Winkel 43

Winkel 43 on Noordermarkt in the Jordaan district is one of Amsterdam's most iconic cafés, achieving its fame primarily through an apple pie — appeltaart — that has become widely regarded as the finest in the city and the subject of near-religious devotion among regulars. The café occupies a classic corner position on the Noordermarkt square, one of Amsterdam's most characterful market squares, active with the organic farmers' market on Saturday mornings and the flea market on Monday mornings. Inside, Winkel 43 is everything a Dutch brown café should be: timber floors, soft lighting, a zinc bar, and comfortable mismatched furniture that has settled into place over the years. The appeltaart is made from a dense, spiced batter incorporating large chunks of cinnamon-spiced apple, baked to a rich dark crust and served in a generous wedge with a generous spoon of freshly whipped cream. Unlike lighter, fluffier apple cakes found in many cafés, Winkel 43's version is substantial, sweet, and deeply fragrant with warming spices. Beyond the apple pie, the café serves breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and Dutch café standards throughout the day, alongside excellent coffee, Dutch beer, and a short wine list. The terrace on the Noordermarkt square — facing the 17th-century Noorderkerk — is one of Amsterdam's best outdoor café seats, particularly on a sunny Saturday morning when the market brings the square to life.