Legendary chef and writer Anthony Bourdain once said, “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together” — and this philosophy is nowhere truer than at the newly opened The Storycafe.
Moroccan-Dutch owner Meryem Hammiche, who is also a dietician and mental health coach, knows the power of food and how it can bring people together. She created this space for exactly that: the community.
When you walk into the café, you feel a sense of warmth and community support right away. Drawings cover the walls, painted by hand by a Mexican artist. The corners are filled with beautiful homewares for sale — bags, cards and toys — from small businesses that Meryem personally wants to support. Each table carries words of encouragement, and the delicious smells of soup and baked goods fill the air.
“Everyone has their own story and when they come together, they make one story. I want to bring people together and create a space where people feel welcomed. The café is like an extension of my living room.”
The menu is varied, drawing influences from Morocco, Ukraine and Japan. Everything is homemade from the freshest ingredients, health-conscious and plated in bright colours that reflect the cheery atmosphere. One of Meryem’s favourites is from Chef Layla: the black sesame dream bowl — yoghurt with homemade chia, granola and energy bites of dates, walnut and matcha — freshly made, filling and kind to your waist. The Harira soup, containing chickpeas, lentils and warming spices, arrives with a chicken-filled pastry that is both sweet and savoury. It was deeply comforting and reminded me of a soup my mother used to make when I was a child — you know a place is special when it can bring up memories like that, particularly from childhood. On arrival, I also got to try a mini tasting platter of sweet Moroccan treats: a pancake, a semolina cake and an almond and honey wrap — all new flavours for me, and it almost felt like I was in Meryem’s home, catching up with an old friend.
Their coffee is sourced from DiMello fairtrade beans and their sourdoughbread comes from Pain de Mer Bakkers, a bakery based in Zeeland that makes all of their bread with seawater — making it suitable for people with food intolerances. You can feel that Meryem has put a lot of thought into each and every corner of this café, and because of that, it feels truly special. The space also works beautifully if you need a change of scenery from your home office, and everyone from young to old is welcomed here — dogs included, as puppuccinos are on the menu too.
The Storycafe is open seven days a week on Appelstraat 175. Events like Closet Confetti (buy and sell second hand clothing) and a cookie pop up are on the calendar, so be sure to follow them on Instagram so you don’t miss out. If you’re a small business looking to sell your items, feel free to reach out to Meryem.
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