Charming English-style tearoom serving full English breakfast, afternoon tea, and homemade scones with clotted cream. Cozy atmosphere and British classics make this a favorite for leisurely breakfast or afternoon tea.
Greenwoods on Singel in Amsterdam's historic canal center is an English tearoom that has served a loyal international and local clientele since the early 1990s, offering a reliable version of British-style breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea in a setting that manages to feel genuinely homey rather than touristically staged. The location on Singel — one of the innermost of Amsterdam's concentric canal rings — is central and easily reached on foot from most of the historic city. The interior has the comfortable, slightly cluttered warmth of a proper English tearoom: wooden furniture, soft lighting, floral details, and a display case of baked goods that greets guests at the entrance. The full English breakfast is the most popular morning order: eggs cooked to preference, back bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, sausages, and toast assembled in the traditional format that is otherwise very difficult to find in the Netherlands. The afternoon tea is the signature offering: a tiered stand of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, and miniature cakes served with a pot of loose-leaf tea. Greenwoods sources its scones and baked goods from its own kitchen and the quality of the scone-and-clotted-cream combination is genuinely good. The restaurant is popular with British visitors feeling the tug of home food, international visitors curious about the format, and Dutch regulars who have developed a taste for the ritual of afternoon tea.
Signature dishes
- Full English Breakfast — €14.50
- Afternoon Tea — €22.50
Good to know
- Hours
- Monday-Sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Reservations
- Walk-in only
Location
Singel 103, 1012 VG Amsterdam
52.3755, 4.8896 View on map
Highlights
- Proper English afternoon tea with homemade scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches
- Full English breakfast — one of the few reliable versions available in Amsterdam
- Cozy Singel canal-house setting with genuine English tearoom atmosphere
- Loose-leaf tea selection and homemade baked goods from the restaurant's own kitchen
Tips for visiting
- The afternoon tea must be ordered in advance — call or email the day before to reserve a sitting
- The full English breakfast is best on weekday mornings when the restaurant is quieter
- Greenwoods is the natural choice for British visitors missing a proper cup of tea and scones
- Combining a morning visit to the nearby Begijnhof courtyard with breakfast at Greenwoods makes an excellent Amsterdam morning
Accessibility
Greenwoods occupies a historic canal house on Singel with a small step at the entrance. The interior is compact and some seating may be difficult for wheelchair users to reach comfortably. Staff are helpful and will assist where possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Greenwoods serve food all day?
Greenwoods is open daily from 9am to 6pm and serves food throughout the day — breakfast from opening, lunch from mid-morning, and afternoon tea from early afternoon until close.
Is the afternoon tea available at any time or by reservation?
The full afternoon tea experience is best reserved in advance, particularly on weekends. Walk-in availability exists on quieter weekdays but cannot be guaranteed.
Does Greenwoods use proper clotted cream?
Yes, Greenwoods takes its scone-and-cream seriously and uses proper clotted cream rather than whipped cream substitutes, which is the standard that distinguishes a genuine English afternoon tea from an approximation.
Is Greenwoods suitable for children?
Yes, the casual and welcoming atmosphere makes Greenwoods very family-friendly. Children particularly enjoy the sweet components of the afternoon tea and the breakfast options.