Espressofabriek IJburg

Espressofabriek IJburg is a staple of Amsterdam-Oost. The bar connects a young island neighborhood with serious coffee quality. With Tram 26 stopping nearby, the shop moves in sync with the rhythm of the neighborhood. The atmosphere is warm, informal, and designed for your daily visit.

The story began in 2005, when Rick Woertman opened Espressofabriek at the Westergasfabriek. The mission was clear: bring specialty coffee to places where people wouldn't immediately expect it. In doing so, they shifted the standard toward café-quality coffee in everyday life. IJburg later became the second location, driven by that same clear ambition.

The IJburg bar complements the residential character of the neighborhood in Amsterdam-Oost. The interior was designed by Studio Ramin Visch and completed in May 2009. The 70m² space features an oak floor that extends into the walls and ceiling. The result feels like a living room, achieved with minimal demolition and maximum warmth.

Espressofabriek operates as both a café and a roastery under the motto “WE ROAST, YOU ROCK”. The roasting takes place in Amsterdam and directly supplies the bars. A weekly roasting cycle ensures that beans for both espresso and filter remain fresh. This short supply chain delivers consistent quality and streamlined planning.

On the espresso side, they run a Kees van der Westen Mirage, renowned for its precision and stability. The menu focuses on their own espresso and filter roasts featuring single origins, such as Guatemala Huehuetenango and Colombia Friends of Huila. The focus is on clean flavors and reproducible extractions.

At IJburg, they also produce homemade bottled Iced Cascara. Cascara is made from the dried husks of the coffee cherry, a byproduct that is often discarded. It results in a tea-like, fruity drink with low caffeine. By doing this, they turn a waste stream into something of value and expand their menu with a lighter option.

The Westergas location hosts tasting events and has organized charity cuppings with importer Douqué. Local markets, such as the NeighbourFood Market and the Sunday Market, bring an extra buzz to the area. By opening their roasters to other entrepreneurs, the roastery has strengthened the local network. Their positioning as the “city's living room” resonates across Westergas, IJburg, and Zeeburg.

Roasting locally shortens the distance between the roastery and the bar, reducing transport emissions. Transparent single-origin sourcing supports traceability and conscious procurement. The IJburg interior utilized sustainable oak and minimized demolition, reducing construction waste. Early on, the team explored direct-trade models to foster better relationships with producers.

The IJburg interior was nominated for “Best Interior Design” at the Venuez Awards in 2009. The Coffeevine published separate reviews for Westergas and IJburg. The official city guide highlighted Espressofabriek as a destination for some of the best coffee in town. European coffee maps and consumer platforms confirm their enduring local reputation.

Espressofabriek IJburg demonstrates how vision, design, and local roasting converge. The concept is simple yet executed with precision. This creates a neighborhood bar that excels in taste, storytelling, and consistency. For coffee bars, this model offers a clear path toward sustainable growth.