Glaswerk

Owner-chef Martijn Lagrand and his partner and hostess Rosalie Brand run a charming restaurant on the Binckhorst in The Hague. This former industrial and port area is steadily developing into an urban hotspot, home to many young and creative businesses alongside particularly pleasant dining establishments. Glaswerk is one of them. From the moment you walk in, you already know it: life is good here. It feels wonderfully relaxing in the serenely designed space with subdued lighting and a homely atmosphere. Dishes from Martijn’s kitchen echo the season in their choice of ingredients and flavors. The menu offers bites and a wide variety of small dishes to share. We order a bottle of Les Vins de Vienne, Reméage Blanc, from the affordably priced wine list. It is floral and herbaceous, with notes of ripe stone fruits. The pork confit croquettes taste delicious alongside it. Also excellent is the dish of crispy thick toast topped with a generous portion of eel, strained yogurt, and lime. We have to wait a little while for the madeleines with crèmeux, but they are indeed served piping fresh from the oven with the coffee. Compliments to Rosalie, who enhances the evening with quiet humility and a wealth of professional expertise. Bravo. Tip: reserve a spot on the terrace for summer evenings. You won’t regret it.

Trendy spot, warm and stylish, with a slightly rugged aesthetic, featuring a large terrace at an inner harbor of De Brinkhorst. A top spot to meet up with friends, offering all kinds of dishes to share alongside a good glass of wine. Attractive...

Having debuted last year, restaurant Glaswerk on the former industrial and harbor site of De Binckhorst in The Hague is once again receiving high praise this year. Open since 2018, it is now run by owner-chef Martijn Lagrand and his partner, hostess Rosalie. The atmosphere feels somewhat like coming home, set against a calming backdrop of muted colors, subdued lighting, and excellent acoustics. Rosalie and her team go above and beyond to make every guest feel truly welcome. Martijn prepares a refined and innovative cuisine with international influences, using seasonal ingredients. The menu features small bites and dishes served in intermediate portions, which you can choose to share with your fellow diners or enjoy individually. Paired with a lovely glass of Frerejean Frères Premier Cru champagne, we order a plate of Cecina de León, sliced tableside and boasting a meltingly soft texture. This is followed by a visually stunning foie gras dish topped with fresh tuna slices and a pistachio crumb; tender octopus served on sweet potato purée with aji amarillo foam; and a marrow bone stuffed with a delightful coconut filling, accompanied by a generous portion of red prawns, generously sprinkled with fresh gremolata, and served alongside crispy toast. It is definitely a destination you will want to keep returning to, especially given its exemplary price-to-quality ratio. Tip: On warm summer days, it is wonderful to relax on the spacious terrace overlooking the Fokkerhaven.

There are restaurants you walk into and instantly know: this is the place. Glaswerk is one of them. Located in a distinctive old building, the former office and residence of a paint factory, situated on the former industrial and harbor grounds of De Binckhorst. In the small marina, you can dock your boat and, on summer days, take a seat on the lovely large terrace by the water. The industrial and trendy decor, combined with high and low tables dressed in damask, comfortable leather armchairs, a poured concrete floor dotted with Persian rugs here and there, and a long bar creates an incredibly atmospheric space. Chef Martijn Lagrand crafts dishes influenced by French and Asian cuisines using seasonal ingredients, designed to be shared or savored solo, while hostess Rosalie Lagrand, alongside her friendly young team, cultivates an almost serene calm. Paired with a rich, flavorful yet fresh Les Vins de Vienne Remeage Blanc, we indulge in hand-sliced pieces of mojama (dried and salted tuna) with almonds, grapefruit segments, and bread crunch, drizzled with a delightful, grassy olive oil. We feel as though we’re in southern Spain. We continue with paper-thin, crispy toast topped with generous spoonfuls of eel on hangop cream, finished with Avruga caviar. Tender octopus follows, served with velvety sweet potato purée and a spicy, fruity ají amarillo oil. The pace of service is pleasant and the approach downright delightful. Sweetbread arrives – quite surprisingly – as juicy grilled cubes on a skewer, accompanied by teriyaki sauce, chopped cashews, and a small bowl of crispy sweet-and-sour relish. Served alongside coffee made from house-roasted beans from neighboring Capriole Café are madeleines baked fresh on-site. Top spot! Welcome to Lekker.