13 Best Amsterdam Coffee Shops (Save for Your Next Trip)

Don’t be surprised if you notice a distinct lack of espressos in Amsterdam’s best coffeeshops. Every year, newcomers are taken aback by the name of Amsterdam’s joint-heavy cafes with marijuana menus. Although the term “coffeeshop” is used, it refers to an alcohol-free establishment where cannabis can be purchased and consumed. The best coffeehouses in Amsterdam are as important to Amsterdammer culture as its museums, restaurants, and nightlife. They are both entertaining and fascinating. There are over 100 licensed coffeeshops in the city, but these deserve special attention.

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1. Grey Area

Many cannabis-conscious celebrities, including eminent stoners like Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson, have frequented this iconic hangout over the years. Grey Area’s reputation is well deserved, as it has an extensive selection of award-winning cannabis and a back-to-basics vibe that lets its gear speak for itself. A word of caution: there won’t be much legroom in Grey Area. It’s notorious for being small.

2. The Bulldog The First

The Bulldog The First is the city’s oldest coffeeshop, having opened in 1974, when cannabis was still illegal. The entire establishment serves as a memorial to w.e.e.d culture, and its smoking lounge is filled with memorabilia from the glory days of Amsterdam’s underground coffeeshops. The Bulldog The First, which is world-famous and located in the heart of the Red Light District, sees a lot of foot traffic, especially on weekends.

3. Barney’s Coffeeshop

This award-winning coffeeshop, one of Amsterdam’s most well-respected cannabis dispensaries, balances quirky aesthetics with first-rate w.e.e.d and service. Barney’s Coffeeshop, located on the ground floor of a 16th-century building, is designed to look like an old-fashioned apothecary, providing a picture-perfect backdrop for smoking sessions. The w.e.e.d at Barney’s Coffeeshop is slightly more expensive than elsewhere in the city due to its focus on prized strains, but it is well worth the extra money.

13 Best Amsterdam Coffee Shops (Save for Your Next Trip) — Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Renee C.

4. La Tertulia

A plethora of plants, an indoor waterfall, and a ‘crystal garden’ give this cosy family-run establishment a New Age vibe. Naturally, the buds are all organic, and they have a variety of bongs, vaporizers, and water pipes. Sandwiches and toasties are available for those who get hungry, and the upstairs space, which is usually flooded with sunlight, is a lovely spot for canalside people-watching.

5. Original Dampkring

Original Dampkring, a mainstay of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop scene, embodies the friendlier side of cannabis culture. The venue has plenty to offer both seasoned and novice stoners, thanks to its sculpted wooden décor, knowledgeable staff, and on-point cannabis selection. Original Dampkring’s smoking lounge has enough space for groups of four or five, but due to the spot’s enduring popularity, expect a short wait for seats during peak hours.

6. Abraxas Coffeeshop

This centrally located yet secluded coffeeshop is located on a small alleyway just south of Dam Square. Abraxas feels significantly larger than most other coffeeshops in the centre due to its spacious layout, giving patrons room to breathe (or spark up). The two-story smoking lounge is outfitted with carved wooden furniture and mystical motifs, as well as a couple of desktop computers with internet access.

7. Green House United

When you enter this one-of-a-kind coffeeshop, make sure to look down because the floor features a large aquarium filled with exotic fish. Aside from the watery centerpiece, Green House United has about ten smaller and larger tables surrounded by stools and long, comfortable benches. Its simple design complements the relaxed atmosphere, creating a welcoming space where customers can unwind with a spliff while admiring the fish below.

8. Katsu Coffeeshop

Because of its artsy vibes and living room-like atmosphere, this homely coffeeshop attracts smokers and non-smokers alike. There’s plenty of room to unwind: stroll through the spacious, art-filled smoking lounge or the sun-drenched terrace to find a comfortable spot to while away the hours. This is also one of the city’s quieter coffeeshops, thanks in part to its location in de Pijp, a picturesque neighborhood on Amsterdam’s southern canal belt.

9. Paradox

Given its welcoming atmosphere and unassuming location, this down-to-earth coffeeshop could easily be mistaken for a neighborhood café, housed in an old stable with ties to Amsterdam’s fire department. To satisfy stoners who prefer quality over quantity, dox typically stocks seven strains of w.e.e.d and six types of hashish. The coffeeshop is also famous for its space cakes. They contain a full gram of marijuana.

10. Amnesia

Amnesia is a haven for locals looking for a quiet, relaxing toke, with swanky décor, plump cushions, and deep red walls. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and their pre-rolled joints and space cakes are excellent if a little strong. A selection of milkshakes, smoothies, and fruit juices keep customers hydrated, and there’s a lovely little terrace overlooking the canal in the summer.

11. Coffeeshop Smokey

This perennially popular coffeeshop is difficult to miss; the neon-drenched entrance and booming sound system would catch anyone’s eye. Sure, it’s designed to appeal to a specific type of tourist, but if you’re looking to party or meet other cannabis enthusiasts, this is a great place to start. The smoking lounge is one of the city’s largest, with three full-sized pool tables and plenty of seating.

12. Bluebird

Bluebird, a little off the beaten path, is the type of low-key spot that both locals and tourists frequent. Expect trippy motifs depicting exotic birds all around, as well as funky jungle-themed décor throughout the coffeeshop’s two-tier smoking lounge. Aside from its smoked menu, Bluebird offers a small selection of hot and cold snacks, such as homemade Dutch pancakes topped with whipped cream, which are ideal for when the munchies strike.

13. Solo Coffee Shop

This difficult-to-find coffeeshop has all the trappings of a hidden gem, tucked behind Dam Square in a quiet residential area. Solo Coffeeshop, with its dark-wooden chairs, tables, and barstools scattered throughout the smoking lounge, resembles an old-school Dutch pub, minus the bronze beer fonts. Unlike other central locations, Coffeeshop Solo is rarely overcrowded, making it an ideal hangout for stoners who value their privacy.

Topic: 13 Best Amsterdam Coffee Shops (Save for Your Next Trip)

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