A classic brown café on the corner of Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht, dating from 1642 and widely considered to serve the best apple pie in Amsterdam. The interior is everything a Dutch café should be: Delft blue tiles, dark wood panelling, sand on the floor, and a stove in the corner. The window tables overlooking the canal junction are among the best seats in the city.
Come for coffee and pie in the morning, or beer in the afternoon. Papeneiland is popular but not touristy — it is a working neighbourhood café that happens to be exceptionally good. Open daily from early morning.