Combining specialty Scandinavian-style roasted coffee and Scandinavian-style pastries in a cosy, intimate setting, Scandinavian Embassy is one of the go-to cafes in Amsterdam. When I headed into the café at opening hour, it was already getting lively with patrons streaming in and out, either for takeout or dine in. The baristas were incredibly friendly, making small talk with customers without disrupting their own flow of work. There also seemed to be many regulars.
I sat along the counter by the window of the front entrance, which overlooked the greenery of Sarphatipark. Sunlight illuminated the café through this very window, creating harsh, slant shadows in the café. Towards the back of the store you will find communal tables in a serene, courtyard setting. Even the interior design was so Scandinavian-like.
For coffee, they bring in beans from various specialty Nordic coffee roasters such as The Coffee Collective, Koppi, Drop Coffee among others. I had the Flat White (EUR4.2, +0.5 for oat milk), which was made with the Espresso Vista Hermosa from Coffee Collective. This was a sweet and clean espresso with the aroma of hazelnut praline, pine nuts and plum.
They had a small selection of freshly baked, homemade pastries from which I tried the Cardamom Bun (EUR4.6) and Cinnamon Bun (EUR4.4). They made me reminisce the numerous cardamom and cinnamon buns I had in Denmark and Sweden last year in a good way. I would say get both, but if you only have the space for 1, the cardamom bun would be the priority.
A little down south is their second location at Europaplein 87, with a wider range of buns and pastries (e.g. almond bun), albeit with limited seating along the window and outdoor benches. I didn’t get to go, but would definitely put it in my itinerary if I ever return to the Netherlands.
Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mon to Fri 8am – 4pm, Sat to Sun 9am – 4pm
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