The Little

The Little is (shockingly!) not a big spot, but there is no reason why this little shop should be overlooked. It can be a bit hard to spot at first, with stairs down to a subterranean entrance and not too much attention grabbing flash out front, keep your eyes focused on the left hand side of Vijzelstraat after having past Mellow Yellow if you’re going South. The Little is a terrific little hangout. It’s more intimate and relaxed than the Mellow Yellow, an with its red leather couch booths, it feels a bit like a 1950’s America-Cadillacs-milkshake via Pulp Fiction feel, and you half expect a polka dotted girl on roller blades to be taking your order. Instead, the counter is under lead by no other than John Lennon. Well, as far as 21th Century Dutch lookalikes go. And what a nice guy! This is like the good old days, then coffeeshops were full of comrades from the neighbourhood, and the guy behind your counter ends up being your best mate. It is easy to feel at home here.

Not bad at all - menu at the Little

After inspecting the promising menu, we buy a pinch of his Sauer Diesel, as Nadia is one sucker for Diesel varieties. It looks and smells great, exactly like Diesels should, with that citrus herby aroma. We are excited!! The TV is on and we keep half an eye on Comedy Central, enjoying the zen-ish looking art on the walls and the blinking lights which keep changing colours. John Lennon can inform us that the art collection is Thai. He also points to a sign indicating free wireless connection, which makes us think that this must be a great place to work on quiet evenings. We are the only customers there, there seems to be an excellent coffee machine behind the bar, and John Lennon has got supreme grass in stock. I wouldn’t want to sit here on a sunny afternoon, as there is minimal outlook to the world outside. But on a night like this, a dark and freezing January night, it is perfect. We didn’t have a look at the hash yet, but we will definitely be going back to The Little. John Lennon was a superb host with excellent pot on the menu, cozy atmosphere and free wireless internet. We’ll be back to see him again. 

Mix of Buddhas and archetypical 50's Americana

If you’re in the neighbourhood, you might wanna check out Mellow Yellow, the first coffeeshop in the world! Vijzelgracht is just a short bikeride from the centre, starting at Muntplein going South towards the Heineken brewery. As the Little is not smack in the centre, it still has that neighbourhood coffeeshop feeling about it, which we love. It also has good gear for much cheaper prices than what you find in the tourist centre of Amsterdam. Pay it a visit, and don’t forget to step by the wonderful bakery next door on the way home.  

Coffeeshop Little
Vijzelgracht 47
Tel: +31 (0)20 4201386
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-00:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-01:00 

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