I’m a regular at neighborhood record shops and spend too much time debating the best fries in town. Always up for a night of live music or a spontaneous canal-side hangout.
Janine splits its attention between two speeds – a bright, counter-service bakery at the front and a slower, wood-fired dining room hidden just behind it. While technically housed within the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, the venue maintains its own entrance and identity, creating enough distance from the lobby to feel independent. The front room handles the morning rush near Central Station. It is a high-traffic space where the daily rotation of pastries – including cinnamon rolls, matcha croissants, and blueberry danishes – lines the counter for commuters and locals passing through. Step past the bakery operation and the atmosphere deepens. The restaurant in the back centers on an open kitchen and a wood-fired oven that dictates the menu’s Italian-inspired direction. This isn't just a dinner spot; the kitchen runs a full day of service, moving from sit-down breakfasts to lunch and evening meals. The layout naturally segregates the crowd, keeping the quick coffee stops and dog walkers in the bright front area while the back room fills with the clatter of cutlery and longer conversations. It is a practical arrangement that allows the space to serve as a quick caffeine stop or a place to lose a few hours over a hot meal.
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