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Cafe Amsterdam
Rating Details »
Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Belgian, Sandwiches
530 E Benson BlvdSte 3
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 274-0074
- Hours:
Tue-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
8 reviews for Cafe Amsterdam
Great beer selection, decent but unremarkable European-ish food to eat while drinking a fancy beer or six. The beer menu has a lot of big numbers on it, but that's because these are expensive beers rather than because markups are unreasonable. Humpy's has a better selection of American microbrews, but Cafe Amsterdam easily has the best variety of European beers in Alaska (and, to their credit, have more "out there" American microbrews than Humpy's). Leave the PBR-drinking friends and relatives at home.
I prefer the egg-centric breakfast menu to the sandwiches lunch/dinner menu but breakfast does have the drawback of not traditionally being a beer-drinking meal. Then again, if there was ever a place to drink a beer for breakfast, Cafe Amsterdam is it (I have done this, and it was awesome). For dinner, the specials are much more interesting than the regular menu. Anyway, go forth and drink.
If it were about the beer selection alone, I would give Cafe Amsterdam five, nay, six stars! I haven't had breakfast there yet (sounds pretty delicious), but I'm of the mind that the quality of the dinners offered aren't quite worth the "CHA-CHING!" noise you hear in your head as you open the menu. FYI - sandwiches are on the back, and they are much cheaper than the entrees. I had the turkey avocado melt and was very pleased.
Now, back to the beer. What a selection! On tap, you've got a wide variety of microbrews from all over the country (possibly the world), including some homegrown Alaskan beers. I believe that they rotate quite frequently. If you're feeling adventurous, the menu is full of bottle listings (much more beer in the menu than food). Their offerings are so wide-ranging that they actually organize their beers by country of origin. These are people that care about beer, and care about sharing it with others. Ask the waiter what he or she recommends, and you will probably find that they are engaged and interested. So, in short, if you really like beer, do yourself a favor and check out Cafe Amsterdam.
I had ordered the high protein breakfast. two eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast. Also coffee and OJ.
All very good and cooked just right. It was a simple breakfast cooked like how it should be done.
I have no complaints, other than wishing the OJ was fresh.
This place is a hidden gem for Belgian beer lovers. Most Anchorage locals know of it, but I don't think it gets much foot traffic from visitors. It's a small, intimate cafe located on Benson in the Metro Mall, right across from the Sears Mall.
Owned by Ken and Shauna Pajak. Ken was a brewer at the Regal Eagle Brewpub in Eagle River. He now offers some of the best Belgian and local beer selections in the city at Cafe Amsterdam.
You enter into an area, reminiscent of a street cafe, with a few tables and chairs off in the corner near the window wall which, by the way, lets in tons of sunlight. That is especially appreciated during the winter months when sun is at a premium. If you arrive for dinner and there is a waiting line you can enjoy a great beverage at the bar or one of the cafe tables.
The dining area is quaint, has an intimate feeling in the winter evening when it's dark outside and the lights of the restaurant are dimmed.
It's nice to note that the full menu can be had at the bar in the cafe entry as well as in the dining room.
The beer menu is usually heavy on bottled Belgians, with a few of them on tap along side some great local offerings. You won't find any Bud, Miller or Coors in this place. The wait staff is knowledgable with regards to the beer, but if you really want answers talk to Ken or Shauna. One of them is always there. They are quick to offer alternatives to those that come in and ask for a Bud. Doing their part to spread the word of good beer.
There are usually 16 or so beers on tap (a few from Midnight Sun and Glacier Brewhouse, Unibroue, Chimay and others, I've seen meads and ciders on tap as well) and somewhere in the vacinity of 80 bottle selections. For example: Orval 11 oz. $8.50, Westmalle 11 oz. $7.50-8.00, Abbaye Des Rocs 11.2 oz. $6.00-$6.50, Duvel 11 oz. $4.50, Maredsous 10 750ml $13.50, Dupont Saison 750ml $11.50, Liefman's Gluhkriek 12oz. $9.00.
A few French ales like Castelain Blond Biere de Garde 750ml $15.00 and a few English ales like Fullers 1845 16oz. for $6.00.
There are some German ales and lagers like Einbecker Pils 11oz. $5.00. American and Canadian offerings are from Unibroue, Ommegang or local. The beers are always served in the appropriate glassware and at the appropriate temperature, a big plus. The beer menu changes depending on what's available. This list is just a partial.
I want to remind anyone reading this that my take on assigning $$ value to this place is based on the fact that I live here and I find their prices to be reasonable as compared to other places in this area. Visitors from outside may find them expensive.
The food menu is ever changing as well. Seasonal specials are common for the menu and I believe the menu is changed weekly or so with some items remaining the same for each menu. They serve breakfast all day, every day and have the best eggs benedict in town. Lunch offers many varieties of sandwiches, both hot and cold. Big salads are a staple on the lunch menu as well. There is a fantastic artisan cheese plate available also!
The breakfast and lunch menu are served from 7a -9p. They used to have a night menu, but no longer....AND beginning May 3, 2009, they will be open on Sundays!
For dessert maybe a burnt cream or brownie sundae ($5 each).
They've also been known to throw beer dinners during the fall and winter months.
This is a place that we enjoy visiting once a month or so.
If you find yourself in Anchorage, stop by and check it out.
Something I should mention; Cafe Amsterdam is the only place, that I know of, in town that does a slow-pour pilsner, when they have it on tap.
I always get the Bavarian Apple pancake which is way too big to eat by yourself. The coffee is really quite good too.
One word: perogies. Love them. Cafe Amsterdam has great beer and wine selection and a diverse menu. Perogies.
great benedict florentine, the regular benedict and the Moluska (with lox!) are also really good. they all come with cottage potatoes that are yummy
the cocoa comes with a dollop of home made whipped cream
if it's warm out you must try the sparkling lemonade -so tangy!
chicken avocado melt, grilled tuna and smoked turkey are all excellent
the blueberry port vinaigrette is really good
and the fruit crisp is the perfect end to a great lunch -if you have any room left
Matt is a great cook, my fave is the Moluska Benedict and they do have great coffee and beer and not at all expensive, great artwork, awesome staff and a very nice place to hang out and get very good grub.