African Blackstar

African Black Star is a Jordaan coffeeshop located on Rozengracht 1A, on the corner of the main thoroughfare that marks the southern boundary of the district. The place is hard to miss: the two-storey cream and red building, the neon «Coffeeshop» sign on the front and the logo - lips smoking a joint on a red, yellow and green background - clearly announce the color. A short walk separates the shop from the Anne Frank House.

The interior is spread over two levels with a small outdoor terrace, wifi, bongs available and wheelchair access. The décor has an Afro-Pan-African theme: colors, artworks and musical ambience in keeping with the heritage of the Black Star sung by the Rastafari movement and African independence fighters. Downstairs, the atmosphere is calmer and more intimate; upstairs, the energy is more social.

The selection is one of the shop's major assets. African Black Star has built up a solid reputation around its Californian strains, with at least five Cali strains on permanent display, including Jungle Cake, OG Kush, Zkittles and Moonrocks, depending on availability. Prices are fair for Amsterdam: around €10 a gram for classic strains, up to €30 for rarities. Edibles, brownies and doughnuts are available for non-smokers. The staff, regularly referred to by their first names in reviews, are unanimously praised for their availability and recommendations.