My personal belief is that the greatest place on Earth is in Europe, a place not so far from the UK, in fact. It has no picturesque scenery or beautiful coastlines; neither is it home to one of the wonders of the world. It’s not hot, it’s not cold, and no food there could be described as a delicacy. What it does have, more than anywhere else on the planet is culture, freedom, history and a way of life that guarantees every visitor cannot wait to return. If you haven’t guessed yet, I am talking about the world’s ’Cannabis Capital’, Amsterdam.
I am a frequent visitor to the Netherlands’ fantastic capital city, having returned annually since my first visit on my 21st birthday in 2006. The anticipation for that particular anniversary was unbearable; but the best thing about my first trip was that my expectations were surpassed and blown away – it was even better than I had ever imagined. My heart and imagination were captured instantly, and the magic of Mokum has as much appeal now as it ever had.
I felt it was time to write something about my experiences there. I wanted it to be reflective, but also helpful. So I’ve decided that I’m going to write about my favourite thing about Amsterdam, and that is……the coffeeshops. There are many, many of them, so I am going to attempt to create a list of the top ten ‘must-visit’ coffeeshops in Amsterdam.
If you were expecting to read about the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank House or tulips and canals, I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place. However, reading on will inform you of the best places to visit if you decide to sample what is unique to Amsterdam and experience its rich coffeeshop culture.
10. De Dampkring
De Dampkring has one of, if not the biggest menu in Amsterdam. For the connoisseur, this is one of the first ports of call. While I consider myself to be a good judge of quality when it comes to shrubbery, I’m never in a rush to get to this fine shop but I have stopped by on every trip. You could argue that this coffeeshop is the most famous in Amsterdam having appeared in the film Ocean’s 12, playing host to superstars Brad Pitt and George Clooney. This means that it’s always busy which makes it a place to purchase rather than relax. It does have a bit of a strange vibe, with odd décor and weird video clips on the TV screens together with a slightly uncomfortable and unwelcoming seating area. It isn’t the easiest place to find, sitting alone on the edge of the Centrum district, just off the Spui area. You could say it’s a bit like marmite, you either love it or you hate it, but the great quality ganja at decent prices means you can do a whole lot worse than visit De Dampkring. You must be 21 to enter.
9. Homegrown Fantasy
The first time I visited here was on my last trip in October 2010, which is a shame as it is a simple yet special shop. Nondescript on the outside, if it didn’t have the words ‘Homegrown Fantasy’ on the building then you probably wouldn’t even notice it was there. Inside is a different story. There’s something about this place, it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of the busier coffeeshops but it’s bright, relaxing and big enough to find a table. Unlike the shop the menu is small, but they stock top quality strains such as Jack Herer, which was wonderful. The prices are reasonable and the service ok, but the one visit I made was enough to ensure that I return the next time I’m in Amsterdam. It’s well located too, just a few minutes walk from Dam Square.
8. Blues Brothers
A hidden treasure among the hundreds of ‘smaller’ shops dotted around the city centre. Blues Brothers is a street away from the main street, Damrak. Now, there are a lot of coffeeshops in this area, so why should you go there? For one reason: They have a fantastic menu. The budtender is helpful, informative and very knowledgeable about their super strains. The only issue with their menu is that they list the prices per gram, but only sell in €10 denominations, which can be confusing. Upstairs is the ghetto smoking area which could do with some renovation, but feeling like you’re back in your old sixth form common room except with everybody’s best friend hanging out in the corner does have a certain appeal! Its not the most comfortable of coffeeshops, but it’s well worth spending a few hours there in a haze.
7. Greenhouse
Another of the ‘Dam juggernauts, this busy coffeeshop has a funky décor and famous customer base with a wall adorned with photos of the many celebrities to have visited there. Their menu is superb, with at least twenty strains and a decent selection of hashish to choose from. It’s reasonably priced with something for everyone; it’s worth making this your first stop as they offer a free branded grinder with your purchase (saving you precious Euros) and is just off Damstraat, near the city centre.
6. High Times
A recent makeover has resulted in High Times becoming one of the more modern places to chill out. Across two floors there are comfortable leather benches, funky seats and mirrored walls and the friendly staff are only too happy to help. Their well-priced menu is good; however they don’t seem to stock anything unique. On the other hand the hash menu is one of the better ones you’ll find. This coffeeshop’s central location just off the infamous Warmoestraat means that it is easy to find, and a great place to relax in a friendly atmosphere.
5. Grey Area
This American-based shop is probably the smallest in Amsterdam. It’s also a bit of a challenge to find. Even though you almost definitely will not be able to stay inside the walk is worth it because their menu is one of, possibly even the best you’ll find. It has nice little descriptions of the products and their effects and a strong emphasis on 4:20. The staff are really friendly and informative, and even though the unfortunate size of the coffeeshop means that your visit will be a brief one, Grey Area is without doubt a place that you simply must go.
4. Abraxas
Abraxas is a uniquely styled coffeeshop with different seating areas that all take on a random theme. There is a funky downstairs area complete with steep spiral staircase, which can be a challenging obstacle after an afternoon’s smoking. Upstairs is split into two sections, a hard area with wooden benches and a large flat screen TV, and a soft area with homely couches and low tables. There really is somewhere to smoke no matter how you feel. It’s very well-known and only a few minutes from Dam Square so it’s always busy, but it is big enough that you can usually find a seat. Their menu is decent but has nothing that stands out, and their prices are a little high. This should not put you off though, as you do not need to purchase anything but a drink to experience this epic little coffeeshop.
3. Dolphins
I visit this shop every time I go to Amsterdam, without fail. It has a unique décor with, yes; you guessed it, a dolphin theme throughout. The best thing about it is that its downstairs area is made up of six exceptionally comfortable partitioned couch areas. You can even put your feet up after the long walk (as long as you remove your footwear). Overwhelmingly blue, this room is probably my favourite in any coffeeshop. The atmosphere is warm and friendly; yet it’s easy to relax and drift off into your own little world. The snacks and refreshments are as cheap as it gets, and the bags and receipts are branded which make for good souvenirs. You’re probably wondering why I don’t have Dolphins as my number one. Of the shops on this list it is the furthest from the city centre, and the menu is annoyingly the poorest, but the charm of this wonderful coffeeshop makes it somewhere that a visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without.
2. Hunters Coin
Hunters Coin is a small coffeeshop with limited seating, yet it’s the diminutive size along with the dimly-lit interior that creates the ambience that perfectly captures the magic of Amsterdam. Sitting on Warmoestraat along with its big brother Hunter’s, it possesses a superb range of smokes (including hash) which are right up there with Grey Area and Green Place. The prices range from reasonable to expensive and the budtenders are informative. It is this impressive menu along with the experience the coffeeshop provides that place Hunters Coin so highly on this list.
1. Green Place
Awesome. Perfect. Superb. I could reel off a list of superlatives with which to describe the Green Place. This modern coffeeshop, situated on the edge of the Red Light District has leather seating, a flat screen TV (mostly showing football) and has the most unique menu in Amsterdam. They constantly stock deliciously fragrant, mind-blowing strains you can’t find elsewhere or sometimes haven’t even heard of. This does not detract from their quality, which is of the highest order. The prices reflect this, but are still reasonable compared to some other ‘famous’ coffeeshops. It’s a great place to relax and smoke, to make a boring football match that little bit more entertaining, have a smoke with friends or to people watch from the comfort of the window. I only discovered this magical shop a year or so ago, and it was one of the first places I visited on the next trip. Green Place really does have it all.
