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Back to Black
★ 4.0(1 review)Café
cozylocalcoffee-focused
About the Vibe
Back to Black in Amsterdam West is a solid neighborhood spot for serious coffee lovers who want quality without the pretension. Their house-roasted beans are the real draw, and the homemade cakes—especially the carrot cake—are worth the visit on their own. It's a bit tight on laptop space during the week, and weekends are laptop-free, so come for the coffee and cake, not to work.
Known For
- •house-roasted coffee
- •homemade carrot cake
- •apple pie
- •outdoor seating
Best For
morning coffeeweekend brunchquick lunch
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 31, 2026
Solid neighborhood coffee spot with house-roasted beans and great cake
Back to Black on Van Hallstraat is one of those Amsterdam West spots that locals genuinely love. The coffee is their specialty—properly roasted in-house and consistently well-extracted. I've had some of the best cappuccinos here, served in stylish glasses that make the experience feel a notch above the average café.
The homemade cakes are a major highlight. The carrot cake is particularly good—moist, well-spiced, and not overly sweet. They also do a decent apple pie and offer toasted sandwiches for a quick lunch. The space is cozy with a relaxed vibe, though it can get crowded during peak hours. Note that laptops are only allowed on weekdays and in limited numbers; weekends are laptop-free to keep the atmosphere social.
It's not a place to linger for hours with a laptop, but for a proper coffee break or a sweet treat with friends, it's a reliable choice in a neighborhood that's seen a lot of new café openings. The outdoor seating is a bonus in warmer weather.