Wheelchair-friendly bars, cafes and restaurants in Amsterdam

Dignita Hoftuin

Whether you’re in the mood for a seasonal stack of pancakes or a slice of loaded toast, this branch of the well loved Dignita restaurant is the perfect brunch stop. Located in the leafy Hoftuin courtyard, the seating provides a 360 view of greenery, making it feel like you are dining in nature. The cafe is also well positioned between the Jewish Museum and the Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names. If you are planning to visit on a weekend it can get busy, so book online ahead of time. There is a set of heavy glass doors at the entrance but the cafe host is usually available to assist. There is also a disabled bathroom for guests to use.

Tolhuistuin

The ferry network across the IJ behind central station is a free and accessible way to visit the northern half of the city. If you take the Buiksloterweg route you arrive right next to the Tolhuistuin building, a cultural staple of Amsterdam-Noord. As well as playing host to a range of seasonal events, the restaurant is an excellent place to share small plates with friends on the terrace, or enjoy a relaxing evening meal. Whether you fancy a kipsaté (or chicken satay, a popular dish in the Netherlands) or a vegan lentil dahl, Tolhuistuin has you covered. This venue has a dedicated lift for wheelchair users as well as a spacious bathroom.

Vascobelo

What is better than a cafe? A cafe surrounded by books of course. Vascobelo is located inside one of the largest city bookstores, Scheltema, and is an ideal place to stop for a drink or light lunch. Just moments away from Rokin station and the popular shopping streets, this cafe serves great sandwiches, hot fries and afternoon treats. Their appeltaart is not to be missed. The bookshop also has a spacious lift with internal floor lifts to access all parts of the store, as well as an accessible bathroom.

Kanarie Club

Kanarie Club in the west of the city, is a trendy and spacious evening hotspot. Located behind Foodhallen, (a more difficult venue to navigate in a wheelchair), this sit down alternative is a relaxed haven - even on a busy night. Offering a range of vegetarian small plates and main dishes, the club makes an excellent venue to gather a group and indulge in our city’s favourite eating habit, borrelen – sharing beers and snacks. To enter the Kanarie Club easily in your wheelchair, use the Bellamyplein entrance, and request a ground floor table. The disabled bathroom is also easily accessible to the left of the bar.

Espressofabriek

Amsterdam is not short of green spaces, and one of the most enjoyable weekend activities is a wander in the park, with a hot drink in hand. If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of the city centre, or finishing a tour at Anne Frank’s House, take a leisurely stroll towards Westerpark, and stop by Espressofabriek for a slice of whatever the bakers have rustled up, and a beautifully crafted latte. This small cafe does not have a bathroom, but a range of seating suitable both outdoor and inside, with a flat entrance from the park into the cafe. The park itself is well landscaped with wide paths suitable for wheelchairs.

Brouwerij Troost

Brouwerij Troost de Pijp is one of the city's most beloved breweries, located inside a former monastery. With plenty of pavement side tables and an expansive indoor space, this brewery serves up excellent beers with food to match. The menu offers a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options alongside traditional Dutch flavours, so Troost has something that will suit everyone. There is a small ridge between pavement and entrance that may require help if you are in a manual chair, as well as a ramp to enter the bar area. There is not a disabled bathroom suitable for wheelchair users at this venue.

Moods

Moods Coffee and Brunch is a modern and sleek choice for classic breakfast foods like eggs and toast, or healthy options like smoothie bowls or granola. Open from 08:00 on the weekends and only a short work from the Rijksmuseum, this brunch spot makes for an ideal place to fuel up before hitting up the city’s most popular historic venues. This venue has a wheelchair accessible lift that takes customers straight to the restaurant floor from ground level, and also has a suitable disabled bathroom available.

Lowlander

With their floral beer labels and whimsical designs, Lowlander drinks are served in plenty of places around the city, but visiting their home on Noord is even better. The Lowlander Botanical Bar and Restaurant is a large industrial space with both outdoor terraces and indoor tables, nailing the laid back waterside vibe. They serve up vegetarian small plates, burgers and Dutch classics like bitterballen. And even if you aren’t a drinker, Lowlander makes some of the most unique sodas and non-alcoholic beers on the market too. There is a disabled bathroom available, but it is important to note some areas of the outdoor seating are on a raised level. However, there is plenty of room in the initial outdoor area and inside for wheelchair users.

Celia

The centrally located Kimpton De Witt Hotel is home to one of the chicest dining spots in town. Serving up bottomless brunches, taco Tuesdays and all day sharing plates, Celia is not to be missed. Whether you are stopping by after a busy day of shopping or looking for a place to celebrate on your trip, this Californian inspired all day dining will leave you satisfied. There is a concrete ramp running parallel to the hotel entrance steps, and once you are inside lifts will take you up to the restaurant space. Celia also has a spacious disabled bathroom available for guests to use.

De Kas

Perhaps one of the most special venues in Amsterdam-Oost, Restaurant De Kas is a culinary glasshouse in a garden. Located withing Park Frankendael, the restaurant prides itself on its plant to plate motto with a rotating seasonal menu curated from the 300 varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits grown in their gardens. Opt for a 3 or 4 course lunch menu, or a 5 or 6 course dinner menu, adapted to vegetarian or vegan on request. The park is well paved with a small bridge to cross before reaching the restaurant. The building has a flat entrance and an accessible bathroom, but be sure to add a note to your booking to ensure a spacious and suitable table.

Hannah Turner is a British disabled journalist living in Amsterdam with her partner. She writes a monthly newsletter, Sunday Bookmarks and her other professional endeavours can be found on her website, here.