Sometimes all you need is a
- Bouzy
- Nomad Bistro Wine Bar
- Grapes and Olives
- De Filosoof (check dates)
- Wicked Wines
Contents
Bouzy
Price – €€
Location – Denneweg 83, 2514 CE Den Haag
Just like the name, Bouzy Champagne Wine and Food, is a relaxed and fun wine bar, featuring an extensive wine selection and upbeat music. Located on the corner of Denneweg and Mauritskade, they have made use of the large windows, so it feels like your part of the neighbourhood while nestled in the vintage interior.
When I say the wine list is extensive, this feels like an understatement. Their wine list, written in a mixture of Dutch and English is huge and available on their website, so have a look before your visit. They offer varietals of champagne, white, red, and champagne from around the world.
The knowledgeable staff can explain the menu and the wines you may like to suit in English or Dutch. They also offer a taste of the wines prior to your final selection. The bottle and glass menus change regularly when up and coming winemakers are discovered, or classic and old vintages are ready to drink. All wines are also available to take home.
Just as much attention has been given to the food. Small bites, platters of cheese and charcuterie to share as well as classic Dutch staples of bitterballen feature on the menu. A Bouzy brunch is even available on a Saturday and Sunday from 13:00 (24.95€). The team from Bouzy, also have a restaurant two doors down the road.
Tip – Check the wine menu out before you visit to help you prepare and make your choice.
Nomad Bistro Wine Bar
Location: Zoutmanstraat 53C, 2518 GM Den Haag
Price: €€
Nomad is named for the experiences of the couple who owns it. Together they have travelled from place to place learning about gastronomy. He is responsible for front of house service and she manages the cooking and menu. Together they have lived in Brazil, Italy, America, Austria, Germany and now the Netherlands. Each country’s influence can be seen in the wine and food menus, which features classics from these regions.
Their experience running restaurants and bars is evident in the selection and knowledge of wines, which is paired with their seasonal (English) menu. They feature wines from Austria, France, Italy, South Africa, Romania, Chile, Spain, Argentina, America and Brazil.
Even if you know nothing about wine, if you describe the flavours you like then he will find the wine for you. He will also consider the food you have ordered so ensure the wine compliments it. Sparkling, white, red, and dessert wines are available. However, if you would prefer, they also offer, tea, coffee, soft drinks, spirits, liquors, beers and caipirinhas.
Nomad seats a maximum of twenty people and features an attractive bar and fireplace, which creates a very intimate atmosphere. Subtle background music contributes to the warm experience. Perfect for a date night, drink or dinner by yourself or a small group. Given the small size of the bistro consider booking if you are going with any more than 2 people.
Nomad offer’s a small menu, (which makes it easy to choose!) of starters, mains, bites to share and sweets. Be sure to try the raclette cheese, either as a starter or on the burger! A four-course menu with paired wines is available every night and once a month they offer a 6-course degustation with matched wines.
Tip – Sit at the bar for a wine to chat
Grapes and Olives
Price – €
Location – Veenkade 1, 2513 EE, Den Haag
Grapes and Olives began as a purely Italian wine bar, however as the owner’s passion for other wines expanded so did their wine list. Expect a Mediterranean influenced wine and food menu, written in English. As the name suggests the wine bar focuses on wine and olives. (I’ve never seen such a varied selection of olives before!) Their wine list is just as extensive and boasts sparkling, white, rose, red, and dessert wines from Italy, Spain
Grapes and Olives is a cosy, relaxed and lowly lit restaurant featuring small tables at the front to perch on high stools and enjoy wine, cheese and charcuterie platters. As you continue into the space there is also a section for tables and 3 booths at the back for sharing food and wine with larger groups. In the warmer months, a terraceboat is also available to enjoy wine in the sunshine. If your friends and family don’t appreciate wine as much as you, then Grapes and Olives also offers a plethora of beers, aperitifs, gins, rums and digestives.
The honest love for wine was evident in the descriptions, history and flavours of the wines that were provided. All staff had exceptional English and took the time to ensure we were enjoying the experience and that the wines suited our preferences. A very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Wifi is available and they even helped me to charge my phone!
Tip – Order the 3-wine tasting flight. Grapes and Olives features a seasonal tasting flight of 3 half glasses of wine. However, they will happily modify it if isn’t to your tastes, for
De Filosoof
Price – €€
Location: Papestraat 5
Editor Wanderlustingk notes that you might want to check out the De Filosoof for its adorable Persian cat and its wine tasting nights. This wine shop specializes in exotic wines from all over the world, including Azerbaijan, Syria, Croatia, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Lebanon. The owner himself owns a vineyard in Bulgaria that produces Persian-style wine.
This cozy shop near Noordeinde is a great place to break yourself out of your comfort zone. The owner is supposedly the fluffy Persian cat (Socrates) who often sits on the desk, however, you’ll meet the hard-working human who feeds him at some point.
Every two weeks, there are philosophical and literary meetings with a glass of wine. (The owner has a degree in philosophy). Similarly, there are monthly tastings organized by the owner focused around a specific theme. It’s always a delight to step inside, so it’s definitely worth checking out even if it’s not a traditional wine bar.
Wicked Wines
Price – €€
Location – Bazarstraat 42, 2518 AK Den Haag
Wicked Wines as their name reveals offer ‘wicked’ seasonal wines by the glass or bottle. They feature wines from my home country Australia (yay!), our neighbours New Zealand as well as a plethora of selections from Europe and America. Think sparkling, white, rose and red wines from around the world.
Wicked Wines has a bright, modern and relaxed atmosphere. Sit out on the terrace on Anna Pauwlonaplein in summer or even winter when they have the heaters burning. Inside is inviting all year round, and you may lose your sense of time as glasses of wine turn into bottles.
The kitchen is influenced by French and Asian cuisines which has resulted in a delicious and varied menu. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and the chefs are flexible with dietary requirements. Sharing plates, cheese, charcuterie, gyoza, olives, roast and soups are available and change seasonally. Look out for the daily specials and try the Chinese pancakes and sushi. To suit everyone’s drinking needs cocktails, beer and gin are available in addition to the wide-ranging wine choices. Even non-alcoholic gin, wine and beer is offered.
If you are curious about wine, then the staff at Wicked Wines are willing to share their knowledge and provide tastings so that you can choose your
Tip: Ask about the special wines to deliciously surprise your taste buds.
Two wine bars I am yet to experience are Millers and Pierre’s (when it reopens in March). Happy sipping!
Any great wine bars in the Hague that you’d recommend trying out? Cheers to that!
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