Last verified: April 2026

De Pijp: The Local Quarter

De Pijp (“The Pipe”) sits just south of the canal ring, anchored by the Albert Cuypmarkt — Amsterdam’s largest outdoor market, stretching for 260 stalls along Albert Cuypstraat. The neighborhood has a multicultural character that dates back a century: Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Indonesian communities have shaped the food scene, the street life, and the atmosphere.

For coffeeshop visitors, De Pijp offers a genuine alternative to the Centrum tourist circuit. The shops here are smaller, quieter, and noticeably cheaper — expect to save €2–4 per gram compared to the Red Light District. The clientele skews local. The overall experience is less performative and more authentic.

De Pijp is a 15-minute walk south from Rembrandtplein or a quick ride on tram 16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat. The De Pijp metro station on the North-South line puts you in the neighborhood in under 10 minutes from Centraal Station.

Katsu

Katsu at Eerste van der Helststraat 70 is De Pijp’s most consistently recommended coffeeshop. The vibe is artsy and relaxed — the kind of place where someone is sketching in a notebook at one table while a group of friends shares a joint at another. The interior is warm without being dark, and the music stays at conversation volume.

Katsu has outdoor seating on the street — a rarity for Amsterdam coffeeshops and a real draw on warm afternoons. The location is a block from the Albert Cuypmarkt, making it a natural stop before or after market browsing. The flower menu is mid-range but solid, with prices hovering around €10 per gram for quality strains.

• Address: Eerste van der Helststraat 70
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily
• Known for: Artsy atmosphere, outdoor seating, near Albert Cuypmarkt
• Price range: Mid-range (~€10/gram)
• Best for: Afternoon smoke with market browsing, outdoor seating, local vibe

Club Media

Club Media at Gerard Doustraat 85 was voted the #1 coffeeshop in Amsterdam in 2017 by the Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards — a recognition that surprised many visitors who had never heard of it, because Club Media does not court tourist attention. This is a neighborhood coffeeshop that happens to be excellent.

The interior feels like a living room: comfortable seating, soft lighting, and a warm atmosphere that encourages lingering. Where Club Media truly distinguishes itself is in its ice-o-lator hash — a solvent-free extraction method that produces some of the purest hash available in Amsterdam. If you are a hash enthusiast, this should be your De Pijp destination.

The flower menu is curated rather than overwhelming — typically 10–15 strains of consistent quality. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to explain the difference between their hash varieties. Prices are noticeably lower than Centrum.

• Address: Gerard Doustraat 85
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily
• Known for: #1 Coffeeshop 2017, ice-o-lator hash, living-room atmosphere
• Price range: Budget-to-mid (€8–12/gram flower, €10–20/gram hash)
• Best for: Hash connoisseurs, a cozy local experience, value for money

Yo-Yo

Yo-Yo at 2e Jan van der Heijdenstraat 79 blurs the line between coffeeshop and art gallery. The walls display rotating exhibitions from local artists, and the shop occasionally hosts art classes — yes, you can paint while you smoke. It is one of the most creatively stimulating coffeeshop environments in Amsterdam.

The cannabis menu has a distinctive emphasis on organic, outdoor-grown flower — a rarity in a city where most coffeeshop cannabis is indoor-hydroponic. The outdoor strains have a different terpene profile: earthier, less manicured, but with a complexity that experienced smokers appreciate. The Moroccan hash selection is also strong, reflecting the neighborhood’s North African cultural ties.

• Address: 2e Jan van der Heijdenstraat 79
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily
• Known for: Art gallery, organic outdoor flower, Moroccan hash, occasional art classes
• Price range: Budget-to-mid (€8–12/gram)
• Best for: Artists, organic flower fans, creative atmosphere, Moroccan hash

Why Choose De Pijp?

De Pijp’s coffeeshops offer a set of advantages that are difficult to find in Centrum:

• Lower prices — €8–12/gram for quality flower vs. €12–18 in Centrum
• Authentic atmosphere — locals outnumber tourists at all three shops
• Neighborhood integration — combine your coffeeshop visit with the Albert Cuypmarkt, Sarphatipark, or the Heineken Experience (100 meters from Club Media)
• No queues — you will never wait in line at a De Pijp coffeeshop
• Better food nearby — the Albert Cuypmarkt has some of the best street food in Amsterdam, from fresh stroopwafels to Surinamese roti. See our Food Guide

Pairing De Pijp: The Perfect Half-Day

A suggested itinerary for combining De Pijp’s coffeeshops with the neighborhood’s other attractions:

1. Morning: Walk the Albert Cuypmarkt (open 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday–Saturday). Try a stroopwafel from the market and a kibbeling (fried fish) from the stand near Ferdinand Bolstraat.
2. Midday: Visit Katsu for an outdoor-seating smoke session. Order a coffee and a gram of something mid-range.
3. Afternoon: Walk through Sarphatipark (De Pijp’s main green space) and head to Club Media for their hash selection.
4. Late afternoon: If you are feeling creative, stop by Yo-Yo to see whatever exhibition is on the walls.