Amsterdam’s Vondelpark welcomes a new chapter in its storied pavilion with the arrival of Café Vertigo, a grand café inspired by Hitchcock’s psychological classic and brought to life by local designers Studio Modijefsky. Once home to a beloved film café and later the Film Museum, the historic building now hosts the IDFA Documentary Pavilion and a hospitality concept that blends cinema, culture, and social life.
The design takes cues from the disorienting qualities of Hitchcock’s Vertigo, with perspective lines, mirrored surfaces, and layered materials guiding guests through spaces that feel both familiar and surreal. Plush velvet arches, faceted mirrors, and heavy drapery define the underground dining area, while upstairs a bar clad in glossy purple lacquer makes a bold statement against the classical architecture. A winter garden wrapped in coral curtains and orb lights hovering above bistro tables connects the indoors to one of Amsterdam’s largest terraces.
That terrace extends from the pavilion’s façade into the park, offering two distinct moods. Below, the park terrace is lively and informal, perfect for casual meals or afternoon drinks. Above, an elevated balcony provides a more refined setting with crisp table linen and views across Vondelpark’s canopy.
Light is central to the café’s atmosphere. Daylight filters into the souterrain to create a moody undertone, while a combination of vintage and artisan fixtures adds richness across the upper levels. Integrated artworks further enhance the cinematic narrative, from mobiles that catch fragments of light to pieces echoing the café’s deep red palette.
At its core, Café Vertigo is a versatile meeting place. Morning coffee with a newspaper, after-work drinks, or dinner that stretches long into the evening … it’s designed to accommodate every whim. Centred around a striking main bar, the café unfolds into alcoves, nooks, and raised seating areas that shift between lively and intimate, making Café Vertigo a cultural and culinary hub that reimagines a historic landmark for a new generation of park-goers and film lovers alike.
@cafevertigo.ams
@studiomodijefsky
Café Vertigo Amsterdam Photography, Maarten Willemstein.
