I found this place walking from the Hermitage Amsterdam museum to the Rijks Museum and was…read moreecstatic. I was starving, needed to get out of the rain and desperate to not have just more pub food or unhealthy, unoriginal, generic food.
Lavinia is a charming cafe, the food is fresh, healthy, and perfect for people with special food preferences. I am not a vegetarian but after a week on holiday, I needed something not meat and potato-based and I have the most lovely teriyaki vegetarian bowl with a bowl of coconut curry soup. A lovely cappuccino to warm me up and I couldn't have been happier. When I went to check out I noticed the amazing cakes and breads at the glass cafe display and asked if by chance anything is gluten-free, as I'm gluten-intolerant and I had noticed gluten-free bread on the menu as an option. BINGO, not only did they have gluten-free options, but I had the most amazing orange, ginger cake of my life! I messed up on paying with my card, as I had no cash on me and had just flown in from Switzerland, so no Euros on me, and I forgot to include a tip. I told the girl to ring me up again and she kindly told me it didn't matter and waved me on. I felt horrible as the service had been great. This review is the best I can do to repay her, as I tried to get back later with cash after visiting an ATM, but they had closed at 4pm. Alas, hopefully some kind soul will pay this girl the 3 Euros I should have.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, go here. If you're not and just want a good meal that isn't meat and potatoes, go here. The coffee and cakes are great too, if you just want a cute, kitschy place to stop and rest your wary feet. I loved this place and was so happy to have found it!