With over 150 coffee shops in Amsterdam, it can be a little daunting trying to find the best one that suits your style. Before arriving in Amsterdam, I researched all of the famous/popular coffee shops so I knew which places to visit. I handcrafted a list of what I called a "Coffee Shop Crawl" and I found that there was only some truth to the "famous" Coffee Shops.
It wasn't until I moved to Holland; I learned where the locals go. This allowed me to discover some of my favorite Amsterdam coffee shops. So if you're an adventurous stoner and ready to experience the real Dutch coffee shops along with some of the touristy spots (That actually live up to their hype) this list is for you. But before you head out to blaze, here are my top 5 things to know about the coffee shops in Holland.
1. Most Coffee shops card before you can enter so don't forget your valid ID/Passport. (18 and older)
2. If you want to sit down and or hang out at one of the coffee shops, you must consume a beverage. You don't necessarily have to buy their buds, but consuming a beverage is almost always enforced.
3. For my blunt lovers, your only option to smoking a blunt in Holland is blunt wraps. But I have found that some specialty tobacco stores carry King Edward cigarillos which are very similar to Swisher Sweets.
4. The Dutch mostly smoke spliffs, which is a mix of weed and tobacco. Sometimes hash is included on those two ingredients. When rolling with tobacco in coffee shops, be discreet because the law doesn’t allow tobacco indoors. That's why coffee shops supply an herbal non-addictive supplement of tobacco that you can use instead, which I personally don't like. Every coffee shop turns a blind eye to spliff smokers but will kindly ask you to put away your pack of cigarettes if they are sitting in plain sight.
5. All coffee shops in Amsterdam close at 1 a.m. but the bars and clubs stay open all night and they almost always have indoor smoking areas where you can smoke whatever you like.
So now that you know the rules, here is the list of best coffee shops in Amsterdam.
1eHulp
Marnixstraat 194
1016 TL Amsterdam
1eHulp is my favorite coffee shop in Amsterdam. Open since 1996 and it's ran by two friends. If staying near Central Station, it is roughly a 30 minute walk, biking is about a 10-15 minute ride. If you choose to catch the train, you can take the 13 or 17. Trust me it will be worth the journey. 1eHulp has a Moroccan Oriental interior vibe beautifully decorated with multiple unique seating areas. Not to mention an excellent menu with some of the best buds in the city. They play a mixture of hip-hop and anything with a funky fresh beat. A local favorite and now I know why.
De Dampkring
1012 XM Amsterdam
The Orginal Dampkring is famous for being featured in the film Ocean's 12. This swanky decorated coffee shop is a tourist favorite. Serving up the most delicious hazelnut hot chocolate ever with excellent quality buds, it's definitely worth stopping in. Maybe you will get lucky and spot Bowie the famous cat of cannabis. Playing a variety of music and always a relaxed cool vibe. The only downside is, it can get quite busy at times and seating goes quickly.
Dolphins
Kerkstraat 39
1017 GB Amsterdam
This is one of my favorites in the Leidseplein area because of its underwater themed decor. One of the most visually stimulating Coffee shops in all of Amsterdam. The main level is strictly for pure smokers with multiple water bongs and vaporizers available for your smoking pleasure. The downstairs area is for the tobacco smokers, which is not as artistic as upstairs but the comfortable seating makes up for it. The menu is basic and there aren’t a wide variety of buds to choose from. This is a place I would buy a coffee or a drink but not necessarily buy the buds.
Green House Centrum
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191
1012 EW Amsterdam
This is probably the most famous coffee shop for celebrity guest appearances. From Rihanna to Miley Cyrus and Damian Marley to Wiz Khalifa this trendy coffee shop has made quite a name for itself in Amsterdam. There are 4 different locations around the city, however this location is still my favorite. The downside is prices are high but so is the quality of buds. Some of the best variety of strains to choose from and this shop is always busy so try your luck to find a seat inside or outside on the patio of this beautifully decorated canal side coffee shop.
The First Bulldog
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90
1012 GG Amsterdam
The Bulldog is probably the most touristy coffee shop in all of Amsterdam. They have several locations including hostels and souvenir shops. The Bulldog is over priced with under quality buds and service. They play popular music ranging from Rock to Pop. This coffee shop offers a variety of seating available with free Wi-Fi and outlets for your personal use. This location would be my favorite among the chain. A place I would go to use the free amenities while I figure out the next shop to go to.
Blue Bird
Sint Antoinebreestraat 71
1011 HB Amsterdam
Open since 1982 this coffee shop still has the Old Dutch style coffee shop vibe. Playing popular music with an array of drinks and sweets. The only coffee shop I've been to that serves a chai latte. It offers multiple seating areas with a great view for people watching. They have a solid menu of quality buds and hash and a cool hangout spot before checking out China Town.
Rookies
Korte Leidsedwarsstrast 145-147
1017 PZ Amsterdam
Founded in 1992 by the youngest coffee shop owner in Amsterdam at the time and it's the reason behind why they call it "Rookies". With a dive bar feel it's a chill place to hang out and get lost in great conversation. Not a place I would necessarily buy bud from but the great music selection and spacious smoking area makes it a super chill place to vibe near Leidseplein.
Barneys Uptown
Haarlemmerstraat 105
1013 EM Amsterdam
Barneys Uptown is a renowned winner of several High Times Cup awards and also multiple Cannabis Cup winning strains. Situated in a 500-year-old landmark building on Haarlemmerstrast. Each table is decked out with a vaporizer and a flat screen TV for constant visual entertainment. Barneys Uptown is famous for their delicious milkshakes and it's various locations throughout the city. Barneys Uptown will always be a great place to check out near Central Station.
Super Skunk
Prinsengracht 480
1017 KG Amsterdam
This coffee shop has a young and trendy vibe. It has a spacious layout with lots of comfortable Moroccan type couches and tables. The front smoking area has canal views and excellent for people watching. A solid menu with decent buds but wins for their atmosphere. Beautiful murals of artwork cover the walls in the back smoking area. Definitely the most comfortable place to lounge for a while and listen to a good music near Leidseplein.
Amnesia
Herengracht 133
1015 BG Amsterdam
Amnesia is also famous for Cannabis Cup winning strains and specializing in organic buds. This modern vibe coffee shop is beautifully situated on the Prinsengracht canal. This venue offers comfortable seating with a variety of snacks and treats such as ice cream sodas and delicious apple cake with ice cream.
Grey Area
Oude Leliestraat 2
1015 AW Amsterdam
This super popular American owned little hole in the wall coffee shop is also another celebrity favorite. Known for high quality buds and hash. This is definitely the place to buy and sample a variety of buds that have been awarded in the famous Cannabis Cup. Not a place to hang out in because it fits about 16 people comfortably. So if you're a weed connoisseur and near Dam Square it's worth a trip to for a little bud take out.
Boerejongens
Utrechtsestraat 21
1017 VH Amsterdam
Boerejongens means "Farmer Boys" in Dutch and pronounced like boor-a-yungens. Aims to be the most modern coffee shop in Amsterdam. With an apothecary drug store vibe this shop carries a supply of premium quality buds. All of the workers wear white lab coats making your bud purchasing experience feel like you're mixing up crazy weed concoctions in a chemistry lab.
Prix D' Ami
Haringpakkerssteeg 3
1012 BV Amsterdam
The largest coffee shop in Amsterdam, there is 3 spacious levels and multiple smoking rooms with plenty of seating. A full cafe with multiple food items and snacks available for your munchie pleasure. Prix D' Ami is the perfect spot to rage when you first arrive in the Dam from Central Station. A variety of good music and multiple rooms to adventure in and smoke. Also equipped with a pool table on the top floor if you're up for a little stoner gaming experience.
Abraxas
Jonge Roelensteeg 12
1012 PL Amsterdam
Open since 1996, this venue just recently got shut down but was able to fight to reopen it's doors. Considered one of Amsterdam's famous coffee shops which actually lives up to it’s hype. Beautifully decorated with exquisite artwork. Abraxas recently added a gorgeous mosaic tiled wall of art. Quality buds and coffee with a multi leveled seating layout. A fun and upbeat vibe with a selection of popular music it is definitely a shop you can't miss.
And just remember...
