Black Owned Amsterdam City Guide
*Updated Spring 2023
Spend a day exploring and supporting Black-owned restaurants and shops in Amsterdam.
Discover my favorite Black-owned businesses and cultural spaces across the city.
Curious for more? Browse all of my Amsterdam City Guide or use my Black-Owned Amsterdam City Guide Map to explore further on your own.
Amsterdam has long been a city of cultural diversity and today, the city prides itself on a population featuring 180 different nationalities. However, with such a long, rich history, the experience and contribution of minority groups, namely from the African Diaspora and Dutch Caribbean, is often overlooked.
This is not uncommon around the world and like many places in the world here in The Netherlands, we are still untangling the challenges of inequality today. Did you know that the Afro-Dutch population includes Surinamese, Antillean and Cape Verdean communities each with their own cultural, linguistic and culinary contributions to Dutch society.
Representation matters and as a mixed-race Black woman myself, I have always taken pride in my heritage and bring this into focus when exploring, researching and publishing my travel articles. It’s important for all my City Guides to highlight diversity because that’s what I experience when traveling abroad. I believe strongly that BIPOC entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses deserve equal attention in the tourism industry. The change is slow but it’s gaining momentum, especially lately. Eventually, the mainstream travel industry will catch up but in the meantime it’s up to us to create space and representation for our own communities with pride!
EAT + DRINK | BLACK-OWNED AMSTERDAM
CENTRUM
The Protest Bar An open-minded, queer-friendly bar where like-mined people come together to create a better world for all.
Terra Zen Centre A family-run vegan café serving a tasty and unique menu of Caribbean and Japanese dishes with a twist.
Saint Jean Plant-based bakery and specialty coffee shop serving French-inspired vegan pastries and more.
OOST
Reggae Rita Jamaican-owned restaurant serving island favorites like jerk chicken, akee and salt fish, patties, Ital options and more for dine-in or take away.
Atelier Code Noir A creative food studio hosting workshops and delicious Caribbean-inspired pop-ups founded by British-Caribbean caterer Lelani Lewis.
WEST
Bar Bario Female-founded bar, creative hub, and safe space for to the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community.
Waterkant A tropical oasis along the canal serving cocktails and Surinamese food. In July 2022, this venue became home to the world’s largest Inclusive Pride Flag!
Plato Loco Caribbean cuisine served with a twist and paired with delicious tropical cocktails.
Pamela LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-friendly cocktail bar and cafe with a sunny terrace.
Tudy’s Kitchen & Sugar Bar Delightfully delicious and unique ice cream flavors like Sage Brown Butter Cookie Dough are handmade with local ingredients.
ZUID + DE PIJP
PalmTuin Vegan Suinamese pop-up restaurant serving various locations.
Mooskha Vegan Soul Food Vegan soul food inspired by African, Caribbean, and Southern US cuisine.
Yerba Upscale dining where veggies take the spotlight serving local, seasonal ingredients for omnivores and vegans.
Locals Coffee Cozy neighborhood vibes plus, everything from coffee to brunch with a lovely view of De Pijp.
Labyrinth Art, music, and Afro-Caribbean soul food mix at this restaurant and cocktail bar near Vondelpark.
African Kitchen West African and international cuisine dished out in Amsterdam Zuid Oost.
Yemaya's Vegan Corner Vegan restaurant dishing out Afro-Suninamese meals in Zuid Oost.
Lexeah Spiritual handmade products including herb bundles, dried sage, astrology pots and more
Lady Bird Elevated fried chicken, caviar, and cocktails served with southern sides and an NYC vibe.
SHOPPING | BLACK-OWNED AMSTERDAM
Dolores Del Dia Vintage & Modern Curated vintage boutique along the JP Heijestraat.
Coloured Goodies One-of-a-kind children's dolls crafted to highlight a diverse range of skin tones and hair textures.
Jutka Ritska Bespoke collection of clothes, jewelry, and accessories curated by two sisters
Aflé Bijoux Luxury jewelry created from precious jewels of African genes for the modern liberated woman.
Mendo Books A curated collection of books about photography, fashion, travel, culinary, design and more.
EduCulture Book Store Unique children’s book store with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and social content.
Omnia Elevated leather-crafted bags and accessories.
Awakti African print clothing brand offering colorful headwraps, dresses, and more.
Patta Concept shop with sneakers and streetwear from their own label and plenty more.
Daily Paper Amsterdam-based fashion brand inspired by the founders’ African heritage.
Zeedijk 60 Retailer with a community mindset selling a variety of Amsterdam-based streetwear brands.
The New Originals Amsterdam founded performance clothing for creatives.
Filling Pieces Amsterdam-based premium footwear, apparel, and accessories.
CULTURE + COMMUNITY | BLACK-OWNED AMSTERDAM
Black Heritage Tours Interactive city tour (the first of its kind) exploring the hidden histories of the African Diaspora throughout Amsterdam.
Black Archives A significant local source of Black literature, knowledge, and information centered around race issues, slavery, colonization, feminism, and other social sciences.
Black Pride A grassroots organization and social justice movement centering on and celebrating the Black LGBTQIA+ community of color.
My Omek A platform designed to make connections for African diaspora professionals and their allies.
Kwaku Festival Annual summertime festival in Nelson Mandela park celebrating Afro-Caribbean cultural heritage.
Keti Koti Festival Annual cultural heritage festival on 1 July celebrating Surinamese Abolition Day in Oosterpark.
AfroVibes Festival Every autumn this festival celebrates contemporary dance, music, and theater from diverse African cultures.
OSCAM (Open Space Contemporary Art Museum) Event space highlighting art, music, fashion and culture in the Bijmer.
Creative Women Collective Female-founded community of creatives and freelancers in Amsterdam and beyond.
The Quick & The Brave Independent Afropean platform centering historically excluded perspectives.
Hostelle Female-founded, women-only hostel in Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Heesterveld Creative Community Collective of artists, musicians, and other creatives in Amsterdam Zuidoost.
House of Jungle Queer BIPOC DJ collective hosting Afrohouse and Amapiano events.
BEAUTY + WELLNESS | BLACK-OWNED AMSTERDAM
The Natural Nation Hairdresser and loctician servicing natural hair in Amsterdam Oost.
Kindred Cuts Amsterdam’s only Queer Black Barber creating genderless haircuts in the city center.
De Artisten Hair salon and event space in Amsterdam Oost.
Robbe Does Family-run Afro-hair barbershop in De Pijp.
My Amsterdam Guides are always evolving alongside the city itself.
Have something to share or want to be featured? Leave a comment or get in touch.
