Edibles in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide for 2024

Welcome to our epic guide to edibles in Amsterdam in 2024, where we’ll tell you where to find the best space cakes and why you shouldn’t buy edibles from just any shop!

Arrived in Amsterdam and craving the full-blown Dutch experience? Put on your clogs, bike to the nearest canal, hire a boat, and… get high! But instead of blowing smoke as you float along, why not savour an edible from one of Amsterdam’s best coffeeshops?

But first, you might be wondering:

What is an edible?
How many edibles should you consume?
Will you get too high?
And where can you buy the best edibles in Amsterdam?

After years of exploring Amsterdam for the best weed brownies and space cakes (I’m not a fan of smoking), I can confidently say that Amsterdam offers some of the most delicious and potent edibles — you just need to know where to find them.

So, without further ado, here’s all you need to know about edibles in Amsterdam.

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What are edibles?

Edibles are cannabis-induced food items with the goal of getting you high. 

They are typically sweet items like cakes, brownies or gummies, but almost any food item can be turned into an edible treat.

So why can’t we simply consume fresh marijuana — it’s a vegetable, right? Well, that’s because the component of marijuana that produces a high is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and it needs heat to activate.

This is why, if you just eat straight cannabis, you won’t feel its intoxicating effects — but just eat a kind of weird salad instead.

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Where to buy the best edibles in Amsterdam

While you can buy edibles in virtually any coffeeshop you come across, not all edibles in Amsterdam are created equal. But worry not — I’ve listed some of my favourites below! 

These are guaranteed to give you a good high (but not too intense!) and taste delicious.

1. Coffeeshop Boerejongens for Amsterdam’s best brownie

If you want to go classic with a good ol’ brownie, head to one of the Boerejongens Coffeeshops for Amsterdam’s best. 

I particularly like these stores because they’re fresh, modern, and impeccably clean. The staff knows their craft and welcomes everyone, from tourists to locals, first-timers, and experienced stoners.

And, of course, their brownies are the best in town! 😍They’re not just perfectly gooey and chocolatey but also very generous in size. Each cake contains around 330 milligrams of cannabis, and trust me: one-half is enough to have you walking on clouds. ☁️

2. Coffeeshop Sloterdijk for some haute-cuisine Red Velvet Cake

In the mood for something a little more elaborate? Then Coffeeshop Sloterdijk’s Red Velvet Cake might tickle your fancy. 

Containing 330 milligrams of marijuana, this cake doesn’t just look like it belongs in a high-end bakery — it tastes like it too. And the icing on the cake (literally)? The gooey cream cheese frosting.

After about an hour, this cake will give you quite an intense body high, so make sure to consume it gradually and responsibly. 

3. Coffeeshop Tweede Kamer for a chocolate delight Classic Cake Bar

Established in 1985, De Tweede Kamer was the first coffeeshop to weigh and package products in front of customers, allowing them to see, feel, and smell the quality of the goods.

There’s a reason this coffeeshop has stayed around for so long: it’s a favourite among locals for its excellent products, staff, and prices. Why should you check it out, you ask? For its delectable surprise in a box: a Classic Cake Bar!

This chocolate-covered goodness is made up of dark chocolate, salted caramel, ganache and, of course, weed. Though it’s hard to resist its deliciousness, it’s recommended to only eat a maximum of one-half at a time. 

4. Coffeeshop Amsterdam for a refreshing Lemon Cake Bar

Looking for more of a refreshing taste? Coffeeshop Amsterdam’s Lemon Cake Bar could be just the zesty goodness you need. 

Creamy and crunchy, lemony and sweet, this Amsterdam edible is perfect for a sunny day out — or just for anyone who doesn’t have the biggest of sweet tooths (but still wants to ride the highest of highs). 😉

Coffeeshop Amsterdam is conveniently located in the city centre, so the Lemon Cake Bar is perfect for that mid-day pick-me-up followed by a chill afternoon in the park.

5. Coffeeshop Noord for a nutty White Choco Cake Bar

Pistachio and white chocolate come together in Coffeeshop Noord’s heavenly White Choco Cakebar. These bars contain 330 milligrams of Amsterdam’s finest cannabis — and they’re just as delicious as they sound. 

Coffeeshop Noord was also recently renovated, so it sports a stunning, clean interior that looks more like a place you’d get an elaborate Iced Matcha than a weed shop. It’s perfect for first-timers or anyone who isn’t impressed by dingy, dimly lit coffeeshops. 

Oh, and Amsterdam Noord just happens to be one of Amsterdam’s coolest neighbourhoods, so don’t forget to check it out while you’re there!

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The different types of edibles in Amsterdam

Like the different types of weed in Amsterdam, edibles vary depending on what strain is used and, of course, on the food item that has been infused with the cannabis goodness.

Kinds of edibles available in Amsterdam coffeeshops

Almost anything can be made into an edible, from gummy bears to milkshakes and even hamburgers and chips. What you decide to consume is entirely up to your tastebuds’ preferences. 😉

Candies and sweets, such as gummy bears, chocolate, lollipops, brownies, and cakes, are usually the most popular kinds of edibles.

However, in Amsterdam coffeeshops, you can only legally get a selection of cannabis-infused baked goods. This is because, in the Netherlands, edibles may only be made with raw cannabis, and edibles made from THC or CBD extracts are prohibited.

That being said, edibles like brownies, muffins, and cakes are readily available at coffeeshops across the city. 

Weed vs. hash-based edibles

Weed is the dried cannabis plant, cultivated mainly from flowering buds. Hash, on the other hand, is a paste made from resin and sap from the plant.

READ MORE | The best hash in Amsterdam: ultimate high guide for 2024

Hash produces stronger effects because it has a higher concentration of THC than the dried plant — so an edible made with hash may give you a stronger high (depending on the quantity used and consumed). 

Indica vs. Sativa-based edibles

There are two sub-species of cannabis. Indica-based weed will provide more of a body high, and sativa-based cannabis will produce more of a head high. 

You can also get hybrid cannabis, and many shops will sell a blend of the two.

THC vs. CBD in edibles

Finally, there are thousands of possible cannabinoids that weed can contain, but the most common cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). 

THC produces psychoactive effects, while CBD doesn’t produce a head high. CBD is, however, hailed as a miracle worker for pain relief, easing mental stress, and assisting sleep.

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Tips for buying edibles in Amsterdam

Edibles vary wildly in quality throughout Amsterdam. Here are some tips to get something delicious — and not get ripped off: 

Don’t buy space cakes from tourist shops. Only coffeeshops are allowed to sell cannabis-infused cakes in Amsterdam. Tourist shops label cakes as “space cakes”, but they only contain hemp, so they won’t get you high. 
Your edible should have information on the package advising how to eat it and how much THC is inside. Avoid those that don’t; they might have no THC or be unregulated, leading to you either getting too high or not high enough. 
Choose one that looks delicious! Trust me, some space cakes are like eating cardboard. You might as well enjoy the taste.

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How is consuming edibles different from smoking weed?

Whether you decide to smoke or ingest your cannabis will impact your experience of your high. This comes down to one defining factor: the way your body absorbs the THC.

Smoking a joint will make you feel high almost instantly but will fade fast. In comparison, an edible like a space cake can take a few hours before you feel the effects, but you’ll feel high for much longer. 

That’s because edibles absorb differently in your body. Once you eat your edible, it travels to your gut, where it’s broken down, and the food is converted into energy. The cannabis compounds are metabolised in the liver and then circulated throughout the body and brain. 

READ MORE | Smoking or edibles: what’s the best way to get high in Amsterdam?

Given the edibles need to be absorbed through the digestive system, this creates a delayed onset in comparison to smoking, where effects are felt almost instantly.

Edibles are also a more discreet way to consume marijuana. If you’re heading to the movies and don’t want to stink of smoke, then eating a space cake will do the trick. 

Or if you’re home and don’t want to spark complaints of a weedy smell from neighbours, edibles are a great alternative.

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What you need to know about eating edibles in Amsterdam

Ready to go and stock up on the best edibles that can be found in Amsterdam? Here are a few quick tips first.

Eat your edible gradually (and be patient)

Many people eat half a brownie, expect it to kick it five minutes later, and when it doesn’t, they smash the other half. Then, an hour later, it all hits at once; and they become incredibly stoned and end up having a bad trip.

I saw this happen to a classmate of mine when I was studying in the Netherlands, and it was not pretty. Even worse, it lasted for six whole hours!

But I’m not telling you this to put you off having an edible; I’m just reminding you how important it is to take it slow, figure out your tolerance, and stick within your limit.

A good practice is to eat a small, manageable amount, then wait two to four hours for it to kick in fully. You’ll feel when that happens. And trust me: being a bit less high is 100% preferable to having a bad trip. 

Know how much of your edible you should eat

Each edible should state on the packaging how many milligrams of weed are inside. As a rough starting point, 10 milligrams is considered a single serving for an adult. 

But if this is the first time you have had an edible, we recommend starting smaller. Even if the packaging says to eat half of the space cake, you might need only a fraction of that for a comfortable high. 

Always keep in mind: start low and go slow.

What to do if you get too high from edibles in Amsterdam

There’s nothing worse than feeling too high or out of control — but it can happen to anyone. If the heebie-jeebies hit, here are a few quick tips: 

First, breathe deeply. Remember, no one has ever died from a weed overdose. 
Put on a funny show or podcast to distract yourself. 
Drink a glass of water. 
Eat a snack: Pine nuts, lemon, and peppercorns have all been scientifically proven to reduce the effects of a high. 
Give a friend a call and let them talk you down. 
Take a relaxing shower. 
Take a walk through some quiet streets — but remember your charged phone so you don’t get lost in Amsterdam.
Try to sleep it off.

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Want to make your own edibles? Here are the dos and don’ts

Making your own edibles is a tad bit more complicated than throwing some flour and sugar in a mixer, but it’s not as complicated as you may think.

Although weed affects people differently, sativa-based weed will give the users a head high and indica-based weed is a body high that is better for relaxation and sleep. Remember this when picking the strain of weed for your edibles.

You’ll need to look up a recipe online (there are many of them out there), but here is a brief overview of the dos and don’ts:

Dos	Don’ts
Do make sure to stir, it will distribute the weed evenly throughout your dish.	Don’t cook cannabis in its raw state. The THC won’t activate, and you will just be consuming plant leaves.
Do kick-start the THC component by heating the mixture, otherwise, you won’t get high.	Don’t grind the weed too finely. There shouldn’t be chunks, but it shouldn’t be powdered either. Find a happy medium.
Do measure how much weed you put in. Around five milligrams is a good starting place.	Don’t cook at a high temperature. Around 130 degrees Celsius should be about the maximum.

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Edibles are a fantastic way to experience the weed culture in Amsterdam, as long you take it slow, start small, and go with the flow. 

Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam — and your other “trip” too! 😉

Have you eaten edibles in Amsterdam? Got a recommendation? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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Edibles in Amsterdam: Frequently asked questions