Best bakeries in Amsterdam

Olaf Brood

Inconspicuously located off the Dappermarkt, Olaf Brood has plenty of small-scale charm. A minimal set-up with a bakery in the back, complete with a team of bakers, and a front-of-house that includes a small bar and, most importantly, a large display of just-baked pastries and sourdough bread. The bread, which includes rye, spelt and oat, focaccia and classic sourdough loaves (prices vary), is just the beginning. There’s proper (good!) coffee here, served in gorgeous blue ceramic cups, and there’s even a market sandwich on weekdays (Tues-Thurs) where owner Lex and the team source ingredients from the Dappermarkt and make a sandwich. But the highlight is probably the pastries: brown butter-glazed krentebollen (raisin buns), buttery madeleines, swirling cinnamon buns and treacle-laced bolus (a type of brown sugar-covered pastry from Zeeland province), all priced at around €2-€5

Olaf Brood | Tues-Fri 08:30-17:00, Saturday 09:00 - 16:00 | Dapperstraat 42

Bakkerij Louf

Bakkerij Louf, owned by the same owners as Cafe Binnenvisser next door, is your daytime pitstop for artisanal sourdough, deli sandwiches, and viennoiserie—or simply to peruse their selection of coffee table books about baking. This stunning bakery occupies a scenic corner of the Bilderdijkstraat and is the perfect midpoint for a Saturday morning stroll through the neighbourhood. 

Bakkerij Louf | Bilderdijkstraat 38, Oud-West

Levain et le Vin

Levain et le Vin is a sourdough bakery and natural wine shop where pastries and bread are baked fresh daily. Swing by a delicious bottle and a stand-out loaf. Ballymaloe Cookery School alumnus Florence van Limburg Stirum followed internships at Ottolenghi in London and Relae in Copenhagen with stints at Choux restaurant and Cafe Modern in Amsterdam, which may explain why her rustic round loaves always sell out early.

Levain et le Vin | Jan Pieter Heijestraat 168, Oud-West

Fort Negen

Fort Negen is relatively new on the artisan bread scene but has shot to fame as one of the best bread bakeries in town. Popular among locals in the De Baarjses neighbourhood and a short walk from Oud-West, you’ll find its best-selling farmer’s bread and spelt and rye loaves. In for an extra treat? Pick up a cruffin, almond or cheese-stuffed croissant or the humble, but delicious, oat cookie.

Fort Negen | Jan Evertsenstraat 31, De Baarsjes

Breadwinner

Feast your heart on some exceptional sourdough bagels courtesy of Breadwinner, founded by baker Jon Fairclough. During the pandemic, the Canadians needed something to do, and baking bagels proved an insta(nt) success. Fanatics line up at the door to this Jordaan-based bakery to get their hands on a freshly baked bagel topped with avocado, pastrami or cream cheese. Try the 'salt bagel' with smoked Maldon salt flakes.

Breadwinner | Tweede Laurierdwarsstraat 50, Centrum

Ulmus

Also vying for the De Baarjses bread market top spot, Ulmus has built a loyal following for its sourdough loaves and delicious pastries. Tucked behind the main street of the Amsterdam West neighbourhood, it’s worth getting out of bed for its long-fermented, full-flavoured bread.

Ulmus | Cabralstraat 7, De Baarsjes

Kara Firin

Craving pillowy soft, tear-and-shareable Turkish bread or crispy sesame-topped simit? Kara Firin has you covered. Grab a few loaves for a dip-tastic picnic and more to freeze at home when the carb cravings hit.

Kara Firin | Sam van Houtenstraat 31 and Burgemeester de Vlugtlaan 176, Westerpark

Stadsbakkerij As

Efraim Bolado van der Meij is passionate about the meditative process of mixing, kneading, shaping, and baking something beautiful. The bakery supplies more than 40 restaurants in and around Amsterdam, and its shelves are full every morning for hungry customers. 

Stadsbakkerij As | Conradstraat 471, Oost

Le Fournil de Sebastien

There will no doubt be a queue outside this French bakery at any time of day, but for good reason. Artisan baker Sebastien Roturier and his Dutch wife Susan moved their boulangerie-pâtisserie to Amsterdam from Vendée in 2007, becoming the first French baker to open a French bakery in the Netherlands. It has since attracted a massive fanbase of French internationals and Dutch bread lovers alike.

Le Fournil | Olympiaplein 19, Zuid

Dolzon

After starting at neighbourhood markets, bakers Eric and Danielle opened their own store in 2016 in Amsterdam Noord. This cute little bakery has deliciously crusty bread, both fresh or ready to be baked to perfection at home. 

Dolzon | Van der Pekplein 15HS, Noord