There are a quillion cafes in Amsterdam. Every street corner sports one. Every nook. Every cranny. They are a great place to sit, stare out onto the canals, and wonder why the hell you don't move out here.

Nosh-wise, most offer at least broodjes (small sandwiches) and tostis (toasted sandwich featuring our familiar Dutch friends, ham and cheese). As well as the grand old stand-bys: a cup of coffee and large slice of cake.

Service, as ever, can be sluggish. Table-sharing is expected so don't be shy.

instant factoid internet cafes
Several cafes sport Net terminals, notably De Waag (Nieumarkt), Cyber Cafe (Nieuwendijk 19) and Freeworld (Nieuwendjik 30)

we are recommending
Villa ZeeZicht
Sunday morning newspaper read or laid-back snack
Tatty, cluttered, busy but very excellent, very relaxing café overlooking the fat Singel canal. Wood floors, impassive locals, and buzzing staff. Do good cakes and sandwiches plus a Tapas menu.
Torensteeg 7, open 8-18:30 mon-fri, 9-18:30 sat/sun

Café Ter Kuile
floaty afternoon drinking session
A busy bar at one end, and a wood-decked restaurant at the other. Low-key lighting and ambience good for a chatty meal. Food is good, moderately priced, and freshly cooked with daily specials. Line your stomach here before commencing a fockinge good night
Torensteeg 7, open 11-1 sun-thu, open 11-03 fri/sat

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Cafe Ebeling
full of trendy young Amsterdammers & friendly staff
The good quality food is cheap(ish) and the young staff play a selection of great tunes too. There's also a pool table (a rarity in Amsterdam) and inside in "interestingly" decorated.
Overtoom 52 (5 mins walk SW of Leidesplein), open 12-01 mon-fri, open 12-02 weekends
submitted by Mike Davis

De Waag
Castle converted for hearty eating and drinking
A light mix of weighty tourists and young trendos fill up this high-vaulted ancient-building-cum-café. Internet access and some pricey but nice food add to the value.
Torensteeg 7, open 11-1 sun-thu, open 11-03 fri/sat

COC
Gay café with dancing
At the centre of gay Amsterdam is COC, relaxed, friendly and women-only Saturday nights from 22:00.
Torensteeg 7, open 11-1 sun-thu, open 11-03 fri/sat
http://www.cocamsterdam.nl/ (dutch)