Venue provided complimentary food and drinks during Sherika’s visit for this feature. The Hague Online retained editorial control, and the views expressed are the writer’s own
No summer is complete without good ice cream, or better yet, gelato. But the latest spot to open in our city is no ordinary place. Don’t expect the usual flavours like plain vanilla or strawberry. Instead, tap into how you’re feeling and let that guide you. Perhaps you’re new to the city and need a fresh start, or you’re going through a challenging period in life right now and need a reminder that there is still light to be discovered even in the darkest moments. Well, Soul Be It has a flavour and a space for you.
This spot – and the woman behind it – has a special story. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Karen SL Huang moved to The Hague about nine years ago, after spending her whole career in the high-pressure world of advertising and later, marketing. She always had a dream to open her own gelateria since she was a child, and this feeling persisted until, around two years ago, she made the decision to really go after it. Now, Soul Be It is open for everyone to enjoy – a meeting place for friends to catch up, with a record player playing softly in the background and books on mindfulness scattered about.
I was really touched by the passion Karen has. She’s not trying to churn customers in and out of her store quickly; instead, she wants to bring three things to the city that work together: emotions + flavours + connection. The sleek interior feels like an extension of Karen’s own home – and an extension of yours, too. When she saw her customers sitting down, enjoying the gelato and reading some books, this was when she knew her dream had been realised.
It was hard to pick a favourite from the flavours, so instead, I’ll share the story behind a few of them. Fresh Start – to signify that every day is a chance to start over: a sorbet made up of pear and mint. The burst of freshness was undeniable, with an almost savoury feel, and the flavour could even work as part of a palate cleanser between courses.
A Light Unto the Darkness – a reminder that even during the hardest moments in life, there is often a silver lining if we remember to look for it. The taste of dark chocolate comes together in a gorgeous richness without being too bitter, with a hint of orange zest that cuts through.
Rosemary, Greek yoghurt, pink peppercorn — Gezellig is built on a taste you never knew you needed. The flavour takes its name from the Dutch expression for cosiness and warmth, and kumquat compote pieces round it out with a surprising sweetness.
Beyond the storytelling, there’s substance too – most of the ingredients are organic, and Karen is looking to increase that even more. Everything is freshly made every day. You’ll want to come back often, not only to try the new flavour of the week, but also to chat with Karen and have a moment to yourself, with a friend or family member.
Soul Be It is located on Heulstraat 25, walking distance from the Binnenhof
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.
Mauritshuis and Nationale-Nederlanden launch running routes along street art murals
Runners can discover The Hague in a unique way this summer. The Mauritshuis, together with partner Nationale-Nederlanden, has developed three running routes that pass by street art murals. Nationale-Nederlanden (NN) is also known as the main sponsor of, among others, the NN CPC Loop in The Hague and the NN Marathon The Hague. The routes of approximately 5, 10, and 15 kilometers connect art, exercise, and the city: a sporty way to experience the large murals.
Open-air gallery Every route leads past murals scattered throughout The Hague. Six street artists created these works, each inspired by a masterpiece from the Mauritshuis collection. The artworks are free to view and together form a unique open-air gallery.Martine Gosselink, General Director of the Mauritshuis: “With these routes, we literally put art in motion. Looking at art and running have more in common than you might think: both provide energy and contribute to your well-being.”Mariëlle Krouwel, Chief Marketing Officer NN Group: “Through our partnerships, NN aims to contribute to a healthy mind in a healthy body. As a partner of the Mauritshuis, we make art accessible to everyone together, while challenging people to get moving with our running events. These new running routes merge those two worlds in a unique way.”
Own route Runners can choose from three distances. The route of approximately 15 kilometers passes by all the Mauritshuis murals in the city. Each distance is easy to download via the Mauritshuis website or to import into a navigation app or sports watch. Of course, runners can also create their own route past the artworks. For those who want to discover more about the museum and its collection along the way, there is the podcast *Het geheim van het Mauritshuis*to listen to while running. The running routes pass by murals by Nadia van Luijk (inspired by the artwork *Vase met bloemen* by Jan Davidsz de Heem) and BEYOND (inspired by the artwork * Diana en haar nymphen* by Johannes Vermeer), among others.
Win a Mauritshuis goodie bag The Mauritshuis invites runners to share their run on Instagram. Five Mauritshuis goodie bags worth €100 will be raffled among the entries. You can participate by posting a photo or message of your run using a public Instagram profile by July 15 at the latest, tagging @mauritshuis_museum, and using the hashtag #mauritshuismurals.
Universal Pictures International Netherlands and Pathé welcomed the millionth visitor to Universal Pictures’ Michael yesterday. This special moment took place at Pathé Buitenhof, where new boutique theaters recently opened. Service Manager Jenny Lau was present to surprise the visitors with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, exclusive Michael merchandise, and a voucher for a six-month Club Pathé subscription of their choice.
A regular cinema visit unexpectedly turned into a celebratory moment for Mildred this afternoon. She turned out to be the millionth visitor to the popular biographical film about Michael Jackson. As a memento of this festive occasion, she received two exclusive Michael T-shirts, a bouquet of flowers, and a Club Pathé subscription. With this, she can enjoy unlimited movies at all Pathé cinemas in the Netherlands for six months.
Mildred herself was pleasantly surprised when she heard that she was Michael ‘s millionth visitor. She was actually planning to go to the movie with her granddaughters, but they were unable to join at the last minute. “My granddaughters will be incredibly happy with the Michael T-shirts. They really would have loved to be there. This really is the theater I like coming to most!” said Mildred. What makes this milestone extra special is that more than half of all visitors saw the film at a Pathé theater.
Service Manager Jenny Lau was also present at this special moment. “We are proud to have welcomed Michael’s millionth visitor to Pathé Buitenhof today. Since its release, this Universal Pictures film has developed into one of the most successful music biographies ever at Pathé. At Buitenhof, too, many visitors enjoy the impressive life story, timeless music, and unparalleled performances of Michael Jackson in the recently renovated boutique theaters of Pathé Buitenhof, where comfort and the cinematic experience come together.”
Michael is the cinematic portrait of the life and artistic legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life outside of music, following his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as frontman of the Jackson Five to the visionary artist who, driven by creative ambition, was determined to become the world’s greatest entertainer.
About Pathé
Pathé is the first and largest cinema brand in the Netherlands, offering visitors an unforgettable, welcoming cinema experience. This began with its founding in 1896, which led to the first cinema in Paris in 1906. Pathé continuously invests in innovations that elevate the film experience, such as color, sound, 3D, IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, and ScreenX, as well as the best seats to enjoy it all: Relax Seats. Today, Pathé theaters can be found in eight countries, with 32 theaters in the Netherlands, including the iconic Royal Tuschinski Theatre and CineCity. Together, these account for 265 screens and 1,700 employees. This involves much more than just a cinema visit: from gaming and escape rooms to a private on-demand cinema and a stylish (cocktail) bar. Many visitors are also welcomed annually for business events, school screenings, premieres, and conferences.
What if I told you that one of Portugal’s greatest cultural experiences isn’t found in a museum, but around a dining table?
The tasca is more than a restaurant — it’s a place where locals come together to gather, share, and connect as a community. It is a celebration of authentic flavours, local traditions, and the relationships built over a meal. Because sometimes, food tells the best stories.
If you’re traveling to Portugal this summer, chances are you already have a list of must-see attractions. But there’s one experience that may not be on your radar: the tasca. These beloved local establishments have long been at the heart of Portuguese communities, and now Portugal is inviting the world to discover their charm.
Click here to view the extensive list of tascas around the country. From duck rice, to bacalhau (cod fish) – your taste buds are in for a treat.
In ACCESS Stories this month, Ana Denis shares her story of rebuilding her life, career and sense of belonging after moving from Russia to the Netherlands.
Ana had built a career in cybersecurity, travelled widely and started her own sustainable fashion project before moving to the Netherlands during the COVID period. At first, the move felt exciting. But when the war between Russia and Ukraine began, her situation changed dramatically. Her income was affected, her husband lost his job, and she found herself trying to build a new life in a new country without the usual support of a familiar home market.
Her story reflects a question many internationals face after moving abroad: who am I now?
For Ana, the answer began to emerge through conversations. She interviewed women from around the world who had reinvented themselves after moving countries or changing careers. Those conversations eventually led to her book, Reinvento: Expat’s Guide to Reinventing Your Career and Identity.
The Hague also became part of her own reinvention. After joining TEDxTheHague, Ana rediscovered her love of speaking and presenting. Hosting events, sharing stories and helping others feel welcome gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
Her story is a reminder that starting over abroad can be painful, uncertain and lonely, but it can also open the door to new communities, new work and a new understanding of where we belong.
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.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted jointly across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first time three nations have co-hosted the tournament. It features 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days, up from 32 teams and 64 matches in previous editions.
The final
The tournament culminates with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fun bonus detail: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed there will be a half-time show at the final, with Coldplay involved — inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl tradition.
Oranje in Group F
The Netherlands are in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia. Here are the Dutch fixtures in Dutch time (CEST):
Sunday 14 June — Netherlands vs Japan: 22:00 (Dallas)
Saturday 20 June — Netherlands vs Sweden: 19:00 (Houston)
Friday 26 June — Tunisia vs Netherlands: 01:00 (Kansas City)
The Netherlands have reached the World Cup final three times (1974, 1978, 2010) without ever winning. With a relatively favourable group, there’s real belief this could be their year!
Here’s a list on the best places to watch the games:
O’Casey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant(Noordeinde 140) One of The Hague’s best-loved Irish pubs, O’Casey’s brings genuine warmth and energy to match days. With screens throughout the bar and a crowd that actually cares about the game, it’s the kind of place where a late equaliser gets the whole room on its feet. Book a table in advance — it fills up fast for big fixtures.
The Fiddler(Riviervismarkt 1) A Den Haag institution, The Fiddler is an English-style pub spread across two levels with multiple large screens and locally brewed cask ale on tap. It draws a loyal international crowd and has a long track record of hosting major sporting events. The atmosphere during a big match here is reliably electric.
Sports Café Not Out(Valeriusstraat 18) The most dedicated sports venue on this list. Not Out is built around the game — a large pull-down projector screen, a relaxed neighbourhood feel, and a crowd of genuine football fans. Slightly off the beaten tourist path, it’s a favourite among expats and locals who take their sport seriously.
Voco The Hague by IHG(Kneuterdijk 8) For those who want to watch the World Cup in comfort and style, the bar at Voco The Hague offers a more laid-back alternative to the pub scene. Located in a beautifully restored city-centre building, it’s a good option for smaller groups or anyone who prefers their football with a cocktail rather than a pint of lager.
Café Restaurant Rootz(Grote Marktstraat 14) Right in the heart of the city centre, Rootz is a lively all-day café-bar with over 160 beers on the menu and a warm, bustling atmosphere that suits a big occasion. With its high ceilings and historic interior, it hits a sweet spot between neighbourhood café and proper football venue — the kind of place you settle in for the whole evening.
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.
