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Amsterdam’s Best Gifts

13. December 2016/in /by David

Creative Christmas Gifts from Amsterdam

If you are staying at Teleport Hotel in Amsterdam this Christmas, we have some great gift ideas for you. Instead of the usual Dutch cheese, stroopwafels, tulip bulbs, or Delft blue pottery, why not choose something more creative? Amsterdam has so much to offer for original presents. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Scratch Maps and Quirky Gifts from By Popular Demand

A scratch map is an original Christmas gift idea. Your friends can scratch the countries they have visited. By Popular Demand also has quirky lamps, funny socks, tote bags with an Amsterdam map, and unique pillows. This shop is full of creative surprises.

Address: Raadhuisstraat 2

Moustache Wax and Special Knives from Concrete Matter

Concrete Matter is a stylish store with gifts for men. You can find whiskey disks, moustache wax, radiometers, or high-quality pocket knives. Any gentleman will appreciate these items. Focus on what your friend likes, and you’ll leave the store with something special.

Address: Haarlemmerdijk 127

Wall Vases and Paper Animals from Store Without a Home

If you want a creative gift for a cozy home, visit Store Without a Home. They offer wall vases, 3D puzzles, story tiles, porcelain monkey masks, and more. The shop is full of interesting shapes and conceptual designs. You might even want to keep something for yourself!

Address: Haarlemmerdijk 26

Gluhwine Chocolate from TONY’s Chocolonely

No Christmas is complete without chocolate. TONY’s Chocolonely offers a 100% slavery-free chocolate bar with a story. This year’s special flavor is milk chocolate with gluhwine. It is delicious and makes a unique gift.

Address: Polonceaukade 20

Coloring Book of Amsterdam at Athenaeum Boekhandel

Coloring books are now popular with adults. A coloring book of Amsterdam is a fun and stress-relieving gift. Your friend can bring the city to life with colors. The book features famous streets and landmarks.

Address: Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1

Colorful Mugs from Blond Amsterdam

Skip the boring mug and choose a bright one from Blond Amsterdam. These mugs show the owner’s personality, profession, or interests. The signature blond girl makes it a fun and memorable gift, perfect for any lady.

Address: Gerard Doustraat 69

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Amsterdam’s Best Restaurants

3. September 2016/in /by David

Discover the Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

Have you ever walked around the city not knowing which restaurants are worth checking out for lunch or dinner? Nothing is more frustrating than browsing around with an empty stomach, struggling to make a decision. Finding a good place to eat in a new city can be tricky unless you do your research. But don’t worry — we’ve done it for you! Here are 8 top restaurants in Amsterdam that will make both you and your stomach happy.

Upon Arrival

If you’re hungry after your arrival at Teleport Hotel, there’s no need to wait long for a tasty meal. Start your Amsterdam journey with one of the great nearby spots.

Grand Café Hermes

This cozy café is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel and has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor — and for good reason! Try their chicken satay or juicy homemade double burger, both local favorites. Hermes is open only on weekdays, but the good news is that the Teleport reception team can give you a voucher for a free small appetizer.

Bret

What looks like a red container is actually a trendy spot with great food, local beers, and live DJs. They call it an oasis in a concrete jungle, and that’s a perfect description. Stop by for their Nordman beer or organic lemonade, have dinner, or dance until late.

Best Indian Food – Shiva

Enjoy the warm and relaxing atmosphere, great service, and rich Indian flavors. A 3-course dinner for two with drinks costs around €60 — totally worth it. Locals love their butter chicken, tikka masala, naan, and mango lassi.

Best Thai Food – Bird

For real Thai food, head to Bird. Try their small café across the street from the main restaurant — the food is just as authentic, faster, and cheaper. The restaurant itself offers a full dining experience if you prefer a longer evening.

Best Dutch Food – Hap-Hmm

Want to taste traditional Dutch food? Hap-Hmm is the place. Their dishes taste like homemade meals full of love and flavor. They don’t take reservations, so it’s best to come early on weekdays. Everything on the menu is a hit!

Best Belgian Food – Lieve

Located on a beautiful canal, Lieve offers three dining styles: Mom’s Kitchen Table (casual), Belgian Baroque (fine dining), and Mrs. Bubbles (chic and stylish). Each offers delicious Belgian dishes at different price levels.

Best Japanese Food – Kaiko

If sushi is your favorite, this family-run restaurant is a must. It’s one of the most authentic Japanese dining spots in Amsterdam. Prices are higher, but the quality and experience are unmatched.

Best Italian Food – Pazzi

For true Italian pizza, visit Pazzi. With two locations, the one in Jordaan is the most charming. Expect fresh ingredients, perfect dough, and creamy mozzarella straight from the oven.

In the hotel

In case it was a long day for you and you don’t feel for going out to try the best cuisine in Amsterdam, then you can always order food online at Thuisbezorgd or Justeat to Amsterdam Teleport Hotel. Your favorite restaurant doesn’t deliver? Deliveroo will bring you food from any place in the city with no problem! And our team is always happy to help you with making the right decision or order the food for you. Delicious meals will be delivered to your room!

The Coffeeshop World

11. May 2016/in /by David

Amsterdam Coffeeshops – The Real Meaning of “Coffee”

If you think this post is about the best coffee in Amsterdam, think again.
In the Netherlands, a coffeeshop is not a café. Sure, you can get coffee there, but that’s not why people visit. Locals and tourists come mainly to buy or smoke weed.

You might believe that smoking cannabis is legal here, but technically it’s not. The use and sale of small amounts of soft drugs are only tolerated by authorities. You can buy and use cannabis, but coffeeshops themselves are not allowed to purchase it from growers. Let’s take a closer look at how this system really works.

So what is allowed?

As a tourist aged 18 or older, you are welcome in any Amsterdam coffeeshop. You can buy up to 5 grams of cannabis per day. Smoking is allowed inside the coffeeshop or outside, as long as you don’t disturb others and stay away from schools or playgrounds.

Amsterdam’s main rule is simple: “Your freedom ends where my freedom begins.” So even if you’re high, remember to stay polite and respectful.

Alcohol is not allowed in coffeeshops. If you smoke tobacco or prefer mixing it with cannabis, you’ll need to use a separate smoking area. The rest of the coffeeshop must stay tobacco-free by law.

No city in the world embraces cannabis culture quite like Amsterdam. Around 35% of all visitors end up in a coffeeshop at least once.

Which coffeeshop to choose

Over the years, stricter regulations have reduced the number of coffeeshops in Amsterdam. Today, about 155 remain — still plenty for your stay. Each one has its own vibe, menu, and crowd. Some are cozy, others modern. Some serve better weed, while others impress with their design or food.

Here’s our top 3 selection of coffeeshops worth visiting:

Abraxas

Hidden in a narrow alley, Abraxas attracts tourists with its large menu, friendly staff, and dream-like interior. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, and the weed quality is excellent.

Dampkring

There are two Dampkring locations, but make sure to visit the original one. It offers an unforgettable design, great marijuana selection, and a cozy, artistic vibe. The decor alone is worth the visit.

420 Café

A favorite among locals, 420 Café welcomes you with dark wooden interiors and super friendly staff. They show nature documentaries, offer free vaporizers, and serve quality weed at fair prices.

Get High, But Be Smart

Amsterdam weed is stronger than you might expect. If you’re not used to it, take it slow. Always ask the staff for advice about strength and effects before buying. They know what they’re doing — listen to them.

If smoking isn’t your thing, you can try space cakes. But be careful. The effects take longer to kick in, so don’t eat more than recommended. Many tourists make the mistake of taking a second bite too early — and regret it later.

Remember: you came to Amsterdam to enjoy, not to have a bad trip. Never buy from the street. Stick to licensed coffeeshops and know your limits.

Coffeeshop vs. Smartshop

Don’t confuse a coffeeshop with a smartshop. A smartshop sells magic truffles, which are hallucinogenic and much stronger than cannabis. They cause longer and deeper trips — that’s another story entirely. If you’re new to all this, start with a coffeeshop visit first.

If you’re really into cannabis culture, don’t miss the High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam every November.

A Final Note from Amsterdam Teleport Hotel

We want you to have fun and experience Amsterdam safely. Enjoy the city, the vibe, and its freedom — but please, don’t smoke in the hotel rooms.

Sleep well, explore more, and enjoy Amsterdam the smart way.