The Hague has quietly become one of the Netherlands’ best coffee cities. With a flourishing specialty coffee scene, an abundance of laptop-friendly spaces, and the Dutch tradition of gezelligheid (coziness), the city’s cafes are perfect for digital nomads, students, and anyone who appreciates a perfectly pulled espresso. Here’s your 2026 guide.
Specialty Coffee Pioneers
Single Estate Coffee Roasters on the Piet Heinstraat near the Peace Palace is where The Hague’s specialty coffee revolution began. They roast their own beans on-site and their baristas take coffee seriously without being pretentious. A flat white costs €4.20 and is consistently excellent. The space is bright and minimal, with a large communal table ideal for working. WiFi is fast and free. They also sell beans to take home — their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is outstanding.
Bohemian Coffee on the Prinsestraat combines specialty coffee with Indian street food — their chai latte is the best in the city, made from a family recipe rather than syrup. The back room has comfortable seating and quieter corners for focused work. Their cardamom-infused pastries are dangerously addictive.
Laptop-Friendly Workspaces
Not all cafes welcome laptops. These ones do. Coffee Star on the Theresiastraat near Centraal Station has become a de facto co-working space. Large tables, abundant power outlets, strong WiFi, and a relaxed policy on laptop use make it ideal for a full workday. The coffee is solid if not exceptional, but the €2.50 filter coffee refills and generous opening hours (7 AM to 7 PM) compensate. Arrive before 9:30 AM for a good seat — it fills up with freelancers by 10 AM.
Filtro on the Weimarstraat in the Regentessekwartier is a neighborhood gem that balances specialty coffee with a welcoming workspace atmosphere. Their cortado is superb, and the back room has individual desks against the wall, each with its own power outlet. They roast their own beans and the aroma of fresh roasting often fills the space. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Atmospheric Hideaways
For those days when you want ambiance over productivity, Bartine on the Weimarstraat is a bakery-cafe hybrid producing some of the best sourdough in the Netherlands. The interior is warm and rustic, with exposed brick and wooden beams. Their coffee is sourced from Bocca roasters in Amsterdam, and the pastries — especially the cardamom bun — are exceptional. It’s a small space that fills quickly, so it’s better for a short visit than a work marathon.
Pistache on the Anna Paulownaplein in the Zeeheldenkwartier is pure charm. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light, and the terrace on the leafy square is one of the most pleasant in the city during summer. Their brunch menu is excellent, and the coffee holds its own. It’s more of a social cafe than a work spot, but for a relaxed morning with a book or a catch-up with friends, it’s unbeatable.
Quick Coffee on the Go
Sometimes you just need excellent coffee, fast. Kaafi on the Prinsestraat is a tiny standing-room-only espresso bar that serves what many consider The Hague’s best flat white. Run by passionate owners who know their regulars by name, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a local even on your first visit. No WiFi, no laptops — just great coffee and conversation. An espresso costs €2.80.
Perron X inside Centraal Station is a salvation for commuters. Their coffee is genuinely good — far above typical station fare — and they’re open from 6 AM on weekdays. Grab a cortado and a croissant before your train.
Coffee Culture Tips
Dutch cafes typically open later than you might expect — 8 AM or even 9 AM is common, though specialty spots are pushing this earlier. Tipping isn’t obligatory but rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated. Most cafes accept cards and contactless payment; cash-only spots are increasingly rare. And one more thing: when a Dutch person says “coffee shop,” they mean a cannabis café. For actual coffee, ask for a koffiezaak or simply “cafe.” The distinction matters!
Whether you’re grinding through a work deadline or simply savoring a perfectly brewed single-origin, The Hague’s cafe scene in 2026 has you covered. Geniet ervan! (Enjoy!)
