Cafe Latei

I once found Cafe Latei's cat roaming my stairwell. I returned it the next morning, after it had spent the night sharpening its claws on the legs of my dining room table, and was given a free coffee as a thank-you. I could argue the hygiene implications of having a pet in a place that serves food, but it seems in keeping with this quirky Amsterdam cafe.

Cafe Latei is on Zeedijk, the main thoroughfare through Amsterdam's Chinatown. For a long time it was one of the few non-Asian businesses on the street, although it now has company from BBROOD bakery, Hofje van Wijs teashop and a couple of others.

Image of Cafe Latei Amsterdam Cafe Latei has gradually made its way into most Amsterdam guidebooks, but it hasn't lost any of its charm as a result and still attracts as many locals as tourists. The place has built its reputation on a handful of simple but well-executed dishes, such as open sandwiches topped with farmer’s cheese and a drizzle of organic olive oil, uitsmijters (a brunch dish of fried eggs with cheese and/or ham on slices of bread), and Dutch apple pie so deep it requires a small orchard to fill each one.

Three evenings a week (Thurs-Sat), Cafe Latei serves Ethiopian food, always with a vegetarian option available.

Image of interior Cafe Latei Amsterdam Almost as big a draw are Cafe Latei's non-food items. Squeezed into every corner not occupied by tables and chairs is an array of retro household items, including bowls, fondue sets, light fittings, rolls of wallpaper and the odd piece of clothing. It makes for a crowded shopping experience but, unlike a trip to IKEA, the chance of coming away with something that all your friends have is slim.