Bar François — Wine bar in Amsterdam

Paco is the only member of staff at Bar François: he runs the whole place solo, from the kitchen to the wine list. The Frenchman opened his wine bar in September 2026 on the Douwes Dekkerstraat in Oud-West, close to the Ten Katemarkt. The atmosphere is unmistakably French: a sturdy bar of blond wood, artichoke flowers in a vase, framed posters on the wall, free water in Ricard jugs on the table. It's like walking in on a friend who happens to run a wine bar. The food changes weekly depending on what Paco feels like: grandma's southern French cooking, made by someone who grew up with it. Duck, panisse with Comté, frittata with cheese and olives. The wine list consists exclusively of natural wines from small French producers you'll hardly find anywhere else in Amsterdam. Paco knows them all personally and gives advice without any fuss. An evening at Bar François feels like dinner at the home of a good friend who happens to have excellent wine.