MINA Gallery Cafe in Amsterdam is a new hotspot in the Dutch capital, aiming to become a meeting place for art lovers visiting, moving to, or living in Amsterdam. Located just a few steps from Museumplein and famous cultural institutions like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, or MOCO Museum, it makes a wonderful place to relax after a visit to some of these venues. However, it’s more than just a place to have a tasty cup of coffee. It’s also a contemporary art gallery and a meeting point for artists, designers, and anyone interested in art.

MINA Gallery Cafe in Amsterdam

This is a sponsored post by the MINA Gallery Cafe in Amsterdam.

During my last visit to the Dutch capital, I visited a new Amsterdam art hotspot, the MINA Gallery Cafe, located at Wateringschans 69. First established in 2018 as the Art Room MINA Gallery, it was an exploration and experimental place for artists. But, because of the pandemic, the gallery was closed for some time and reopened in summer 2023. Located in the 19th-century building and with its modern interior, it provides a great combination of a cosy cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by contemporary artworks. But also join some of the art workshops and artists’ meet-ups.

⤷ Read more: What to see at Museumplein in Amsterdam

MINA Gallery Cafe

The gallery’s cafe is located on the venue’s upper floor, serving excellent coffee, delicious sandwiches, toasties, and cakes. With its massive windows overlooking a typical Amsterdam street, it’s a cafe with one of the best views in Amsterdam.

Situated just a few steps away from Museumplein, where most major Amsterdam museums are, and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, filled with numerous small galleries, local designers’ shops, and antique stores, it makes a great stop during your art-filled day in Amsterdam.

The cafe is also a gallery space, so you can enjoy some beautiful artworks created by Amsterdam-based artists while there.

⤷ Read more: Amsterdam Art Week

MINA Gallery Cafe Exhibitions

The gallery dedicates itself to constantly showing a diverse range of art and providing a platform to artists striving to show their talents, skills, or innovative concepts.

The gallery organises several temporary exhibitions annually, always looking for good quality and interesting artists. Depending on the authors, the exhibitions are two to six weeks long. With the exhibited artworks, they are exploring different styles, techniques, and expressions. Besides showing their works of art, the gallery organises panel discussions, interview recordings for social media outlets, photo shoots, creative events, workshops, special guest invites, meet-ups, and more.

So far, the gallery only focuses on Amsterdam or the Netherlands-based artists. But, in the future, they also plan to display the works of artists living abroad.

All the exhibited artworks are for sale, so you can find price tags next to the paintings. MINA Gallery Cafe plans to launch the virtual gallery next year, where you’ll also get to check and purchase all the artwork online. It’s great to keep an eye on the Amsterdam art scene and get a chance to discover new artworks for your house that way. Or, if you’re a tourist in Amsterdam, buy a wonderful souvenir to bring back home from the Dutch capital.

⤷ TIP: Are you an artist living in or around Amsterdam? Get in touch with MINA Gallery Cafe because they are always on the lookout for new artists to work with!

Ioana Zberea Exhibition

The Ioana Zberea exhibition ‘We Shall Talk’ is currently on display at the MINA Gallery Cafe. Inspired by Anselm Kiefer and recent works by David Hockney, Ioana paints on a surface made of jute. That helps her create a bustling and rough atmosphere, which serves as a metaphor for reality that isn’t always perfectly smooth.

Most of the time, her artworks are inspired by nature. It could be details from the environment, different moments of the day, or specific light. Exhibited at the MINA Gallery Cafe is also a series called ‘Words’, which are minimalistic artworks mainly painted in white or yellow with the surface’s texture being the main focus.

Ioana Zberea’s exhibition is on display at the MINA Gallery Cafe until 10 December 2023.

MINA Gallery Cafe Artists’ Meet-ups

MINA Gallery Cafe hosts regular artists’ meet-ups intending to connect the creative community in Amsterdam. The gallery always looks for inspiring rising stars within the Amsterdam art scene. However, they also want to offer a space for artists to meet, exchange ideas, and start collaborative projects.

⤷ TIP: The following artists’ meet-up is scheduled for Sunday, 26 November at 4 pm. Keep an eye on the MINA Gallery Cafe Instagram account to see all the upcoming events.

MINA Gallery Cafe Workshops

One of the MINA Gallery Cafe’s aims is to become a meeting place for art lovers living in or visiting Amsterdam. Besides organising contemporary art exhibitions, they are doing that by providing diverse creative workshops. All of their events are in English, making them accessible to people who don’t speak Dutch.

I love these fun educational experiences that help you gain new expertise or improve your skills. But they are also great for socialising and meeting like-minded people.

The upcoming event they are organising is a guided two-hour drawing session. On 2 December 2023, from 4 to 6 pm, you’ll get to draw two models, one female and one male, who will pose for one hour each, allowing attendees to practice the human figure drawing.

The next day, 3 December 2023, from 10 am to 12 pm, they will facilitate the ‘Make your own Christmas Wrap’ workshop. It’s more aimed at kids, but adults who love crafts are also welcome.

If you’re interested in attending any of these workshops, get in touch with MINA Gallery Cafe. They have many more fun events planned for the following months, so keep an eye on their Instagram to stay in touch.

Upcoming events & exhibitions

  • 25 November 2023 – Pop up: Yola Mexican Bakery
  • 26 November 2023 – 2nd Artists’ meet-up
  • 2 December 2023 – Drawing session
  • 3 December 2023 – ‘Make your own Christmas Wrap’ workshop
  • 15 December 2023 – Photography exhibition opening – the gallery will host seven photographers in collaboration with Melkweg. A part of the exhibition will be displayed at MINA, while a part will be at Melkweg.
  • January 2024 – Anouk Andriessen exhibition
  • February 2024 – Mihai Kirilla exhibition

Anouk Andriessen Exhibition

⤷ When: January 2024


In January 2024, MINA Gallery will host an exhibition by the Dutch artist Anouk Andriessen. Guided by pure intuitiveness, she combines art and spirituality in her work. Using abstract painting, Anouk portrays the energy of people’s souls, relationships, and places.

Mihai Kirilla Exhibition

⤷ When: February 2024

It will be followed by the Romanian artist based in Zaandam, Mihai Kirilla’s exhibition. He will present a series of his artworks focusing on the visual aspects of interpreting ideas between the real world and the imaginary. His inner world, inspired by mythology and his meditations, is expressed through painting. You’ll see his artworks, barring fantastic visual aesthetics and storytelling, during his exhibition at the MINA Gallery.

Useful tips for visiting

⤷ MINA Gallery Cafe Address: Wateringschans 69, Amsterdam

⤷ MINA Gallery Cafe opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm

⤷ MINA Gallery social media channels: Follow them on Facebook & Instagram

Whether living in Amsterdam or just visiting for a few days, MINA Gallery Cafe is a lovely stop for anyone interested in art. Keep an eye on their social media channels for contemporary art exhibitions and creative workshops they are organising. Or just have a coffee at their cosy cafe surrounded by fantastic artworks and enjoying the pretty view of Amsterdam.

, ,