The Hague has plenty of nice bars. But there are a few cozy ones that have earned a special place in my heart. One of them that is definitely worth mentioning is Café Emma on the Regentesseplein.

Sidenote: the café is located in the Regentessekwartier, which is a highly underrated neighbourhood for those not very familiar with The Hague. It’s quite a vibrant and lively neighbourhood with new, lovely spots popping up constantly, especially in and around Regentesseplein and Weimarstraat. Absolutely worth a visit!

Okay, back to Café Emma: Whether you walk in there on a Tuesday evening or a Saturday morning, it’s always a warm welcome. What struck me most the first time I visited the café was the wide variety of people. Old, young, middle-aged, groups, couples but also quite some customers on their own, quietly enjoying a cup of soup or reading a newspaper. The atmosphere there is so relaxed… My friends and I can genuinely sit there for hours chatting away, enjoy a couple of ‘IJwit’ beers and some good ol’ bitterballen. Let’s be honest, nothing beats beer and bitterballen.