Review of coffee place Starbucks Schiphol Departures 4 Amsterdam

Well after all the buzz of Starbucks finally opening shops in the Netherlands, the first being behind the customs at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, and now two more before the customs, of course I had to go and test it. So today my friend and me met at Central Station and we took the train to Schiphol to finally get a Starbucks experience without having to go on holiday.

When we got from the train to Schiphol Plaza we saw the first location of Starbucks that has been opened before customs. It’s a small take away bar with some tall tables to have your coffee standing. But of course we wanted to sit down, so we proceeded to the second location located at Departures 4. Departures 4 is a new area in the Schiphol Plaza that boasts some typical Dutch stores like the AH and the Hema. After a small walk from the central plaza we finally reached the back of Departures 4 and a huge Starbucks! There are a lot of tables and chairs here and of course the Starbucks signature lounge chairs. We proceeded to the back where there was a whole corner full of comfy chairs and took a place there. It’s was a bit funny though, cause in the back there was a revolving door taking you outside. Also funny is that no matter which Starbucks you go to there are always young people pretending to study or American girls who think they are Paris Hilton and use ‘like’ every other word.

Anyway then came the moment for ordering and my friend got Starbucks block. I always order the same most of the time, a Chai Tea Latte, but my friend didn’t know what to order. I sent him to look at the menu boards and the display and then he said he couldn’t find them. So then I went to have a look and of course everything was there like in all the other Starbucks in the world. I went back to my friend and told him to look at the red board behind the counter to make a choice A little later my friend came back with his order, so then it was my turn to order (we didn’t want to leave our bags alone with an exit door so close by).

When I got to the counter I had a nasty surprise. Suddenly there was a long queue where a few minutes before had been no one. Well I gave me some time to look over the assortment. They had the holiday special menu up, with gingerbread latte etc. I missed some things from Spain though, like the iced Chai Tea Latte and the fresh Tazo teas in the display and also the salads. By then it was my turn to order. I had to order with one girl who shouted my order to the guy behind the coffee machine and put my muffin next to the girl handling the cash register. When I got to her I asked her why they didn’t use the other cash register that was there. She replied that it didn’t have any money in it and that someone was getting it, but it was coming from far away. Strange, I would think you would fill both in the morning before opening. Anyway I had to tell her what I ordered and pay for it. I was thinking about telling her something cheaper, but I am a honest person, so I didn’t

My Chai Tea Latte (in a mug, not a paper cup) was already waiting for me when I got to the pick up point! That was fast service. I think there was an experienced person from the UK there, because all the orders where shouted in English. I guess that helped to get things rolling. Now I could enjoy my Chai Tea and double chocolate muffin from Starbucks on Dutch soil. And it tasted good
I hope they get to Amsterdam soon though, because going to Schiphol just for some Starbucks is a bit out of the way.

My second Starbucks experience was much better than my first, where everything was a mess. Everything went fast here, the people were friendly and the latte delicious!