Editor's choice: Helen Hartmann's favourite spots in The Hague
With Us In The Residence: Editor's picks of golden tips, guilty pleasures, and unique shops in The Hague. This edition: English editor Helen Hartmann
DATE
05 July 2024
TEXT
Helen Hartmann
IMAGE
PR
Editor's choice: Helen Hartmann's favourite spots in The Hague
With Us In The Residence: Editor's picks of golden tips, guilty pleasures, and unique shops in The Hague. This edition: English editor Helen Hartmann
Favourite restaurant
Cosy and sophisticated. This small restaurant, with a tiny kitchen, is as central as it gets in The Hague. Zebedeus is located in a side wing of the Grote Kerk and has a terrace with prime people-watching potential. But let's talk about food. The menu is nice and concise with plant-based options that don't feel like an afterthought and for the full experience you can choose wine pairing.
The terrace of Zebedeus
Best lunch in town
Not far away from the Grote Kerk is another favourite because we love Baladi (Tower Street). These Lebanese filled flatbreads are my idea of comfort food, and this place never fails us if we are in town shopping and I might be close to hangry.
Baladi flatbreads
Guilty pleasure
When I first moved to The Hague I worked for the Japanese embassy where a two-hour lunch break was mandatory. Ridiculous, but if I timed it right I could catch a full movie and get back to the office without any problem at all. The Metropole cinema is long gone now but I still love a good daytime movie at the Movie house (Spui). Besides good indie films, the cafe and bar are also a good place to spend time.
Filmhuis Spui
Golden tip
I'm not precious about my hair because there are too many other things in life worth spending my time on, but also because I have a great hairdresser. Nick van Leent is a fellow Japanophile and the owner of Agga Yama (Loosduinseweg). Besides being a skilled hairdresser, graphic designer and lovely human, Nick also literally built his salon with his own hands. He sourced all the recycled materials to make a unique place with a downtown Tokyo alley vibe. Including a bar.
www.instagram.com/agga.yama
Nick working
 | Read also: Hague tips from editor Jasmine Groenendijk The editors of Bij Ons In De Residentie on golden tips, guilty pleasures and special shops |
Speciality shop
House of Hats on the Papestraat is a definite eye-catcher with a weathered parquet floor, Persian carpet, background music and the shop dog, it feels a little bit like walking into another time but instantly welcoming. Milliner and shop owner Susan has a small workplace at the back of the shop where she makes custom designs or carries out repairs. Brands on offer include Stetson, Mayser, Borsalino and Panama but also newer brands covering different budgets.
House of Hats' shopwindow
Nature in the Hague
We live in an apartment near the Zuiderstrand and I pretty much start every day with a swim at the beach, all year round. As soon as tourist season starts and the beach gets crowded I escape to quieter places. I might cycle out to the Sand Motor near Kijkduin, which is a brilliant example of Dutch coastal management and guaranteed spaciousness.
www.instagram.com/p/C5QcPPQI9lU/?img_index=2
The Sand Motor in Kijkduin
Staycation
I don't have a garden and although I love the idea of one I'm realistic enough to realise that it's plenty of work. Emma's Court (Galileïstraat) is a wonderful initiative by residents who transformed a neglected inner courtyard into a community garden. A real city oasis, Emma's Hof is a well-maintained shared space for anyone to enjoy. Sometimes I just pass by on my way home and take a walk around the garden, or I might take my lunch and settle into a quiet corner with a book.
text Helen Hartmann image PR
Favourite restaurant
Cosy and sophisticated. This small restaurant, with a tiny kitchen, is as central as it gets in The Hague. Zebedeus is located in a side wing of the Grote Kerk and has a terrace with prime people-watching potential. But let's talk about food. The menu is nice and concise with plant-based options that don't feel like an afterthought and for the full experience you can choose wine pairing.
The terrace of Zebedeus
Best lunch in town
Not far away from the Grote Kerk is another favourite because we love Baladi (Tower Street). These Lebanese filled flatbreads are my idea of comfort food, and this place never fails us if we are in town shopping and I might be close to hangry.
Baladi flatbreads
Guilty pleasure
When I first moved to The Hague I worked for the Japanese embassy where a two-hour lunch break was mandatory. Ridiculous, but if I timed it right I could catch a full movie and get back to the office without any problem at all. The Metropole cinema is long gone now but I still love a good daytime movie at the Movie house (Spui). Besides good indie films, the cafe and bar are also a good place to spend time.
Filmhuis Spui
Golden tip
I'm not precious about my hair because there are too many other things in life worth spending my time on, but also because I have a great hairdresser. Nick van Leent is a fellow Japanophile and the owner of Agga Yama (Loosduinseweg). Besides being a skilled hairdresser, graphic designer and lovely human, Nick also literally built his salon with his own hands. He sourced all the recycled materials to make a unique place with a downtown Tokyo alley vibe. Including a bar.
www.instagram.com/agga.yama
Nick working
| Read also: Hague tips from editor Jasmine Groenendijk The editors of Bij Ons In De Residentie on golden tips, guilty pleasures and special shops |
Speciality shop
House of Hats on the Papestraat is a definite eye-catcher with a weathered parquet floor, Persian carpet, background music and the shop dog, it feels a little bit like walking into another time but instantly welcoming. Milliner and shop owner Susan has a small workplace at the back of the shop where she makes custom designs or carries out repairs. Brands on offer include Stetson, Mayser, Borsalino and Panama but also newer brands covering different budgets.
House of Hats' shopwindow
Nature in the Hague
We live in an apartment near the Zuiderstrand and I pretty much start every day with a swim at the beach, all year round. As soon as tourist season starts and the beach gets crowded I escape to quieter places. I might cycle out to the Sand Motor near Kijkduin, which is a brilliant example of Dutch coastal management and guaranteed spaciousness.
www.instagram.com/p/C5QcPPQI9lU/?img_index=2
The Sand Motor in Kijkduin
Staycation
I don't have a garden and although I love the idea of one I'm realistic enough to realise that it's plenty of work. Emma's Court (Galileïstraat) is a wonderful initiative by residents who transformed a neglected inner courtyard into a community garden. A real city oasis, Emma's Hof is a well-maintained shared space for anyone to enjoy. Sometimes I just pass by on my way home and take a walk around the garden, or I might take my lunch and settle into a quiet corner with a book.
