Café Karpershoek

Dating back to 1606, Café Karpershoek is widely regarded as Amsterdam’s oldest café. It originally served as an inn for sailors and merchants working for the Dutch East India Company, at a time when this part of the city stood directly beside the harbour.

Although the ships and old harbour have disappeared, Karpershoek has preserved much of its traditional character. The intimate interior is filled with dark wood, historic Delftware tiles, old paintings, photographs and Amsterdam sayings. Its most unusual feature is the thin layer of sand covering the floor—a tradition dating back to the days when sand made it easier to clean up tobacco and spilled drinks.

Today, Karpershoek remains a wonderfully traditional brown café, attracting a mixture of Amsterdam regulars, curious visitors and travellers arriving from nearby Central Station. The drinks are straightforward and classic: draught beer, Dutch jenever, spirits, coffee and traditional bar snacks.

Do not expect modern cocktails, trendy interiors or an extensive craft-beer menu. Karpershoek is all about history, simplicity and the unmistakable atmosphere of an old Amsterdam neighbourhood pub.

Café Karpershoek is more than somewhere to stop for a drink. It is a living piece of Amsterdam history. Its location near Central Station makes it easy to visit, but the preserved interior and famous sand-covered floor make it genuinely memorable. An essential stop for anyone wanting to experience the traditional Amsterdam café culture.