A wonderful city with a great vibe, my memories of Amsterdam are some of my best. While I admit the city has a well-developed seedy side, I felt it was a friendly place and absolutely loved the system of canals. Part of our stay including watching the annual Gay Pride parade. I think my brother and father were less convinced, but I thought it was fantastic and the atmosphere was incredibly laid-back.
In that spirit, I'd like to share the fruits of my research - five of the very best coffee houses in Amsterdam. As some of you may know, coffee houses recently had to choose between serving marijuana and alcohol. The majority of them settled on marijuana, so don't hold high hopes of being able to get alcoholic drinks at these places BUT if you do fancy a bite of a space cake, a legal toke or just a great cup of joe and some fantastic people-watching, these are the places to go...
Abraxis
Hidden in a tiny alley near the Dam Square, this coffee house has three gorgeous wood-pannelled floors to hang out in. If you head up to the top small, you will find it decorated with live marijuana plants, which can be a thrill to newcomers. The ambiance is lovely and the view from the top is wonderful. If you're not afraid of heights, skip up to the top floor and look down through the glass partition all the way down to the ground floor!
Barney' Breakfast Bar
This is one is great for early risers, since it opens earlier than most coffee houses and also serves (as one would assume from the name) fantastic breakfasts. Also, since they're up near the train station, Barney's is a good place to go when you first hit town and nothing else has opened yet.
La Canna
A large, impressive coffee house boasting three floors, a billiards room, restaurant and even rooms to rent! The service is particularly good and this is a great place for people watching: just find yourself a seat by the second-floor windows for a great view out over the busy streets.
Popeye's
Famous not for its food nor its ambiance, but rather for its owner, Popeye's is something different! Popeye himself is the owner – a jovial, chatty guy who loves nothing better than chatting with his customers, hanging around and greeting and welcoming everybody. Great if you're feeling a little disillusioned!
Rokerij
Part of a small chain with four locations in the city. The original location is probably the best, boasting great service, wonderful food and drinks and a classy, indian-themed atmosphere. Just pay attention when looking for it, or you might miss it!
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