New Amsterdam Cafe — Restaurant in Vancouver

I will not be coming here again, here’s why:

I’m writing this review to finalize my interest and connection to this place.

I’m honestly heartbroken by how my experiences ended up turning to at this location. As an enthusiast and neurodivergent individual, I wanted to find a place to feel safe and welcomed. That was my intention coming to this place. I have been a member since 2022-2023. Not a regular one. Recently had started coming back with a more frequent pace.

Back then, I invited friends to have a good time. Back then they DID use to sell the green, and I know this as a fact as I remember clearly the products being displayed at where now sits only products to use cannabis with. The staff seemed attentive, and kind back then. (I don’t know why things have changed, but seen multiple complaints about costs just to be at the place).

I forgot about this change of policy, and asked. I’m someone who gets really anxious to talk to others. So I value representatives that have kindness and patience.

But recently, the worker (brown hair w/ pony tail) at the entrance greeted me with an inattentive and annoyed tone. I can’t say I recognize the people that work here yet, as for me it’s hard to remember faces and names. But I will remember him.

I asked if they sold an specific green product, he immediately answered me with a: “I told you before we don’t sell retail here.”

I mumbled a weird apology (as the response caught me by surprise) and he continued with a: “last time you were here you asked the same thing and I told you we didn’t have any.”

With such a tone… I can’t even describe the feeling of embarrassment I had in my stomach. Such coldness and just plainly rude.

I haven’t felt like this in any other cannabis friendly space. Which took me by surprise.

I’m not sure if this occurred due to my previous visit. I ha broken a rule as I have misheard instructions (due to my anxiety, my exhaustion from finalizing work and just dispersed mind) and I really shouldn’t even explain to why I made a mistake It was just an honest mistake. I misunderstood part of the conversation. It seems there is a rule that after 5pm people are allowed to smoke upstairs. Before that time, you have to go underneath to do so.

I prepared my station, really not having heard well the instruction. Not because I wanted to be a bad costumer. I took one puff (this time it was the same representative too). He came immediately with an annoyed tone and shaking his hand in front of me to tell me: no, i told you can’t smoke here.

I know is their job to tell me what is right and wrong in the establishment but the tone and how you talk to costumers, it’s SO important. Even more, with people that are allowed to be under influence in your establishment, even MORE important.

I don’t know what of me made me such a bad client in their eyes for this treatment to linger afterwards. Because really, that’s how it felt. After he told me that, I apologized, immediately stopping my smoking in the upper area until I really wanted to, and I did go downstairs to continue as he has mentioned before.

I really think, maybe this is not the place for me. But I really think there is no sense of politeness on the workers. And makes a “friendly” place actually unsafe and unwelcoming.

And not only that, to be at this location and have a full experience at this place (rent of gear, cover, foods and beverages, etc) it’s so expensive!!

And balancing costs with their costumer service skills. Makes me think how overpaid this place is. The quality of the food is to be desired, and really feels at this point is just greedy business.

Which to me, is sad. As I felt much more welcomed by clients than the worker that has “helped”me. I wanted to keep giving a chance to this place, even for the expenses or certain under performance.

I have recommended this place before multiple times in the past. But not anymore. I suggest personally, to go somewhere else. I care for about this place...

BEFORE YOU GO, THIS IS A CANNABIS CAFE AND THEY WILL CHARGE YOU IF YOU SIT DOWN, EVEN IF YOU DON'T PARTAKE IN ANY FOOD/BEVERAGES/ACTIVITIES* Got to try this spot out when visiting a friend. Server was kind to start and we chatted about how we were from out of town and happy to try this spot out, they were helpful in getting us situated. Went in a small group and the vibe was very chill, food was pretty good, I got the grilled cheese and it hit the spot once you're some hits in. Some oddities came up. Service was cool but we had to ask them for a lighter 3 separate times which, hey, considering the spot, I get it, easy to forget. We had 3 friends show up randomly; they saw us sitting inside and popped in for about 7-10 minutes, and after asking one of the servers if it was worth sticking around if they weren't going to order/partake, they decided to leave. They skipped my friend when taking orders, I let them know when they came back and they then took her order. We all got our food except her, she had to order after us so, sure, and we waited a while but the server eventually came over to say "I didn't forget about you," so we thought all good. 20 minutes went by and she still hadn't gotten her food and they were clearly cleaning up to close. We figured we'd just stop somewhere on the way back so had a buddy go up and pay the till. Came out to WAY more than we were expecting (over $70 more). After ASKING for an itemized receipt, they charged for those 3 guests that left and still charged my friend for the meal she never received. They said it was their policy to charge if guests sat down which, fine, edit: we missed the signage forgive me if it's there, I nor my friends could find it before or after the fact. Or when asked if it's worth the stay, saying "we're gonna charge you anyway since you sat down" would've been appropriate. They said they couldn't take off the meal charge, don't know why. Considering the activities we partook in and the situation, we started to feel off and the situation wasn't sitting right, killed the mood. After clearly looking like we were at a loss, the server did offer some merchandise, I guess since they couldn't remove the extra charges, which was kind considering. Looking through other reviews, seems other tourists ran into similar issues so just be mindful. We want to chalk it up as a misunderstanding, just know...

The New Amsterdam Cafe is a cool location for cannabis consumption in Vancouver for many years. Chill place to smoke some weed. It offers a coffee bar and food items. Cold drinks and snacks.

Very impressive rolling paper selection. It was nice to see my go-to choice up there as well. Merchandise nicely displayed. Awesome art through.

Edit: I have to add on to the first review. I think I hit them on a lousy day. Sorry fellow heads!

Tonight I was welcomed in to the cafe I remembered but a bit better actually! The front window displays are on point with what's happening inside man! It was great to smell the flower burning a half block away! Not quite what is was in the old days but again better!

The down stairs lounge is a great place to tuck away, take on a big fudgin' bowl, enjoy I hope a gastro cafe idea down there, Specialize in cannabis consumable meals. sink into your seat and relax after a day at work!

I believe there is a $10 minimum charge if nothing is purchased otherwise. Fair enough! But ask the staff as they would know better than me.

The vanilla latte was like really good! I believe the coffee brand is Argo Roasters. I know this coffee is fantastic, I'll keep coming back for just that. And well maybe the vanilla milkshake! It was fudgin' tasty!

Great atmosphere, good tunes, good people and awesome vibes man! Everything tasted like my 20's!!!! Good to be back!

Like always in Vancouver, I will return time and...