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The Foodbloggers Tour The Hague is one of those events I look forward to every year. In 2018 I already shared my highlights from that edition — and now it’s time to talk about the 2019 tour. Curious which culinary gems made the cut this year? Read on!
Foodbloggers Tour The Hague — Hotspots 2019
The Foodbloggers Tour The Hague is organized every year by the wonderful ladies Anne-Marie and Marjolein. These two know the culinary landscape of The Hague inside out, and they put together a tour that is flawlessly organized down to the very last detail. This year they introduced us to eight fantastic spots across the city. Read all about them below — photos and a video are waiting for you at the end!
1. Gallery 61
Gallery 61 is a brasserie tucked inside De Passage — The Hague’s oldest indoor shopping arcade — and what a discovery it is. The moment you step through the door, you’re greeted by a modern, colorful interior full of painterly details. They describe themselves as “artistic, stubborn and unique — just like the city itself,” and honestly, that fits perfectly. Their philosophy is to cook with local, seasonal ingredients and turn every dish into something unexpected and creative. On a recent visit to Gallery 61, I enjoy every moment. They serve a tasting of the menu: a fresh mango smoothie to start, a warming soup, and then a parade of small bites — spring rolls, a shrimp snack, a chicken wrap, and falafel. Each one is a little treat. It’s absolutely worth a visit if you love playful, flavorful food in a unique setting.
2. Daddy Donut X Churros Cartel
⚠️ Update: Daddy Donut X Churros Cartel has permanently closed its doors. Such a shame — it was a truly unique spot!
What a concept this was! The spot had previously been Donuts & Co, before Tim Tromp took over with a completely fresh vision. It all started years earlier with a food truck, where Tim set out to reinvent the classic donut. That venture was so successful that he took the leap to open his own store under the name Daddy Donut X Churros Cartel — and he didn’t stop at donuts. Churros and freak shakes joined the party too. The donuts came in an eye-catching array of flavors and colors, and thanks to Tim’s closely-guarded recipe, they tasted exactly as a donut should: light, indulgent, and still perfectly soft the next day. Mini donuts in boxes of 6 or 12 made for irresistible edible souvenirs. And those churros? Tim was the only person in the Netherlands making freshly glazed, colorful churros — a trend already huge in Hong Kong and parts of Australia. While the doors are now sadly closed, Daddy Donut X Churros Cartel was one of the most joyful and creative stops on the entire tour.
3. Hug The Tea
Hug The Tea is one of my absolute favorite places in The Hague — and as a committed matcha enthusiast, I could happily spend hours here. Sisters Claire & Lisa opened their tea haven back in 2015 and have built something truly special. They source only high-quality matcha and have developed their own brand, which you can pick up in the lunchroom or at select organic stores like Ekoplaza.
Step inside and you’re instantly transported to a calming Japanese world: bamboo furniture, soothing green tones, and a gorgeous wall painting of a pink blossom tree. The menu has grown beautifully over the years — Japanese teas, matcha lattes, tea sets, matcha-infused sweets, and proper meals for lunch or dinner. If you’re a matcha lover visiting The Hague, this is a non-negotiable stop. Check their website for dining dates!
4. Mugs and Mermaids
⚠️ Update: Mugs and Mermaids has permanently closed. It was a truly magical spot and we’re sad to see it go.
Mugs and Mermaids was one of those places that made you smile the moment you walked through the door. Everything about it was colorful, imaginative, and delicious. Owner Charessa Vivaldi ran this all-day breakfast and lunch room with genuine heart, serving stunning dishes that proved food can be beautiful, tasty, and responsible all at once. Her eye for presentation was extraordinary — every single plate was Instagram-worthy in the very best sense, without ever sacrificing flavor. She also sold her products online, extending that magic beyond the café walls. Why the name Mugs and Mermaids? Charessa loves mermaids and unicorns — symbols of freedom and the courage to follow your dreams. Turning that passion into a thriving business was exactly that. A true gem of The Hague’s food scene, and greatly missed.
5. Teds
At Teds you can enjoy breakfast, brunch, and lunch — all day long. This is honestly one of my all-time favorite spots in The Hague, and I’ve been back more times than I can count. I’ve written about it before too; read my full report here. Founder Sanne Huisman had a clear mission: to challenge the rigid breakfast-lunch-dinner schedule that dominates Dutch restaurant culture. Why should you only be able to order eggs at 9am? With Teds, she threw out that rulebook entirely — and the concept became a runaway success, with many others following in her footsteps.
Sanne named the place after her beloved dog Ted — and that warmth and personality shines through in every corner. The interior is modern yet genuinely cozy, like a stylish friend’s living room where you just happen to be served incredible food. The menu is extensive and full of inspiration. My personal highlights? The Fruity French Toast — thick, golden slices loaded with fresh berries and a dusting of icing sugar — and the rich, creamy Eggs Norwegian. Whether you’re after a lazy brunch or a proper lunch, Teds delivers every time.
A little update worth noting: Teds in The Hague is now a full lunchroom, open daily until 5:00 PM — perfect for long, leisurely daytime brunches. The evening pop-up concept Yoisho at Teds no longer exists, but everything that makes Teds so special is still very much there: the bright, welcoming interior, the playful all-day brunch menu, and the story of Sanne, who turned her love of laid-back eating into a place where you’ll want to linger over every last bite.
6. DS Pastry Shop
The French DS Pastry Shop was an absolute gem in The Hague. If you had a weakness for French patisserie — and honestly, who doesn’t? — this place was paradise. Their macarons were genuinely some of the best I’ve ever tasted: perfectly delicate, wonderfully chewy, and available in a beautiful range of flavors. But the magic didn’t stop there. The display cases were always filled with stunning handmade pastries, freshly baked bread, buttery croissants, pâté, and a carefully curated wine selection. During the food bloggers tour I got to try their soft ice cream — a new addition at the time — and it was absolutely divine. Behind all of this was the talented Kelly and her husband Robert-Jan. She turned her passion into her profession, and we were all the luckier for it.
⚠️ Update: DS Pastry Shop has permanently closed. It was a truly magical spot, and the memory of those perfect macarons and that charming little French corner of The Hague lives on in all who visited.
7. Pierre Par CP
⚠️ Update: Pierre Par CP has permanently closed its doors. A real loss for The Hague’s culinary scene — it was a uniquely special spot for wine and food lovers alike.
Pierre Par CP was an absolute dream for wine lovers. This food and wine bar on the beautiful Denneweg was a true sanctuary for anyone seeking impeccable wine and inspired cuisine. The cellar alone was legendary—stocking 750 different wines, from rare and exclusive bottles to approachable, everyday picks from every corner of the world. The culinary magic came from chefs Tim Bood & Krisztian Parlagi, who paired that incredible selection with both elegant bar snacks and proper culinary dishes that made each visit feel like a celebration. If a gorgeous glass of wine alongside outstanding food sounds like your idea of a perfect evening, Pierre Par CP was absolutely not to be missed—and it will be deeply remembered by all who were lucky enough to experience it.
8. The Student Hotel and the Commons
We wrapped up the tour with a visit to The Student Hotel and the Commons — and what a finale it was. Don’t let the name put you off if you’re not a student; this hip, modern hotel welcomes everyone and is well worth a stay. The rooms have a clever, compact vibe that somehow manages to feel incredibly cozy. We were given a full tour of the hotel before settling into the Commons, the hotel’s lively restaurant, where we enjoyed creative cocktails and a wonderful spread of snacks. The perfect way to round off a very full and very delicious day in The Hague!
Looking Back
What a fantastic day it was — and it was all made possible by the brilliant organizing of Anne-Marie and Marjolein (click their names to read their own reports on the Foodbloggers Tour The Hague 2019). Thank you so much for the invitation to discover even more of my own beautiful city. I already knew some of these spots, but seeing them through fresh eyes on a tour like this is always such a joy. I had the most wonderful time, and I wholeheartedly recommend visiting every single one of them.
Want to see the Foodbloggers Tour The Hague 2019 in action? Watch the video above for a taste of everything we experienced on this delicious day out!
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