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Best Food in The Hague (2026)
Begin your culinary journey at the Haagse Markt, Europe's largest daily market, located at Herman Costerstraat. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, i… 🍽️ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey at the Haagse Markt, Europe's largest daily market, located at Herman Costerstraat. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, it offers fresh produce, international street food, and local specialties like herring. For a sit-down meal, head to the trendy Zeeheldenkwartier neighborhood, packed with diverse restaurants.
🇮🇩 Indonesian Heritage
The Hague is famous for its Indonesian cuisine, a legacy of colonial ties. Visit Restaurant Garoeda at Kneuterdijk 18A for a classic rijsttafel (rice table) at around €35 per person. For a more casual option, try Toko Rata at Prinsestraat 50, where you can grab a takeaway nasi rames for under €10.
🐟 Fresh Seafood Spots
For the best herring, head to Simonis aan de Haven at Visafslagweg 20, a family-run fish stand since 1900. A herring with onions costs about €3.50. For a full seafood meal, visit Catch at Scheveningen Pier, where the catch of the day is grilled to order, with mains around €20-€30.
🥟 Street Food Favorites
Don't miss the patat (Dutch fries) at Frites Atelier at Prinsestraat 33, where chef Sergio Herman elevates fries with sauces like truffle mayo for €5. For a sweet treat, try a stroopwafel from the stall at Grote Markt, freshly made for €2.50.
🌍 International Flavors
The Hague's Chinatown around Wagenstraat offers excellent dim sum at Restaurant Sea Palace, with dishes from €5 to €15. For Middle Eastern cuisine, head to Libanees Restaurant Al Yaman at Hoefkade 99, where a mixed grill platter costs €18. The city's diverse population ensures authentic flavors from around the world.
🍷 Best Evening Spots
For a romantic dinner, book a table at Calla's at Laan van Roos en Doorn 51A, a Michelin-starred restaurant with tasting menus from €75. For a more relaxed vibe, try De Basiliek at Oude Molstraat 33, serving French-Dutch fusion with mains around €25. Both require reservations well in advance.
💶 Budget-Friendly Eats
For a cheap meal, grab a broodje kroket from a Febo automatiek, with locations throughout the city, for about €3. The Haagse Markt also offers affordable international bites like falafel wraps for €4. Many lunchrooms serve a daily special (dagschotel) for under €10.
🍰 Sweet Treats
Indulge in Dutch apple pie at Café de Oude Mol at Oude Molstraat 30, served warm with whipped cream for €6. For artisanal chocolates, visit Chocolaterie Bontekoe at Prinsestraat 46, where pralines start at €1.50 each. The Hague's pastry shops also offer excellent banketstaaf (almond pastry) during the holidays.
the market tip is good but honestly for a real local experience go to the Haagse Markt on a friday afternoon instead, it's less packed and the vendors start discounting stuff around 3pm to clear stock. i got a kilo of mangoes for 2 euros last time and the fish guy threw in extra kibbeling because he was closing up
one thing the guide missed is the Jewish quarter around the Noordeinde area, there's a tiny place called Jachthuis at Noordeinde 63 that does the best broodje haring i've had in the city, it's like 4 euros and they give you a pickle on the side. way better than standing at a fish stall if the weather's shit
for the Indonesian spots, if you want something really different try the babi pangang at Toko Lucky at Ammunitiehaven 11, it's a chinese-indo fusion place that's been there forever. the pork is crispy as hell and the sauce is proper spicy, about 9 euros for a plate that'll fill you up. not as fancy as Garoeda but way more character
tbh the Haagse Markt tip is solid but you gotta go on a Saturday morning, that's when it's really buzzing. I live nearby and the vibe around 10am with all the herring stalls and the spices from the Surinamese stands is unmatched. Grab a fresh stroopwafel from the guy near the cheese section, it's way better than the Grote Markt one and like 2 euros.
one thing missing is the Surinamese food scene, The Hague has the best outside of Paramaribo imo. Head to Tori Oso at Hoefkade 243 for a proper roti with pom or a bara, it's like 7 euros and the owner will chat your ear off about the neighborhood. Way more authentic than the tourist spots.
also for seafood, skip Catch and go to Simonis anyway but get the kibbeling, it's fried cod chunks with garlic sauce for like 5 euros. The queue moves fast and you can eat it on the pier watching the boats, that's the real Scheveningen experience. Catch is overpriced and crowded imo.
Great write-up, you've covered the essentials well. One thing I'd add is that for Indonesian food, many locals skip the big restaurants and head to the smaller warungs in the Schilderswijk neighborhood. I usually go to Warung Kecil at Hoefkade 315 for their ayam goreng and sambal, it's about 8 euros and tastes like something from someone's home kitchen.
Also worth mentioning the Boekhorststraat area in the Zeeheldenkwartier. It's a quieter strip than the main drag but has some gems like De Zoete Zee for Surinamese roti and a great little wine bar called Bodega de Posthoorn. The vibe there is much more local and less touristy than the Prinsestraat spots.
For the patat at Frites Atelier, I've found the queue can be ridiculous on weekends. If you want a quicker fix, walk two minutes to Friet van Piet at Torenstraat 2, their fries are just as good and they do a proper curry sauce that Sergio Herman's place doesn't offer.
3 Days in The Hague: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the historic city center, where the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis are within a 5-minute walk of each other. Plan to arrive at the Binnenhof by 9:00 AM to beat… 🗓️ Day 1 Overview
Start your first day in the historic city center, where the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis are within a 5-minute walk of each other. Plan to arrive at the Binnenhof by 9:00 AM to beat the crowds, then spend 2 hours at the Mauritshuis (Plein 29, €18.50, open 10 AM, 6 PM). After lunch, explore the nearby Grote Markt and the Peace Palace in the afternoon.
🏛️ Day 1 Morning: Binnenhof
Begin at the Binnenhof, the Dutch parliament complex, which is free to explore the courtyards and the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall). Arrive by 9:00 AM via tram 1 or 9 to Centrum stop. The area is compact, so you can easily walk to the Mauritshuis afterward.
🎨 Day 1 Afternoon: Mauritshuis
The Mauritshuis houses Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and other Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. Book tickets online in advance (€18.50, open 10 AM, 6 PM, closed Mondays). Allow 2 hours for the collection, then grab lunch at the museum cafe or at a nearby spot like De Zwarte Ruiter.
🚋 Getting Around Day 1
All Day 1 locations are within walking distance in the city center, so no public transport is needed after arriving. From The Hague Central Station, take tram 1, 9, or 16 to Centrum (5 minutes). A day pass for trams and buses costs €8.00 and covers unlimited travel.
🌳 Day 2: Scheveningen Beach
Spend Day 2 at Scheveningen, the seaside resort just 15 minutes by tram 1 from the city center. Start at the beach promenade, visit the SEA LIFE aquarium (Strandweg 13, €19.50, open 10 AM, 5 PM), and walk up the Scheveningen Pier for panoramic views. Afternoon: relax on the sand or try windsurfing lessons.
🍽️ Day 2 Evening: Beach Dining
For dinner, head to Simonis aan de Haven (Visafslagweg 20) for fresh seafood, or try the casual beach pavilions like Hart Beach. Prices range from €15, 30 for mains. Reserve ahead on weekends. Afterward, enjoy a sunset walk along the boulevard.
🏡 Day 3: Hofkwartier & Noordeinde
Day 3 explores the elegant Hofkwartier neighborhood around Noordeinde Palace. Visit the palace gardens (free, open daily 9 AM, sunset), then browse the high-end boutiques on Noordeinde street. Stop at the Escher Museum (Lange Voorhout 74, €12.50, open 11 AM, 5 PM) for mind-bending optical illusions.
💡 Local Tips & Timing
Most museums close on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Public transport runs frequently until midnight; use the HTM app for real-time schedules. For a quick lunch, try the Foodhallen at the Grote Markt (open from 11 AM, dishes €8, 12). Book Peace Palace tours (Carnegieplein 2, €12.50) at least a week in advance for English tours at 10 AM and 2 PM.
honestly the guide's day 1 plan is solid but i'd swap the order if you're not an early bird. the binnenhof courtyards are always open so you can do those anytime, but the mauritshuis gets packed by 11am. if you go straight there at 10am when it opens you'll have the girl with the pearl earring basically to yourself for a few minutes, which is rare. then wander the binnenhof after when it's less crowded
for day 2 the beach tip is good but if the weather's crap skip the pier and take tram 9 to the westduinpark instead. it's a dune reserve with walking trails that feel miles from the city, and there's a little cafe called de watertoren at the top with a killer view of the coast. way better than fighting wind on the promenade
one thing nobody's mentioned yet: the haagse markt on day 3 morning if you're around. it's the biggest outdoor market in europe, open mon-sat till 5pm, and you can get a fresh stroopwafel for €1.50 or a massive bag of olives for like €3. tram 12 from centrum gets you there in 10 minutes. not a tourist spot at all, just real den haag energy
the guide's right about booking peace palace tours, but i'd also say check if the vredespaleis has an open day when you're there. sometimes they do a weekend thing in spring where you can wander the gardens and see the inside without a tour, it's way more relaxed than the timed ones
for day 2, skip simonis if the queue is out the door. walk five minutes to de visafslag instead, it's a tiny fish shop that does amazing kibbeling and fried cod for like €8, you eat it on a bench overlooking the harbour. way better vibe than the touristy spots on the pier
one thing the guide missed for day 3: the noordeinde palace gardens are nice but they're tiny, you'll be done in 15 minutes. instead, walk up to the hofvijver pond behind the binnenhof, that's where locals hang out with coffee from the little kiosk. the view of the parliament buildings from across the water is actually nicer than being inside the courtyard
This is a solid plan for three days. One thing I'd add is that the Mauritshuis audio guide is actually worth the few extra euros. I usually skip those, but the commentary on the political context of the paintings adds a lot, especially for the Vermeer and Rembrandt pieces.
For Day 3, if you have time after the Escher Museum, walk a few minutes south to the Passage. It's a 19th century shopping arcade with a beautiful glass roof, and it's much quieter than the main shopping streets. There's a good patisserie inside called Hessel, perfect for a mid-afternoon coffee and a slice of appeltaart.
Also, for the Peace Palace, double check the tour availability as soon as you book your trip. The English tours sell out fast, even a week in advance, and the building itself is only accessible on a guided tour. The grounds are nice to walk around regardless.