The Hague is the only large Dutch city right at the sea and has a coastline of 11 km. Scheveningen beach has a good surf break and swell beach clubs. In the centre of The Hague you’ll find cool vintage shops at the Prins Hendrikstraat. On the Denneweg are many great bars and restaurants. Are you into yoga? Every Sunday there are free yoga lessons given in the gardens of the palace. The Hague, a city close to my heart. The people are down to earth, super friendly and open, almost as if you are in a little village at the countryside. Two weekends we spend in the province capital of South Holland. We found the best coffee spots, delicious wine bars and superb restaurants for you.
Where to stay?
Bed & Breakfast Fleur de Cerisier
Situated in the heart of The Hague is bed and breakfast Fleur de Cerisier owned by the friendly couple Veronique and Ignaas from Belgium. The spacious (72m2) apartment is set on the ground flour of a historical building and has charming details. The high ceilings have beautiful ornaments and in the middle of the living room is a classic chimney. The apartment has a private kitchen, modern bathroom with rain shower and a super comfortable queen size bed. Although it might be hard to get out of bed, a delicious various breakfast awaits you including croissants, fruits, eggs, yoghurt and fresh baguette! Step into the private garden through the folding doors and enjoy your breakfast in the sun before you head to the beach of Scheveningen. Public transport to the center and the beach is located only a 2-minute walk away.
Price: $$$ | For bookings and current prices check: Fleur de Cerisier
Address: Laan van Meerdervoort 268 – 2563AJ Den Haag
Facilities: free Wi-Fi —private garden —living room with chimney—private bathroom with rain shower—queensize bed — TV – DVD and music player — shower amenities—close to center and beach.
This small luxury boutique hotel is set in two historical buildings dating from 1880 in the center of The Hague. It is situated in the beautiful Archipel-area, near the Denneweg where many good restaurants and cafes can be found. We are welcomed by smiling friendly staff offering first class service. The modern luxury rooms have a large king-size bed, TV, toilet and bathroom. Your stay always includes free use of coffee, tea, fresh fruits and cookies all day. Every morning there is an extensive breakfast buffet you can book with your room!
If you stay in The Hague for business, the hotel also offers a common room with a large table where you can work, private rooms for meetings and a lounge for drinks.
Price: $$ | For bookings and current prices check: Mozaic
Address: Laan Copes van Cattenburch 38-40
Facilities: free Wi-Fi —private bathroom—kingsize bed — TV – DVD and music player — shower amenities—located in the centre —breakfast buffet—free use of coffee and tea—meeting rooms.
Drink and Dine
My favorite restaurant in the center of The Hague! It is named after the popular, hip and trendy area Soho in New York. The restaurant’s interior has New York style subway tiles, brick walls, crutches of steel and photographs of the city hanging on the walls. It’s almost like you’re not in The Haque anymore but. The food is finger licking good.The restaurant is known for their dry-aged meat that has aged for several weeks in a special cooling cell. It gives the meat a very tender texture. But if you are more into fish you can try out their delicious oysters followed by a sole á la meunière. You can taste that everything is prepared with passion and care for pure food. Make sure you end with the most gorgeous desert I am still talking about: an Oreo brownie! At the end of the restaurant there is a (secret) yard where you can dine in the open air!
Price: $$$
Address: Lange Houtstraat 03, 2511 CV Den Haag
Website: http://southofhouston.nl/
Situated in the industrial area Binckhorst in between the manufacturers you’ll find this hidden gem. A trendy urban bistro located in the old boiler house of the former Cabalerro Fabric. The minute you walk in you forget about the trip when you are welcomed by the friendly host who guides you to the bar or large outside terrace to start with a drink. To my opinion there are three reasons why this place is a success: The inspiring industrial spot, the robust and yet elegant interior, the welcoming and knowledgeable staff and the excellent food! The menu is easy, you choose chicken or lobster, but here are also a few other (vegetarian) options and delicious deserts!
Price: $$$
Address: Saturnusstraat 100, 2516 AH Den Haag
Website: http://mama-kelly.nl/
This lovely Mediterranean wine bar and restaurant is set along the Veenkade. The place is as charming inside as outside on the terrace where you can enjoy the afternoon sun with excellent wine and delicious tapas. Everything is prepared with quality products (mostly cheese and charcuterie) from Italy and Spain. Are you in for a little dance? Every Thursday there is a DJ playing and on Sunday a live jazz band!
Price: $$
Address:Veenkade 1, 2513 EE Den Haag
Website: http://www.grapesandolives.nl/
Stylish and cozy wine bar with a large terrace situated on the Anna Pauwlonaplein. It’s a favorite place for locals in the neighborhood to relax and enjoy a good glass of wine and exotic French/Asian food. The wine list contains an excellent choice in between complex and easy wines and is reasonably priced between 4-7 euro per glass. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Let the chef surprise you with excellent food, it won’t disappoint you!
Price: $$
Address: Bazarstraat 42, 2518 AK ´s-Gravenhage
Website: http://www.wickedwines.nl/
A lazy Sunday breakfast, afternoon G&T’s on the terrace or dining with a group friends? Jamey Bennet has it all. The interior is very trendy with Chesterfield coaches, a white marbled bar and brick walls decorated with paintings. The menu features international oriented dishes prepared with pure products, good wines, a variety of specialty beers and exciting cocktails. They offer a large variety of small dishes to share. Definitely order the raw tuna pizza with filo pastry and truffle mayonnaise!
Price: $$
Address: Plaats 11, 2513 AD Den Haag
Website: http://jameybennett.nl/
Cloos is our favorite terrace situated on the lively square filled with restaurants. It the ultimate spot for a glass of wine and anti pasti while you enjoy the last bit of sun in the afternoon. There is plenty of choice on the large wine list. Are you hungry for more? They also serve dinner. On the menu is Italian orientated food.
Price: $$
Address:Plein 12A, 2511 CR Den Haag
Website: http://eetcafecloos.nl/
Brunch, Lunch and Coffee
The newest healthy hotspot in town is the place to be for a Sunday brunch. Club Vers is serving delicious home made smoothies, juices, healthy pancakes, fruits coated with chocolate on a skewer, avocado on toast and mouthwatering vegan delicacies. All dishes are made freshly and out of love. Seriously everything on the menu is good. The best thing to do is order a high tea and try out everything! Are you in a hurry? You can order everything to go!
Price: $$
Address: Stationsweg 136A, Den Haag
Website: www.clubvers.nl
Juni is set in a historical bank building that is now used for expositions, film festivals and as office space for sustainable companies. On a sunny day you can enjoy your lunch or dinner in the large green city garden where the vegetables for the meals are grown. The every day changing menu contains fresh home made salads, soups, quiche, smoothies and cakes. Almost all ingredients are organic, animal friendly and bought from small local companies. In collaboration with the Nutshuis Juni organizes weekly open-air cinema nights. The selection of movies are mostly interesting cult movies. Check out the link for the program: https://www.nutshuis.nl/programma/cinema
Price: $
Address: Riviervismarkt 5, 2513AM Den Haag
Website: https://www.nutshuis.nl/achtergrond/artikel/caf%C3%A9-juni-opent-het-nutshuis#.V8A1jj6LToB
Pistache is a new hotspot in The Hague, on the corner of the Prinsestraat near the Palace gardens. The interior is stylish fresh mint green. Pistache is a great coffee and all day breakfast spot. Enjoy delicious sandwiches, buckwheat pancakes, French toast with seasonal fruits, acai bowls (!), home made granola, eggs in any style you wish, healthy salads and fresh juices, all prepared with organic ingredients.
Price: $$
Address: Prinsestraat 134, 2513 CH Den Haag
Website: http://pistachecafe.nl/
Espresso and slow coffee bar situated at the Buitenhof. The mix of vintage furniture, jazzy music, and the easygoing attitude of the staff creates a homey feeling. It’s a great spot to work, chat with a friend or just relax and read a book or paper while you enjoy quality coffee, a smoothie or delicious sandwich. More into wine? The menu also features a good wine list.
Price: $
Address: Buitenhof 4, 2513 AG Den Haag
Website: https://www.hometowncoffee.nl/
A cute old-fashioned cafe popular for its home-made cakes and delicious quiche! Perfect for a Sunday high tea or lunch. It is recommended to make a reservation, as it is very small and a popular place to eat cake!
Price: $$
Address: Korte Houtstraat 6, 2511CD Den Haag.
Website: http://www.bloemdenhaag.nl/Home.html
Hotspots Scheveningen Beach
Inspired by all the beautiful places cousins Dunja and Michel have been while traveling, they started their own lovely colorful beach club four years ago. A good decision made during a fun night out together. With the use of wooden furniture, bright colors, plants, vintage items and hammocks they created a relaxed hippie vibe with the feel of being on a holiday. The people working here are warm welcoming, relaxed but very organized. Every two weeks there is a good party thrown or an open air cinema on the beach. On the menu are fresh coconuts, healthy fruit shakes, great cocktails and delicious oriental inspired dishes!
Price: $$
Address: Strandweg 65, 2586 JL Den Haag
Website: http://beachclubindigo.nl/
With its relaxed lounge sofa’s with large red cushions, trees and roof made of tree-trunks, you’ll recognize Whoosah immediately. It is situated on our favorite part of Scheveningen beach ”Het Zwarte Pad”. The beach club is a popular spot for young locals from Den Haag. During summer almost every weekend there is a party where you can dance the night away on your bare feet. Whoosah has a great menu featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner and appetizers. It’s a great spot to lounge all day, enjoy a glass of wine and order a plate with all kinds of small bites like hipster crab, Dutch shrimps and fried squid!
Price: $$
Address: Zwarte Pad 66, 2586 JM Scheveningen
Website: http://whoosah.nl/
