This is the spot for anyone who takes cake seriously — De Drie Graefjes is an American-style bakery and lunchroom that's become an Amsterdam institution, with two locations (Rokin and Nieuwmarkt) serving up towering slices of homemade cake, hearty lunches, and proper high tea. You'll find the Eggertstraat location tucked in the Nieuwmarktbuurt, where the cozy interior and display case loaded with red velvet, cheesecake, and seasonal creations make it nearly impossible to walk past without going in. It's unapologetically indulgent, and that's exactly why locals keep coming back.
Towering homemade cake slices and a cozy, homey vibe make this American-style bakery a beloved Amsterdam staple for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Go on a weekday morning to skip the weekend queue — the cake display is fully stocked and you'll actually get a table.
Amsterdam's go-to cake institution
De Drie Graefjes is the kind of place you stumble into and then can't stop talking about. Tucked away on Eggertstraat in the Nieuwmarktbuurt, this American-style bakery has been a fixture of Amsterdam's cake scene for years, and the display case alone is worth the visit — rows of towering, homemade slices that range from classic red velvet to lemon cheesecake and seasonal specials like their Dubai cupcake. The portions are generous, almost absurdly so, and everything tastes freshly made with real ingredients, not the mass-produced stuff you get elsewhere.
Beyond the cakes, the lunch menu holds its own: think American-style pancakes, rich sandwiches, and proper breakfast plates that make this a solid morning or midday destination. The high tea is a popular pick if you want to sample a bit of everything, and reviewers consistently mention the friendly, homey atmosphere — one Tripadvisor reviewer called it "like home," which pretty much captures the vibe. The interior is cozy and a bit cramped when it's busy, but that's part of the charm.
It's not a place for a quiet, spacious lunch — seating is tight and weekends can mean a wait. But if you're after a genuinely satisfying slice of cake and a warm, unpretentious setting, this is one of Amsterdam's most reliable bets. The Rokin location gets more tourist foot traffic, so the Nieuwmarkt branch tends to feel a touch more local.