Not every place in the city dares to stay open all day. Bar Dó on Vijzelgracht just does it. From 8:30 in the morning, Monday through Friday, until well into the evening. The kitchen doesn't close until 10 p.m., which means that even after a long working day you can still sit down for a hot plate of food. That's rarer than you think downtown.
The concept is deliberately kept low key. Bar Dó calls itself an all-day bar and eatery, and that's true. You can start there in the morning with breakfast, come back in the afternoon for lunch, and end the evening with dinner or just drinks. The menu is divided into Drinks & Snacks, Lunch and Dinner, so there is always something to suit the time of day. Cocktails, beer, wine: the beverage side is also taken seriously.
The location is no coincidence. Vijzelgracht is located between Leidseplein and the Rijksmuseum, right in the middle of the ring of canals. It is one of those streets that, while busy, feels a little quieter than the immediate area. For an eatery that has to live it up all day, that's a pleasant spot. You attract people from the neighborhood as well as people who are taking a break after an afternoon walking through the city. The space on Vijzelgracht is also large enough to accommodate groups, which leads directly to the next point.
The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., and that really says enough about what the intention is here.
What sets Bar Dó apart is the breadth of the offerings without feeling forced. No artificially rigged concept, no complicated menu philosophy. Just a place on a beautiful canal where you can go from morning to night, whether you come for a cup of coffee or a full dinner. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., and that really says enough about what the intention is here.