Restaurant Suus brings historic elegance and new flavours to The Hague

Nat Komar

30 Aug 2025

There’s something special about eating in a restaurant that’s filled with stories and history. Set inside KLM’s old head office, which is now the recently opened Plesman Hotel in The Hague, you can almost feel the presence of the pioneers who helped build the oldest airline in the world, KLM.

Restaurant Suus is named after KLM-founder Albert Plesman’s wife, Suus Plesman. It’s been said that she made sure delicious meals were served during heated discussions between Mr. Plesman and the pilots, thus creating important bonds.

Since the opening in March, Restaurant Suus has already refreshed its menu this summer, offering bold new flavours inspired by French-Mediterranean cuisine, with a subtle hint of the Middle East.

It was a sunny day, when most people were enjoying outdoor activities, when I decided to try out Suus’s lunch menu.

As I browsed through the menu, I couldn't help but take in the grandeur of the restaurant’s elegant interior. Sunlight came through the high windows, draping over the elegant Scandi-meets-mid-century modern furniture.
Restaurant Manager Kaj Velleman took the time to talk about the restaurant’s story and the connection with Suus Plesman.

The menu listed French-inspired dishes and I landed on the salmon mi-cuit and the goose liver pâté.

The mi-cuit salmon was served on a sauce of mint garden peas and with a subtle hint of horseradish, allowing the fresh flavours of the salmon to shine through.

Goose liver pâté served on a crunchy brioche

The pâté was playfully served in a cut circle in the middle of a brioche toast. It was smooth as silk, perfectly seasoned and its savoury flavours paired well with the sweetness of the poached pears. I secretly wished for another order of pâté!

For dessert, the raspberry dessert with roasted pistachios was highly recommended, and it did not disappoint! It was literally summer on a plate.

If you have something to celebrate, or are looking for a romantic setting for dinner, Suus Restaurant is the right choice for special occasions.

At night, the dim lights turn the brightly lit restaurant into a warm and cosy food spot, reminiscent of a modern French brasserie. As the evening progresses, a nice mix of hotel guests and locals fills the restaurant, their lively chatter giving the room an energetic buzz.

All summer I had been craving fresh tomatoes, and it was just my luck that an heirloom tomato salad served with burrata, was on Suus’s new menu. Fresh colourful summer tomatoes cut into perfect quarters, were served with sweet grilled peach and vinaigrette. The creamy burrata worked like the ‘glue’, bringing together the sweet and sour flavours of the dish.

My friend who joined me for dinner, chose the charred courgette. Beautifully plated and Middle-East-inspired, the courgette dish had incredible flavours. Served with tahini and za’atar spices, it truly showcased European fresh produce with a Middle-Eastern touch.

Between our starters and our mains, we tasted a dish called ‘Bitter Leaves’. Deep purple radicchio leaves served with smoked eel, walnuts and goat cheese sound like an odd combination when you see the ingredients on paper. But once you’ve tasted it, you'd understand why these flavours and textures work so well together! There was the slight bitter flavour of the radicchio leaves, the savoury smoked eel, the creamy goat cheese and a slightly sweet dressing to soften all the flavours. I’m a fan!

For my main I chose the entrecôte. Served with a charred onion and caramelised onions so deliciously sweet it tasted like a jam. The beef was tender and had just the right amount of fat. I had a beautiful glass of Nebbiolo wine to pair with it.

Beyond The Plate: The Plesman Hotel

When you have a moment, it’s worth taking a walk through the hotel. It will feel as if time has stopped. Along the walls the nostalgic photography of Soo Burnell is showcased, each photograph displaying scenes of poolside still-life.

You'll find the Dutch "Nieuwe Haagse School" architecture style throughout the building

If you have the means and are looking for a special room during a staycation in The Hague, stay in the main suite, originally Albert Plesman’s office. It’s been transformed into an elegant hotel suite where 1960’s James Bond would feel right at home!

Friday night, Albert night

The Albert Bar is the perfect spot for after-work-cocktails. Or if you fancy an after-dinner drink, check out the bar with its timeless interior.

I’m truly excited with the opening of the Plesman Hotel. Restaurant Suus serves dishes that are prepared with the freshest produce and attention to detail. Flavours that are very well-balanced and bold at the same time. But mostly, their staff work tirelessly to ensure guests have a memorable dining experience.

Just as Suus Plesman once ensured meals created connections, today the restaurant bearing her name brings people together over dishes that are bold, yet comforting.