Some of the best places to hang out and have lunch in The Hague.

With its museums, great shopping and the beach, The Hague is one of my favourite places to head to for a day trip. With such a good transport system, it’s only 30 minutes from Amsterdam and easily accessible from various other places in the Netherlands. And as I’ve done a few day trips already, I’ve become fond of a few places to stop off for lunch, coffee, or just to hang out on a terrace and watch the world go by for a little while.

There’s just so many hidden little gems here, and many more I’m yet to discover on different day trips I’m sure! I’ve only ever stayed in The Hague overnight on New Year’s Eve, but there are plenty of places to stay in different areas of the city. A tip would be to book as far in advance as you can, as places do get filled up quickly and can be quite pricey. As The Hague is quite a popular place to visit!

This bar is situated in a perfect spot. Not too far from the central train station and has a nice terrace which is just perfect to sit out on a Summer’s afternoon or evening. It has a very large selection of beers available and even has its own microbrewery where they brew traditional English beers. They also have a pretty decent food menu to help soak up some of those beers! If you’re into your beers, this is certainly the place to visit whenever you’re in The Hague.

If you’re after local craft beers with a great food menu selection, this is most definitely the place to visit. They have a large variety of craft beers to try. A lovely terrace outside and authentic décor inside. Located on the waterfront of the Binckhaven, it’s about 15 minutes on bus 28 from Den Haag Centraal station. So it’s a little out of the way, but easily accessible.

A large group of us stopped off here one Sunday morning for brunch before visiting a museum. The food was lovely, and the service was pretty good. It was a nice stop-off point from the train station en route to our destination. We had booked a table beforehand. Mainly because we were quite a large group of 12 and wanted to make sure we got somewhere that could accommodate all of us. But I think smaller number drop-ins on the day are also accepted.

Another great place in the centre to stop off and chill for a bit and watch the world go by. It’s located perfectly amongst the shops and only a short walk from the train station. Just watch out for the passing trams!

A Winter warmer. This is the place to go in the colder months to get some shelter and warmth for a little while before daring to venture outside again. It has some great coffees and their cakes are just amazing! Every time I visit, I just have to try a different one of their many cakes.  

We discovered this cosy little gem after a visit to the Kunstmuseum. It is only a five-minute walk from the museum and literally just around the corner from the bus stop back to the station. Plus, it is just off the high street from various shops. Frederik Hendriklaan. Known for being one of the most beautiful shopping streets in the Netherlands.

This restaurant is not only convenient, but has quite a variety on its menu and is really reasonably in priced. It has a lovely terrace, which is great to sit out on when it’s sunny, but it also has a covered part just in case! A super place to sit for a little while, sipping wine or coffee and chatting with friends. The street itself has a calm, feel-good atmosphere about it. The décor inside is warm and welcoming with comfy seating for when it’s really not that warm outside. Plus, the restaurant owner and staff are so friendly that it makes you want to go back and visit again!

The harbour is a great place for a pitstop when taking a stroll from the beach or heading back to the bus stop. It has some great views of the boats and the harbour itself, which look fantastic when the sun is shining.

If you like pancakes, this restaurant is a must-visit! Plus, it has some pretty great views of the harbour, whether you’re sitting upstairs on the balcony or downstairs on a cold day. They have a wide selection on their menu, catering for sweet and savoury palates. It’s really tricky to make a choice! The staff are quite friendly and helpful too.

A nice place to sit with great views below of the harbour. It’s lovely to sit outside on a warm sunny day. You still get a relatively good view when sitting inside. The décor inside is quite nice, and the service is pretty good. This is quite a nice little stop off.

Living a short train ride away from Scheveningen beach, as soon as it begins to get a bit warmer, I can’t wait to head over for a day at the beach. I’ve only been on the pier a couple of times, and one of those was for New Year’s Eve, so don’t feel I can really mention it. Another aspect to explore another time in more detail, perhaps! As you walk along the promenade and row of beach bars, they all seem inviting. But there are a few bars and restaurants that I find myself going back to each time I head to the beach.

The décor inside here is beautiful, and it has a cosy feel about it. So much so that I tend to prefer to sit inside, even on a warm sunny day! I almost always have to order a glass of wine. I mean, you can’t not with the design on the glass! They have a pretty good menu, too. I recommend the truffle fries and club sandwich!

Situated near the end of the row of beach bars heading towards the harbour, this is a nice, chilled spot to hang out and watch the sunset. Or, just a nice little pit stop when heading back to get the bus or tram. They have a good selection on their menu. I’m quite fond of their apple and almond pie!

Quite a funky bar with a chilled vibe that has excellent views across the beach. They also have quite a good variety on their food menu. I quite like their fresh juices and fresh lemonades.

The Hague has endless restaurants, bars and cafes for all tastes and eventualities. I love stopping off for lunch or a drink on my day trips here, always making time to try something new and different. But I know I’m yet to discover other little culinary gems. Where is your favourite place to eat or hang out in The Hague?