Café de Kleine Bes

Café de Kleine Bes is a hospitality venue located in the Dapperbuurt in Amsterdam-Oost. Public sources place the café on the Mauritskade, though the exact address varies across listings. Their own site lists Mauritskade 100HA, while other mentions refer to Mauritskade 100 or 100-A H, with postal code 1093 RR. This variation reflects the source of the information rather than the actual location. Available descriptions position De Kleine Bes as both a neighborhood café and an all-day café with a clear local purpose.

Public reports link De Kleine Bes to three founders: Floris Burgers, Marieke Lensvelt, and Leonard van Buitenen. According to these reports, this is their second venture, following Café R. de Rosa, which opened in 2023. Earlier publications about Café R. de Rosa mention that the three know each other from the Amsterdam hospitality scene, having gained experience at VRR, Chateau, and De Parade. As such, De Kleine Bes follows a lineage of businesses where hospitality is approached as a meeting place, rather than just a place for consumption.

The official website describes the venue as “small and cozy inside, grand and green outside”. Other publications describe the concept as an all-day café intended as a space for connection. These descriptions suggest a business that fulfills various roles throughout the day. Coffee plays a part, but other drinks and social activities are also given visible space. The name De Kleine Bes was linked to the daughter of one of the owners in a pre-publication from October 2025.

According to available information, the opening took place in the final months of 2025. An Instagram post cited Friday, December 19, 2025, as the first official opening day. Multiple public sources also reveal that the project was funded through crowdfunding. This detail is relevant as it speaks to how the business engaged its public and network from the start. The crowdfunding later reappeared in communications regarding a coffee stamp card for supporters.

The official website mentions that De Kleine Bes is open for coffee. Other public descriptions also list morning coffee, croissants, and pastries. This creates the image of a venue that fulfills a classic café function in the morning and early afternoon, with coffee and light fare as its core pillars. For an audience focused on specialty coffee, it is equally important to note what is *not* mentioned in the consulted sources. The name of a coffee roaster is not mentioned in the accessible text of the official website.

No concrete information regarding brewing methods was found in the reviewed public sources. There is, therefore, no public confirmation of, for example, filter coffee, espresso setups, or manual brewing techniques. This limits the ability to categorize De Kleine Bes within the specialty coffee segment based on technique or bean origin. However, it is certain that coffee is a visible part of the concept and the venue’s daily communication. Additionally, public documents mention drinks such as the Negroni and Espresso Martini, showing that the menu extends beyond coffee alone.

A recurring element in public reports is the social function of De Kleine Bes. The founders aim to provide space for connection, creativity, and social engagement through their businesses. In this context, the outdoor space also receives attention. According to a trade publication, it can be used for small-scale events, stalls, pop-ups, and collaborations with entrepreneurs from the Dappermarkt. This aligns with the description of the café as a community-oriented spot where the immediate surroundings play a role in the programming.

This role is also evident from external event calendars. For instance, recurring Pink Oost neighborhood drinks took place at De Kleine Bes, targeting the Indische Buurt and surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, Bi+ Café Amsterdam was organized at this location. GroenLinks Amsterdam Internationals also held a gathering there on February 15, 2026, titled “Politics & Pastries”. These examples show that the café has been used for various types of gatherings in a short time, with a mix of community-focused, social, and thematic activities.

Public sources link De Kleine Bes to themes such as sustainability, social commitment, and ties to the neighborhood. A concrete example is the choice of six wines on tap. According to reports, this was done to limit the transport of bottles and the associated emissions. Thus, sustainability takes shape here through logistical choices in the beverage offering. Roze Bunker is mentioned as the supplier for soft drinks. Furthermore, available information highlights potential collaborations with traders from the Dappermarkt, underscoring the local character of the business.

Since its opening, De Kleine Bes has been featured across various media outlets and guides. In January 2026, a trade platform included the spot in a section dedicated to new hospitality concepts. Shortly after, a lifestyle platform took notice, followed by mentions in guides highlighting the best breakfast, brunch, and terrace spots in Amsterdam. Additionally, the cafe is listed in local guides for Amsterdam-Oost and in selections of kid-friendly terraces. An overview of new restaurants in Amsterdam had already included De Kleine Bes as early as October 2025. On Instagram, the establishment mentioned a visit from Het Parool, although that specific piece was not directly accessible in the source materials used.