Restaurant Elea is a fine-dining restaurant at Noordeinde 142, 2514 GP Den Haag, on The Hague’s royal Noordeinde corridor near Noordeinde Palace. Founded in 2015 by chef Takis Panagakis, Elea brings modern Dutch-seasonal cooking into dialogue with subtle Greek flavours, making it a destination for composed tasting menus, polished service and celebratory dinners.
What to Expect at Restaurant Elea
Elea takes its name from the Ancient Greek word for olive and reflects Panagakis’s idea of renewal, freedom and challenge. The kitchen works through a changing menu, vegetarian menu and à la carte choices rather than a fixed catalogue of classics. Expect precise combinations such as beet with green apple, feta and horseradish; crab with fig leaf, Greek yoghurt and fennel; and scallop with Jerusalem artichoke, caper leaf and pumpkin seed.
The longer tasting-menu formats build in richer courses: maitake with Metsovone cheese, hazelnut and bimi; sweetbread with fava, carrot, onion and bergamot; and dry-aged duck with parsley root, spetseriko spices and blood orange. Dessert continues the Greek thread through pear with honey, lemon thyme, karydopita and Greek yoghurt, or corn with popcorn and ravani. Cheese can be added as an extra course or substituted for dessert. This is an intimate, adult-leaning dinner room where the food is the centre of the evening rather than a quick pre-theatre stop.
- Chef Takis Panagakis: The chef’s modern cuisine is defined by restrained Greek references rather than literal tavern dishes.
- Beet opening course: Beet, green apple, feta and horseradish set a sharp, earthy and dairy-rich tone.
- Seafood precision: Look for crab with fig leaf and Greek yoghurt, plus scallop with Jerusalem artichoke and caper leaf.
- Dry-aged duck: A substantial main course pairing duck with parsley root, spetseriko and blood orange.
- Long-menu finale: Corn, popcorn and ravani provide a playful finish on the eight-course progression.
Restaurant Elea at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Noordeinde 142, 2514 GP Den Haag, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Noordeinde, between the Palace Quarter and Zeeheldenkwartier |
| Operating Hours | Lunch Friday–Sunday from 12:30; dinner Wednesday–Sunday from 18:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday. |
| Admission / Price Range | €€€; tasting menus cost €99 for five courses, €121 for six, €143 for seven and €154 for eight. Cheese is €18 as an added course. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2.5 to 3.5 hours for a tasting-menu dinner |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Kneuterdijk tram stop is about a 7-minute walk; paid parking is available at Parkeergarage Noordeinde. |
| Official Website & Phone | restaurantelea.nl · +31 70 214 3860 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve well ahead for Friday through Sunday and for celebratory dinners; use Elea’s official reservation page to secure a table. Arrive a few minutes before the 18:30 dinner start so the menu can unfold at an unhurried pace. The five-course menu is the most concise full experience, while six to eight courses suit diners planning to make the meal their evening’s main event. Mention vegetarian requirements when booking so the kitchen can guide you to its dedicated vegetarian menu.
From Den Haag Centraal, a walk takes roughly 15 minutes; tram passengers can use Kneuterdijk and continue along Noordeinde. Drivers should plan for paid garage parking rather than on-site spaces. The restaurant occupies a compact city-centre premises on Noordeinde, so guests using a wheelchair or requiring step-free entry and accessible restroom details should arrange these needs with the team before booking. Pair lunch or dinner with Noordeinde Palace and the Palace Gardens, both about five minutes away on foot, or walk around 10 minutes west to Panorama Mesdag.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Restaurant Elea open, and what is the best time to go?
Elea serves lunch Friday through Sunday from 12:30 and dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 18:30; it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Early dinner reservations offer the calmest start, while weekend services should be booked in advance.
How much does a meal at Restaurant Elea cost?
The five-course tasting menu is €99, rising to €121, €143 and €154 for six, seven and eight courses respectively. An added cheese course costs €18, and drinks will increase the final spend.
How long should I allow for dinner?
Allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours for dinner, particularly if choosing six courses or more and pairing dishes with wine. The five-course format is the best choice for diners who want a complete meal with a slightly shorter commitment.
Is Restaurant Elea suitable for vegetarian diners and guests with mobility needs?
Elea offers a dedicated vegetarian menu alongside its standard menu and à la carte options. For allergies, wheelchair access or other mobility requirements, contact the restaurant directly before reserving to coordinate the most suitable table and facilities.
When planning your The Hague travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in The Hague, pair this stop with standout local spots including Restaurant Zheng, Sonya Restaurant, Restaurant Sequenza, and Indian Restaurant Maharani (nearby).
