KOKO Coffee & Design, Amsterdam

Coffee is dressed for success.

In the heart of Amsterdam, there are “coffee shops” everywhere. Perfect if you’re hoping to sample some not-so-illegal substances here but not that helpful when you’re after a good cuppa like we are. The Dutch capital is beautiful, with sprawling alleys and circling canals. You’d walk a lot if you’re like us and soon need to rest your tired feet.

In the red light district along the Oudezijdsachterburgwal (Old Side Behind Bastion Wall), a long street running the length of the River Amstel, we discover KOKO Coffee & Design. Both a boutique and a café, KOKO may not seem like the first choice for a caffeine stop but looks can be deceiving.

KOKO is sparsely and tastefully decorated. There is selection of vintage and new designs from around Europe curated by owners Karlijn and Caroline. Comfortable leather sofas and framed pieces by young artists make the café feel like home – albeit a very special one.

The coffee is a wonderful surprise: my cappuccino was one of the best I’ve had in Amsterdam. The beans are roasted by Antwerp Caffènation, a formidable Belgian roaster. Add friendly owners and baristas to the mix, and this is a café after our own heart… and likely yours. Make this the coffee shop you visit in Amsterdam.

阿姆斯特丹市中心的‘咖啡館’林立，
無論你是好奇想嘗試軟性毒品；
還是逛累了想找個地方歇一歇腳，
又或是單純的想喝杯好咖啡，
總能在市中心那找到一家所你喜歡的。
KOKO Coffee & Design是一家集咖啡和服裝于一體的咖啡館。
就開在離紅燈區不遠的Oudezijds街上。
雖然店裡擺了咖啡機、男女服裝和不少的桌椅，
但錯落有致得來卻不見擁擠；佈置簡單而有格調。

剛開始還擔心這裡以販賣服裝為主，咖啡應該一般，
不過由於是另一家咖啡館的咖啡師所推薦，
就抱著姑且一試的心態來看看。
結果發現這的咖啡真的很不錯，無論是單品手沖，
還是意式奶咖啡，都非常有水準。
馬少來探班時，我特地帶他到這來試試，
他覺得在阿姆斯特丹喝了那麼多家咖啡館，這的意式奶咖啡最合他意。
而且除了咖啡外，這的老闆和咖啡師也很友善，
親切開朗得來也很健談，說起咖啡更是眉飛色舞，
讓我們在那渡過一個愉快的下午。