Libertine Petit Café, for locals and wanderers alike
By Andy Fenner
Libertine Petit Café: Noordermarkt 4, 1015 MV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Libertine Café Des Prés: Gerard Douplein 10 H, 1072 VE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening a restaurant in the morning and running it until midnight is not easy. Doing that, and maintaining quality throughout the day, is even harder. And doing it in an environment that feels welcoming, inviting and effortlessly cool at the same time? That’s damned near impossible.
So, credit to Libertine Petit Café. Because they have done all of this and they have done it in some style.
Small tables are crammed together in a way that somehow stays on the right side of charming. Somehow feels European. The interior boasts an eclectic mix of marble, copper, steel, exposed cement and glass. It all comes together in a way that feels… formative. As if every guest has left a part of themselves to add to the finishes. Spaces like this are special, where visitors walk into a hard, durable space that feels worn in. Like a comfortable leather jacket, moulded to the shape of the wearer.
Of course, style is nice to have but it means nothing if it is not supported with substance. And that arrives in the form of classic, french-driven brasserie food. A morning menu built around eggs (soft scrambled with cheese, poached with salmon, benedict etc.) runs into sandwiches (BLT, classic club) but there is a lot of room left to flex. And that room is full of gloriously retro dishes. Dishes that are not trying to be anything other than what they are. Steak tartare. Schnitzel. Chicken liver parfait. Oysters. Order the asparagus and you know they’re going to be draped in hollandaise. Order the sole and you know it’s coming with a beurre noisette. Order the ribeye and it’s coming with béarnaise. It’s that kind of place.
And, thankfully, unapologetically so.
An extensive wine list makes this a good lunch spot, or a great dinner spot. Or maybe even a lunch-that-runs-into-dinner spot.
Libertine Petit Café
The Space: French bistro.
The Base: €70-80 pp
The Face: Nice mix of in-the-know locals and tired tourists, needing a break from sightseeing.
The Ace: When the sun is shining, make sure to book an outside table. This is a prime terrace.
The Veg: Some typical-style salads with beetroot, lentils etc. The seasonal veg risotto is the heartiest option on offer.
Opening Hours:
Libertine Petit Café: Mon, Wed-Sun 12:00-00:00, Tues closed
Libertine Café Des Prés: Tues-Sun 12:00-00:00, Mon closed
Images from libertine.amsterdam, Libertine
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