De Republiek

Opened in 1987 by the people behind Siberië, De Republiek sits in the Staatsliedenbuurt just north of Westerpark — a neighbourhood with a squatting history and, still, a distinctly unbothered attitude toward the rest of the city. It's ten minutes from the Jordaan across the canal, and a natural stop if you're heading to the park or setting off on a bike ride.

The shop is small: two levels, two modest seating areas, limited chairs, and a hand-painted mural covering one wall (there's a Where's Wally hidden in it, if you look). Drinks and snacks are basic. The menu is where the attention goes — Dutch classics alongside imported flower and hash, lab-tested for potency and purity, and priced well below the centre. Regulars rate the staff highly and the room is more conversational than most: people talk to each other here.