One of my favorite bustling cafes in Amsterdam is the funky Latei, located just off the Nieuwmarkt in Chinatown.
It’s kind of a crazy mish-mash of a cafe, selling fresh olive oil from Italy, vegetarian Ethiopian meals on some weeknights, and a delicious apple tart. Oh, and everything is for sale. Everything–the art on the walls, the chair you sit on, everything. It’s a small, crowded place, but it’s warm and cozy in the winter and fresh and breezy in the summer. Plus, there’s a nice balcony above that gives great views.
And perhaps the best thing is the resident cat, Elvis (who does not leave the building, according to the sign on the door). Any cafe that comes with a sweet kitty is ok by me!
http://www.latei.net, Zeedijk 143, Amsterdam
The Penny Farthing 
And the coffee?
Oh, yes, that’s important, isn’t it? 🙂 The coffee is delicious as well! They don’t have drip/filter coffee (like most places in Amsterdam), so I usually go for a latte, which is highly enjoyable. Thanks for asking!
🙂
Love your descrip of this place. Another European cafe where one can park, eat, contemplate life and leave with something to keep! -Great stuff, Renee