It’s day 7 of my trip to Amsterdam and I have a full week to go before heading back to the states. It’s been fun but, today, I’m just staying in the hotel and sleeping in plus getting caught up on some personal blogging before going out to a beer tasting event and a halloween party with some coworkers. My first Amsterdam house party! Anyway, it’s my 3rd time hitting Starbucks in the city for a quick bite to eat and pick me up and it’s time that I share how awesome it is going to a Starbucks here.
First of all, the people in this store could care less about my smile, money or presence. I’m just going to give them an out by saying it’s a very busy store with people who are from all over the world arriving at the train station to have a day in Amsterdam. This starbucks is located in Central Station which is where trains from all over the country arrive and the train from the airport so it’s always busy.
It’s not about the people. It’s about the selection of food and drinks.
The reason I go to Starbucks is that they’ve blown away any US location with the food offerings. There’s an Indian style curry chicken wrap, sliced cheesecake, an “all day breakfast sandwich” stuffed with eggs and bacon with little green peppers and even a croque monsieur that will be heated up right there for awesome deliciousness.
The cups are wider and less tall. I’m not sure why but I know, in the US most take out / to-go packaging is designed for cars so bigger drinks don’t mean wider since they must conform with cup holders in our cars. Perhaps this is why? The photo above is a venti cup and it’s fatter than the one in the US but not as tall.
The great thing about Starbucks is that their menu changes no matter where you are. Their coffee offerings and food selection changes but the taste of a latte or frap in any part of the world always tastes the same. A venti soy chai latte is always consistently awesome and this is a good thing.
I have to say that the all day breakfast sandwich is simply amazing and I wish more US Starbucks locations carried it. In fact, a lot of locations have stopped carrying those little breakfast muffin things and some managers tell me that they’re on the way out. I’m always disappointed when a Starbucks only has pastries for breakfast. Sometimes, when you’re traveling a warm breakfast is key to a good start of your day and pastries just don’t do it for me.
Anyway, that’s my brief chat about Starbucks in Amsterdam. I can only find one on the map and luckily, it’s right across the street from my hotel.
Hey Adam, I live in the UK, and from what I’ve seen, our Starbucks are pretty much the same as the one in Amsterdam, (I was in Holland this week) – the consistency is pretty brilliant, actually and is why I spend so much time in the ‘bucks so often :)
That’s good to hear that the food is just as good in the UK as well! Where abouts are you? I was planning on hopping over this weekend but got invited to some parties here. I might do a london / bristol visit in a few months.
I’m actually about an hour from London, near Stansted Airport. So London is totally doable. Starbucks just seems like the one to go to, and I have no idea why. Even if the coffee is better elsewhere. Brand loyalty I guess!
a London / Bristol visit in a few months… well you are more than welcome (:
That’s good to hear that the food is just as good in the UK as well! Where abouts are you? I was planning on hopping over this weekend but got invited to some parties here. I might do a london / bristol visit in a few months.
That’s good to hear that the food is just as good in the UK as well! Where abouts are you? I was planning on hopping over this weekend but got invited to some parties here. I might do a london / bristol visit in a few months.