Hemelsbreed Café

Hemelsbreed Café is located at Karspeldreef 1227 in Kraaiennest, in Bijlmer-Oost in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Available information reveals an establishment that combines coffee with a distinct social and community-oriented function. The business presents itself as part of Hemelsbreed, a Christian community centered around faith, life, and love. Simultaneously, the organization describes the café as a non-profit social enterprise under Stichting Lieve Bijlmer.

According to various public sources, the lead-up to the café began several years before the current location. Alienke and Remmelt Meijer started the Hemelsbreed community after moving to Bijlmer-Oost in 2016. Ella van den Brandhof became involved later. The plan for a café emerged from within that community.

According to the caf’s own website, plans for the venture began around 2021, mentioning an earlier test location in Grubbehoeve. There is no definitive answer in the consulted sources regarding the exact opening date of the current location. However, certain milestones are documented: a move to De Kameleon was announced in the autumn of 2023, and local publications reported that the caf’s location on Karspeldreef was operational by January 2024.

According to their own information, Ella van den Brandhof and Remmelt Meijer have been at the helm of Hemelsbreed Café since 2024. Both are described as theologians and social entrepreneurs. This blend of religious background and social work is evident in the concept: the caf’s space is not just for consumption, but also serves as a hub for gatherings on Sunday evenings and throughout the week.

Regarding their coffee, Hemelsbreed Café states that they partner with Zuivere Koffie, serving the No 1 Blend from this supplier. Public descriptions of the blend’s composition vary; the caf’s website mentions 100 percent arabica from Colombia, Peru, and Brazilié, while the supplier’s current product page lists a medium roast from Colombia, Brazilié, and Honduras.

Another integral part of their coffee story is the roasting process. Hemelsbreed Café states that the coffee is roasted in the Zaandam prison. Public information from Zuivere Koffie links this to a social model where inmates and former inmates are trained and guided toward paid employment, specifically in roasting and barista work.

Publicly available pages list coffee, loose leaf tea, and cappuccino. Brownies and lunch packages for group bookings are also documented. A drinks menu is accessible via the homepage, but specific brewing methods such as filter, batch brew, or manual pour-overs are not mentioned in the consulted sources. For specialty coffee enthusiasts, this means the available information emphasizes origin and partnership over technical bar skills.

The social role of Hemelsbreed Café is prominently featured in the sources. The caf’s team mentions a “social table” where visitors can regularly find support from local partners. These include youth coaches, employment and income assistance, digital support, Odensehuis Zuidoost, legal counsel, the Ouder-Kind Team, Civic, NatureLab, Buurtteam, and De Moeder is de Sleutel.

Additionally, there is recurring programming from the broader Hemelsbreed community. Public information indicates that Zondagcafé, Bidcafé, and Bijbelcafé take place on Sundays. There is also a Communitycafé every two weeks on Wednesday evenings. Other thematic activities mentioned include Mamacafé, Queercafé, Filmcafé, and DinnerTalk.

The website also mentions a weekly Coffee Cleanup on Wednesday afternoons. Local reports describe the caf’s role as an informal referral point for neighborhood residents seeking support. In that same vein, there are mentions of neighborhood networking services and free menstrual products. A public social media snippet shows that occasional activities also take place, such as a drop-in workshop on Saturdays.

In terms of sourcing and sustainability, public documentation remains concrete but limited. Hemelsbreed Café states that the coffee is organic and purchased at a fair price. The partnership with Zuivere Koffie is the most clearly described supplier relationship. Beyond the product choice, this partnership has a social layer, as the supplier focuses on training and employment trajectories for (former) inmates.

A local component also appears in the food offerings. Reports indicate that home cooks and bakers from the neighborhood provide products for the caf’s menu and larger community events, including soup, bojo, and carrot cake. A local blog further reports that the offerings included products from entrepreneurs in the Bijlmer. Aside from these points and the Coffee Cleanup, broader environmental goals or formal sustainability measures are not further detailed in the consulted sources.

Hemelsbreed Café has been mentioned in several public media outlets recently. Their own media page refers to coverage in Het Parool, Zuidoost TV, a blog from Amsterdam-Zuidoost, and ZUIDOOST&Meer. Furthermore, an article published in April 2023 focused primarily on its community function. Other mentions include the move to De Kameleon, an entry in an Amsterdam events calendar, and a profile page within a fund’s communication regarding supported initiatives.

Based on the available data, Hemelsbreed Café positions itself not just as a hospitality venue, but as a hub for meeting, support, and community activities in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Within the coffee narrative, the partnership with Zuivere Koffie and the social context of that supply chain stand out, while details regarding brewing methods and broader sustainability practices remain limited in public sources.