Why Den Haag is good for a coffee stop
Den Haag, also known as The Hague, is a city made for wandering, and a good cafe break is part of the rhythm. Between museums, shops and the long walk to the sea, you will want a place to sit. This guide to cafes Den Haag is organised by area and by mood, so you can choose without relying on a long list that goes out of date. Cafes open, close and change owners often, so always check a venue’s current hours on its own page or on a map app.
Dutch cafe words that help
Before you order, a few terms help.
- Koffie verkeerd: literally “wrong coffee”, a latte-style drink with more milk.
- Appeltaart: the classic Dutch apple pie, often served with whipped cream (slagroom).
- Uitsmijter: a lunch dish of fried eggs on bread with ham or cheese.
- Tosti: a toasted sandwich, usually ham and cheese.
- Broodje: a bread roll or sandwich.
The historic centre
Around the Binnenhof, the Plein and the Lange Voorhout you will find a mix of old-fashioned coffeehouses, terraces and modern specialty cafes. The area suits a break between the Mauritshuis and a stroll through the government district. In good weather, terraces on the squares fill quickly, so go slightly before or after the lunch rush.
What to order
Start with a coffee and a slice of apple pie. If you want something savoury, an uitsmijter is a hearty lunch for a fair price.
The Denneweg and the Hague’s quieter streets
The Denneweg, a street lined with small shops, galleries and restaurants, has a relaxed, local feel. It is a good place for a slower brunch away from the crowds. Many cafes here use local bakers and offer vegetarian options.
Near the Grote Markt and Noordeinde
The streets around Noordeinde, close to the palace, are lined with boutiques. Cafes here cater to shoppers, and many have a quiet back room if you need to sit with a laptop for an hour. It is polite to buy something every hour or so if you stay a long time.
Scheveningen
By the sea, the cafe culture becomes beach culture. Strandtenten, or beach clubs, serve coffee in the morning, lunch and cocktails at sunset. In winter, many keep a warm interior with blankets on the chairs, which is a pleasant place for a hot chocolate while watching the waves. Opening dates vary by season.
Museum and gallery cafes
Several museums in Den Haag have good cafes, and you do not always need a ticket to enter the cafe part. The Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Mauritshuis both have places to sit. Check the museum site for the current policy.
Tips for finding a good cafe
1. Look for places with a short menu, which usually signals fresh food.
2. Check opening hours, since many close in the late afternoon.
3. Ask locals, who always have a favourite.
4. Use a map app with recent reviews, and read the newest ones rather than the oldest.
5. Try a bakery, since many Dutch bakeries also sell good coffee.
Time-of-day ideas
Morning
A coffee and a croissant or a small sandwich. Cafes in the centre fill with office workers around nine and again at lunch.
Afternoon
The best time for cake. Dutch cafes serve apple pie, carrot cake and cheesecake throughout the day.
Evening
Many cafes turn into bars, especially around the Plein and Buitenhof. A glass of local beer with bitterballen is a classic.
What you pay
Prices in the Netherlands are moderate for northern Europe. A coffee and a slice of cake usually costs more in a tourist-heavy square than in a side street, so walking two streets away can save a few euros. Card and contactless payments are widely accepted, and some places no longer take cash, so keep a card handy.
Dietary options
Vegetarian and vegan options are common in the Netherlands, and oat milk is widely available. If you have allergies, tell the staff and ask about ingredients in cakes, since recipes are often made in-house.
A short coffee walk
1. Start at the Binnenhof and Hofvijver.
2. Walk to the Mauritshuis and have a first coffee nearby.
3. Cross to Noordeinde for shopping and a second stop.
4. Walk up the Denneweg for lunch.
5. End with a tram ride to Scheveningen for a sea-view drink.
Getting there
The Hague has two main train stations, Den Haag Centraal and Hollands Spoor, and trams connect them to the centre and the coast. Trains from Amsterdam take under an hour. See the NS journey planner for times and tickets.
Final thoughts
Good cafes Den Haag has are not hard to find. Pick a neighbourhood, follow the locals, order apple pie and a coffee, and give yourself time to sit. The city rewards slow travellers.
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