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Cafe Review: White Label Coffee in Amsterdam

February 28, 2016 By Michael 3 Comments

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One has to be careful when asking for a coffee shop recommendation in Amsterdam. But there’s a lot more to the Dutch capital than just legal weed and the red light district. A growing number of local roasters and cafés are making Amsterdam a premier European coffee destination. One of the microroasteries leading the way is White Label Coffee. 

White Label Coffee

Conveniently located by the Mercatorplein tram stop, White Label is a short, scenic tram ride from Amsterdam Centraal. Whether it’s the bags of green coffee that double as couches or the long communal tables, the interior at White Label is simultaneously eclectic and homey. It manages to occupy a middle ground between the grungy coffee shop of the 90s and today’s stark, if not sterile, café. The café itself is a showroom of Dutch engineering and design.  All of the coffee is roasted on a Giesen and the espresso pulled on a Kees van der Westen Spirit.

White Label Coffee

The omni-roaster trend may be sweeping North America, but espresso roast profiles are alive and well in the Netherlands. I ordered a shot of the Ethiopia, Chelbessa which was strong and sweet. Dark chocolate notes dominated the palate, but citrus and floral notes rounded out the cup to make for a dynamic, balanced espresso. I also stole a few sips of my friend’s siphon of the Ethiopia, Rocko. This bright and juicy coffee was the sort of fruit bomb that fans of naturally processed coffees dream about. The fact that it was served in a handsome old fashioned glass didn’t hurt either.

White Label Coffee

If you’re looking for a Dutch microroaster, you would do well to try White Label Coffee. We found the café to have friendly service, a fun atmosphere, and tasty coffee. Tourists in search of anything other than a caffeine buzz, however, should probably look elsewhere.

White Label Coffee

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Filed Under: Coffee Shop Reviews Tagged With: Amsterdam, Giesen, Holland, Kees van der Westen, White Label Coffee

About Michael

Michael Butterworth is an authorized instructor of the Specialty Coffee Association and the inventor of the Etkin Dripper.. He cofounded the Coffee Compass mostly as an excuse to visit more coffee shops. For consulting and training enquiries please visit butterworth.coffee.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mvbarroeta says

    March 21, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    This café is a great option to get some work done or for a chill afternoon. They also have good pastries.

    Reply
  2. Bisuzs Coffee says

    April 20, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Lovely coffee place that I would want to try, I love the calm atmosphere

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Four Great Places to Drink Coffee in Amsterdam - My Coffee Tips says:
    August 23, 2018 at 10:36 am

    […] looking for more coffee in Amsterdam? Read our reviews of White Label Coffee and Scandinavian […]

    Reply

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