NL Friedhats FUKU Cafe in Amsterdam West blends a serious approach to coffee with a relaxed neighborhood vibe. The menu features espresso and filter options, alongside rotating Super Specials. A precise V60 recipe, top-tier equipment, and events centered around wine, art, and sustainability make this an educational destination for any coffee lover.
Coffee roaster at Friedhats FUKU Café
Coffee beans at Friedhats FUKU Café
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About Friedhats FUKU Café
Friedhats FUKU Café: a neighborhood bar with world-class standards
FUKU in Amsterdam-West is all about craftsmanship, joy, and curiosity. The bar blends serious coffee with a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors see firsthand how top-tier performance and a neighborhood feel can coexist, making FUKU relevant to everyone in the coffee chain.
Origins and Concept
FUKU opened in September 2018 as the first café by Friedhats, located in Bos en Lommer. The founders are Lex Wenneker and Dylan Sedgwick. Wenneker is a multiple-time Dutch Barista Champion and runner-up at the 2018 World Barista Championship. This pedigree attracts both local residents and international coffee enthusiasts.
The name is a playful reference to “good fortune,” with a wink in its origin story. The bar was built by the founders themselves and features art by illustrator Ivo Janss. The concept is clear: a wide selection of espresso and filter coffee, occasionally complemented by natural wines. You can find them at Bos en Lommerweg 136, right in the heart of Amsterdam-West.
What's in the cup?
Almost every Friedhats coffee is available as both espresso and filter. Additionally, a “Super Special” selection of competition-level coffees rotates regularly—think rare varieties and experimental processes. This keeps the menu dynamic and educational.
Examples from the Super Specials:
– Brazil Daterra Laurina
– Colombia Gesha X.O.
– Colombia Sudan Rume
– Ethiopia Gesha Village
– Aerobic Panama Gesha 90+ per glass
– Colombia Gesha X.O.
– Colombia Sudan Rume
– Ethiopia Gesha Village
– Aerobic Panama Gesha 90+ per glass
This approach allows tasters to compare different brewing methods and origins. It deepens the understanding of quality, pricing, and provenance, helping both baristas and roasters communicate the value of the coffee.
Equipment and recipe
The bar is equipped with a three-group Kees van der Westen Mistral. The grinder lineup includes a Mahlkönig EK43, an Anfim Super Caimano Barista, and a Lyn Weber EG1. For specials, the team often uses the V60. This setup emphasizes precision and reproducibility.
Friedhats provides a clear filter guideline, helping both customers and colleagues achieve consistent results at home. Here is the basic guide:
– Dosage: 20g coffee to 300g water
– Three pours, total brew time around 2:30
– Bloom: 50g water at approximately 62°C, 30 seconds
– Second pour: 150g at 90°C
– Final pour: 100g around the 1:10 mark
– Three pours, total brew time around 2:30
– Bloom: 50g water at approximately 62°C, 30 seconds
– Second pour: 150g at 90°C
– Final pour: 100g around the 1:10 mark
The recipe is simple, but it provides a consistent baseline for fine-tuning variations. This allows for precise comparisons between processing methods, bean varieties, or roast profiles, enhancing the learning environment both behind the bar and at home.
Community and Events
FUKU is building an active community through recurring events. Every month, they host a “FUKU Wine Night,” announced via social media. The bar holds a liquor license and frequently opts for natural wines, which resonates perfectly with their curious, flavor-seeking audience.
Concrete collaborations add color to their programming. On 21 June 2024, they hosted a wine evening with importer Chenin Chenin from 6:00 PM until midnight. Pintxos were provided by Natalia. Additionally, FUKU showcased the work of illustrator Philip Lindeman, accompanied by wine and food.
Merch and co-labs bridge the gap between coffee, art, and the neighborhood. These drops make the brand's identity tangible, strengthening loyalty and visibility beyond the walls of the espresso bar.
Sustainability in Practice
At FUKU, sustainability is an ongoing process. The goal is to reduce impact at every stage. Their approach is concrete and customer-friendly, encompassing both packaging and procurement policies.
– Reusable, refillable, and recyclable packaging, often in bottle form
– Explicit encouragement of reuse integrated into the design
– Return labels within the Netherlands (with a small threshold), with returns accepted at the bar
– Close contact with producers and a keen eye for the agricultural context
– Local sourcing of pastries and drinks whenever possible
– Explicit encouragement of reuse integrated into the design
– Return labels within the Netherlands (with a small threshold), with returns accepted at the bar
– Close contact with producers and a keen eye for the agricultural context
– Local sourcing of pastries and drinks whenever possible
These choices link logistics with education. Guests see firsthand how packaging and the supply chain influence one another, creating room for realistic, measurable improvements.
Recognition and Awards
FUKU and Friedhats stood out early on. Their packaging received a Sprudgie nomination in 2018. Furthermore, Lex Wenneker brought international credibility to the table. This combination established FUKU as a staple name in coffee guides.
The bar is featured in “The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops,” and local Amsterdam guides consistently list FUKU as a top destination. Barista Magazine also profiled Friedhats as a must-visit roastery-café. These accolades continue to attract both new guests and fresh talent.
Why this matters for the industry
FUKU demonstrates that breadth and depth can coexist perfectly. An extensive coffee menu, precise recipes, and high-end equipment go hand in hand. Events and art add a social dimension, while sustainable packaging bridges the gap between brand identity and environmental responsibility in daily use.
The result is a scalable blueprint for neighborhood bars: offer variety, communicate clearly, and make quality visible. Celebrate the producers and invite guests to be part of the journey. This is how you grow understanding, margins, and enjoyment simultaneously.
Practical info
Location: Bos en Lommerweg 136, Amsterdam-West. Identity: a neighborhood spot for locals and curious coffee fans. Service: high-level espresso and filter coffee, with the occasional natural wine. For professionals and enthusiasts alike, this is an educational and delicious pitstop.