Smart and busy café overlooking the Amstel
A pleasing, airy and high-ceilinged café-cum restaurant on two floors, including both a popular waterside terrace and upstairs balcony perched above the Amstel, just across from several gay bars and clubs. Food is European with Dutch dabblings (eg winter venison) and the clientele is international, with foreign-language newspapers and wi-fi available. At 5.30pm the upstairs becomes a full-throttle à la carte restaurant. Opened in 1990 by four people whose initials somehow add up to 'Jaren'. Current owners took over in 1993.