A little while ago, I started seeing ads for a new specialty coffee bar in my personal Instagram feed. It all looked very fancy and elevated, which might not come as a surprise given that the place is question is called Elevate Coffee Lab. I immediately reached out to this Instagram account to get more information but never heard back. Very mysterious indeed. The best thing to do in such situations? Visit!
Thus, there I was the other week heading to Elevate Coffee Lab in De Pijp to find out what all the fuss was about. Located on the cute Van der Helstplein, this modern coffee bar is all about offering a top notch coffee experience without any distractions. Conceived by Ahmad Alshikh who previously worked for the likes of Keen Coffee – incidentally also roasting some coffee for our subscription box – Elevate Coffee Lab aims to raise the bar higher by offering a bespoke coffee menu that will soon be enriched with a series of exclusive signature drinks.
The interior is modern and minimalist. The espresso equipment sits on terracotta bricks covered with a custom made counter top that also features three slots for Acaia Lunar scales and a small indent for storing viles with beans. Ahmed said that he designed most of the space himself while some furniture pieces that he picked got customized. At the back there is a large room that will soon be turned into a cupping lab and training space.
Next to the regular menu, there is also a small frozen selection that includes carefully selected microlots and competition level coffees, something that is still quite rare in Amsterdam. Ahmed currently sources his coffees from Keen, DAK and other local roasters and mentioned that he wants to experiment with other roasters in the future.
Though not available right now due to the cold weather, Elevate Coffee Lab also has a license for a large terrace, which will be absolutely lovely in the warmer months. Indoor seating is available by the large window, along the bar and on some admittedly slightly uncomfortable looking stools and chairs.
Personally, I am a big fan of sitting at the bar though, whether at this place or any other coffee bar. There’s nothing like being able to strike up a conversation with the barista and watching them at work. At Elevate, Ahmed works with a San Remo Racer espresso machine, an X-One 3-in-1 grinder, the Silexa milk maid pouring creamy milk from Moma and oat milk alongside a stellar set up for filter including the aforementioned Acaia scales, Fellows Stagg kettles and the latest Mahlkönig EK-43 grinder.
While Ahmed is still getting into the hang of things, the best thing to do is to pop in for some delicious slow coffee, maybe a pastry from L’Abeille and allow the time to pass
