Amsterdam coffeeshops without cannabis?

[cruznoob57]

My husband (70) and I (67) will be visiting this summer for the first time. We don't smoke cannabis or cigarettes and can't stand the smell of both.  Are there any coffeeshops we can visit where we won't have to smell these noxious fumes? 🙂 

[Cotswold Eagle]

The strict answer is ‘no’ - but only because the English term ‘coffeeshop’’ is used to distinguish those establishments you wish to avoid.  
 

But Amsterdam has many cafes and bars where you can sit and enjoy a coffee - just avoid anywhere using the term ‘coffeeshop’, and usually displaying Rastafarian colours or palm leaves (direct advertising of the product is not allowed). 
 

And if you are still concerned, there’s always Starbucks,,,,

[Dutch_Travelgirl]

The naming of the establishments is a bit odd and can cause confusion. The places that sell weed are called “coffeeshops” (1 word, no space). The usually have names that don’t include the word coffee, like Amnesia, The Bulldog, Grey Area etc etc.

The windows of coffeeshops are usually covered, so you can’t see inside, although some do have an outdoor terrace. 

 

Places that don’t sell weed, but do sell coffee, tea, pastries etc are called coffee shops (with a space!), coffee bars, coffee houses etc etc. They have names that include the word coffee or a word that relates to coffee, like for instance The Coffeecompany, Bagels and Beans, Coffee and Cake, Good Beans. Looking in from the outside it’s very clear that they sell coffee, pastries etc. 
 

It may seem confusing now, but once you get here it will be very obvious which establishment sells what. 

[Steelers0854]

I believe they are trying to take a different approach in Amsterdam with regards to weed and trying to limit it in public, but you will smell it walking around, we did when we were there.  It’s much like many major US cities these days, seems every now and then you will catch a passing smell of weed, which we hate and find really annoying but not much we can do about it.  As the other folks have mentioned the places that sell weed are generally clearly marked and there are many very nice places to get a cup of coffee that don’t sell it 

[cruznoob57]

Thanks, everyone! Much appreciated.