When I decided to move to the Netherlands, it was not for the weather. On a nice day, everyone in this damn country has the same idea: Get into the sun. Although I might not have a vitamin D deficiency yet, it’s important to enjoy the sun when it rarely creeps beyond the clouds. These are my favorite cafes with terraces in the Hague and I hope that you enjoy the sun with a nice drink! This weather won’t last….
BLEYENBERG
Who can best the views at Bleyenberg? This modern cafe has a fantastic rooftop that is opened on warmer days without rain and the views of the Grote Markt are worth it. The comfy chairs make for a great day sitting in the sun or watching the sunset. I highly recommend their cocktails!
grand cafe haagse bluf
Hidden within the slightly bizarre-looking Haagse Bluf, you’ll find the cafe for Grand Cafe Haagse Bluf up the stairs. This cafe is particularly green and it was a lovely spot to enjoy a sunny day. One annoyance (for me) was the music piping through the audio system, but you can’t get everything you want in life.
bink rooftop
For a nice evening out within the Binckhorst, head to the Bink Rooftop for great views of the city center. The slightly retro interior is super cool and it’s a good place to grab a drink on a nice summer evening prior to dancing the night
Cafe de Bieb
Cafe de Bieb has such a great location! Their terrace boat sits directly in the canal with views of the Royal Garden and it’s just a great place to soak up the sun. They often have live music, decent service, and a great view. The sun is fantastic here during the day.
Brouwerij De Prael Den Haag
Hidden in the Rond de Energiecentrale neighborhood, you’ll find Brouwerij de Prael with its unique terrace along this industrial part of the Hague with a canal. The decorations are nice and you should definitely sample their local beers with their housemade pizza.
de paas
One of my favorite hangouts of the Hague has to be de Paas. This old brown bar outside of Chinatown has a boat that you can enjoy sitting out at with a great beer. The beer selection can be quite daunting to go through as it’s in a massive book, but there’s no cafe that I’d rather be on a nice day in the Hague! I personally find it more relaxing than some of the more popular spots.
cafe de la gare
Hidden away on a side street, you’ll find the small and intimate Cafe de La Gare with its own square. It’s a great place to relax with friends and in summer, its terrace is really nice for a bit of privacy. The beer selection is quite good and the bartenders are always friendly. I’ve ordered borrels (beer snacks) here and they were really tasty.
literally anywhere in plein
There are so many cafes in Plein. I find that the prices can vary wildly for the same exact beer. If you’re a cocktail person, head to Miller’s. For wine, I like Gusto as it’s quieter. For beer selection, I recommend Café Restaurant Leopold for its terrace and beer selection. You can pick almost anywhere, to be honest, although
O’Casey’s
I had never visited O’Casey’s (an Irish pub) in the Hague as I assumed that it didn’t have much to offer,
Wicked Wines
For something a bit posher, head to Wicked Wines for a great view along Anna Paulownaplein. It’s a great spot to enjoy a great wine and people watch in this charming neighborhood.
anywhere in grote markt
Can you write about cafes with terraces and not mention Grote Markt? In summer, it’s
Spark The Hague
For fantastic cocktails with a terrace along the canals, head to Spark! It’s attached to the Hilton and although the cocktails are pricey, you can still enjoy a non-adult beverage on the terrace on a nice day!
het heten
Het Heten really surprised me. Within this cozy cafe, you’ll find a stunning garden in a greenhouse style, which provides sunlight without it being too intense in summer. The selection of drinks was pretty standard, but this is more a place for the atmosphere than the drinks itself.
the fat mermaid*
If I head out to Scheveningen on a nice day (in season), I generally come to the Fat Mermaid for adequate service, decent food, and a lovely view of the beach. Although I’ve definitely stopped into many of the other cafes along the beach, the Fat Mermaid is my go-to. I like their fries and their soy lattes!
Teahouse the waterfront
The Teahouse in Westbroekpark is right next to a beautiful lake–and a former World War II bunker that serves as an art gallery next door. It’s a nice place for a warm afternoon soaking up the sun or hiding underneath their comfortable umbrellas. Consider reaching it via the pulley system from across the canal for a unique experience!
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