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.
One of the largest open-air markets in Europe, De Haagse Markt sits on Herman Costerstraat with more than 500 permanent stalls stretching across 450 metres and three wide walkways. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm, roughly 35,000 people pass through it — and once you’ve been, you’ll understand why. This is not a quaint farmers’ market with artisan candles and €8 sourdough. This is the real, loud, colourful, chaotic heart of the city.
Dutch cauliflower sits next to fresh ketoembar coriander, baklava, sharon fruit, and fresh fish. Street food stalls cover Turkish, Moroccan, Antillean, and Dutch cuisines alongside cheaper clothing, flowers, rugs, household items, and more. It is, in the best possible way, a place where everything exists and nothing costs what you’d expect.
Which brings me to the question I decided to answer on a recent Wednesday morning: what can €35 actually get you here?
I arrived at 10am, cash in hand — many vendors prefer cash, so come prepared. Here is my mini haul
Fresh produce — a bunch of fresh herbs and veggies, mangoes, and fresh Hollandse strawberries and salmon for 4 people. Prices here are significantly lower than at supermarkets, and the quality of meat and fish is often better Total €21
Street food —2 chicken pasties Total €8
Flowers — Fresh roses for €5
Grand total of €34 for a light lunch, flowers and dinner for 4 people
What to know before you go
The market is best experienced without a list and when you’re not in a rush. Go with a rough idea of what you need, then let the stalls take you where they want to. The market is divided into several sections covering food, clothing, living, and nature.
Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking on uneven surfaces and covering more ground than you expect. Bring a tote bag, or two. And bring cash — it will make everything faster and occasionally cheaper.
One more thing: the market reflects the genuinely multicultural population of The Hague in a way that few places in the city do quite so openly. Walking through it on a busy Saturday morning, hearing five languages in ten minutes, eating something you’ve never tried before, is the real thing the Haagse Markt gives you.
De Haagse Marktis located on Herman Costerstraat, between Hobbemaplein and Hoefkade. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
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.
The English Church Christmas Market at the Anglican Church of St. John & St. Philip is always a highlight of the festive season, and we warmly invite everyone to join us.
Saturday, 29 November 2025
10:00am – 4:30pm
St. John & St. Philip Anglican Church, Ary van der Spuyweg 1, Den Haag
Visitors can enjoy:
Mulled wine, mince pies, homemade soup, and international foods
Freshly baked goods
Music
Over 40 artisan stalls with Christmas ornaments, fine jewellery, knitwear, and much more
The International Mineral Fair will be held again on October 4th and 5th at the Broodfabriek in Rijswijk. It’s the largest mineral collectors’ fair in the Benelux, specializing in gemstones, fossils, and minerals.
During this edition, more than 350 stalls with exhibitors from the Netherlands and abroad will showcase the most beautiful gemstones, minerals, fossils, and related products. From raw specimens to polished crystals, fossils, beads, jewellery, books, and even grinding machines – it’s all under one roof.
Fun for children (and secretly for adults too!) There is plenty to do for children at the International Mineral Fair! They can crack open their own geode and discover the sparkling crystals hidden inside. For those who prefer something hands-on, there is a stone-cutting workshop where they can polish their own stone. Adventurers can go hunting for ‘fool’s gold’ in the Nugget Mine with pirates, bounce on inflatables, or try their luck at the gemstone surprise machines. It’s a day full of play, discovery, and surprises – and many parents soon realise that these activities are just as irresistible for them too.
From deceptive minerals to Australian treasures The fair also offers unique exhibitions, such as “Holy Smokes Pockets” with smoky quartz from the Swiss Alps, and the colourful world of fluorescent minerals presented by Colorgems and Hendrikx Fluorescent Minerals. Visitors can also admire treasures from Australia in the Pristine Minerals exhibition, while Gaia Fossils and Minerals present “Deceptive Minerals” – exploring pseudomorphosis and other natural tricks by Mother Nature. In addition, experts Rolf Brouwers (Stapel van Stenen) and gemmologist Henk Rijneveld FGA will be on hand to identify gemstones and minerals brought in by visitors. The fair is not only a feast for the eyes but also an educational journey.
A festive opening On Saturday 4 October, the International Mineral Fair will be officially opened by Vivian Heidrich, the 24th German Gemstone Queen. Since 1976, the Förderverein Deutsche Edelsteinstraße e.V. has crowned a new queen every two years. Vivian represents this special organisation worldwide and will introduce visitors to the dazzling gemstones and jewellery of Germany’s Gemstone Route.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply curious, you’ll find something for everyone at the 350 stalls of the International Mineral Fair. Come along on 4 and 5 October to discover a world full of minerals, gemstones, fossils, special exhibitions, and fun activities for children!
GENERAL INFORMATION
What: International Mineral Fair
Where: The Bread Factory, Volmerlaan 12, 2288 GD Rijswijk
When: October 4 and 5, 2025
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tickets: Adults €10, children 7 to 12 years €5, and children up to 6 years free.
