Japanese Restaurant SET is a casual Japanese restaurant at Schoolstraat 4, 2511 AX in the historic city centre of The Hague. It sits on a narrow street between the Grote Kerk and the Chinatown streets around Wagenstraat. The dining room is decorated in a traditional Japanese style, and the menu goes well beyond sushi. Travelers come for ramen, hotpot, bento lunches and tempura, served in a relaxed room that also welcomes guests who only want a sake or a cocktail.
What to Expect at Japanese Restaurant SET
The menu is split into an à la carte card, a set lunch, hotpot and ramen. Sushi and sashimi plates sit alongside crisp tempura and Japanese noodle soups. Hotpot, a shared broth cooked at the table in fondue style, suits groups and colder evenings. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the kitchen opens at noon, and bento boxes are the most popular midday order.
The drinks list covers several styles of sake plus cocktails with or without alcohol. When the weather allows, there is outdoor terrace seating, and the dining room is air-conditioned in summer. Upstairs, private rooms seat about 30 people and can be booked for birthdays, team dinners or business meetings.
- Ramen: Japanese noodle soups, a strong choice for solo diners.
- Hotpot: A shared simmering broth cooked at the table.
- Lunch bento box: A compartmentalised weekend lunch set.
- Sushi and tempura: Classic rolls, nigiri and light fried tempura.
- Sake and cocktails: Several sake styles plus alcohol-free cocktails.
Japanese Restaurant SET at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Schoolstraat 4, 2511 AX Den Haag, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Centrum, near the Grote Kerk and Chinatown |
| Operating Hours | Mon closed; Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri–Sat 12–10pm; Sun 12–9:30pm |
| Admission / Price Range | €€ (moderate) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 1.5 hours; 2 hours for hotpot |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Tram stops Grote Markt and Spui; parking garages Grote Markt and Spuiplein |
| Official Website & Phone | setrestaurant.nl · +31 70 363 8839 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8pm are the busiest times, so book ahead by phone or through the official website. On weekdays, arriving at 5pm opening usually gets you a table without a reservation. For transit, trams to Grote Markt and Spui stop within a few minutes’ walk, and Den Haag Centraal is about 15 minutes away on foot. If you drive, use the Grote Markt underground garage rather than looking for street parking.
The ground floor is the practical choice for wheelchair users and strollers. The private rooms are upstairs, so call ahead if anyone in your party needs step-free access. After dinner, walk two minutes to the Grote Kerk, the city’s late-Gothic main church. From there it is a short walk to the Grote Markt and Plein café terraces, and the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis are about 10 minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Japanese Restaurant SET open?
It serves dinner Tuesday to Thursday from 5pm and is open from noon Friday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
Do I need a reservation and what does it cost?
Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings and essential for the upstairs rooms. Prices sit in the moderate €€ tier.
How long should I plan for a meal?
Allow about an hour for ramen or bento and up to two hours for a shared hotpot dinner.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. The dress code is casual, hotpot works well for families, and alcohol-free cocktails are available.
When planning your The Hague travel guide or comparing verified takeout restaurant and sushi restaurant in The Hague, pair this stop with standout local spots including Museum of Literature / Children's Book Museum, Prison Gate Museum, Sam Sam, and Ristorante Giuliano’s (nearby).
