Bar Botanique was another drinks/brunch/lunch place on my list, which I had been wanting to visit for a while. Again, unsurprisingly, it was a little out of the way from where I was staying (West). But ‘long’ distances in Amsterdam are all relative, and we happily cycled the 20 minutes to this tropical cafe in the East of Amsterdam (just past the Artis Zoo).
We got lucky because as we arrived the sun came out, and so we were first to grab a table on their spacious terrace (they have two). But inside is also most definitely worth a look, and as its name reflects, it certainly is a bit like an oasis in the city. I love the vibe here, laid back, buzzing and, of course, very green. The huge windows let in all the light, so sitting inside is as nice as outside.
We were starving and craving some good Dutch carbs, so we went for two massive Croque Madames (with a fried egg on top, as you do), and Mol went for scrambled eggs with truffle and a side of trusty avocado. Since it was Easter and we were in a good mood, we ordered a bottle of bubbles to accompany lunch, and enjoyed a few glasses in the sun. The staff were super friendly and helpful too, which really added to our experience.
In short, Bar Botanique is not only a place to head to for a drink, but also for a long lazy lunch. As the weather gets better I know the terrace will be the place to be in East.
If you’re in the area, it’s also worth visiting de Plantage, for beer lovers the Brouwerij t’Ij in an old windmill, and for another pretty cafe check out de Tropen Grand Cafe (part of the Tropen museum).
Eerste van Swindenstraat 581
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1093 LC