Paradise

Jonny Boy from England sent 4 Aug 2009
Had the Bubblegum here at €25 for 1.8g, wasn't amazingly impressed but have had much worse. Not bad for a central coffee shop.

Dambuster from UK visited Feb 08; sent 4 Mar 2008
This was the first coffee shop I ever went to. I found the bloke behind the counter helpful but not very talkative. Bought some pre-rolled spliffs (4 for 16 euros) which to be honest tasted like rotten fags and didn't get me very high at all. However I did enjoy a nice tasting slice of space cake in there and the seating was excellent. Overall I enjoyed my visit there as the atmosphere was brilliant but unfortunately I didn't rate the produce one bit. I would definitely go back but maybe take my own smoke next time.

Tyler H from USA visited June 07; sent 4 Feb 2008
This place says "the best" right in the window as probably a million people walk right by it. I mean its okay but its run by a bunch of Arab guys which make me feel really uncomfortable (not because they're Arab either). I have never sat down here but I have tied many strands, this time the "Blue Berry" smelled like berries! Sweet smell and taste, which is very nice to see on a strand named as such, with a smooth to moderate smoke, 25E/2.2G minimum amount to buy which didn't bother me at all. Great smoke, weird place and I noticed the drink menu was about 5 times what the AB groceries stores charged for various stuff so I skipped that although I had cotton mouth. The Chinese restaurant a few doors down is to die for, eat there after some great strands!

Alan from UK visited Nov 16-23; sent 30 Nov 2006
Worst coffee shop in Ams. Went in twice. Crap weed, space cake that's just sponge cake and the ppl running the shop looked more seedy than the ppl in red light trying to sell you coke, very rude to say the least. When I walked in the second time I noticed a cat sat on a chair stoned to fuck, tight ****erds. So I was gently stroking it and I got told off with no explanation as if I was baby, very embarrassing with all the customers looking at me, I told him if ppl are not allowed to touch the cat it shouldn't be in the smoky room and walked out. So did the other customers. Whether they were going to leave anyway I don't really know. This coffee shop has so many bad feedback it should be reported or just shut down, no one will miss it.

Withrow from USA visited June 04; sent 26 Aug 2006
Didn't have bad service here but got some hash that really didn't get me high in straight in a pipe I would get a quick rush after a few hits in the pipe but nothing lasting! Ate the last bit of it on the way home gave me a headache on the plane! My recommendation is, I know it's very accessible, but keep walking.

John sent 29 Oct 2005
What a set of arseholes. My sister and myself went to buy tea and coffee and maybe some weed. I pulled skins out to roll one. Fuck me some arrogant (ethnic minority) told us in no uncertain circumstances unless we buy hash and drinks we are not welcome. I hope this shop gets the publicity it deserves and gets boycotted.

Cathleen from USA sent 6 Aug 2005
We bought coffees here, and stopped in to smoke one. It was a nice coffeeshop but nothing really special.

Lucy and Stacey from UK sent 29 May 2005
This was our first joint in Amsterdam. We found them friendly and helpful. We were there for about an hour and a half and felt relaxed the whole time and he even asked us "how's the smoke". We sat in the window and watched the world go by. And opposite is a pizza place-yum yum, perfect for the munchies after a smoke! I rate this place, if you are passing pop in there for the window seat. Couldn't fault the music.

Patrick from USA visited March '04; sent 6 Nov 2004
Bad music, and seedy bud. The vibes I received from this coffeeshop weren't good. We didn't even smoke the whole joint. Yelp, that bad!

Tom from England sent 19 Oct 2004
This place was horrible. They'd crammed as many tables as humanly possible in to it and the staff were only interested in getting you to buy a drink, don't ever go here!

Lee and Deb from South Africa sent 17 Oct 2004
An attempt at a Bob Marley sort of theme here but I think the plastic flowers and the fact it was run by a couple of Indian/Pakistani Jamaican wannabes kinda let it down. There was a very laid back cat in here - he knows where his bread is buttered.

Claire & Andrea from UK visited 15 Sept 04; sent 16 Sep 2004
We have tried many coffee shops on our 3 visits to Dam and this is one of our favourite places. It is an excellent place to chill out. Huge Bob Marley painting on the back wall and plenty of seating. The guys here really make you feel at home and the menu is vast with great prices. Check out the Northern Lights, nicest Northern Lights we have ever sampled in Dam, it had us in fits of laughter in no time. Space cakes here are a must you can trust. This coffee shop will always have a special place in our hearts.

Chris from UK sent 6 Aug 2004
I have visited this place twice and have vowed never to return. On our first visit we bought weed and drinks and then after 2-3 mins were asked to leave as they were going to shut. Why couldn't we have been told when purchasing? Especially as they seemed to be closing early 12-40? On the second visit I was told I could not sit in their shop unless I was buying some cannabis. This is regardless of the fact that I had ordered a coffee, and was about to smoke the weed I had purchased off them the night before (Northern Lights- My Arse). The weed in the UK is both cheaper and often better than the crap for sale in this place. Don't waste your hard earned cash on this tacky reggae shrine, which should not be using Bob Marley images to sell its commercial crud. Incidentally if you like Shaggy (it's up to you I suppose) you might like it as that's all they seem to play.

Grumpy from UK sent 10 Mar 2004
Found just off Dam Square, this is a pushy cafe; as soon as I walked in I had a menu rammed under my nose. Bought a coffee and sat down, was watched right until I finished my drink, prices slightly higher than most places, not a place to sit and chill.

Jeremy from USA sent 15 Jul 2003
This place is located just off the Damrak on Damstraat among several other businesses. It really jumps right out at you with the heavy greenery in the large windows. Once inside though it's pretty much a bust. Kind of institutionalized looking with seedy looking employees. After I glanced at the high-priced menu and noticed the pre-packaged weed, I quickly withdrew from the dealer area of the bar and ordered a drink. Sat down at one of the uncomfortable tables and proceeded to roll a spliff. This was the first and only time I have received unwelcome looks from employees. Most of the time everyone is laid back, as long as you purchase something (anything) they generally don't give you a hard time. Still, I did not like the feeling of the place and quickly bolted after slamming a LOOZA and smoking the fore-mentioned spliff.

Jamie from UK sent 9 Apr 2003
[0/10]: A disgusting example of the weed and its loyal followers being ripped off and abused. I stumbled into Paradise after the Stop the War Protest in 'dam square. I was desperate for a smoke and walked into the first coffee shop I saw. Unfortunately this turned out to be Paradise. I was suspicious of the shop before I went in due to its tacky and touristy looking exterior so I initially only bought one gram of white widow. Once smoked I knew immediately it wasn't white widow and left as soon as I could. From the moment I entered the shop with a few friends we were ushered into an overly crowded shop where it was literally difficult to move your arms freely and were then pressured into buying something quickly and rudely. One of my friends didn't want a drink but was willing to order some weed along with the rest of us but he was threatened with being chucked out unless he bought a drink. We were treated as if they were doing us a favour by having us in there. Beyond our treatment from the management I was also disappointed by the insincere daubs of Bob Marley spread across the walls trying to draw some trendy link between Bob Marley and dope. Bob Marley smoked for the love of weed, not for fashion or for a trendy status; he'd be turning in his grave to see money being made of the herb in such a cynical, exploitive manner. The management showed no interest in their product which leads me to presume that they are not buying good quality dope off their suppliers to give to their customers. Places such as the Bluebird, Homegrown Fantasy and the Greenhouses are fine examples of coffee shops who care about their customers and are dedicated to smoking and supplying fine quality weed. Paradise simply couldn't give a shit. Much like the chain of Bulldogs that pollute the cannabis market. Avoid this tourist trap; there is not one satisfactory element to this shop to mention.

The Magnificent 7 from UK
Myself and My Six Budz have just yesterday returned from The Dam where among our coffeeshop visits was the ironically named Paradise Coffeeshop.
First impressions were good, with the chilled music and decor, but then after a while it felt like we were in the way. The prices are a little on the dear side and the soft drinks are watered down. My Fanta Orange was barely orange in colour, piss weak and cost a fortune.Bounty bars, if you like coconut chocolate are a whopping 2euros, which to us is a bloody rip off (50pence in the UK is dear enough, but £1.25 is too much) Needless to say we quickly smoked up, left our drinks and cleared off. For a real nice smoke and nice surroundings, check out the Bluebird, with a wide choice of strong weed and friendly helpfull staff.

Abbie from UK sent 7 Sep 1998
On our travels we found a really great Coffee Shop called Paradise which is literally off Dam Square on Damstraat (a few shops down on the right). It's totally Bob Marley orientated with mellow music playing all day. It's very dark and the seats aren't as uncomfortable as most. It just has little round tables with candles everywhere. The space cake and tea is excellent and everyone is very very friendly plus it's waiter service rather than queuing at the bar which is obviously much needed at certain times!!!! I would definitely recommend a visit if you're planning on chilling there for a couple of hours.