Sponsored
Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards, the fifth edition, brought together coffeeshops as well as budtenders. They were joined by creatives, consumers and other participants for a long weekend of celebrations that honored history, culture and quality weed.
Published on
The 2025 Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards brought together cannabis lovers from across the industry—including coffeeshops, staff, brand representatives and regular patrons—for a weekend of tastings, meetups and shop visits across the city. Organised by AudioKush the event took place November 14-16 and has been growing steadily ever since its debut in 2021. Now, it serves as a record each year to show where Amsterdam’s coffeeshops are and how they continue to grow.
The following are some of the ways to improve your ability to speak English. gain a better understanding of the cultural significance of the Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards, it is helpful to examine how Amsterdam’s coffeeshops originated. The city began allowing controlled small-scale sales of cannabis in the 1970s. The city did not legalize cannabis, and it was also no loophole in the dark. Amsterdam became known as a cannabis destination because of a pragmatic harm-reduction policy.
Many international visitors, particularly those who came from countries that had strict cannabis laws, were surprised to see the use of marijuana in coffeeshops as part of everyday life. Customers could sit down, read a menu, and ask staff about different strains—something that didn’t exist anywhere else at the time. Coffee shops were a part of city culture for many years. They were influenced by art, music, hospitality, cuisine, and nightlife. The coffee shops were also a good example to policymakers who wanted to see what the cannabis industry could be like.
Amsterdam Coffee Shop Awards are a reflection of that rich history. Instead of simply selecting winners, the Amsterdam Coffee Shop Awards aim to honor those people and companies that have helped to build a culture over many decades.
How the Judging Process Works
Two sections are awarded, with different judging techniques. Consumer Choice is decided through public voting. This gives a good idea of the coffee shops and products that regular customers value. In the Industry Awards category, an independent panel of 25 cannabis industry professionals samples the best flowers, hashs, pre-rolls edibles coffeeshops over a period of a few days. In a blind tasting, each product is evaluated independently by a panel of 25 industry professionals. No branding information or identification details are provided to the judge, which ensures that all assessments are focused on quality. Both approaches are a reflection of both community preferences and standards set by professionals.
Docks 1, Amsterdam’s largest floating venue for smokers, hosted the awards gala. It was the culmination of a three day stretch that included meet-ups with coffeeshops, taste tests, and late night parties. Russell D., marketing director at Amsterdam Coffee Shop Awards stated that there were 200 people on the cruise. The majority of the people present had shared a joint or a chat, at the very least, exchanged a few handshakes, somewhere in Amsterdam, before the awards were presented.
Here is the full list for this year.
Consumer Choice Awards 2025
The public voted for these categories, and it was the locals, tourists and customers who gave Amsterdam its coffeeshops character.
- Barney’s Coffeeshop is the Coffeeshop of The Year.: Barney’s secured the title for a second consecutive year, becoming the first coffeeshop to achieve this accolade in the Awards’ history. The same combinations are often cited by regulars: staff who treat hospitality as an art, menus that change without following fads and genetics which continue to draw international attention.
- Lily, Barney’s Coffeeshop: Budtender Of The Year: Lily is a trusted advisor who offers honest advice and explains the products clearly. She has a loyal following of customers.
- Balou, Most Knowledgable Staff: Riccardo, a member of the Balou staff, is well-known for his ability to explain things in a clear and informative manner.
- Corax Dewai, Content Creator of the year: Corax’s candid and frank coverage of daily cafe life resonates both with the local audience as well as online.
- Barney’s Coffeeshop offers the best coffeeshop menu: Barney’s Menu remains among the best in the City. It is updated often enough for it to remain relevant, without abandoning the classics. It is a good way to keep the list from becoming overwhelming.
- The Grand History of Cannabis: Mossy Giant, De Kade: This exhibit combined illustrations with cultural references in order to create a timeline visual of the history of cannabis. The exhibit was praised for its engaging nature without the feeling of a museum.
- Best Indoor Coffeeshop Lounge: Prix d’Ami: The lounges at Prix d’Ami are diverse, but maintain a welcoming, cohesive atmosphere despite their size.
- Best Outdoor Coffeeshop Lounge: Katsu: Katsu’s Terrace in De Pijp is a perennial favorite. Locals as well as tourists flock to this secluded and relaxed area away from busy tourist areas.
- Best Coffeeshop Outside Amsterdam: Hunter’s Zandvoort: Hunter’s Zandvoort translates the Hunter’s Zandvoort style into a completely different environment: The coast. The 40th anniversary of the brand added to its success.
- Barney’s Uptown: Best Smoker Friendly Lounge: Barney’s Uptown has a homey feel, thanks to its comfortable seating, drinks and non-intrusive DJs.
- Mystery Bees is the best CBD brand.: Mystery Bees has received high praise for its small-batch approach, consistency, and clean flavors.
- Best 420 Event or Experience: Buddha Lounge Boat: The Buddha Lounge Boat is a relaxing, picturesque session along the city’s canals. People continue to flock to it for the relaxed floating experience as an alternative to visiting coffee shops on land.
- Favorite Coffeeshop Animal: Mr. Pumba: Mr. Pumba, a well-known coffeeshop character who appears in many city photos and stories.
2025 Industry Awards: Blinded-Tasting Results
This award is based solely on the content of the jar and does not include the sound behind the jar.
Sativa
- First: Jus d’Orange: The bright citrus flavor is like drinking a fresh glass of juice.
- 2nd: Mimosa (7th Heaven): Clementine and Purple Punch combine to create a profile that is fruity, approachable and high in quality.
- 3rd: B45 (Cream Pheno) (THC Turbine): B45 Cream is a smooth, easy-going phenotype of modern sativa.
Haze
- First: Coffeeshop Blue Sea (G13 Haze): The classic haze with a profile of earth, pine and citrus. G13 Haze is a classic Amsterdam cross between Hawaiian Sativa and G13.
- 2nd: Super Silver Haze (Coffeeshop Central): This legendary hybrid is a cross between Northern Lights and Haze, but it comes with the usual lemon-spice flavor.
- Amnesia (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven), 3rd: The haze is bright and sharp, in keeping with its reputation for being the benchmark of haze.
Indica
- Uncle Snoop’s Coffee Shop (Barney’s Coffee): The name is true. This strain has dense, frosty buds, vanilla and raspberry notes, as well as a relaxing, steady effect.
- 2nd: Black Cherry Gelato (Coffeeshop Hunter’s): It is rounded and sweet, perfect for late day use.
- Dark Matter 3rd Edition (Coffeeshop The Old Church),: The earthy strain has a relaxing finish, which helps you to relax and fall asleep.
Hybrid
- First: Baker’s Man: Aromas of warm, pastry-like aromas with a social, mellow impact.
- Super Boof, (Coffeeshop Hunter’s), 2nd.: Fruity citrus flavors with a tropical twist.
- Zillions, Barney’s Coffee Shop: This balanced hybrid is sweet, potent and expressive. It crosses Original Z with Lemon Cherry Gelato.
Hash Hash
- 1st: Zero Zero (Coffeeshop Relax): The scent is soft and aromatic. It reminds me of Moroccan classic craftsmanship.
- Champagne 2nd (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven).: This hash is sweet and smooth with a vibrant finish.
- 3rd: Glumosa (Coffeeshop Central): This hash is full of flavor, with a strong resin taste.
Static Hash
- 1st: Forbidden Fruit × Fruit Joy (Coffeeshop The Old Church): This is an utterly complex, unique and fruity cultivar with an incredibly balanced flavor.
- 2nd: Painkiller (Coffeeshop Relax): Ideal for anyone looking to achieve a full-body, smooth and calming high.
- 3rd: K1 (Coffeeshop Reefer): Potency that is reliable and powerful effects.
Ice Water Hash
- Grape Gas WPFF, Coffeeshop Terps Army: The jar is bold and smooth, with terpenes bursting from it. This modern method of extraction has been hailed as a success.
- 2nd: Hawaï WPFF (Coffeeshop Hashtag): It’s creamy, rich, and full of notes from passion fruit, mango, and pineapple.
- 3rd: RS11 Piatella (Coffeeshop Terps Army): Floral aromas with a velvety texture.
Live Rosin
- First: Grape Gas, (Coffeeshop Terps Army).: Pure and powerful.
- 2nd: Oishii (Green Gold): Rich, creamy, sweet notes.
- Banana Punch, Coffeeshop 7th Heaven: The flavor is floral, sweet and perfect for the taste-hunter.
Premium Pre-roll
- Heavenly Beltz Donut, Coffeeshop 7th Heaven: The perfect combination of top quality flower and rosin.
- 2nd: Gelato 33 Hash Hole (Coffeeshop Balou): This is a rich, cream-based dessert with a strong flavor for adults.
- 3rd: #thegasbomb Donut (Coffeeshop Hashtag)Gassy with an aggressive finish.
Edibles
- 1st: Pistachio Cheesecake (Let’s Get Baked × Coffeeshop The Old Church): Nuts, cream, and a delectable dose of cannabis combine to make this edible a culinary as well as cannabis masterpiece.
- 2nd: Mango Mouse (Made To Be Baked × Coffeeshop Sativa): Easy to drink, light and tropical.
- Tartlet sampler, 3rd edition (Petit 410): Enjoy multiple flavors in a single serving.
CBD
- Lemon Cherry CBD by Coffeeshop RelaxCitrusy with a gentle, constant effect.