Favourite restaurant

My first tip? Ñ. No doubt about it. In the little square behind Tower Street is restaurant and bar Ń tucked away. Recognisable by the old, ochre-painted building and the most romantic terrace, including wooden folding chairs and linen-covered tables, outside the door.

Espresso Martinis

With a jumble of small lights and a chilled bottle of natural wine, it feels like you are on holiday in Spain for a while in summer. Small and pure, the menu consists of medium-sized dishes with Spanish undertones. To share. The kitchen is (normally) open until late. You go here to dine long (read: very long). People regularly dine late into the night. Then the tables are pushed together and dinner slowly turns into Espresso Martinis and music!

Hidden in the little square behind Tower Street is restaurant and bar Ń.

Tastiest cake

I am actually not much of a sweet tooth, but for Foam's cakes I gladly make an exception. You come to Foam for breakfast, lunch and good coffee. And especially for the cakes. These are vegan and sugar-free. Now that does not sound very appealing to me. As far as I am concerned, a cake is allowed to contain a good amount of sugar and butter. But here you have to take my word for it. It's worth it.

Read also: The Hague's best tips from our editors Maja Landeweer

Guilty pleasure

This was an easy tip. After all, I have two guilty pleasures that I dutifully go to, on a very regular basis, to treat myself. On Vissershavenweg in Scheveningen you will find Het Haringhuisje, the oldest fish shop in Scheveningen. And the tastiest. Here I order two herrings, out of hand, with onions. And I enjoy that every time. The people at Het Haringhuisje are fantastic; you see and taste their passion for the trade. And how wonderful it is to chat with them!

Ali's Lebanese Incredible Sandwiches

When I am not biting herring, I still like to take an exotic foray into guilty pleasure numbero 2: Ali's Lebanese Incredible Sandwiches. The name says it all: these are Lebanese sandwiches made by Ali and they are truly Incredible. Go for Ali's Incredible Sandwich: flatbread topped with falafel, aubergine, cauliflower, halloumi, pickled greens and pomegranate sauce.

Ali's Lebanese Incredible Sandwiches

Holiday in your own city 

Tip: a one-way trip to the Zwarte Pad in Scheveningen. This is where I always get an instant mega-holiday feeling. Swimming in the sea, sand between my toes, surrounded by the bright colours and cosiness of Indigo. Listening to good music and accompanied by my friends. With a drink in one hand and a bottle of 50+ sun cream in the other.

If that's not a holiday, I don't know what is. My favourite moment is 'the most beautiful moment of the day'. When the sun begins to slowly sink into the sea and the blue horizon blends with the golden sand and rewards us with beautiful shades of orange-pink. Then we make a campfire and grab a pile of blankets. These are moments I can enjoy immensely.

The Black Pad in Scheveningen.

Golden tip

Have you heard of Goldband? These are three singing (now ex-)plasterers from The Hague who understand the essence of Scheveningen/The Hague like no other and sing about it. 'Hague Market house meets DIY pop,' is how they describe themselves. I personally think they have some influences of Doe Maar and Clouseau. But 2021-style. With a fair portion of shite. Their new album 'Affordable Romance' is about life and death and basically everything in between. Give it a shot!

Goldband.

Special shop

Reconsider Studio does not have a physical shop (yet), but special they certainly are! Britt and Veerle, two young entrepreneurs from The Hague, give used clothes a second life by turning them into new, special items. Each piece created has a special design and is handmade.

Atelier

In this way, they want to make customers aware of the process behind clothing consumption. With hopefully a rethinking of pieces that can have a longer life than they are given. All production takes place in their own studio in The Hague. @reconsider.studio

Latest tip: Hague nature

The Solleveld is located on the outskirts of The Hague, adjacent to Landgoed Ockenburgh and the Hyacintenbos (also very cool!). It is a special piece of South Holland Landscape and is part of National Park Hollandse Duinen. This is one of my favourite bits of The Hague nature for a walk. Especially when the heather is in bloom, it is extra beautiful there!

Final tip from Meike: Solleveld is located on the outskirts of The Hague, adjacent to Landgoed Ockenburgh and the Hyacintenbos.