Benji’s Nieuw-West

Benji’s Nieuw-West is located at Maassluisstraat 243 in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. This location is highlighted in the company’s own communications and across several publications about the business. According to reports, the first Benji’s was established in 2016. The founders are Ben Markx, his son David Markx, and business partner Binnert Rauwerda. These reports state that they saw an opportunity for a brunch concept in Amsterdam that year.

There is little detailed public information available regarding the professional backgrounds of the founders. One source describes David Markx as a graduate psychologist. Regarding Binnert Rauwerda, it is publicly mentioned that he has experience in change management and asset management. No detailed public description of Ben Markx’s previous career was found in the consulted sources.

The Nieuw-West location first appeared in the public eye in 2019. A report from September of that year mentioned that Benji’s Bro in Nieuw-West had just had its soft opening and would officially open shortly thereafter. Other reports place this third location a few months after the second branch. This suggests that Nieuw-West was part of a rapid expansion over a short period.

In its own description, Benji’s Nieuw-West presents itself as a place where the hustle and bustle of the city gives way to a green, urban environment. The menu is positioned as an all-day brunch menu with influences from multiple cuisines and a tropical touch. On the membership page, the broader concept is linked to repeat visits and regulars. This indicates a formula designed for daily use, rather than just occasional visits.

According to its own location page, Benji’s Nieuw-West partners with LOT61, which is referred to there as a local roastery. An article from 2022 also mentioned that the coffee at Benji’s was brewed using LOT61 beans. Additionally, Benji’s recruitment communications show that front-of-house staff can develop their barista skills at LOT61. This points to a practical partnership between the cafe and the roastery, although the exact nature of this relationship is not further detailed.

Publicly available menu texts show that the coffee list consists primarily of classic espresso drinks. Mentioned are espresso, americano, lungo, espresso macchiato, cappuccino, café latte, latte macchiato, and flat white. Additionally, chai latte, iced latte, and matcha latte appear on public menus. Delivery menus also showcase cold variants, such as iced americano, iced latte, and various iced matcha drinks, including versions with strawberry and mango.

Beyond coffee, other beverages are mentioned in public sources. The official site lists brunch cocktails. Reports from 2022 mentioned the Pink Paloma, Bloody Mary, and Espresso Martini. What is particularly striking is what is ’not’ publicly documented: in the sources consulted, no separate manual brewing methods were found, such as pour-over, filter coffee, or slow brew. The publicly visible coffee proposition therefore revolves mainly around espresso-based preparations.

Benji’s has a loyalty program that works with app-based check-ins, visit levels, and weekday perks. This makes a consistent visitor structure visible. Furthermore, reservation information states that groups of seven or more people can reserve a table on any day of the week. This indicates that the location does not focus exclusively on individual guests or small tables, but also on group visits.

Moreover, upon the opening of the Nieuw-West location, it was reported that there were plans for a Friday afternoon drink (borrel). From the start, this gave the establishment not only a breakfast or lunch function, but also a role in informal social moments later in the day. Another media profile from 2019 described Benji’s as a café featuring flora and local art. No concrete documentation was found in the investigated public sources for workshops, tastings, or exhibitions specifically linked to Benji’s Nieuw-West.

Regarding origin and sustainability, the publicly documented information is limited but concrete. The clearest point is the partnership with LOT61 as the local roastery. Furthermore, public menu texts mention various non-dairy milk options, including coconut, oat, and soy milk. Public restaurant listings also show labels for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. This says more about menu information and dietary marking than about broader sustainability goals.

Public sources also mention several suppliers or product references on the menu, such as Nola’s granola and a croissant from Fort Negen. Such mentions provide some insight into parts of the procurement, but not a complete picture of the supply chain. In the sources consulted, no separate sustainability policy, sourcing charter, certification, or detailed explanation of the supply chain for Benji’s Nieuw-West was found.

Benji’s Nieuw-West and the broader Benji’s formula have received recurring media attention in recent years. The opening in Nieuw-West was featured in local lifestyle media in 2019. In 2022, reports followed regarding a menu update and the use of Lot61 beans. Since then, the name has continued to appear in lists of lunch and brunch spots in Amsterdam, including in 2024, 2025, and 2026. At the same time, no formal price list or award for this location was found in the investigated sources.

Overall, the image emerges of a brunch spot in Nieuw-West where coffee plays a clear, but defined role. Public information primarily shows an espresso-oriented offering, a steady relationship with LOT61, and a concept aimed at returning customers. Regarding sustainability, specialized brewing methods, and detailed coffee origin, less detailed public documentation is available than regarding location, formula, and menu structure.