If you're visiting The Hague and want to eat something you won't find at home, Persian food should be on your list. It's one of the oldest cuisines in the world — aromatic, herb-heavy, and built around slow-cooked stews and saffron-scented rice. At DENA's on Prinsestraat 62, you can try authentic Iranian dishes made fresh daily by Dena herself. Here are five dishes worth ordering.
1. What is Ghormeh Sabzi?
Ghormeh Sabzi (€29) is Iran's national dish — and for good reason. It's a slow-cooked stew of fresh herbs (parsley, coriander, chives, fenugreek), tender lamb, red kidney beans, and dried limes that give it a tangy depth you won't find anywhere else.
At DENA's, it's served with fluffy saffron rice. If you order only one thing, make it this. It's the dish that every Iranian family argues about — because everyone's mother makes it differently. Read more about Ghormeh Sabzi here.
2. What is Fesenjoon?
Fesenjoon (€28) is the most unique dish on the menu. It's duck breast slow-cooked in a thick sauce of ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. The result is sweet, sour, and nutty all at once — nothing like anything in European cuisine.
This dish dates back to ancient Persia and is traditionally served at celebrations. Dena makes her version with locally sourced duck and the sauce takes hours to develop its deep, dark colour. Learn more about Fesenjoon.
3. What is Zereshk Polo?
Zereshk Polo (€29) is the dish that shows off what Persian rice is all about. Golden saffron rice is studded with barberries — tiny, tart red berries that pop with flavour — and served with tender chicken.
The contrast between sweet saffron, sour barberries, and savoury chicken is what makes this dish addictive. It's a perfect first-timer choice: familiar enough to feel comfortable, different enough to be exciting. More about Zereshk Polo.
4. What is Oven Grilled Fish, Persian style?
This is where DENA's stands out from every other Persian restaurant in the Netherlands. The Oven Grilled Fish (€37.50) features daily-fresh North Sea fish — bought that morning at the market — prepared with Persian herbs, saffron butter, and a squeeze of lime.
It's a Persian fusion dish that bridges Iranian cooking with Dutch seafood. Served with your choice of saffron rice or roasted potatoes. If you love fish, this is the one. Read about our fresh fish sourcing.
5. What is Baghali Polo?
Baghali Polo (€37.50) is a celebration dish: fragrant dill rice with fava beans, served alongside a generous portion of slow-braised lamb. The lamb is so tender it falls apart with a fork.
This dish is traditionally served at Iranian weddings and Nowruz (Persian New Year). At DENA's, it's available year-round. The combination of fresh dill, buttery fava beans, and melt-in-your-mouth lamb makes it the most indulgent option on the menu.
How to make the most of your visit
DENA's is located at Prinsestraat 62, a 2-minute walk from Noordeinde Palace in The Hague's city centre. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00, and Friday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00. Closed on Monday.
For dinner, reservations are recommended — especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Book via TheFork or call +31 6 27481111. You can also order for pickup via Uber Eats.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I order at a Persian restaurant for the first time?
- Start with Ghormeh Sabzi (€29) or Zereshk Polo (€29). Both are approachable and showcase the core flavours of Persian cooking: fresh herbs, saffron, and slow-cooked meat.
- Is Persian food spicy?
- No. Persian cuisine is aromatic, not spicy. It uses saffron, dried limes, turmeric, and fresh herbs for flavour rather than chilli heat. Most dishes at DENA's are mild and family-friendly.
- Where can I eat Persian food in The Hague?
- DENA's Persian Fusion Restaurant on Prinsestraat 62 serves authentic Iranian dishes in the city centre. Two minutes from Noordeinde Palace, open Tuesday to Sunday.
- How much does a Persian dinner cost in The Hague?
- At DENA's, dinner mains range from €27.50 to €37.50. A full dinner with starter, main, and dessert typically costs €35–50 per person.
