdam but some are better than others and these eight wine spots represent the very best of the best in the city, so give them a try and see what you think.
1. Five Brothers Fat
Inspired by Barcelona’s lively cava bars, Five Brothers Fat brings a taste of Spain to the Netherlands. Born from a trip to a beloved Barceloneta cava bar, Five Brothers Fat serves up authentic cava, including the exclusive Can Paixano, paired with tapas classics like Pimientos de Padron and Jamon Iberico, as well as modern small plates with global influences. With a marble bar, open kitchen, and a chic chef’s table, this spot channels the warmth and energy of Spain’s cava culture right in the heart of Amsterdam.
2. Blend Coffee & Wine
At Blend Coffee & Wine you’ll find a variety of Mediterranean style or inspired dishes, like moussaka and paella but it’s also a lovely spot for some evening drinks. The way to experience delicious food and wine there is to go for the ‘High Wine’, where they will pair the perfect wines with the dishes served. This way you can experience several different wines and decide which you’d like to order from the menu next time without the confusion of just staring at a wine list.
📍Location: Oranje-Vrijstaatplein 40, 1093 NG Amsterdam
3. La Dilettante
Nestled on one of De Pijp’s charming streets, La Dilettante is a cozy gem for natural wine enthusiasts. This intimate spot combines dim lighting and a relaxed vibe, perfect for unwinding after a busy day. With an extensive selection of natural wines by the glass or bottle, along with alcohol-free options and tempting cheese platters, La Dilettante is a must-visit for a laid-back, memorable evening.
📍Location: Saenredamstraat 37, 1072 CB Amsterdam
4. GlouGlou
Located in De Pijp, GlouGlou is the perfect place to stop for a glass of wine and a charcuterie platter when you’re out and about in the city. You’ll find a large selection of natural wines alongside other, mostly French wines. Plus, the food is delicious. You can expect escargots, French cheeses and plenty of traditional French dishes. In the summer you can enjoy it all on the sunny terrace.
📍Location: Tweede van der Helststraat 3, 1073 AE Amsterdam
5. Bar Centraal
If you’d prefer something spicy with your wine then just head next door from Glou Glou to Bar Centraal where you’ll now find delicious Asian food. Plus, there are tons of natural wines to try and plenty of vegetarian dishes on offer. If you don’t know which wine to go with then just ask the waiters who will be able to direct you to something you’ll love.
📍Location: Ten Katestraat 16, 1053 CE Amsterdam
6. Wijnbar Paulus
This lovely little wine bar has the most attentive owner who you’re sure to see whenever you go. He’s always more than willing to advise customers on what wines they might like to try and the food is fresh with a menu that changes every day. If you’d prefer to pick at something rather than eat a whole meal you can always opt for the cheeseboard.
📍Location: Ceintuurbaan 348, 1072 GP Amsterdam
7. Bubbles & Wines
Bubbles & Wines is run by two men who love wine and know a lot about it. They will introduce you to wines you didn’t even know existed, including a huge selection of champagne and Italian wines. The food is delicious and feels just as luxurious and rich as the wines, for which the restaurant won the title of ‘Best Wine Bar List In The World 2021‘.
📍Location: Nes 37, 1012 KC Amsterdam
8. Bar Parry
At Bar Parry, you’ll find vibrant food from across Europe but the dishes mostly feature Mediterranean flavours and ingredients like octopus and porchetta. The wine comes from De Wijnkwinkel in 9 streets and the wine list is huge, incorporating wines from Italy, France, Spain and even countries such as Germany.
📍Location: Eerste Looiersdwarsstraat 15, 1016 VL Amsterdam