A Love Letter to Bagels & Beans

Bagels & Beans is one of the easiest recommendations to make for anyone visiting the Netherlands. It isn’t strictly traditional Dutch fare, but it’s worth seeking out all the same. Branches are dotted across Amsterdam and plenty of other Dutch cities, so it’s worth checking where your nearest one is before you travel. The chain first came to my attention in Leiden during my university years. A group of us from the same course would dash there for lunch between lectures, and I probably wrote the bulk of my thesis at one of their tables too. The atmosphere is friendly and there’s a steady hum of conversation, which suits me when I need to concentrate. Nobody minds if you settle in for a couple of hours. One branch in Amsterdam has small single-seat nooks built into a bookshelf, which is ideal if you’re there to work. Bagels & Beans makes a point of offering socially responsible options, and the menu is full of fair trade labels and information about where the ingredients come from. The staff are welcoming and happy to talk you through the choices if the menu feels overwhelming. No place is flawless, but the food is consistently good and the sourcing is something they clearly care about. ## Favourites from the menu - Bagel with cream cheese. Chive or honey and walnut are the ones to go for. The everything bagel is the best base. - Bagel with warm goat’s cheese, honey, walnuts and thyme. The standout order, and always a safe bet. - Bagel with Dutch cheese. If it’s your first trip to the Netherlands, this is a good way to try the local cheese. - Avocado, tomatoes and chive cream cheese. A solid choice if you’re after something like smashed avocado on toast. - Chocomelt. A DIY hot chocolate: a frothy glass of warm milk with a small cup of chocolate chips to stir in. Soy milk with milk chocolate chips and no cream is the best combination. Almond milk makes it too sweet. Dark chocolate is available for a vegan version. - Fresh juice. There are no big-brand soft drinks, but plenty of alternatives. The fresh juice is thick, almost like a smoothie, and the ‘everything mixed’ option blends several fruit juices together. - Cheesecake. Especially good with a squeeze of the orange slice served alongside. This was the treat I relied on while writing my dissertation. - Pastel de Nata. A newer addition, and a custard tart is rarely a bad idea. On a recent visit I noticed a new item on the menu: a wild mushroom croquette on a bagel, which is next on my list. The vegan range also keeps growing, with several strong options already available. If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, don’t skip Bagels & Beans. And do have a DIY hot chocolate while you’re there.