Where to eat in the Hague by a local: Affordable restaurants in Den Haag

Enough people have visited me in the Hague that I felt that it was time to put together a little eating guide with my favorite restaurants in the Hague.  I prioritize authentic and good food over a fancy atmosphere.  As a result, I’ve left off some of the many high-caliber restaurants in the Hague worth visiting if you’re open to splurging a little.  (I also left off junk food in the Hague!). 

As a warning, most of these restaurants are Pin only, so if you have a credit card, you will not be to use your card unless it’s a Dutch Maestro card.  I recommend having cash on hand if you are visiting the Hague from abroad as you might be surprised how many places do not accept credit cards.  I capped the price of the meal around 10-20 euros per person with drinks although some of the options are a bit more expensive, but provide good value for the price.

I do not include breakfast/brunch recommendations here and you can read my other blog post about the best breakfasts in the Hague here.  For coffee recommendations, click for my post about the best coffee in the Hague. For beer, check my craft beer guide to the Hague.

I tried to include some vegetarian/vegan options here, but it’s nice going to a restaurant that has more choices than the average Dutch restaurant. For vegetarians/vegans, you can click for a 100% vegetarian / vegan food guide to the Hague!

I’ve chosen to group the restaurants by “type” of food as I felt like just listing restaurants wasn’t the best idea as I find it annoying to scroll endlessly when I have a specific kind of food in mind… I’ve included a few recommendations from friends.

Recommended, but haven’t tried yet: Somos Peru (Peruvian), Restaurant Faroek (Moroccan), 3 Stones (Kenyan), King Falafel, New Meyva (vegetarian Roti), Love and Peas (vegetarian), Queru (Mexican), Pastanini, Pinsart Italian Street Food, and Pizzeria Il Vesuvio (Italian).  I will update this list as I try out new places!

Asian restaurants in the Hague

Toko Frederik 

I went to Toko Frederik for the first time with a visiting friend and it’s a nice introduction to Indonesian food. Despite the really nice interior, their prices for the set meal, where you specify the spice level/restrictions, are quite reasonable. You can certainly spend more here if you want to, but the portions are good enough that you’ll be full after the set meal. It’s a nice place to have a quiet lunch or dinner close to Javastraat!

Toko Dian

While we were living out in Scheveningen, our host for our temporary housing who is from Indonesia swore that this is the best Indonesian food in the area.  Indeed, we tried it and it was absolutely delicious.  If you’re out in Scheveningen, consider getting a delivery from them!  Perfect for a cozy night in. 

Woeng Kee

Woeng Kee is my second favorite Chinese dim sum place in the Hague.  The menu is in Dutch only and you can only pay with pin (or cash).  It can get quite busy on the weekends as a warning!

Full Moon City

Full Moon City is up an escalator, so it’s easy to pass by this favorite dim sum restaurant with big round tables. Their menu is extremely large, so deciding can be a struggle. I love coming here with friends to share several Dim Sum dishes and it’s always affordable (15-20 euros per person with a drink). This is my favorite dim sum place in the Hague.

Noord-Oost Chinees Eethuis

This eatery in Chinatown came recommended by my friend Dominica.  China has so many regions, so as you can imagine, you’ll have some diversity.  This restaurant focuses on food from the North Eastern province of China close to Korea and according to my friend, they serve up home-style cooking. If you’re tired of dim sum, come here. 

Kaniway

Kaniway serves up delicious Uyghur food. For those who don’t know about the Uyghurs, they’re a minority ethnic group that primarily lives in China who are practicing Muslims.  Their food is a mix of the best parts of Chinese, Russian, and Turkish food.    I loved the dumplings (Chöqüra) as well as the main dish made with chicken.

Portions at Kaniway are incredibly generous and perfect for a nice dinner out with friends where everyone shares.  Even with three of us, we were full after dumplings, a side of vegetables, and the main dish.  Their portions are intended for sharing, so come hungry.

I don’t necessarily recommend this restaurant for vegetarians as you’ll have more limited options for sharing.  As a warning, when you’re told that something is spicy, it will be spicy.  I’d recommend making a reservation ahead if you want to come around dinner as they get quite busy.

De Peper Authentic Thai Food

We stumbled upon this cozy Thai restaurant in de Bomenbuurt.  Hidden on a shopping street, you’ll walk in and wonder if you’ve been transported to Thailand…. It’s definitely not what I expected.  The portions are very well-sized and the food is really authentic.  You can dine in or order delivery if you live in the area.

Krishna Villas

Krishna Villas is a little hidden, but as soon as you walk into this South Indian restaurant in the Hague, you know that you’re in the right place. The dosas, as promised, were huge and delicious. The prices, luckily, did not correspond to the size of the dosas. I struggled to decide which of the sauces was my favorite, however, it’s a great spot for lunch on a weekend!

Mr. Bap

Mr. Bap is a small Korean restaurant hidden in a corridor.  This restaurant owned by a sweet Korean family is a great place for Korean take-out as well as a quick lunch/dinner.  If you’re looking for a healthy break, take a seat and try out the food here.  If I recall correctly, they are cash only.

Buddha Bowl

I went to this cozy vegan-friendly restaurant a while ago.  I ended up really loving my healthy Buddha Bowl, which made me feel very good afterward.  Their smoothies are really delicious.  This is a great spot for vegetarians/vegans as the staff is very careful about dietary restrictions.  The interior is really charming and Buddha Bowl is a nice place to relax.

SET Genki

SET is an affordable Japanese restaurant in the center of the Hague that serves up great lunch specials and nice ramen. If you’re looking for something truly love spicy, ask for the volcano ramen if you’re prepared for the spice. The interior is really charming with classic Japanese decorations with small booths. It’s not as good as Ramen Nikkou in Delft, but if you must have ramen, this works.

Mingle Mush

Mingle Mush is a food hall next to Den Haag Centraal. I come here quite a bit especially when guests come into town. There’s a good variety of options that change fairly often from Surinamese to African to Lebanese.

North, Central, and South American restaurants in the Hague

Day Dream

Now with two locations in the Hague, Day Dream is set to conquer the Hague region with perfectly done Montreal-style beef pastrami sandwiches. Although not vegetarian friendly, their sandwiches remain budget friendly yet hearty. You can always ask for extra meat if needed.

Netherlands Bagels

Looking for New York-style bagels? You can get a reasonable lunch sandwich on a bagel at this cozy American cafe in the city center of the Hague. All of their bagels are boiled and baked fresh every morning, which makes them unique among the bakeries in the Hague.

Burger Bar

For the best burgers and vegetarian burgers in the Hague, I recommend Burger Bar.  This Dutch burger restaurant is creative with their options for those looking for a high-quality burger.  They have chicken, beef (with various origins), chickpea, as well as mushroom burgers available. 

Warung Mini

For Surinamese-Javanese food, I recommend Warung Mini.  This popular halal restaurant is always busy and its location near Spui makes it a great place for meeting people.  You’ll probably have to wait for a table, but if you’re looking to surprise guests with something different… you will definitely succeed.

They’re open for lunch and dinner.   There is an English menu available if your Dutch is not up to par.  I’d recommend “Rijst Pom Groenten,” shown above.  Pom is a vegetable from Suriname with a really unique taste, closest to a sweet potato.  It was what the waitress recommended although my husband also loved their Roti.  Bring cash if you don’t have a Dutch card.

JR’s Cuisine

I absolutely love Surinamese food–and if you’re looking for a great lunch/dinner spot near Den Haag Laan van NOI train station, this cozy little Surinamese place with tables is a place that I recommend. I did a nearby language class and often came here for lunch. I really love their pom/chicken sandwich or Bara. The prices are very reasonable and it’s easy to keep your meal under 10 euros.

Empanadas at the Haagse Markt

This Caribbean stand along the first row of the Haagse Markt (one of my favorite places in the Hague) serves up delicious empanadas to-go.  I recommend having the cash on hand as they’re cash only like many vendors in the Haagse Markt.  This is mostly for meat-eaters although they sometimes have a vegetarian option. Be sure to take a bit of the salsa, which is made with tomatoes and not spicy. There are unfortunately no seats available.

Five Guys

As an American living in the Netherlands, I enjoy a good burger now and then.  I have a soft spot for Five Guys, which I loved even before I left the US.   Their small burger is equivalent to the size of most Dutch burgers.  Be sure to get the fries with cajun seasoning.  Not for vegetarians unless you only get a drink, a milkshake, or fries.  

European Restaurants in the Hague

Simonis aan de Haven

For fresh fish Dutch-style, come to the casual Simonis aan de Haven in Scheveningen.  As the fish is from Simonis, one of the most famous fish vendors in the Hague, you can expect quality without the stinging price tag. Great for fish and chips.

Horeca Academie

Right next to the Den Haag Laan van NOI station, you’ll find an ugly white building with a cooking school inside it. A few nights a week on weekdays, the chefs in training serve up a three-course meal at a top restaurant-quality for just 18 euros. I’ve been here and I’d definitely recommend reserving your spot ahead. The chefs are really accommodating of dietary requirements–and they change their menu weekly to use seasonal ingredients.

Bik Friteswerk

After trying different frites places in the Hague, I have concluded that Bik is my favorite fries place in the Hague.  However, it’s not just fries.  Their fries come loaded with extras, which are enough for a meal.  I often come here if I’m walking through centre near Den Haag Centraal as the shop is very close to the station.  It’s a great place to stop off after some drinks. 😉

I really enjoyed their Bik Pulled Pork although my husband really liked the Bik with guacamole.  An important note is that they have sweet potato fries available, which are my fries of choice.  The mayo selection is quite good and I love their harissa mayo.  Good for vegetarians as well as meat eaters.

Suhumi

Suhumi is on the upper price side of this list, but it’s still one of my favorite restaurants in the Hague.  I really do feel that you can get a steal here given the quality as well as the portion sizes although expect to pay at least 30 euros per person. (I’ve heard from Georgians that the food here is Soviet-style Georgian food.)

I ended up splitting a khachapuri with a friend as well as ordering a side dish, which was more than enough food for me.  (Expect to pay more if you intend to order Georgian wine, which is fantastic.) Reserve a table ahead.

The khachapuri, a cheesy Georgian delicacy made with four different kinds of cheese, will blow your mind if you’ve never had Georgian food before.  The soup dumplings are also unique and plentiful.

African and Middle Eastern restaurants in the Hague…

Hummus

For a delicious taste of the Middle East, head to Hummus.  This chain that started in Delft has amazing options for vegans as well as vegetarians.  Their hummus, pita bread, and salad are absolutely delicious–and it’s perfect for sharing during a romantic date night.  I was really surprised during my first time here how much food there is, so come prepared to eat.   Be sure to try their mint tea, which is a nice treat in colder weather.

Ali’s Lebanese Incredible Sandwiches

If you’re in the Regentessekwartier, it’s easy to pass by this humble-looking sandwich shop, but don’t! Ali’s Lebanese Incredible Sandwiches is all that it promises with delicious and large sandwiches Lebanese-style. They’re vegetarian-friendly although strictly cash-only. I found my wrap large enough that I had to save it for lunch the next day.

Baladi Manouche

This Lebanese restaurant in the Hague is a great option for an affordable lunch in Center, especially for vegetarians and vegans!  They serve wraps as well as other Lebanese snacks/desserts.  There are a few chairs at the shop, which makes it better for takeout.

ArabesQ

I only recently got to ArabesQ for the first time and I was really surprised by the portion sizes given the prices. I got a shared two-person dinner meal and we were unable to finish our food despite trying very hard. The food is Morrocan and I also found the staff quite friendly compared to many places! It’s very close to Den Haag Hollandse Spoor station.

Do you have any other favorite restaurants in the Hague that you’d recommend?