The Great Debate: Amsterdam’s Best Coffeeshops
Go ahead and smoke up—even though it’s technically illegal
Rhythm Goyal / Unsplash
Smoking and consuming cannabis may now be legal in various parts of the world, but in Amsterdam, it continues to exist between what is legally allowed and what is tolerated. With that said, here’s a quick primer on what you need to know about smoking weed in Amsterdam, along with the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam by neighborhood (cause no one wants to figure out how to cross town to get back to their hotel room or Airbnb after a session).
If you’re taking it to go
Public consumption isn’t officially allowed, and enforcement varies. Hotels and rentals also often ban smoking, with added cleaning fees, so check before lighting up.
A note about edibles
Edibles can take up to two hours to kick in. Start small and wait before eating more.
Why are Dutch weed shops called coffeeshops?
The koffiehuis (coffee house), was a 17th-century invention thanks to the Dutch East India company’s coffee imports that evolved into non-alcohol establishments.
In Dutch, a café is the equivalent of a bar or pub that serves alcohol and food.
Then, in the 1970s, coffee and tea shops were used as a front for the selling weed and the name stuck. So now, everyone knows a koffiehuis sells coffee and sandwiches, a café sells beer and food, and a coffeeshop sells cannabis (and sometimes food as well).
Best Coffeeshops by Neighborhood
Below we’ve broken down the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam by neighborhood and what their strong suit is. If you’re looking to linger with canal views, head over to Siberië. Got a non-smoker in your group? Head to Dolphins. Some coffeeshops open as early as 7am for that just landed in Amsterdam crowd looking for something to do before hotel check-in.
Best Coffeeshops near Dam Square & Nine Streets
Street smoking is banned on Dam Square. Violators may face fines of €100.
Original Dampkring (opens in a new tab)
Usually crowded, the psychedelic aesthetic adds to the high-vibe energy.
Handboogstraat 29
Mon–Sun: 10am–1am
Best for: First-timers who want the big name
Tweede Kamer (opens in a new tab)
Tucked down an alley off Spui with dark panelling and limited seating.
Heisteeg 6
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: First-timers, couples, layovers
A whimsical treehouse-aesthetic spread over several floors with table service. The hot chocolate is a standout.
Jonge Roelensteeg 12
Mon–Sun: 9:30am–1am
Best for: Bigger groups, rainy day, layovers
Close to Nine Straatjes, a big front window for people-watching, good music, and a pancake shop across the street for the snack run.
Rosmarijnsteeg 9
Mon–Sun: 9:30am–1am
Best for: Solo travelers who want conversation
Grey Area (opens in a new tab)
Tiny, sticker-covered, no-frills, and often packed. If there’s no seat, plan to buy-and-go.
Oude Leliestraat 2
Mon–Sun: 12pm–8pm
Best for: Cannabis connoisseurs, intimate experience
Best Coffeeshops near De Wallen & Red Light District
Street smoking is banned in this area. Violators may face fines of €100.
Original Bulldog (opens in a new tab)
A big, hectic pub-style room with shared tables. It fills up around dinner.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: Easy and recognizable, layovers
Dark and timbered, pub-style aesthetic with a rock-and-roll soundtrack.
Oudebrugsteeg 27
Mon–Sun: 9am–1am
Best for: A solo afternoon
Two floors with WiFi (upstairs is a dedicated work area), organic tea, and a chill crowd.
Sint Antoniesbreestraat 71
Mon–Sun: 9:30am–1am
Best for: Solo travelers, rainy day, laptop-and-lounge sessions
Best Coffeeshops on the Prinsengracht
Easy Times (opens in a new tab)
Dark and moody interior with mellow music, the outdoor terrace is a prime boat-watching spot.
Prinsengracht 476
Mon–Sun: 7am–1am
Best for: Nervous first-timers, layovers
La Tertulia (opens in a new tab)
Bright, well-ventilated, and more café-like, with plants downstairs and gluten-free edibles.
Prinsengracht 312
Tue–Sat: 11am–7pm
Best for: A calm, wellness-style session, daytime, or if Mom is with you
Best Coffeeshops near Leidseplein
Vondelpark is the closest green space to these coffeeshops.
A dim, café-style room with proper cappuccinos. Buy at one counter, then sit down.
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145
Mon–Sun: 8:30am–1am
Best for: Under 30, rainy day, before a night out
Under-the-sea decor upstairs and a hip-hop basement lounge with board games.
Kerkstraat 39
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: Mixed groups with a non-smoker along, rainy days
Best Coffeeshops near Rembrandtplein & Utrechtsestraat
Boerejongens Centrum (opens in a new tab)
Polished, apothecary-style coffeeshop that opens early. The small upstairs lounge fills fast and the red velvet cake is the standout.
Utrechtsestraat 21
Mon–Fri: 7am–12:45am; Sat–Sun: 9am–12:45am
Best for: Upscale clientele, bougie first-timers, pairing with Utrechtsestraat shopping
Neon-lit and busy with pool tables and milkshakes on Rembrandtplein. More bar than lounge.
Rembrandtplein 24
Mon–Thu: 10am–1am; Fri–Sun: 9am–1am
Best for: Under 30, groups, late-night stops
Best Coffeeshops in Jordaan and Haarlemmerbuurt
Westerpark is a longer walk from the Jordaan shops, but there’s more space and less crowds.
Coffeeshop Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)
Casual and roomy across three floors, with Dutch toasties and red velvet cake. It gets hot inside in summer.
Haarlemmerstraat 44
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: Big groups, pre-Haarlemmerstraat shopping, layovers
Bright and airy, with canal views, communal tables, and good lattes. More café than den.
Brouwersgracht 11
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: Pairing with a post-smoke canal walk
Relax Centrum (opens in a new tab)
Minimalist espresso bar meets Dutch bruin café (brown bar) with pastries and football on the screens.
Binnen Oranjestraat 9
Mon–Sun: 8am–1am
Best for: Edibles
Best Coffeeshop in De Pijp
Sarphatipark is a few minutes walk from Katsu. It’s a smaller and quieter park, with a relaxed, neighborhood feel.
Part lounge part psychedelic art bar between the Albert Cuyp Market and the Heineken Experience. The terrace in the summer is an added bonus.
Eerste van der Helststraat 70
Mon–Thu: 10am–12am; Fri–Sat: 10am–1am; Sun: 11am–12am
Best for: Budget, pairing with the Albert Cuyp Market, or pre-dinner smoke