If I can choose between doing my shopping in big department stores or in small authentic shops, I always pick the latter. One of the oldest shops in the city center is drugstore Van der Gaag. The shop is over 200 years old and hasn’t changed much in these two centuries. It still has its wood paneled interior filled with glass bottles and jars. On the store front, you can still see the figurehead of a ‘gaper’, once the symbol of pharmacies and drugstores.
Van der Gaag sells a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and personal care products. Whether you have a cold or are looking for the best shampoo, the staff is always willing to advise you. The shop is located in one of the oldest parts of The Hague. This is where, in the old days, a daily food and vegetable market would take place. The founder of Van der Gaag used to sell herbs in that market. When business took off, he decided to open a shop. The attic of the building was once used to dry herbs. Those days are gone. But you can still buy 250 different kinds of herbs and spices at the shop.
Although Van der Gaag is a drugstore, they also sell candy. This is the place to go if you are looking for the original Dutch ‘dropjes’, the licorice that we Dutch love so much, but many foreigners despise. Van der Gaag still sells them out of the original glass jars.
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Café Constant serves lunch and dinner, but you can also go there for coffee or drinks. There is also a nice terrace on both sides of the front door.
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J&L Bubble Tea is a very cute spot with an extensive menu, everything from the classics, like dirty boba or milk tea to fruit teas, and seasonal specials.
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I find the swimming pool De Blinkerd one of the most relaxing places in The Hague and the building is interesting as well as it is a dome.
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They have almost 200 kinds of different beers, and they organize events, like pub quizzes, so it is a good spot to hang around with friends.
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It is quite small but feels like a little sanctuary in the middle of the city center. The garden is filled with different beautiful hidden sculptures.
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House of Tribes is a lovely cafe with a modern interior and a community table for bigger meetings. It is a great spot if you want to have some work done.
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When you order the dishes you like to share, they put the dishes in the order that will give you the best experience. The food is amazing and so inspiring!
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Full Moon Express is great for a good and fast lunch or dinner. They have different types of noodle soups, wok, barbecue, bento boxes, or Japanese curry.
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I discovered this bakery by surprise when I was taking a shortcut through the city centre. It is located in the middle of the city centre and yet it's quite secluded.
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All around Koningsplein are houses built in the neo-renaissance style typical for the area, beautifully maintained with their front doors in bright colors.
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For breakfast, Petit offers croissants or granola with fruit, for lunch there are two tosti options (the Dutch version of a grilled sandwich).
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Apart from its obvious significance, it's an interesting place to visit because each of the 197 countries contributed a special stone to the monument.
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121 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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