In the Zeeheldenkwartier, you’ll find the charming café, Petit by Sam. Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, owner Samita Raheja moved to Amsterdam when her Dutch partner wanted to return to his home country eight years ago, she seized the opportunity to expand on her love for baking and opened Petit, initially as a takeaway-only concept. When the couple later relocated to The Hague, Sam decided it was time for a fully operating café.
At the time, vegan and gluten-free options were hard to come by in the city, and the few places that did offer them often relegated a dry, uninspiring banana bread to the back of the counter as an afterthought. Sam knew she could do better. She wanted to give the community baked goods that anyone could enjoy — and so Petit by Sam opened its doors in October 2023.
Walk in and you’re greeted with a warm smile and a display of gorgeous handmade cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats at the counter. An added delight is the open kitchen at the back, where you can watch bakers Jessica and Michelle in action. Jessica has been by Sam’s side since the very beginning, with Michelle joining the team more recently.
What does Sam love about the city? The slower pace compared to Amsterdam, the sense of community, and the way people here are looking to connect more deeply with one another. In a time when the world feels so divided, Sam spotted an opportunity to make her space a place of genuine connection. On the first Tuesday of every month, she hosts a parent meet-up, for moms and dads to connect over raising kids and every Thursday evening is reading night, where people can curl up with a book and enjoy the company of fellow bookworms. Latte art classes, cookie decorating workshops, and more are also on offer.
Opening a new café comes with its challenges, and in the early days some customers were unsure of the higher prices of the baked goods. But Sam was committed to the quality and standards she had grown up with in Switzerland — and now everyone is glad she stayed true to it. I tried the carrot cake, which looked almost too good to eat: a light, fluffy sponge with frosting so creamy and soft you’d never guess it was gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. The chocolate chip cookie is another favourite, somehow achieving that essential chewy texture every great cookie needs.
Parents can relax while kids enjoy the play corner, and the café is dog-friendly — making it the perfect stop on a daily walk. The terrace has just reopened and new seasonal drinks are coming soon, right on cue as the weather warms up.
Petit by Sam is located on Prins Hendrikstraat 106 and open seven days a week, and also takes orders for celebration cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other special events.
Images: Petit by Sam
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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.