Restaurant Basaal

Hugo van Manen

Edited 2 years ago

This is one of my favorite restaurants in The Hague, if not my favorite. All the dishes are balanced and the portions are not too stingy. The staff is also great at recommending good wine pairings and the ambiance is great year-round. We’ve had a cozy dinner inside, but we’ve also enjoyed sitting in the sun right by the channel. I really like how the chef doesn’t try to be fussy by adding too many elements or ingredients to the plate. Everything is restrained. In my opinion the thing that makes this place really unique is that the chef pays attention to texture when composing dishes. Every dish has contrasting textures (crunchy, smooth, etc.) and elements that elevate the eating experience. I was impressed with how this was carried through throughout several courses. There are very few places in The Hague that pay attention to this. Order a-la-carte, go for a set menu, it doesn’t matter! It’s all great.

Maribel Allan

11 months ago

The white asparagus with the hazelnut and miso sauce was very delicious!!!!! The Cod was very good too. We had the Chocolate Ganache dessert, and that was incredible. WOW! The flavors of all the dishes were amazing. Super friendly staff. A+. Reservations might be needed. We got lucky, and were able to sit without reservation.

Luiza Borges

11 months ago

Basaal was an amazing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy a great atmosphere with excellent food. The bread served as a starter was delicious, and the white asparagus with peanuts was a delightful surprise! But the highlight was definitely the fish—perfectly cooked! The chocolate ganache was just as delicious as everything else. It's also worth mentioning that the service was outstanding. The staff was incredibly friendly, and our table was never empty. Considering the quality of the food, service, and overall experience, the price is very fair. I will definitely return!

Марина

10 months ago

Everything was nice, service is very friendly and attentive - compared to many other restaurants, and they have cider from Normandy! Go on a warm sunny day and sit on a terrace - it’s very cozy and green. Too bad we didn’t try those potato squares but potato bread was also tasty. Chocolate mousse was also great, it’s big, so better to order to share for 2 people :)

Kate Lin

6 months ago

We made a day trip to The Hague just to eat at Basaal and it was totally worth it. We arrived early so we had to wait for a while when the staff got ready. I didn’t mind it at all to spend a breezy late afternoon near the canal. The restaurant got me at hello. The space is cozy, with wood furniture and big windows that let in loads of natural light. We kicked things off with coppa, their signature pommes darphin (crispy, golden perfection!), and wood-fired potato bread. All simple, all delicious. For mains, we had the mussels from Zeeland—briny and fresh with a miso-cider twist—and the ex-dairy cow, which was surprisingly tender and sauce was a little on the heavier side. The vibe was slow and chill, and the food was thoughtful.

Shing Ying Low

4 months ago

Beautiful food. The mussels were the highlight of the meal. Lovely meal. Every dish we ordered was excellent.

Amber Davidson

4 months ago

Food was excellent. The menu was a bit difficult to decipher but the servers explained everything and gave recommendations. The atmosphere was so warm and inviting with great music level and playlist!

Benjamin Watson

8 months ago

Always outstanding. Incredible value for money considering how high quality the food is. Every time we have someone visiting us in The Hague we bring them here because it never disappoints. Fantastic emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are well thought out with incredibly flavourful sauces. Wine list is really great with lots of good options. Service is excellent.

Mark Macrae

2 months ago

The food, which was generally sharing plates, was delicious! Each dish had traditional elements that were enhanced by modern techniques. And the staff were lovely.

Critsy Y

4 months ago

Finally -- a Bib Gourmand that actually deserves it in Den Haag! Basaal -- wow. Just wow. This place is, in my humble opinion, the only restaurant in The Hague that truly earns its Bib Gourmand nod from the Michelin Guide. After trying several other spots in town, this one finally hit the mark. The dining room was bright and inviting, with large windows letting in lots of natural light. The decor was simple but charming -- wooden furnishings, shelves filled with cookbooks and chef bios, giving it that cozy, "chef's home library" vibe. I also took it as a good sign that a big table of Japanese tourists were there, clearly enjoying themselves with plenty of wine -- because let's be honest, they usually do their food research well! Now onto the food -- which was spectacular. Here's what we had: Olives Grilled potato bread with olive oil Pommes darphin Beef tartare with Jerusalem artichoke Pork cheek with parsley root Trompette de la Mort Mussels with creamy miso & cider sauce And for dessert -- chocolate ganache with crunchy oats and salted honey caramel. Every single dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully balanced. The beef tartare? One of the best I've ever had. The crispy artichoke bits mixed in with the creamy mayo base underneath -- heavenly. The pommes darphin was perfectly crispy on the outside and just melt-in-your-mouth inside. Even the bread, which we had to order separately, was fantastic -- soft, flavorful, and paired with top-quality olive oil. The restaurant is impressively run by just three people -- two in the kitchen and one handling the entire front of house -- yet everything was smooth and efficient. You can tell they've got their rhythm down. The bill came to around $160 USD, and honestly? Worth every penny. Exceptional food, intimate atmosphere, and service that makes you feel well cared for. If you're in The Hague and want a meal that truly lives up to Michelin's reputation -- this is the one.