The Netherlands, The HagueJuly 19, 2018, by Maartje

11 x the best things to do in The Hague by train

The Netherlands, The Hague, July 19, 2018, by Maartje

11 x the best things to do in The Hague by train

Every time, even now that the BFF and I have already left kedeng-e-deng-ent The Hague behind us, we talk about it (a regular occurrence, that talks, and no, that never gets boring) that we really need to go more often (because: beach! Sea! The best restaurants! Everything). Because it was so nice again, so cozy quality time with friend A., which starts when we visit each other from our Amsterdam addresses on the same train (always fun that cabin hunt), continues as we stroll through The Hague while having drinks, from the beach to the city center and back again, and continues until our ways part again on the train (I stay seated, she gets off).

Pug Willem and dachshund Piet also love the beach at the Zwarte Pad (when Willem is on the beach he always goes wild and dogs are always welcome at the Zwarte Pad). The setting sun... And let's not forget the city center where one nice catering business pops up after another. Smiles from ear to ear, then and now. We call that reminiscing.

The pier

oh The Scheveningen Pier, who knows him not. Almost directly opposite the iconic Kurhaus (which, to be honest, is a bit of a faded glory). What you might not know is that De Pier has undergone a complete metamorphosis on the inside: there is now a real food hall with some of the tastiest stands. There is one like that ParHasard (aka the tastiest fries in the country) and the fish & chips stand is also not bad. Moreover, you have an amazing view of the giant rim and the beach. And if you can't get enough of De Pier, you can also sleep there (The Pier Suites).

Museum Sculptures by the Sea

Since we #familyoffour (with baby and we also include dog Willem), we not only hop from pub to restaurant and onwards, but we also want (okay: we have to) schedule a zen moment every now and then. We've been enjoying it for years, but nowadays we often put words into words. A stone's throw from De Pier you will find the Beelden aan Zee museum, a surprisingly nice - and beautiful in terms of architecture - museum where you will find an impressive collection of sculptures inside and outside. Inside the exhibition changes, outside the splendor is fixed. There is also a very nice museum nearby: Museum Voorlinden. We did that during our previous visit and that is also recommended.

The Hague Beach Houses & Suiderstrand

One of the nicest things about The Hague, all year long, is of course that it is a city by the sea. Scheveningen, the Zwarte Pad, yes, all true, but we like it at least as much on the 'other side'. Kijkduin in The Hague is much less known and therefore considerably less busy. So more time for each other, and from The Hague city you can get there in no time (from The Hague Central Station you can take city bus 24 directly to Kijkduin beach bus station). Next to the door of the row of The Hague Beach Houses you will find the Suiderstrand beach bar – exactly a beach bar as it should be.

Greens Restaurant & Garden

We think one of the nicest things about outings in our own country is that things don't have to be in such a hurry. Because hey, we're going again next week, right?! No panting and we just have to go for a relaxed walk. For that reason we like to visit a park (just read our previous report about it). Paris where we always travel with NS), rain or shine. So we promptly came across the new Greens, a restaurant that is somewhat reminiscent of our other favorite Country estate Plantation Vogelenzang. At the beginning of the beautiful and enormous Westbroek is the beautifully decorated greenhouse where you can choose a healthy, green organic choice from the small menu. Or the homemade apple pie of course

Restaurant Watertas & Catch by Simonis

The old harbor of Scheveningen remains one of our top favorites. A brisk walk from the beach, just right. Watching boats with the setting sun sinking into the water behind the masts. If we go fancy, we will dine extensively at Restaurant Waterstraf; perhaps one of the best restaurants in The Hague.

If we want to go with the whole crew, including dogs, and don't feel like having 'just a snack', we prefer to plant ourselves on the terrace of Catch by Simonis: the best view is at the back of the store (and dogs are allowed here). You can sit there all year round, with or without the heat lamps. Simonis? That tells you something? Could just be: all over the Scheveningen boulevard, and in The Hague city, you will find small and slightly larger fish stalls and kiosks from the Hague fishmonger. Opinions in The Hague are by no means divided: fish? Simonis. Catch by Simonis (there is also restaurant Encore by Simonis a little further away) is, in our opinion, the best of them all. Catch is for everyone, from heels to (slightly too short) jeans. A bit posh sometimes, but still chic. A real evening out, but a nice lunch is also possible. The service is always excellent, the wines (a bottle of Sancerre is the benchmark) are delicious, the welcome is always warm and we write home about the fish dishes (sushi! King crab! Bouillabaisse! Fried plaice!) (hereby).

Bar & Zo Green shop

Almost hidden, there is a sticker on the window: 'official Hague Pearl'. And that is absolutely what the small, giant, friendly Bar & Zo Groene store is. We found that window with that sticker in the ever fantastic Prins Henrikstraat where you can also get the pizzas from Vincenzo's, the burgers from Ich bin ein Hamburger and where we As usual bought something nice for the mini at Mon and Achtung! Babystore. Bar & Zo Groene shop is there for coffee and cake, a long laptop session (not this time) or a short bathroom break (this time), for (remarkably well chosen!) vintage for your body (purchased) and plants for your home (leave it alone and we regret it). A whole host of trinkets, but of the kind that you honestly didn't have yet and therefore simply have to have. Skipping is not an option.

Cafe Pistachio

Want to people-watch with your back to the Palace Gardens while enjoying a Pinkyrose lemonade? It is possible at Café Pistache. The tent on the corner of Prinsestraat (yay!) in The Hague is cuteness itself. Mint green + marble = delicious. At Pistachio we find everything from breakfast to lunch and all the sweets are not to be missed. Buckwheat pancakes with fresh fruit and cashew cream, French toast with pistachios or an acai bowl adorn the (breakfast) menu. My girlfriend ordered the generous club sandwich with vegetable chips, I ordered a panini with goat cheese, arugula, pear and walnuts (but hesitated between a salad with strawberries and kale). That name? When the owner moved into the current Pistachio, the building already had pistachio-colored walls, an excellent basis. Sometimes it's not more complicated.

Hotel Pistachio

If you start to look into it, you will notice that The Hague does not actually have that many contemporary (young-cool-boutique) hotels. That's right, right? And so we have been applauding the new Hotel Pistache since day 1. That has nothing to do with Café Pistache, by the way. No, Hotel Pistachio is standing on its own in a classic, chic neighborhood between The Hague city and Scheveningen, close to the Zeeheldenkwartier (fav.!), towards the beach. The best of both worlds. There are nine boutique suites created 'the comfort of home combined with the feel and luxury of a hotel'. Even the smallest suite is a lot larger than the average student room. There is no shared lobby, nor is there a busy restaurant. We didn't sleep there this time; This is due to the fact that dogs are not welcome at Hotel Pistache, unfortunately. When we come back next time, there is actually only one address where we will go into hiding in The Hague. Can you guess three times where?

O! And if you want more tips… Yours truly has been writing about all kinds of tips for a while now NS Favorites! The best from the entire country collected on the NS hotspot tip site: #NSfavourites.

Lap song

The semi-classic yet hip Lapsang has been a favorite in the heart of The Hague for years. And it remains so. For lunch. For the evening. For a nightcap. For everyone. In the Oude Molstraat at number 11a. Lapsang is perfect for delicious teas and cakes (recommended: Arretjes cake). The sandwiches here are slightly different than usual and in the evening everything is transformed into a wine bar. Don't worry, you can just stay put.

The Hague HS

Ready for take-off… We do this via The Hague Hollands Spoor, the 'alternative' station that 1) is ridiculously old-fashioned, a station from the books and to which 2) the station street leads you as if via a long driveway. The station street is in turn an extension of the Wagenstraat, which ends in a large arch: the gateway to China Town The Hague. Just before that you will find the new, oh so nice, restaurant Amazing Diner. Recommended. We will tell you more about it soon.

That was it again, Dan Haag today. On the train back we chat - As usual – all about our trip (and then! And then! And then!)… So much to tell, so much fun. O! And if you want more tips… Yours truly has been writing about all kinds of tips for a while now NS Favorites! The best from the entire country collected on the NS hotspot tip site: #NSfavourites.

11 x the best things to do in The Hague by train