Word of Mouth: Paula & Stephan, Bakkerij Wolf.
They run one of the best bakeries in Amsterdam, but where do they like to eat?
My love for Bakkerij Wolf is no secret.
Twice now I’ve declared their pain au chocolat best in Amsterdam. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bakery doing lamination better than they do – their dough is fantastically springy while maintaining a rigorous sense of order. It makes all their laminated products, from croissants to Danishes to that winning pain au chocolat, complete delights.
Wolf is a bakery on the move. A year ago, they operated out of their original site on Wolvenstraat, an elegant café that serves brunch and cracking coffee. They’re now expanded to Rozengracht, which houses their bakery operations across three floors (watching the bakers work is a little like looking into a giant ant farm). A third site is due soon on Utrechtsestraat. We should all be happy that Amsterdam has a pack of wolves.
Co-owners Paula and Stephan run the bakery. It’s no exaggeration to say they work tirelessly. They care deeply about quality, maintaining precision in everything from shaping to flour choice. What I find especially inspiring is how curious they remain, from wanting feedback to asking me complex questions I have no hope of being able to answer. Make no mistake: they’re the masters.
Paula and Stephan are also deeply involved in Amsterdam’s food scene. I asked them once at a party where they liked eating. An hour later, I was still enjoying their recommendations. So, they’re the perfect people to contribute to Word of Mouth, my series where I ask Amsterdam’s top food producers where they like to eat in the city.
It’s a two-for-one this week…
Favourite bakery?
Paula: Bakkerij Ex makes amazing bread. Their approach is super straightforward and honest, which I find really inspiring. There's a certain purity and focus in everything they do that really stands out.
Stephan: Fort Negen is the best bakery because they’ve been a true pioneer in shaping the sourdough culture in Amsterdam. They’ve elevated the craft to a new level and have become a source of inspiration for many other bakers in the city – including ourselves. Their focus on quality, simplicity, and flavor is unmatched.
Favourite coffee?
Both: Uncommon. We love how international they are, and they’re always looking for ways to get better. You can really feel that they care about every part of what they do.
Favourite restaurant(s)?
Both: Coulisse, both of us have been more than eight times. We’re huge fans. Tim van der Molen is a savage when it comes to combining comfort, innovation and serious flavour. Together with the smooth front-of-house of Simon Witmaar, it’s just a golden combo.
Favourite cheaper eat?
Paula: I really enjoy Sea Palace for a perfect lunch.
Stephan: I recently discovered Esh Pitabar, and I’m totally hooked. Their amba sauce is amazing, and they build their pitas just perfectly – crispy, fresh, and full of flavor.
Favourite place for drinks?
Paula: Café Lomans hands down. It’s in my neighbourhood, they have a Paulaner on draft and a great range of snacks. And they play Ajax!
Stephan: My favourite place for drinks has to be Huyschkamer on Utrechtsestraat. It’s such a beautiful street to hang out on, and the place is run by a good friend, so I’m always more than welcome there.
Where are you desperate to eat in Amsterdam but haven't yet?
Paula: I’m super keen to try Restaurant 212. I’ve heard amazing things about their sauces, and since we actually deliver our croissant dough to them, I’m really curious to see what they do with it.
Stephan: I’d love to try Europa Restaurant. They have a really cool vibe and are super innovative with their food. Plus, I’m already a big fan of their other restaurant Europizza, so I’m excited to see what they’re doing at the restaurant.
What/where do you eat on your day off?
Paula: On my day off, I’m all about Chinese food, anywhere, anytime. It’s my go-to comfort food, and I never get tired of it.
Stephan: On my day off, I love to fire up the BBQ at home. Also for normal weekday dinners.
What does Amsterdam do well?
Paula: Amsterdam is getting better and better at bringing diversity to its food scene, slowly but surely. You’re starting to see more and more different cuisines and flavors popping up, which makes eating around the city way more interesting and fun.
Stephan: In Amsterdam, the public is so diverse that concepts have a greater chance of succeeding here than in the rest of the Netherlands. That’s why you can find everything in Amsterdam: products, items, and inspiration.
What does Amsterdam suck at?
Both: Amsterdam really sucks at handling all the construction and roadwork. It feels like there’s always some street or bike path blocked, and it makes getting around way more frustrating than it should be.
What one thing would you transplant from another city to Amsterdam?
Paula: A Din Tai Fung would be really great! Xiao Long Baos for days.
Stephan: I’d love to bring the Mexican street food from Santa Barbara, LA, to Amsterdam. The flavors are insane: fresh, bold, and just the right amount of spice. It’d be awesome to have that kind of vibrant street food scene here.
OK BYE!
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I had no idea about Bakkerij Wolf! thanks for the rec!
Coulisse is permanently closed 😭