16 Best Coffeeshops in Amsterdam
We take pride in providing authentic travel recommendations based on our own experiences, which is documented through our travel photography and writing only about places we have personally visited. We may earn a commission when you purchase a product or book a reservation. This has no influence on our recommendations. For more information, please read about our approach to travel publishing. Learn more ›
Written by Kyle Kroeger
“Coffeeshops,” to those in the know, have been an integral part of Amsterdam culture since the early 1970s. There are now over 200 coffeeshops in the city, each with a unique atmosphere and offerings, and over 550 coffeeshops in the Netherlands.
While cannabis is the main draw for most visitors, many also offer a selection of coffee, tea, pastries, juice, and light snacks. There is nothing like a cream tea with your sumptuous, special brownie or a strong coffee to accompany a stinky and euphoric smokable.
Amsterdam coffeeshops are different from “coffee shops” in other cities. In addition to serving coffee and tea, they also sell cannabis. Cannabis is legal in the Netherlands, but only for personal use.
This means you can purchase and consume cannabis in a coffeeshop, but you cannot buy it for reselling it. That way leads to prison. If you’re looking for the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam, look no further.
Best Coffeeshops in Amsterdam
1. Terps Army 2
Terps Army 2 is a beloved coffeeshop tucked away in the heart of Amsterdam’s museum district. With a warm, inviting atmosphere and a fascinating array of local patrons, it offers a quintessential Amsterdam experience. Known for its fair prices and exceptional quality, Terps Army 2 has gained a loyal following.
The menu boasts an impressive selection of strains, including the infamous Blueberry Bud, a customer favorite. This cozy establishment delivers an unforgettable visit. Its friendly staff and commitment to offering top-notch products have cemented Terps Army 2’s reputation as a must-visit destination for cannabis enthusiasts exploring Amsterdam’s coffeeshop culture.
2. Bulldog Coffeeshop
Known for being the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam, the Bulldog is now a chain with several locations throughout the city. Simply for its history, it’s one of the best Amsterdam coffeeshops out there.
The Bulldog is located on the edge of Amsterdam’s Red Light District, so you’ll have plenty of company if you’re looking for a good time in a central location.
The menu (as well as the atmosphere) here is best described as “eclectic,” with lots of options for both weed and hash and even some edibles for those who need to kill their munchies without getting too stoned (or vice versa).
If you want to vape or smoke marijuana in a room full of unfamiliar people and strangers, this place is perfect. It’s also one of the few coffeeshops in Amsterdam with games like darts and pool available — but even if you don’t partake, there will likely be other people hanging out who will try to get you involved.
The quality here varies depending on what you’re looking for: weed tends toward mid-range prices, while hash can get expensive depending on how much they have left over from previous runs (and whether it’s been sitting around long enough). Their space cakes are also quite tasty and reasonably priced compared with other shops.
See Related: Best Amsterdam Food You Need to Have
3. The Original Dampkring Coffeeshop
This is one of Amsterdam’s most famous coffeeshops. It has been around since the 60s, so it’s no surprise it’s still going strong today. This place is an excellent place to enjoy some good weed and glimpse the history of cannabis culture in Amsterdam.
There are two entrances: one up and one down (which looks like an ordinary door). You can expect long lines during tourist season. Still, there’s usually no wait during the non-tourist season because there aren’t as many tourists coming through this part of town anyway compared to other locales such as Leidseplein Square or Red Light District.
See Related: Things Amsterdam is Famous For
4. Amnesia
Amnesia is one of the most famous coffeeshops in Amsterdam, and it’s easy to understand why. Located in the center of town, it’s easy to find and has a great atmosphere that feels like home.
The shop is small but has a cozy vibe that makes you feel comfortable. It’s also known for having some excellent weed available at all times, including Amnesia.
When searching for a different experience than an ordinary Amsterdam coffeeshop, Amnesia will certainly fit the bill (and then some). For a side trip, you can join a coffeeshop tour with local food sampling and learn about the history and cannabis culture in Amsterdam.
See Related: Different Types of Dutch Food
5. Abraxas Coffeeshop
Abraxas is a small coffeeshop in Amsterdam’s city center near Rokin. This is the best coffeeshop for people looking for a volcano vaporizer or first-timers visiting Amsterdam.
They have a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy yourself without being hassled or feeling awkward if it’s your first time there.
Abraxas is one of our favorites because they have an amazing menu that changes daily. They source their products directly from growers and producers worldwide, so you can get some unique products that are hard to find anywhere else in Amsterdam.
Plus, their staff is very knowledgeable about what they sell—if you need help choosing something for yourself or as a gift for someone else, they can guide you through it!
At Abraxas Amsterdam, you will find yourself surrounded by a fusion of art, music, and high-quality products. This space has an interflow atmosphere and a rhythm in the heart of the Dutch capital.
See Related: Markets in Amsterdam to Visit
6. Katsu Coffeeshop
Katsu is a small but very popular coffeeshop. It’s located on a quiet street in Amsterdam East. This makes Katsu an ideal place to relax and enjoy your smoke, with some of the best cannabis in town.
Katsu is also a great place to buy weed if you’re looking for something new and different from what you’ve tried before. The friendly staff will help you find exactly what you need.
See Related: What are the best Potato Chips? Chips for Road Trips
7. Barney’s Coffeeshop
If you want to find a bar with delicious cocktails, great music, a lively atmosphere (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), and a place to enjoy a drink, then Barney’s is the place for you.
The location you need to visit for drinking alcohol and smoking weed is Barney’s Uptown, located near Brouwersgracht just north of Jordaan. It has easy access to some of the best tourist attractions in Amsterdam.
The prices at this coffee shop are also pretty reasonable compared to other coffeeshops in Amsterdam: a gram costs about 12 euros on average.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their product—they’ll help you choose exactly what kind of high you’d like before recommending any specials or strains that might be available. They also have an extensive menu featuring drinks made from fresh fruit juices with ice cream on top! Yum!
8. Café Hill Street Blues
If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, Café Hill Street Blues is your place. This grungy canalside coffeeshop & juice bar sprayed from floor to ceiling in colorful graffiti is great for daytime, but avoid it at night unless you are happy with loud music.
If you feel like having a quick smoke, it’s also one of the best places in Amsterdam to do so—and if you’re into hanging out with locals rather than tourists, this place is perfect!
The interior resembles something from an old Western movie (if those movies featured graffiti-covered walls instead of cowboys). Anywhere else, this may look out of place.
However, it fits perfectly into the overall vibe of being edgy but relaxed simultaneously. Café Hill Street Blues has become quite popular amongst young people over the years and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.
See Related: Weird Food Combinations That Are Strangely Good
9. Boerejongens Coffeeshop
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, Boerejongens Coffeeshop (meaning “farmer boys”) is a good choice for those looking for high-quality products. Their menu offers a wide selection of weed and hash at reasonable prices and some tasty snacks to help you get through your high.
This iconic Amsterdam coffeeshop has a nice atmosphere and good location, making it easy to find the next time you return from De Wallen (just down the road) or De Pijp.
The staff are friendly and helpful, too—they’ll help guide you through finding what kind of smoke will work best for your needs. If you want a side trip, join Amsterdam’s Smoke & Lounge Boat Tour and Coffee Shops Walking Tour.
10. La Tertulia
La Tertulia is located in the heart of Amsterdam, which makes it a great place for tourists. There are plenty of things to see and do in the area (and nearby). The quality weed is definitely high-grade, and you can feel it as soon as you smoke it.
The service at La Tertulia is great—the staff knows their stuff about weed and are very friendly when helping customers select specific strains for whatever they want.
Prices are fair at this coffeeshop. They aren’t too high or too low, but they are not cheap either. The atmosphere here is chill, relaxed, fun, and inviting.
Chill music plays constantly throughout most days in a light environment. You can’t miss it by finding the beautiful Van Gogh mural painting outside the shop.
11. Coffeeshop Smokey
Located a short walk from Museum Square and in Rembrandtplein, Coffeeshop Smokey is one of Amsterdam’s best coffeeshops for those looking for a great selection of weed and hash.
This coffeeshop has excellent outdoor seating right in the middle of the square if you want to people-watch and get some fresh air. While most shops carry only one or two strains at any time, Smokey has various Sativas, Indicas, hybrids, and more on display in its glass cases.
When it comes to concentrates like wax, shatter, and oil (also known as “dabs”), you’ll find plenty of options, too—and if you’re new to dabbing (a method that involves heating butane-laced wax into vapor).
This is where you can feel comfortable asking staff questions about dosing and temperature control. If your tastes run toward edibles instead of smoking your cannabis products directly out of a pipe or bong or blunt wrap, then don’t worry.
They’ve got all kinds here—from chocolate bars with THC acids baked right into gummies containing CBD oils with just enough THC molecules added to make them legal under Dutch law without getting anyone high.
12. Paradox
If you’re into food and drink as much as weed, Paradox is a great place to visit. It’s one of the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam for a casual meal or drink. They have food options that are both healthy and indulgent, with tasty pastries and sandwiches on offer.
They also serve beer and wine, making it easy to pair your dish with a refreshing glass of vino, which will help take away some of the high from your next cannabis purchase.
Paradox is small but cozy, so don’t expect too much space inside—you’ll be lucky if any seats are left when you arrive at this popular hotspot! If they have an open table, sit back and enjoy one of their delicious meals while listening to music or watching TV.
See Related: Top Adventures in French Cuisine
13. Coffeeshop Het Ballonnetje
Het Ballonnetje is a small shop with an amiable owner selling the best strains for a fair price. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy weed, eat sweet treats (like their famous brownies), or drink fresh orange juice.
There’s also a small terrace outside where you can sit with your friends and enjoy the sun on your face—or hide from it if it’s rainy or cold outside.
See Related: Things to Do in Volendam
14. Easy Times Coffeeshop (Editor’s choice for first-timers)
Located near the city center and close to the red light district, Easy Times Coffeeshop Amsterdam is great for first-timers. This spot has excellent service and a good selection of weed, hash, edibles, pre-rolled joints, and drinks.
The smoking accessories include vaporizers ranging from portable to desktop models, e-cigarettes, pipes, bongs, grinders, scales, and more helpful paraphernalia.
The music in Easy Times Coffeeshop’s selection is extensive—from reggae classics to modern dance hits—and there are magazines available if you’d prefer something less auditory (or if you need a break).
See Related: Best Side Dishes For a Summer Barbecue
15. Green House Centrum
This coffeeshop is located in the heart of Amsterdam and offers a great selection of cannabis strains. Green House Centrum is one of the coolest coffee shops in Amsterdam.
It’s located on Oudezijds Achterburgwal 97 and is open from 9 am to 1 am. It is one of four Green House coffeeshops located throughout the Dutch capital.
The staff are friendly, the weed is great and they play really good music. I recommend you come here to buy weed, hang out with friends, and have fun in a friendly atmosphere.
16. Grey Area
This popular Amsterdam coffeeshop is known for its excellent cannabis and good service. It’s also a world-famous coffeeshop in Amsterdam known to be a staple for many legendary stoners, including Cypress Hill (yes, I saw them there), Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, and many more.
Other cannabis legends have been there, too, like Woody Harrelson…and…and…[Editorial Note: time to knock it on the head there, bud]. Grey Area is one of the best places to buy weed in Amsterdam [EN: Attaboy].
It’s located close to the city center, so you can easily walk to it from your hotel after a busy day wandering around the city. The coffee shop has a great atmosphere and friendly staff happy to help you find your needs.
They also have knowledgeable budtenders who will give you recommendations based on your taste preferences, making them known as having the best weed in the Netherlands. There’s no need to worry if this place sells out of your favorite strain; plenty of other options are available.
FAQs
Is weed legal in Amsterdam, Netherlands?
It’s complicated, and the Dutch Government doesn’t seem to have a firm stance. In the Netherlands, Cannabis is actually illegal but is decriminalized for personal use. Recreational drug consumption is tolerated, and it is available in coffeeshops.
The “personal usage” agreement permits “soft drugs,” such as cannabis and other hallucinogenic mushrooms, according to the law in the Netherlands.
Can tourists still go to Amsterdam coffeeshops?
Yes, tourists can visit coffeeshops in Amsterdam, but every establishment has its own rules, and some only allow local people in. If you are allowed in, this does not mean tourists can consume cannabis at them!
Where once tourists could freely consume nature’s bounty in coffee shops across Dutch cities, the Dutch Government introduced a new toleration rule on 1 January 2013 that states only “residents” of the Netherlands are permitted to visit coffee shops and purchase cannabis there. Only a “resident” of the Netherlands lives in a Dutch municipality and is registered there.
What is the oldest coffee shop in Amsterdam?
The oldest coffeeshop in Amsterdam is now The Bulldog, which opened in 1975. Mellow Yellow Coffeeshop opened in 1971 and was the first coffee shop, but it has since shut down.
Do coffeeshops in Amsterdam roll the joints for you?
Yes, coffeeshops in Amsterdam will certainly roll the joints for you. Most coffeeshops also sell pre-rolled joints, so you won’t have to worry about rolling your own.
Related Amsterdam Resources
- Best Parks in Amsterdam to Visit
- Canals in Amsterdam You Need to See
- How Much is a Trip to Amsterdam? [Full Trip Cost Guide]
Related Resources