Our Story
Four by Four started with a quiet dream and a noisy market.
Pavel had been brewing behind some of Europe’s best specialty coffee bars for years — but deep down, he always knew he wanted something of his own. Isaiah, who grew up just around the corner from the Albert Cuypmarkt, always felt a deep love for the market’s rhythm: casual, chaotic, full of stories.
Somewhere between that dream and that street, the idea took shape: a simple coffee stall, tucked into one of Amsterdam’s most iconic markets. A little pop-up, rooted in community.
We didn’t want a big café or a slick truck. We wanted something no-fuss, easy to move, easy to love — a stall that felt like part of the market itself. The name? It comes from the literal 4x4 meter space we stand on. Sixteen square meters of coffee, connection, and occasional croissant crumbs (ask Koda).
Our goal is simple: really good coffee, made with care, served without pretension. We work with a roaster from Barcelona, where we both lived for a while, and we’re slowly weaving in flavors from our own heritages — Czech and Dutch/Indonesian— in the form of little bakes and sweet extras.
We hope “Four by Four” becomes a spot where locals, tourists, coffee nerds, and curious wanderers all feel welcome. Whether you want a quick espresso or a long chat about beans, bikes, or the best dogs in the neighbourhood — we’d love to have you!
Meet Pavel
Pavel is a passionate coffee professional with roots in some of Europe’s most respected specialty cafés — from Nomad and Right Side Coffee in Barcelona to 4850 in Amsterdam.
After years of crafting coffee for others, the urge to build something personal started to grow. That’s how Four by Four was born — a small but mighty stall tucked into one of Amsterdam’s most iconic markets.
With so many incredible cafés around the city, Pavel didn’t want to compete (yet) — he wanted to create something unique, accessible, more grounded, without compromising on quality. Just really good coffee, poured with care, in a place where anyone can stop by.
If you’re in the neighbourhood, come say hi. Whether it’s for a quick espresso or some nerdy coffee talk — he’d love to have you.
Finally, and most importantly, meet Koda
Rescued from the streets of Romania and now ruling over a tiny espresso kingdom in Amsterdam — meet Koda, the heart (and bark) of Four by Four.
She might be the runt of her litter, but don’t let her size fool you. This sassy little sidekick has big energy when it comes to chasing pigeons, demanding attention, and securing her spot between Pavel and Isaiah for a midday nap. She’s all bark and zero bite — unless you’re a flaky pastry.
Koda joined the team just as Four by Four was coming to life, and while she's still finding her confidence in this busy world, she brings a whole lot of love, cuddles, and slightly chaotic joy wherever she goes. You’ll often find her curled up in a sling, side-eyeing dogs twice her size, or sniffing butts when no one’s looking (a private passion).
If you ask her, the coffee smells great — but the croissants are better.