Neighborhood Bijlmer Centrum
Jolanda on Bijlmer Centrum
When I think of Bijlmer Centrum, I think of the Amsterdamse Poort shopping center, the multicultural heart of Southeast Amsterdam, with roti shops, Hindustani clothing stores, African supermarkets, and of course the large Albert Heijn, all on the Bijlmerplein side. It’s always lively, with the metro (station Bijlmer ArenA) right next door.
A hidden gem
For work, I recently visited OSCAM at Bijlmerplein 110-111, a hidden gem where art, coffee, and creativity come together. The art space is set up like a working café, perfect for working on a laptop. A little further, you can enjoy a strong cappuccino (or latte) at 30 ML Coffee Roasters (Bijlmerplein 156). They roast their own coffee beans and also serve breakfast, sweets, and fresh juices—a great spot to recharge in the neighborhood’s shopping heart.
Another recommendation is De Proefzaak on Hullenbergweg. Here, you can taste locally brewed Kleiburg beers in a cozy tasting room right next to the brewery. The setting, a green industrial hangar, is perfect for a drink with comfort food and local stories. It’s within walking distance of Bullewijk metro station.
Bijlmer Parktheater
Architecturally, the Bijlmer Parktheater stands out: a striking elliptical building with wooden slats and steel plates, designed by Paul de Ruiter, connected to the cultural axis of Anton de Komplein. For greenery, visit Bijlmerweide, a vast park with water, bridges, a playground, and a petting zoo—peace and nature nearby. There’s also ‘the tree that saw everything,’ the grey poplar that forms the crash monument, a witness to the disaster of October 4, 1992.
The colorful apartment walls in the H neighborhood are decorated with impressive street art by R.A.U., Rimon Guimarães, and Speto. The creative vibe is felt as soon as you exit Bullewijk metro station. In Amsterdamse Poort, you feel like you’re abroad: the smell of roti, the view of the flats, and the market create a small multicultural home in Amsterdam.
Conclusion
Bijlmer Centrum is a neighborhood full of contrasts, with a lively Bijlmerplein, surprisingly green Bijlmerweide, striking street art in the H neighborhood, local beers at De Proefzaak, and great coffee moments at 30 ML and OSCAM. The place for anyone who loves diversity, creativity, and community. Highlights: Bijlmerplein, OSCAM, 30 ML Coffee Roasters, De Proefzaak, Bijlmerweide, and above all—let yourself be surprised!
