Location: In the Jordaan district, Oude Leliestraat 2
Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Did you know that weed isn’t legal in Amsterdam? That’s right, coffee shops are allowed to sell it, but it’s not legal; it falls within a grey area of the law. This is where this famous coffee shop gets its name. Just like AMS, Grey Area has been around for 25 years!
Here are our top three reasons you should visit Grey Area on your next visit to Amsterdam:
- First and foremost, the weed is fantastic and STRONG.
- The budtenders are friendly and knowledgeable.
- The location is fantastic.
The inside and out walls are covered in graffiti and stickers. But don’t let looks deceive you – this place has got some of the best strains in the city, some of which have won several cannabis awards!
All your favorite stoner musicians have been here, from Snoop to Willie Nelson, from Phish to Cypress Hill…and don’t forget Killer Mike, enjoying a little bag of weed. That alone should tell you they got some amazing buds.
This is where we would suggest our favorite strains, but at Grey Area, they’re all great. You can see the latest bud menu here.
The only “bad” thing we have to say about this coffee shop is that we wish it were bigger! But don’t worry, avoid busy times, and you should be able to get a table, or at least not have to wait in line!
Explore the area
Now that you’ve visited Grey Area, it’s time to explore one of Amsterdam’s most iconic neighborhoods. What used to be a mostly blue-collar, poorer district is now one of the most trendy and sought-after in town!
The Jordaan has a lot to offer. We would be remiss not to mention the Anne Frank House. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Our only advice is to book far in advance. If you can’t get tickets, you can still see it from outside – it’s just around the corner.
Now for some more weed-appropriate activities. Let’s start with what is arguably the best cookie in the world.
Van Stapele Koekmakerij
On any given day, you might see an hour-long cue of people lining up to visit this Koekmakerij (Cookie shop). They only make one type of cookie…after all, if it’s the best in the world, why bother with anything else? Their famous cookie is made with dark chocolate and a melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate filling. Perfection. Again, you’ll want to avoid peak hours unless you’re fine with waiting in line.
Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore
While we’re on the subject of chocolate, you won’t want to miss out on the Chocolonely Superstore. This one’s not in the Jordaan, but just a short walk from Grey Area. You might’ve had Chocolonely chocolate before. It’s lekker (tasty). It’s all sourced from fair trade. And at this location, it’s enjoyable! You’ll feel a bit like you’re in Willy Wonka’s factory. Not only will you be able to try any of their flavors, but at this store, you can make your own with the ingredients of your choice, and it will be ready in minutes!
More munchies? No problem!
Last but not least, you’ll want to check out this local favorite, the Banketbakkerij Van Der Linde.
They have just one flavor, but that’s all you need. It tastes as if mascarpone and whipped cream had a baby. You don’t want to miss out on this lekker treat!
Time to play!
Last but not least, a short walk away is the Lego Store. If you’re a stoner, chances are you like Legos.
At the flagship store, you’ll see lego windmills and a trippy lego rendition of Dutch artist M. C. Escher’s famous relativity stairs.
