I usually try to go slow on alcohol, but there's one place in The Hague where that's virtually impossible: Van Kleef Distillery. This distillery can be found in one of the oldest parts of the center. It’s not on a shopping street, but it's absolutely worth the (short) walk! The distillery, where a wide range of alcoholic drinks were made, first saw the light of day in 1842, together with the liquor store next door. In 1986, the company had to close; it was considered too dangerous to make and store so much alcohol in the city center.
Lucky for us, the distillery and the shop reopened in the year 1995. The old shop was restored, a new distillery was built. As a bonus, Van Kleef opened a museum, where you can learn more about the centuries-old craft of distilling beverages like jenever from grain alcohol. The shop and the museum (and lovely garden) also provide group tastings. You can even rent the place for group meetings or receptions!
The jenever is sold in traditional stone jugs. It's a perfect gift to bring home. Personally, I’m a big fan of the liqueurs that come in fantastic flavors like hazelnut, chocolate, ginger, or even the typical Dutch licorice. I often go to Van Kleef when I need a special gift for someone. Everything you buy will be beautifully gift wrapped and, what’s more, they always offer you to taste before you buy!
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Whether you enjoy your cappuccino with cow’s milk or oat milk—Tigershark’s baristas perform their magic and make it taste absolutely delicious.
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Papan serves outstanding coffee, grilled cheese toasties and breakfast burgers. It's spacious and relaxed, there's wifi and you can work on your laptop.
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The "Louwman Museum" in The Hague houses the world's largest pre-1910 automobiles, and more than a few specialty cars from the period after!
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Its a restaurant and wine bar in the modern French-Mediterranean style. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or even just drinks.
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De Vulkaan is the highest peak of the picturesque Westduin Park, located to the west of the city and one of my favorite lookout spots in The Hague.
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Try the “Loft breakfast” between 10:00 and 11:30 for a delicious, nourishing start to the day. If you’re swinging by later, make sure to try out the “Loftini” cocktail.
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Emma’s Hof has a free library, a playground for kids, lots of benches and sunchairs, an abundance of flowers and herbs, and more and more birds...
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Pompernikkel is where you walk past in the mornings, spontaneously grab a coffee, devour an artisanal pastry, and bump into your neighbours.
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Opvang can be translated as shelter, so we’re talking about a shelter for hedgehogs between the woodlands and dunes of the western boroughs of The Hague.
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The place is stylish yet comfy, and the staff make you feel welcome. Most importantly, their pastries look exquisite and they make their own boterkoek!
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Have you ever heard of specialty chocolate? Single origin, bean-to-bar, craft chocolate — that’s what they promise and that’s what they deliver!
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At Achtung! Lady. the atmosphere is calm, the staff are relaxed yet always happy to help and the items you can score there are always of great quality.
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