Gebroeders Niemeijer

Seemingly without pretension or regard for the current trend for everything artisanal, French bakery Gebroeders Niemeijer purveys simple, crusty loaves and rich pastries from its glass-fronted premises on Nieuwendijk.

The bakery, which is run by brothers Marco and Issa (the former originally a musician and the latter a sociologist), is based on French methods. Made from organic flour and left to rise slowly overnight, the bread is baked in a stone oven, giving it a robust structure and the kind of crust that makes your jaw ache.

Gebroeders Niemeijer is open for breakfast from around eight o'clock to midday and lunch service starts at 11. So the best time to visit is between 11 and 12 when you can choose from both menus.

Image of Gebroeders Niemeijer bakery As a bakery, Gebroeders Niemeijer's breakfast menu is unsurprisingly devoid of egg dishes. Instead, there is a choice croissants, brioches, baguettes and other baked goods.

I chose three walnut and fig petit pains - mini rolls cut on the diagonal that seemed to be devouring the slices of gruyere they were filled with, like hungry Pac-Man characters. Krentenbollen met kaas (currant buns with cheese) are a popular Dutch breakfast option and Gebroeders Niemeijer's crusty little numbers were a superior take on this idea.

Image of Gebroeders Niemeijer rolls Baguettes dominate the lunch menu, with a range of fillings that go beyond the standard Dutch ham and cheese combo. Think manchego romero (sheep's cheese infused with rosemary), dried lamb sausage, smoked salmon and Portuguese sardine paste.

From the takeaway counter at the front of the bakery, I drooled over the chocolate pies, eclairs and macaroons but eventually settled on a tarte au citron. It had a deep brown (wholemeal?) base and was filled with a zingy, delectable custard.

Despite or perhaps because of its location among the coffee shops, steak houses and tourist tat of Nieuwendijk, Gebroeders Niemeijer attracts a steady stream of shoppers with few other options in the area. This can make seating tricky at weekends, but if you are prepared to get up early or wait out the queues, you'll be rewarded with one of the best bakery experiences in Amsterdam.