No matter how much we love opening a good bottle from Raravina at home or on a boat with friends, we all know there's nothing like a good wine bar. Fortunately for us, our home city of Amsterdam has a wonderful burgeoning wine bar scene for every kind of mood and taste.
To help you find the best stops, here are Raravina's favourites, what we consider to be the best Amsterdam wine bars.
Oocker
https://www.instagram.com/oockeramsterdam
Open 6 days a week - closed on Wednesdays
Booking are possible but they also keep tables for walk-ins
One of Amsterdam’s newest (and immediately one of its best) wine bars. Cosy, intimate spot with an incredible 350-plus wines on stock (and many of them available by the glass)! Given the very reasonable prices and the fact it's run by a knowledgeable, fun team of sommeliers, it’s a great place to try something you’ve never had before. They also serve absolutely delicious small plates, well beyond your standard cheese and charcuterie offerings. We definitely recommend going hungry. The menu changes with the seasons, but right now the asparagus, pork cheek, and bone marrow are favourites of ours. The somms are always ready for a good recommendation, and the extensive availability by the glass means any visit can turn into a full wine tasting.
Bar Parry
1e Looiersdwarsstraat 15, 1016 VL
https://www.instagram.com/bar_parry/
Open Wednesday through to Sunday.
Accepts walk-ins only
A cool Amsterdam spot for both traditional and natural wine lovers alike located in the heart of the Jordaan. Small and always crowded, Bar Parry prides itself on serving wines with no artificial additives, exaggerated oak, or overly technical or polished wines. The result is great, elegant wines in a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of a party in your friend’s living room. If you're looking for wine bar ambiance, you've found it. A menu of small plates is also available (also their chocolate mousse is a must try), and the staff could not be lovelier.
Shiraz
Lijnbaansgracht 267-HS, 1017 RL
https://www.instagram.com/shirazamsterdam/
Open Tuesday through to Sunday.
Walk-in only (limited bookings accepted for larger groups)
A fantastic canal-side location, outdoor seating, beautiful interior, and a top-shelf wine list makes the perfect wine bar for sunny days and wintry night. A big space right on the Lijnbaansgracht (a cute little canal with fewer tourists), you can browse an extensive and geographically diverse wine list on the terrace or curled up by the fireplace inside (pro tip: if you ask nicely, they may also let you sit in the owner’s boat out front - very Amsterdam). They also offer sharing and some larger plates, and if you've enjoyed the wine, you can buy a bottle to take home from their in-house boutique! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and can always offer good recommendations.
Clos
https://www.instagram.com/closamsterdam/
Open Tuesday through to Sunday
Bookings accepted
A great wine list, a gorgeous bar that you just want to sit at, and a big (and constantly full) restaurant space in an urban setting in the trendy Amsterdam Oost neighbourhood. The philosophy is small wine growers and beautiful dishes from the same regions as the vineyards. It's a great spot for a glass or two and small plates, but those looking for a more substantial dinner can try the set menu.
Chateau Amsterdam
Johan van Hasseltweg 51, 1021 KNhttps://www.instagram.com/chateauamsterdam/
Open Wednesday to Sunday
Bookings accepted
Chateau Amsterdam is a winery, restaurant, and event space in Noord, claiming to be the first urban winery in the Netherlands and the largest in Europe.Their adventurous team makes all of their 25 wines in-house, meaning you can expect creativity from the grape blends to the bottle labels. They also implement a zero-waste principle, from brewing beer from peels and pits to left overs given to the local pig farmer! An industrial, reclaimed warehouse motif spans the huge indoor space and big adjoining terrace. Outside of their busiest times, you can generally always find a spot in the bar/restaurant to enjoy a wine and some nibbles. You can also book in for a tasting and tour of the winery.
Café Twee Prinsen
https://www.instagram.com/tweeprinsen/
Open 7 days a week
Walk-ins only
If you want to enjoy a glass of natural wine within the hustle and bustle of the city center, Café Twee Prinsen is a perfect spot. An inviting, relaxed café with outside seating located right on the famous Prinsengracht. Expect to see locals enjoying the sun in the warmer months and huddled under blankets in the winter. They also serve a small selection of bar snacks and small plates.
La Dilettante
https://www.instagram.com/ladilettante.amsterdam/?hl=en
Open 7 days a week
Walk-ins only
Another great spot for Amsterdam's natural wine lovers. Located on the picturesque Frans Halsstraat, La Dilettante is small and cozy inside, with a shabby-chic vibe and bar, and some lovely casual terrace seating when the weather permits. Warm and welcoming and with a knowledgeable staff, if you're looking for a great weeknight spot for natural wines, you won't go wrong.
Honourable Mention
We also want to give special shout-outs to a few more that are always pouring great wines and are beloved around Amsterdam - you shouldn't miss these either:
- Bottleshop: Modern, cheeky natural wine bar, music venue, and more.
- Glou Glou: Probably the current spirtual home of natural wine in Amsterdam. Located in De Pijp, the team behind Glou Glou have another location—Bar Centraal—in Oud West as well.
- 4850: A restaurant, cafe, and wine bar in Amsterdam Oost. The wine is always a treat but the food is why you come here.
- Café Parlotte: More restaurant than wine bar, but given its well-deserved reputation for having one of the best wine programs in Amsterdam, we cannot leave it off. Go and eat and drink everything they recommend and you will not be disappointed.
So there you have it, our Amsterdam favourites. We'll keep this list updated as new entrants come onto the scene. In the meantime, get in touch on the Raravina Wine Hotline and let us know if we missed one of your faves! Even more importantly, tell us your favourites in other cities so we can be sure to highlight them in our future guides!
Until next time, stay nosey.
