Paris, Amsterdam, Gent… wonderful places all, beautiful destinations and universally beloved for their beauty, their many cafes, bars and restaurants with great terraces to enjoy the view. Now that the warmer months are approaching, you may be ready for a trip to one, or more, of these great cities. But how to choose which cafes or restaurants to hit between museum visits? We’re here to help. Below is a roundup of our favourite spots to enjoy people watching in Paris, Amsterdam and Gent.
PARIS
The city of light is certainly not short on quaint little terraces or amazing food. But with great beauty comes great overcrowding, so we’ve put together a few choices that are not as obvious, touristy or cliche, and are instead beloved and frequented by locals.
Mun
You know what they say: when in Paris, it’s all about location, location, location. Mun, located on a rooftop of a building on what is the most famous avenue in all of the city may not serve classical French cuisine, but dishes up unique asian fusion fare. All plush textures and muted lights, Mun is great inside, but since this is about terraces, we recommend you book a table on the rooftop and enjoy the view of Paris from above.
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Café A
Behind the walls of an 18th century monastery in the 10th arrondissement just by the Gare de l’Est is a vast, gorgeous courtyard, where you will find Cafe A. Host to frequent pop-up events and summer exhibitions, this place is perfect for a casual fine-dining experience closer to healthy, green California cuisine than buttery French cooking. Make sure you reserve early enough to enjoy the garden, since it closes at 10 pm.
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L’Entrepôt
Want to combine your passion for French cinema with a great garden setting? Look no further than l’entrepot. Here, off the beaten track and tucked safely away from sight of the tourist hordes, you’ll be able to enjoy a movie, see a concert, and retire into the lush garden for refreshments after. If that’s not a perfect Parisian evening, we don’t know what is.
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AMSTERDAM
From Paris, let your travels take you north to picturesque, quaint and less hectic Amsterdam, the land of tulips, canals, and, unsurprisingly, great terraces. Here are three of the prettiest, most authentic for your enjoyment.
Vessel
Vessel means the same thing in Dutch that it does in English, and this name is more than fitting, because this restaurant is right on the water. Serving creatively simple dishes that are suitable for everyone from fish lovers to vegans and beg to be shared, Vessel has a wonderful terrace, but a great interior for rainy days, too.
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De Plantage
With a style borrowed from French bistro culture, the standalone building of De Plantage is all pale green colour, paned glass and lots of warm light — reminiscent of a winter garden and very Paris chic. They also kept France in mind when constructing the menu: oysters, parfaits and other delicacies inspired by the land of fine dining can be sampled here. Sit outside, because the building is just too beautiful not to admire.
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Hangar Amsterdam
Another pearl by the water, Hangar Amsterdam is sure to please on one of those endless summer evenings in the Dutch capital. Casual lounging on the forefront of retro and modern, this timeless place is perfect for drinks and snacks with a group of friends.
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GHENT
An underestimated treasure, Gent is a wonderful destination. Lively and cultural but not arrogant, this city has a lot to offer — especially when it comes to dining & drinking outdoors in warmer weather. Here are our top spots for an al fresco experience in our favourite city.
Stek
Stek is an urban jungle in the middle of Gent, and as a green oasis, they take their mission to bring healthy, simple food to patrons very seriously. Enjoy an easy bite in a very cosy, nordic environment indoors or sit outside on the patio and go for the stack of pancakes — it’s up to you.
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Café Gomez
A lively tapas bar, Cafe Gomez is very popular with the after-work crowd. Take a seat at one of the tables in the sprawling yard to have a few drinks in a busting, busy environment, and return for a quieter, long lunch when you find you miss it the next day.
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De Parkiet
De parkiet is a no-fuss, typical local’s haunt. Visit here if you’re tired of restaurants advertising tourist specials and not seeing a Belgian for miles around. A small place with a tiny terrace, the familiar feel it exudes makes for a truly authentic experience of the city and its vibe. Come for coffee, stay for lunch, or let loose for a comfortable, leisurely dinner.
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