Best coffeeshops in Amsterdam (2026): our top 10 and the rules for visitors

Amsterdam has more coffeeshops than any other Dutch city, and they could hardly be more different: polished award winners with queues out the door, tiny shops where hash fans have bought for decades, and quiet neighbourhood places where the regulars know each other. Here are ten that stand out, and the rules you need to know before you go.

How we ranked them

These scores are research-based. We have not yet scored these shops from our own visits. Each shop is rated on public evidence: menu quality and reputation, including awards and thousands of Google reviews (40%), atmosphere and service (30%), price (15%) and location and access (15%). Every shop on the list was open at the time of writing. Full method on How we score.

Our top picks

Boerejongens (9.2), on Utrechtsestraat near Rembrandtplein, is the most decorated name in the city. Expect an apothecary-style shop, an award-winning range of flower, hash and edibles, and staff who know their menu. It is not cheap, there can be a queue, and there is only a small smoking room.

Coffeeshop Amsterdam (9.0) on Haarlemmerstraat is a bright three-floor lounge with table service, good music and well-regarded cakes, a few minutes from Centraal Station. It gets crowded at peak times.

Siberie (9.0) sits on the Brouwersgracht canal and feels more like a café than a shop: art on the walls, board games, open mic nights and good coffee, with a mix of locals and visitors. The menu is solid rather than award-heavy.

Grey Area (9.0), near Dam Square, is a tiny, sticker-covered cult shop with a long list of Cannabis Cup wins and a loyal following. It fills up fast and keeps short hours.

Also worth a visit

• Barney’s Coffeeshop (8.9): a long-running cup winner on Haarlemmerstraat with friendly staff. Prices run high.
• Katsu (8.9): a relaxed locals’ favourite in De Pijp, with art on the walls and good sativas. Worth the short trip out of the centre.
• Original Dampkring (8.9): famous for its psychedelic interior and its Ocean’s Twelve cameo. Service reviews are mixed.
• Paradox (8.7): a quiet Jordaan shop since 1991, close to the Anne Frank House, with a mostly local crowd.
• Tweede Kamer (8.7): a tiny old-school shop off Spui that hash fans seek out, open since 1985.
• Prix d’Ami (8.6): one of the biggest coffeeshops in the city, with three floors of seating near Centraal Station. Busy and touristy.

The rules for visitors in 2026

• 18 or older, with ID. Staff check at the door. Bring a passport, ID card or driving licence.
• 5 grams maximum. Coffeeshops may not sell more than 5 grams per transaction, and 5 grams is the tolerated amount for personal possession.
• Tourists are welcome. Amsterdam does not apply the national residents-only rule.
• No smoking on the street in the old centre. Since 2023, smoking cannabis in public is banned in the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square. The fine is 100 euros.
• No alcohol. Coffeeshops may not sell or serve it.
• No tobacco inside. The indoor smoking ban applies to coffeeshops, so tobacco and tobacco-mixed joints are not allowed indoors. Pure cannabis or tobacco-free herbal mixes are, unless the shop says otherwise.
• Only buy in coffeeshops. Street dealers often sell fake or unsafe products, and buying on the street is illegal.

Amsterdam is not part of the national closed-supply experiment that started in ten other Dutch municipalities in April 2025, so its coffeeshops still work under the long-standing tolerance policy.

Tips for your visit

1. Go early or midweek if you want a seat at the popular shops.
2. Ask the staff. In the better shops they will explain the menu and strengths. Start low if you are not a regular smoker, especially with edibles, which take longer to work.
3. Bring cash as a backup. Many shops take cards, not all.
4. Respect the neighbours. Keep noise down when you leave, and do not smoke in the banned zones.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best coffeeshop in Amsterdam?

On our research-based scores, Boerejongens on Utrechtsestraat comes first for its award-winning menu and expert staff, followed by Coffeeshop Amsterdam, Siberie and Grey Area.

Can tourists buy cannabis in Amsterdam?

Yes. Amsterdam does not apply the residents-only rule, so visitors aged 18 or over with a valid ID can buy in coffeeshops.

How much cannabis can I buy in an Amsterdam coffeeshop?

Coffeeshops may not sell more than 5 grams per transaction, and 5 grams is the tolerated amount for personal possession.

Can I smoke cannabis on the street in Amsterdam?

Not in the old city centre. Since 2023, smoking cannabis in public is banned in the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square, with a 100 euro fine.