Venue provided complimentary drinks during Sherika’s visit for this feature. The Hague Online retained editorial control, and the views expressed are the writer’s own
From the outside, the name gives nothing away. Café Marlo has no direct meaning, but it carries a sound close to the Japanese word maroyaka – meaning soft, warm, or mild. Walking in, I can confirm: the name fits perfectly.
This is The Hague’s newest Japanese café, and it is not what you might expect. There is no sushi here, no elaborate omakase, no long tasting menus. What Café Marlo offers instead is something far more personal: the food that Japanese people actually eat every day. The kind of food a mother makes. Nourishing, light, honest food that is good for your body.
Start with the matcha. Café Marlo uses two types – ceremonial grade for hot drinks and Shizuoka which pairs better with milk for everyday drinks. If you know your matcha, you will taste the difference immediately. If you don’t, this is a very good place to start learning.
The must-order, is the fruit sando. A Japanese fruit sandwich sounds like something that should not work – and then you take one bite and understand immediately why it has become a cult item across Japan and, slowly, across the world. Soft milk bread, lightly sweetened cream, seasonal fruit. It is simple in the best possible way.
For something more substantial, the onigiri is your answer. Café Marlo focuses on fresh, handmade onigiri served warm – which is how it should be eaten. If you have been reaching for sushi as your go-to Japanese option, consider this your gentle nudge to try something closer to what actually fills Japanese tables at lunchtime. Rice, filling, nori. Healthy, satisfying, completely unpretentious.
Café Marlo sits on Hooikade, and the location alone is reason enough to visit. The canal-side setting, the cobalt blue door, the sense that you have stepped somewhere slightly removed from the rest of the city – it makes the whole experience feel like a small escape. The kind of place you find yourself wanting to return to on a slow Tuesday when you need something that feels good.
The owners are genuinely lovely. You feel that from the moment you walk in – there is a care here that goes beyond the food, a sense that this café was opened because these two people truly love what they do and want to share it.
Café Marlo is located at Hooikade 1, The Hague. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Find them on Instagram
Go for the matcha. Stay for the fruit sando. Leave feeling, as the name promises, warm.
Images: Sherika Rooplal-Clappers
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.
A new branch of Barista Cafe opens on Thursday, July 9, right in the historic heart of The Hague. Located on De Plaats, overlooking the Hofvijver, the Torentje, and the Gevangenpoort, owner Laura de Koning is creating a warm coffee shop in a monumental building with a distinctly The Hague character. Visitors can stop by for good coffee, breakfast, lunch, vegan treats, and something to take away. For Laura, this is her second location in The Hague, following the shop on Frederikstraat that she took over nearly two years ago. This time, she was at the helm herself from the very first renovation. “This is the kind of place you don’t come across often,” says Laura . “When this building became available, I knew immediately: I have to seize this opportunity with both hands.” To celebrate this new beginning, Laura and her team are treating all visitors to a free cappuccino during the opening.
Drinking coffee with a view of The Hague To Laura, De Plaats immediately felt like a location with character. The building is situated right amidst history, the vibrancy of the city center, and the recognizable spots of The Hague where locals, day-trippers, and tourists pass by daily. “The view is truly unprecedented,” she says. “From here, you look out onto such a recognizable part of The Hague. That makes this place truly unique.” The building spans two floors and will feature seating both downstairs and upstairs. Over the past few months, hard work has gone into getting the place ready for the opening. Much attention has been paid to the monumental character of the building. Old details have been preserved as much as possible, and the wooden staircases have been restored to their original state. The interior will also have a clear link to the city. For instance, old photos, drawings, and artwork of The Hague hang on the walls, and there is wallpaper featuring work by The Hague artist Annetje Surie . “We tried to honor the character of the building while simultaneously making it a warm and accessible place,” says Laura. “I hope people will see how much love we have put into it.”
Coffee, matcha and vegan treats The menu features what Barista Cafe is known for: coffee, breakfast, lunch, matcha, and sweets. In addition, the new location will have many vegan options. This choice is very deliberate for Laura . “Especially in a place like this, where locals, day-trippers, and tourists come together, I think it is important that as many people as possible can order something delicious,” she explains. “With vegan options, you cater not only to guests who eat plant-based, but also to people with specific allergies or dietary requirements.” Furthermore, Laura wants to focus on easy lunch options for on the go, such as sandwiches and other items that guests can take with them or enjoy at a table. With this, Barista Cafe de Plaats should become a place where you can walk in at any time of day: for a cappuccino in the morning, coffee to go on the way to work, lunch between shopping, or something sweet with a view of the city. “It should become a living room for The Hague residents, but also a nice spot for tourists,” says Laura. “A kind of home away from home, right in the middle of The Hague.”
About Barista Cafe What started in 2009 as a dream to serve the best coffee in Alphen aan den Rijn has grown into a nationwide concept with dozens of locations throughout the Netherlands. Barista Cafe stands for high-quality coffee, a light breakfast, a good lunch, and an accessible atmosphere. As their motto “Sharing moments” states, it is all about coming together and taking a moment for yourself and each other.
In ACCESS Stories this month, Nataliya Volosovych shares how she moved from Florida to Rotterdam in 2010 with her husband, hoping to build a life closer to Ukraine. Over time, she rebuilt her photography career, found community, raised her children in the Netherlands, and grew a business that now has a studio in The Hague. Her sense of belonging became clear when the idea of moving again made her realise that the Netherlands had become home.
ACCESS is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that has supported the international community in the Netherlands since 1986. English-speaking volunteers provide free, independent information and guidance on living, working and settling in the Netherlands, via a helpdesk, email support and partnerships across the country.
Inspired by the historical Gobelin Room in Kunstmuseum Den Haag, artist Natasja Kensmil has completed a contemporary mural entitled Allegory of Glaciers in one of the museum’s monumental stairwells. By commissioning this piece from Kensmil, the museum is carrying on the tradition of inviting artists to create works in its stairwells, thereby entering into an artistic exchange with the building and the collection.
ALLEGORY OF GLACIERS
Natasja Kensmil has transformed the stairwell into a world of melting glacial landscapes in which mythology and reality merge and commingle. Like a pinboard covered in old postcards, the panoramas elicit memories. The scenes were inspired by archival images of glaciers, pages from medieval manuscripts and fragments of historical maps. This is Kensmil’s way of underscoring glaciers’ vital role as natural archives in which the history of our planet is documented.
Kensmil has approached the stairwell as a continuous ‘painting’ consisting of multiple separate paintings and drawings on canvas, hung independently, across which the mural unfolds. The canvases emphasize the various illusions of depth created in the work by the architecture of the space. The whole brings together drawing and painting: sinuous drawn lines and painted fields of colour alternate with and flow into one another. At times, drawing comes to the fore, while at other moments the painterly gesture emerges. The result is a layered image which further strengthens the spatial illusion created by the mural.
GOBELIN ROOM
Kensmil also drew inspiration for her mural from the historical period rooms in the Kunstmuseum. These 17th and 18th-century interiors are a permanent part of the museum building. Today, these rooms offer a glimpse into the lives of the Dutch elite who were responsible for governing the country and the regions colonized by the Netherlands. Various imagery and decorative motifs from the period rooms are echoed in this stairwell. The Gobelin Room in particular was a vital source of inspiration. In this 1710 reception room, the tapestries woven by Alexander Baert form a backdrop consisting of an imaginary wooded landscape populated by water elements and exotic birds. Overhead, the Roman goddesses of wisdom and justice (Minerva and Justitia, respectively) float across the painted ceiling.
DYING GLACIERS
Rather than an idyllic green paradise, Kensmil has depicted a melting landscape of ice and snow. She expands the mythological pantheon with various nature goddesses connected to this threatened world. Pachamana, from Incan culture, is the goddess of Mother Earth. The Inuit revere Sedna, the mother of the sea. Lastly, Kensmil depicts Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawai’i, where glaciers once existed as well – thereby pointing out the vanishing nature of these areas. As a result of climate change, industrialization and colonization, the original inhabitants are losing the homelands they have traditionally associated with divine forces.
In order to create space for Kensmil’s new work, the mural by Günter Tuzina has been temporarily covered up by experts. Earlier this year, and at the museum’s request, Hadassah Emmerich created a mural entitled Petals Pulp Papaya Plunge in another stairwell. Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum is scheduled to complete the last in the series of three new murals this summer.
FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM
Allegory of Glaciers has been made possible in part thanks to a generous contribution from the Society of Friends of Kunstmuseum Den Haag. With this gift in honour of the Society’s 160th anniversary, its members have invested in the continuation of this special museum tradition.
ABOUT NATASJA KENSMIL
Natasja Kensmil (1973) lives and works in Amsterdam and has been active in the arts for over 20 years. She trained at the Vrije Tekenacademie, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and the Ateliers, all of which are located in Amsterdam. Major themes in Natasja Kensmil’s work include the dark sides of the Netherlands’ colonial past, religion, mysticism and mythology. Her work as been displayed in Andriesse Eyck Gallery (Amsterdam), the Royal Hibernian Academy (Dublin) and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington), among others, and has been acquired by collections such as the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven), Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Dallas Museum of Art (USA). Kensmil was awarded the Johannes Vermeer Award in 2021, with the jury praising her work as ‘healing, constructive and critical’.
This project has been made possible in part by the Municipality of The Hague, VriendenLoterij, the Society of Friends of Kunstmuseum Den Haag (Vereniging Vrienden van Kunstmuseum Den Haag) and the Mondriaan Fund.
July at Pathé is all about grand adventures, iconic characters, and highly anticipated film releases. Whether you want to escape the summer heat or simply enjoy the latest movies, Pathé offers the perfect way to cool down with an impressive list of titles.
Embark on an adventure with the Minions in the brand-new animated filmnMinions & Monsters , relive Disney’s beloved story in the live-action version of Moana(Vaiana), and enjoy sharp humor and unexpected twists in the comedy The Invite , starring Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz.
This month, Christopher Nolan brings Homer’s legendary story to the big screen in The Odyssey, a grand mythical adventure filmed entirely with groundbreaking IMAX technology. Horror fans who haven’t shivered yet should brace themselves for Evil Dead Burn , the most terrifying chapter in the iconic horror series to date. Visitors can also look forward to the much-anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in which Peter Parker begins a new chapter as one of the world’s most beloved superheroes.
Families and film lovers will also discover many specials and unique cinematic experiences at Pathé this month. For instance, the iconic comedy Legally Blonde is temporarily returning to the big screen, where visitors can once again enjoy the unforgettable Elle Woods. Music lovers can look forward to WHAM! 10 Days in China , a documentary featuring restored footage that looks back at George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s historic tour of China.
There is plenty to enjoy at home this month as well: Pathé Thuis is releasing Loverboy: Vertrouw Niemand , a thrilling crime film about a former loverboy confronted with his past, and Disclosure Day , the much-discussed new film by Steven Spielberg.So this summer, you can enjoy the most spectacular stories and the cooling cinema experience to the fullest. Whether in the cinema or at home, Pathé offers something for everyone!
Pathé Specials
Legally Blonde – July 9
Return to the big screen of this popular film from 2001:The popular Elle Woods has it all, including a relationship with the cutest boy on campus. She wants nothing more than to become Mrs. Warner Huntington III. The only thing stopping Warner from proposing to her: Elle is too blonde.
WHAM! 10 Days in China – July 28In 1985, WHAM! made history by becoming the first Western pop group to perform in communist China. The concerts by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in Beijing and Guangzhou were a cultural milestone: East and West, music and politics met. Now, recently restored footage reveals the previously untold story of the iconic tour that formed part of WHAM!’s road to the top of the world.
New Top Movies this month at Pathé
Vaiana (OV) – July 8 (IMAX, Dolby Cinema, ScreenX, 4DX)
The live-action film Vaiana is a revamped version of Disney’s beloved, Oscar®-nominated animated adventure. Vaiana (Catherine Laga’aia) answers the call of the ocean and sails past the reef of her island Motunui for the first time. Together with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), she embarks on an unforgettable journey to save her people.
Evil Dead Burn – July 9 (Dolby Cinema, 4DX)
Demonic forces cause a bloodbath in Evil Dead Burn, which promises to be the most intense and terrifying chapter in the Evil Dead series to date. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws at their remote home. As they are transformed into Deadites one by one, the family reunion turns into a living hell, and she discovers that the vows she made during her life remain in effect even after death.
The Invite – July 9
Angela (Olivia Wilde) and Joe’s (Seth Rogen) marriage has been in a rut for a while and is marked by neurotic bickering. Their eccentric upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pina (Penélope Cruz), turn out to be particularly active at night, much to Joe’s annoyance. When Angela invites them over for dinner, Joe sees this as the perfect opportunity to confront them. What follows is an evening full of unexpected twists and turns that none of them will soon forget…
The Invite @2026 The Searchers (NL). All rights reserved.
The Odyssey – July 16 (IMAX, Dolby Cinema)
Christopher Nolan’s new film The Odyssey is an adventurous mythical epic that was filmed on locations all over the world using groundbreaking IMAX® film technology.
Policy – July 23
Rapper Murda and Sinan Eroglu star in this new action comedy. Polis promises to be an explosive road trip full of humor, action, and chaos.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – July 30 (Dolby Cinema, ScreenX, 4DX)
After the worldwide box office success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, a completely new chapter begins for Peter Parker and Spider-Man with Spider-Man: Brand New Day .
Spider-Man: Brand New Day @2026 UPI/Sony (NL). All rights reserved.
Not long after the worldwide success of Despicable Me 4, the funniest comedy of the summer of 2024, Illumination expands their cheerful animated universe with Minions & Monsters , a new chapter in the biggest animated franchise ever.
L to R: Ed, James and Henry in Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Rally – July 8
This action-packed adventure for the whole family follows a brilliant but eccentric inventor and his two unlikely friends – Solan the daring magpie and Ludwig the timid hedgehog. Due to all their failed inventions, they are nearly banished from their village. Therefore, they try to prove themselves by participating in the legendary rally from Paris to the Pyramids.
New movies on Pathé Thuis
Loverboy: Trust No One – July 8
Former loverboy Terrance tries to rebuild his life after a prison sentence, but is confronted with his past when the police offer him a dangerous deal.
Disclosure Day – July 29
The latest theatrical film from Universal Pictures, conceived and directed by Steven Spielberg, will soon be available to watch at home. The film is based on a story by Spielberg and the screenplay is by David Koepp, who previously collaborated with Spielberg on the scripts for Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Pathé is the first and largest cinema brand in the Netherlands, founded in Paris in 1896 by true pioneers of film: the Pathé brothers. Their aim was to share the wonderful world of film with as many people as possible. Throughout the Netherlands, Pathé has 30 locations, 253 screens and 1,900 employees. Through its wide range of films, livestreams of opera, sports and gaming, among others, the latest techniques such as IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema and ScreenX, and business events, Pathé creates special and unforgettable cinema stories for all.
Disclaimer& Copyright notice
Pathé is a partner of The Hague Online, and we receive cinema tickets in exchange for sharing monthly updates and links on our website and in our enewsletter. Text is provided by Pathé in Dutch and translated into English by The Hague Online. Images are provided by Pathé. Text and images may not be copied and shared without written permission.
Most employment contracts clearly state how many hours you’re expected to work each week. In reality, though, busy periods, deadlines or staff shortages can mean putting in extra hours. So what are your rights when it comes to overtime in the Netherlands?
How many hours can you legally work?
Dutch employment law can protect employees from excessive working hours. The key rules are set out in the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet), which focuses on safeguarding health and work-life balance.
For most employees, the limits are as follows:
You may work up to 60 hours in a single week in exceptional cases
Over a 16-week period, your average working time must not exceed 48 hours per week
Employers are responsible for tracking working hours and ensuring these limits aren’t exceeded.
It’s worth noting that the Working Hours Act does not apply to everyone. If you earn more than three times the statutory minimum wage, these rules may not apply to your role.
Is overtime always paid?
Not necessarily. Whether you’re entitled to compensation for overtime depends largely on your employment contract or any applicable collective labour agreement (CAO).
There are generally three common arrangements:
Paid overtime: You receive additional pay for extra hours worked
Time off in lieu: Overtime is compensated with extra leave hours
All-in salary: Your salary is considered to cover a reasonable amount of overtime
If your contract includes an “all-in” salary clause, you will in principle not receive extra pay for additional hours.
When does overtime become an issue?
Even if your contract states that overtime is included in your salary, there are limits to what is considered “reasonable”.
A recent court case highlighted this. An employee working as an executive assistant claimed compensation for a large number of overtime hours. Although her contract stated that overtime was included in her salary, the court ruled that:
The employer knew about the overtime and allowed it
The number of extra hours exceeded what could reasonably be expected
The court decided that a certain level of overtime (around eight extra hours per week) could be considered part of the role. However, anything beyond that had to be compensated. As a result, the employer was required to pay for the remaining overtime hours.
What should you watch out for?
If you regularly work overtime, it’s important to check:
What your contract says about overtime
Whether a CAO applies to your job
If your working hours stay within legal limits
Whether your employer is aware of (and approves) your extra hours
Regularly working long hours without clear agreements can lead to disputes later on.
Conclusion
Overtime is fairly common in many jobs, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules. Dutch law sets clear limits on working hours, and your contract should outline how extra time is handled.
Legal advice
If you’re unsure about your situation, or feel you’re working more than you should without proper compensation, it’s wise to get legal advice. Feel free to contact one of the legal experts at GMW Lawyers to understand your rights and options. We can work it out!
