It was while living in Australia, in a tiny mining town, that Clo Darras met her Dutch partner Ziggy Douw. It was there that they heard locals share the story of the Green Birdflower plant — small and unassuming, you most likely wouldn’t even notice it, and that would be a shame, as its leaves are uniquely shaped like a bird. A wonderful reminder to stop and take a moment to look around you, as beauty surrounds us all the time. Ziggy gifted the plant to Clo on a date, so it holds a special place for the couple, and it felt only natural that it would become the name of their now beloved café, Birdflower, located at Professor Kaiserstraat 55.
After travelling the world for 10 years, cooking in different restaurants and learning as much as they could about food and flavour, the couple decided to make The Hague home — where Ziggy is originally from. Clo, being French, made the city her own and felt at home here from day one. With the large expat community, it was easy to make connections, and Clo loved that nature was always around the corner — from the beach to the dunes, greenery can easily be found here.
The couple experimented with a pop-up during Covid, which was a success, and then decided to turn it into a café. This July, they will celebrate the café’s 4th birthday. The menu changes every three months — everything homemade — and they only cook and bake with ingredients that are in season, staying true to nature. This means everything on the menu is fresh and the produce is at its most delicious. Clo is extremely passionate about locally sourced ingredients and supporting the suppliers who care for them, including miso sourced from a Japanese supplier in the city, made from buckwheat rather than soy. She lights up talking about it, and that passion also comes through in the food itself — the pastries are beautifully crafted works of art that tell a story when you eat them.
The menu is made up mainly of pastries and a handful of other items, including some Asian-inspired dishes such as kimchi toast. The kimchi is punchy and bursting with complex, savoury flavour, paired with nutty Comté cheese and sandwiched between soft sourdough toasted to golden perfection, served with a dollop of rich, tangy mayo — all proudly made by Clo and Ziggy. They also offer seasonal drinks like juices and iced teas, and rotate their coffee beans throughout the year — fruitier blends for spring and summer, shifting to deeper, warmer roasts in the colder months.
I tried the vegan pistachio and raspberry cookies — indulgent and chewy, and more than satisfying for any vegan. The chocolate torte, made with hazelnut mascarpone, olive oil and sea salt, was rich, moreish, and my personal favourite. The vanilla cheesecake — gluten-free, with chocolate crémeux and fresh berries — is a decadent, artisanal dessert that combines a velvety, dense texture with rich contrasting layers and vibrant toppings. And Clo’s personal pick? The pain au chocolat, one of the best in the city — it will transport you straight to Paris.
An honourable mention goes to the iced chai latte. As someone of South Asian descent, chai is often botched in Western cafés, so I was thoroughly satisfied with this one and would happily return for it.
Clo is clearly passionate about the hard work that goes into the café, and supporting the local community is what drives her — she wins when they win, a shared joy all round.
Earlier this year, the couple opened a second location — a takeaway spot at Azaleaplein 1K — and for their sit down café, they have plans for some small renovations and a more streamlined menu in the coming months, allowing them to focus on what is truly working: the coffee, pastries and sandwiches.
No visit to The Hague is complete without stopping into Birdflower. And as a reminder — I hope you take a moment to pause during your busy day and look out for the beauty that surrounds you. It’s probably closer than you think.
Do you have a story about your own café, restaurant or bar in the city? Reach out to sherika@thehagueonline.com to possibly be featured.
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.
Images: Sherika Rooplal-Clappers and Sheryl Holliday