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.
