OTP’s Top Coffee Shops in Amsterdam
You’re not fooling anyone—even if you claim to be visiting Amsterdam for the history, art, or other cultural bullshit, everyone knows you’re going to stroll through the red light district and indulge in the city’s famous “coffee shops.” We’re all about going to the Van Gogh museum or checking out the Anne Frank House (sobriety recommended), but hitting up a cafe or two is equally essential. Whether you’re already a ganja fan or a green-eyed virgin, OTP’s Guide to the 5 Best “Coffee” Shops in Amsterdam will get you to the good stuff.
Photo by: Jeremiah Christopher
Originally opened by a couple of American burnouts, this joint full o’ joints has been going strong for more than a decade. The “mecca for American tourists,” Grey Area serves up a unique vibe alongside its tasty weed. A stoner punk’s dream, Grey Area is covered with stickers of obsolete punk bands, and you can bet on hearing a lot The Clash. The place has won 21 awards for its reefer over the years, and remains a celebrity favorite. Willie Nelson personally recommends Grey Area for the best shit in town, and he’s joined by the good stoner company of Phish, Dave Attell, and the boys of Bush. Even Flava Flav gets his weed there, and we’d all like to try whatever crazy shit he’s on.
Photo by: sersen
Bluebird is paradise for smokers and straight-laced alike. While the place offers some phenomenal weed, there are tree-free perks as well. On the ground floor you’ll find a knowledgeable staff to give less experienced smokers a little guidance, and some delicious hash bon-bons. The upstairs is equipped with comfy couches to enjoy your purchase, and there’s a non-smoking section serving up weed-free food and non-alcoholic drinks. They even have sushi night on Saturdays.
OTP Tip: If never-ending techno kills your high, this place might not be for you.
Picasso’s is the underdog of Amsterdam coffee shops. Like a cafe version of a local dive bar, it has mostly regular and local clientele, and doesn’t often make it into tour books or “Best of Amsterdam” lists. For all the wake-and-bakers out there, Picasso’s opens early and with any morning purchase of hash, you get toast and a cup of coffee. The service is welcoming and it doesn’t feel dark and seedy like a lot of other coffee shops. The most wholesome place to get high, Picasso’s is decked out with boardgames and has a phenomenal bakery next door to satisfy your munchies.
Photo by: ge'shmally
A congregation den for cannabis connoisseurs, De Dampkring is notorious for its Orange Bud. In 1998, the stuff won four out of six Cannabis Cup finals. In addition, the décor is dramatic and trippy, with dark mahogany wood carvings, Indian statues, gold trim, mellow music, even a color changing mushroom lamp in the center room. The shooting location for Oceans Twelve, hands down, this place wins for best vibes.
OTP Bonus: Smart Shop—Conscious Dreams
Photo by: vulture06
Want to take it to the next level? Check out a Smart Shop. Smart shops pretty much carry every legal psychedelic you can dream of. While the country did ban ‘shrooms a few years back, they didn’t ban other psychedelics containing the exact same chemical that causes the hallucinogenic experience. Conscious Dreams also sells herbal supplements that result in euphoric experiences similar to Ecstasy, but which are perfectly legal and more on the natural side. Unlike a lot of Smart Shops, Conscious Dreams has a lounge area to take your purchases for a test drive.
While Popeye’s does have some decent bud, what really makes this place remarkable is Popeye himself. It remains a mystery as to why this man, who bears no resemblance to the classic cartoon character, has given himself such an absurd nickname. Because sharing is caring, upon entering, Popeye or one of his minions greets you, and offers up a hit or two from his own peace pipe before you commit to a purchase. The shop also offers some pretty killer weekday specials—think “Taco Tuesdays” but with pot. The perfect place to pair a crazy story with your buzz.
This guide shows you how to get a little wild with Mary Jane, the plant. Hang tight, we’ll cover Mary Jane, the prostitute shortly. Get high (and don’t get herpes) in the meantime.
In search of the miraculous
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