Baladi

Baladi’s Manouches are simple yet effective finger food that you can pick up on the go from the city centre. The flatbread topped with hummus, shawarma and other traditional Lebanese ingredients is baked fresh every day, so it makes a great breakfast, light lunch or late afternoon snack depending on when the hunger pangs strike.

• Web:

  www.baladionline.nl

• E-mail:

  info@baladionline.nl

• Address:

  Torenstraat 95, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 444 3877

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 11am–6pm

Conscious Kitchen

For those who are more inclined towards conservation and conscientiousness, this non-profit company champions tasty meat-free meals that make the most of food waste from local markets that would otherwise go unused. The owners are experts in sustainable cooking techniques, so take a pew at their long communal table which is opened up to the public every Tuesday (notwithstanding holidays) where you can learn more about turning compost into culinary delights.

• Web:

  www.consciouskitchen.nl

• E-mail:

  info@consciouskitchen.nl

• Address:

  Helena van Doeverenplantsoen 3, The Hague

• Opening hours:

  Tue 4pm–9pm

Dekxels

This Asian Fusion restaurant specialising in seafood brings together the best parts of Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine in bite-size packages, affording customers the luxury of choosing between a huge variety of small plates, each with a distinctive taste and appearance. Larger groups (minimum 11 covers) can choose between two set menus that offer an assortment of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The fresh food, ambience and service have made this restaurant a particularly attractive option amongst travellers passing through and a very repeatable experience for the locals who have recommended it to them.

• Web:

  www.dekxels.nl

• E-mail:

  info@dekxels.nl

• Address:

  Denneweg 130, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 365 9788

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun 5pm–10pm, Fri & Sat 5pm–11pm

Foodhall Scheveningen

Offering food from just about every corner of the world, this vast complex of internal cuisine is sure to fill the requirements of anyone passing through with an appetite. The food court is designed to promote a mix of cultures that can all fit under one roof, giving customers the impression that they are in a street market. The only challenge is choosing between all the delicious different options there. Will it be Surinamese, Mexican or Vietnamese? The list goes on.

• Web:

  www.foodhallscheveningen.nl

• E-mail:

  info@foodhallscheveningen.nl

• Address:

  Strandweg 161, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 223 0088

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Sun noon–10pm

Restaurant Ñ

Another Spanish restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide, Ñ offers a sharp and sophisticated menu complete with fresh, quality ingredients and a touch of Mediterranean magic. Prices here are very reasonable and there are set menus available which are designed to bring together a mix of interesting flavours which can be paired with a comprehensive wine list.

• Web:

  www.restaurant-n.nl

• E-mail:

  info@restaurant-n.nl

• Address:

  Nobelstraat 22, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 6 2189 8543

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu & Sun 5pm–1am, Fri & Sat 5pm–2am, Mon closed

Tapisco

What was once a renowned bookshop is now a distinctive Mediterranean restaurant serving some of the most time-honoured tapas dishes from Spain and Portugal with an added local twist. The quality of the food is fantastic in relation to the prices they are charging, and the long wine list offers a plethora of pairings to choose from. Mixing and matching is the aim of the game in this restaurant. An especially good combination that was quite unexpected is the jamon iberico with the Bloody Mary oysters and a side of blue cheese all the way from Asturias.

• Web:

  www.tapisco.nl

• E-mail:

  info@restauranttapisco.nl

• Address:

  Kneuterdijk 11, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 204 5006

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun noon–midnight, Fri & Sat noon–1:30am

Bleyenburg

With a club in the basement, a restaurant on the ground floor and a rooftop cocktail bar, this five-storey tower has something for everyone to enjoy. There is always something going on here whether it be a symphony of wails coming from the karaoke booth, a new DJ featuring in the basement, an office party in one of the chic meeting rooms, a boardgame tournament downstairs or a cocktail party on the roof where the views stretch right down to the Grote Markt and the city centre.

• Web:

  www.bleyenbergdenhaag.nl

• E-mail:

  info@bleyenbergdenhaag.nl

• Address:

  Grote Markt 10, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 800 2120

• Opening hours:

  Thu–Sat 5pm onwards

Elixer Room

This magical cocktail workshop with potions class is a fun experience for wizards and muggles alike. Those with even a peripheral interest in the world of Harry Potter will be able to enjoy the unique and enchanting setup that the Hogwarts and Dungeons and Dragons-inspired bar offers. For those Potterheads out there, it is an absolute must. Make sure to book well in advance as spaces are limited and it is not possible to enter without a reservation.

• Web:

  www.elixerroom.nl

• E-mail:

  info@elixerroom.nl

• Address:

  Haverkamp 220, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 6 1915 9989

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 3:30pm–8pm

Huppel the Pub

Having won several awards for being the best bar in The Hague, De Huppel is a favourite amongst the locals for its cosy ambience and vast selection of beer and whiskey. It is a mainstay for those looking for something a bit less touristy and maybe something a bit stronger than a beer or wine.

• Web:

  www.dehuppel.nl

• E-mail:

  eline@dehuppel.nl

• Address:

  Oude Molstraat 21, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 360 9113

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 4pm–1am, Thu & Fri 4pm–1:30am, Sat 3pm–1:30am, Sun 3pm–1am

Millers

A place to call home for some of the best DJs in the Netherlands and further afield, Millers is known for its grand spectacles and adrenaline-fuelled events featuring electronic music as well as some golden oldies thrown in for good measure. Smoke machines, strobe lights and subwoofers are at the top of the agenda here at the weekends.

• Web:

  www.millersdenhaag.nl

• E-mail:

  info@millersdenhaag.nl

• Address:

  Plein 10, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 362 9043

• Opening hours:

  Thu 10am–3am, Fri & Sat 10am–4am

Rootz

This bustling bar famed for its beer is packed on most weekends and has been since 1998 when it opened its doors. The old coach house looks like a typical Dutch tavern on the inside, with weathered wooden floorboards and dusty brickwork tying the place together. Outside, there is a large terrace where people can spill out of the bar for a break from the loud music.

• Web:

  www.rootz.nl

• E-mail:

  info@rootz.nl

• Address:

  Grote Marktstraat 14, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 363 9988

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu & Sun 10am–midnight, Fri & Sat 10am–4am

The Fiddler

The Fiddler is a traditional English-style pub in The Hague with its own microbrewery where the master brewers and their team produce a selection of artisanal Anglican ales to be enjoyed by thirsty customers. A tasting board is available for beer connoisseurs to try each distinct homebrew and with over 200 bottled beers in stock, there is something for everybody. Watch the football, rugby or Formula 1 on any of the nine big screens scattered around the pub and immerse yourself in the Englishness of it all.

• Web:

  www.fiddler.nl

• E-mail:

  info@fiddler.nl

• Address:

  Riviervismarkt 1, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 365 1955

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri 4pm–2am, Sat 1pm–2am, Sun 1pm–1am

Capriole Café

Although ‘Café’ is in the very name of this very swanky riverside establishment, it is much more than just a café, offering a fine dining experience in the adjoining restaurant as well as several clean, modern spaces to enjoy delicious coffee. Coffee is taken very seriously at Capriole Café, as demonstrated by the wide variety of Fairtrade coffee beans from around the world on offer that are carefully selected by the owners and subsequently slow-roasted in their impressive Giesen coffee roaster. This family business has long been supplying high-quality coffee across the Netherlands. Workshops are available to customers who can try their hand at roasting, preparing and taste-testing artisan coffee.

• Web:

  www.capriolecafe.nl

• E-mail:

  info@capriolecafe.nl

• Address:

  Fokkerkade 18, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 701 1010

• Opening hours:

  Thu–Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–5pm

De Pannenkoeken Club

The Pancake Club, in Rijswijk, has to go at the top of this list as it is something in between a restaurant and a café due to the long list of toppings and accoutrements on offer which can turn a light snack into a heavy meal or a delicious pudding. Dutch pancakes are a must for anyone visiting the Netherlands and connoisseurs will definitely appreciate this traditional café that is deemed to have some of the best in the country.

• Web:

  www.depannenkoekenclub.nl

• E-mail:

  info@depannenkoekenclub.nl

• Address:

  Willemstraat 5, Rijswijk

• Phone:

  +31 70 390 0000

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Fri 4pm–9pm, Sat & Sun noon–9pm, Mon & Tue closed

Happy Tosti

There aren’t that many toastie specialists in the world so when one does present itself, it would be a shame not to give it a try. Happy Tosti knows the craft well and covers all bases when it comes to the tried and tested toasted sandwich. Traditional recipes such as pizza paninis and quesadilla toasties are instant classics and big hits with the locals. The coffee also receives praise, as does the warm service, making the experience of Happy Tosti all in all, well, a happy one.

• Web:

  www.happytosti.nl

• E-mail:

  denhaag@happytosti.nl

• Address:

  Korte Poten 5, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 744 0544

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri–Sun 9am–6pm

Lola Bikes & Coffee

Bikes are the preferred means of transport in the Netherlands and coffee is the preferred stimulant, put them together in one place and you have a winning formula for both getting around and lounging around. Whether you need to rent a bike, buy a new one, or you just fancy a nice cup of coffee in a quirky café surrounded by bicycles, Lola Bikes and Coffee is a great option for a pitstop. With ride-outs taking place four times a week, Lola’s is a great place to meet other cyclists over a quality cup of coffee and take part in one of the most popular pastimes in the Netherlands.

• Web:

  www.lolabikesandcoffee.nl

• E-mail:

  info@lolabikesandcoffee.nl

• Address:

  Noordeinde 91, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 6 2908 7793

• Opening hours:

  Mon & Wed 10am–7pm; Tue, Thu & Fri 10am–6pm; Sat & Sun 8:30am–6pm

Tea House the Waterfront

Want to rent a rowboat with your coffee and cake? No problem! Waterkant offers customers the chance to have their breakfast, lunch, snack or even a cocktail in a rented boat moored at the waterfront, which they can then take for a spin around the surrounding canals. This quaint, secluded space is full of roses in the spring and summer months, making it a charming spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a bite to eat.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/waterkantroeibotenverhuur

• E-mail:

  alles@dewaterkant.nl

• Address:

  Westbroekpark, Kapelweg 55, The Hague

• Phone:

  +31 70 350 2863

• Opening hours:

  From King's Day (27th of April) to Prinsjesdag (mid-September): daily 10am–9pm