Yo-Yo

[Currently under renovation. Temporary home in a shipping container.] They hope to move back inside in November. Fortunately, they only rent the premises so the renovation hasn't cost them. Meantime, they're open 12 til 7, closed Sun., dealing from the cabin with a couple of tables outside.

I have been buying (and smoking) weed from Yo Yo for twenty years or so. It used to be an abandoned house which was then squatted (kraak pand in Dutch) and then legalized a long time ago by the people running it (former members of kraak movement). Important thing about Yo Yo is that they only sell weed grown outside (so no heavy, lamp grown stuff). A while ago they introduced hashish as well (I don't smoke hash so can't tell you about the quality of it). Weed however is excellent (how our parents used to smoke), pure high and when the effect wears off it's as if you have not smoked at all (no side effects like paranoia, confusion and the like). People who smoke indoor weed don't like it because it's not strong enough - I would say it is just how weed ought to be, light, inspirational, friendly. For what it's worth I would like to include this comment about Yo Yo for all those relaxed, easy going, old fashioned weed smokers visiting Amsterdam. Yo Yo also helps young artists (painters, photographers) exhibiting their work. My personal favourite is Hindi-Kush.

Top marks for this one. White Widow was fantastic, a heavy buzz but not uncomfortable. 10 euros bought me two huge buds. Coffee good, shop a little dull though service pleasant. Wasn't open some evenings.

A bit off the well beaten tourist path, secluded on a leafy quiet street in a residential district. Really chilled out place and lovely to while away a lazy afternoon watching the world go by. Didn't buy any weed but had a lovely coffee and joint of NYC Diesel I'd purchased earlier. Highly recommend this place.

Laid back and easy. The smoke is fine and the atmosphere very calm and laid back. On a nice street near the Albert Cuyp markets with great apple pie. A lovely place to while away a rainy day.