What is a visit to the Netherlands without going to a coffee shop?
Here are my top 7 coffee shops to check out while in blissful Amsterdam!
1. Grey Area
Grey Area is a small place with a very positive reputation. It is known to have some of the finest beans in all of Amsterdam, and therefore it is always busy. The entire place only holds 16 people, so it is hard to get a seat at one of the few tables. I would consider Grey Area as more of a pick-up-and-leave type place.
American tourists love the Grey Area, probably because they are always playing old American rock music. On the wall, there is a clock always showing the time 4:20. They also have complimentary glass bongs if you would like to indulge. This is probably my favorite coffee shop that I went to in Amsterdam!
#2. Noon
Noon is a quality coffee shop with reasonable prices. The atmosphere is very friendly and it’s a great place to post-up and glaze out the front window. Most of the people inside are locals because Noon is out of the touristy areas and it isn’t well-known to foreigners. Plant yourself at one of the comfortable benches and stare at the giant Buddha mural on the wall. It is best known for its Blueberry grass, so give it a try and enjoy yourself!
#3. De Rokerij
The original Rokerij (there are multiple) is a huge, yet somewhat hidden coffee shop with a full bar. This place can get very crowded, but it’s a great chill-out place to go with your friends. Grab a joint and a beer and you can chill here for hours. The ambiance is Moroccan/Arabian, where the candles are dim, incense is burning, and the music puts you in a light trance. There is a large lounge area in the back with super comfortable pillows. Rokerij is awesome!
#4. The Grasshopper
The original Grasshopper is one of the most famous coffee shops in Amsterdam. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality is magnificent. The staff at Grasshopper make you buy a drink if you want to smoke inside, which is kind of absurd, but you are paying for the experience. It is a good place to chill if it is cold outside, because you can look onto the busy street through huge glass windows. Make sure you go up to the bar in the back to order.
#5. Katsu
Katsu is sometimes referred to as “the best kept secret in Amsterdam.” And with good reason. This well-established coffee shop has a friendly and warm staff, and always hosts a great mix of locals and foreigners. Everything is reasonably priced, and the menu is extensive. The atmosphere inside is cozy, where you will see locals playing chess, reading books, and chatting with friends. The music is a good mix of easy listening, light rock, and reggae. Katsu is decorated outside with plants in the windows and artsy designs out front. Don’t miss out on Katsu!
#6. Bulldog 90
Bulldog 90 was the first coffee shop in Amsterdam (since 1975) and laid the benchmark for contemporary coffee shops. What was once a cellar has now transformed into a popular brand with 5 locations. You might get a little confused when you walk inside, but just make sure to go downstairs and order at the ‘bud bar.’ The prices are a little more expensive, but the quality is very good! The service is great, and they will answer any questions you may have. It’s worth checking this place out for the history itself!
Have you been to any of these coffee shops in Amsterdam? Do you have any more to add to this list? Comment below!
