Jolly Joker

A compact, old-school coffeeshop on Nieuwmarkt with a traditional wooden interior and big windows over the square.

Jolly Joker feels like a proper old-school Nieuwmarkt coffeeshop: compact, wooden, a little worn-in and built around the historic corner rather than a polished lounge concept. The large windows look straight onto the square, which gives the room more character than its size suggests.

It works particularly well earlier in the day, before Nieuwmarkt gets busier and the limited seating fills up. Come here when you want a traditional central smoke stop with some history behind it, then carry on towards Chinatown, Waterlooplein or brunch nearby rather than expecting a huge all-day lounge.