The Hague

The Pancake Club, in Rijswijk, has to go at the top of this list as it is something in between a restaurant and a café due to the long list of toppings and accoutrements on offer which can turn a light snack into a heavy meal or a delicious pudding. Dutch pancakes are a must for anyone visiting the Netherlands and connoisseurs will definitely appreciate this traditional café that is deemed to have some of the best in the country.

Although ‘Café’ is in the very name of this very swanky riverside establishment, it is much more than just a café, offering a fine dining experience in the adjoining restaurant as well as several clean, modern spaces to enjoy delicious coffee. Coffee is taken very seriously at Capriole Café, as demonstrated by the wide variety of Fairtrade coffee beans from around the world on offer that are carefully selected by the owners and subsequently slow-roasted in their impressive Giesen coffee roaster. This family business has long been supplying high-quality coffee across the Netherlands. Workshops are available to customers who can try their hand at roasting, preparing and taste-testing artisan coffee.

There aren’t that many toastie specialists in the world so when one does present itself, it would be a shame not to give it a try. Happy Tosti knows the craft well and covers all bases when it comes to the tried and tested toasted sandwich. Traditional recipes such as pizza paninis and quesadilla toasties are instant classics and big hits with the locals. The coffee also receives praise, as does the warm service, making the experience of Happy Tosti all in all, well, a happy one.

Bikes are the preferred means of transport in the Netherlands and coffee is the preferred stimulant, put them together in one place and you have a winning formula for both getting around and lounging around. Whether you need to rent a bike, buy a new one, or you just fancy a nice cup of coffee in a quirky café surrounded by bicycles, Lola Bikes and Coffee is a great option for a pitstop. With ride-outs taking place four times a week, Lola’s is a great place to meet other cyclists over a quality cup of coffee and take part in one of the most popular pastimes in the Netherlands.

Want to rent a rowboat with your coffee and cake? No problem! Waterkant offers customers the chance to have their breakfast, lunch, snack or even a cocktail in a rented boat moored at the waterfront, which they can then take for a spin around the surrounding canals. This quaint, secluded space is full of roses in the spring and summer months, making it a charming spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a bite to eat.