Considering the size of the city, Brussels has a lot of fun coffee places to offer that serve delicious coffee, tasty cakes and other baked goods while also giving you a space to relax and hang out. If you don’t want to hang out, all of these places offer take-away. Just make sure to check the opening hours first.
1. Caffe Latte
An Italian institution, right in the EU Quarter. Apart from the various authentic Italian coffees and coffee drinks, you can get Italian pastries, sandwiches and paninis. The staff is extremely lovely, the few bar tables outside are perfect for summer, and don’t miss out on their espresso with pistachio cream, it’s the best! During Covid19 times they’re open for takeaway only.
2. Fika Coffee
Fika is Swedish and means to have a coffee break, most of the time along with a cinnamon bun, a chocolate ball or any other sweet pastry. This describes this little cafe with a beautiful backyard pretty well. Joana, the owner of FIKA knows her stuff about great coffee, which is probably why this place gets crowded on weekends and the first stop for people that pass by it on their way to work. And don’t forget to look down! The floor tiles at Fika are beautiful! The 100% Arabica coffee comes either from Café Capitale, a local Brussels coffee roastery, or from ‘April’, a Swedish roastery. Both make a great basis to your morning cappuccino along with the hot steamed milk that is organic – and from Belgium, too!
3. Living room
Located right next to one of the prettiest parks in Brussels, this spot is a must visit. Their very good coffee and delicious pastries will quickly make it one of your favourites. Their pastry chef is extremely talented, so make sure to try one of their fantastic cookies!
The café is spread onto two floors, downstairs being more cozy with sofas and armchairs while upstairs is better suited for those of you looking for some alone-time between you and your laptops. People working here are always very nice, attentive and happy to talk to you while preparing the perfect cappuccino to give you a good start into the day.
4. Café Capitale
Café Capitale has several locations around Brussels, roasts their own coffee and also sells very good cakes. Their coffee is extremely tasty, strong and served in beautiful coffee cups. Accompanied by one of their home baked cakes, my favourite of their locations is the one in the Marolles, which is also the place where their coffee is roasted. You can sit on benches in the sun and enjoy Brussels’ afternoon city life.
5. Ana Attento Café
Ana Attento café has two bars in Brussels; one is in the city center close to the Saint Catherine church and the shopping and more touristy areas, whereas the other one is on Place Jourdan, close to the European Quarter. The bars serve great coffee roasted by ‘OR’, and special tea by “MIST”. Haven’t tried any of their pastries yet, but their coffee is always worth a little trip through the city.
6. Belga & Co
Belga coffee sells their own roasted coffee (you can also order it online), is great for brunch and has some delicious cakes to offer – try their cheesecake! With two locations in Brussels now, the one in Chatelain is still my favourite, with it’s little garden in the back. Perfect to read a good book accompanied by a strong Cappuccino and heading on afterwards for a little shopping trip through the cute streets of this part of the city.
7. MOK
MOK is a Brussels based micro coffee roastery. They are roasting their coffee in small batches, to give you the perfect caffeine experience in a cup. It’s a small but charming place, just by the canal in St Catherine. They have another location in Leuven.
8. Hinterland
Hinterland is a place to visit when you’re craving a good sandwich, coffee or matcha latte. As you can tell from its name, its interior looks like a cabin in the woods, dark wood everywhere, minimalistic details (if any) and that fireplace feeling, although there is no fireplace. Order at the bar, grab one of the magazines lying around for you to read while enjoying your coffee. Pick up only during Covid19 times.
9. Aksum
This Ethiopian coffee place serves coffee made from organic, single origin beans. Ethiopian coffee usually has some very floral and fresh notes and is definitely a taste experience. Best enjoyed as a pure coffee, but also great with milk. They also serve other drinks from all over the African continent if you don’t feel like caffeine one day.
This Ethiopian coffee place serves coffee made from organic, single origin beans. Ethiopian coffee usually has some very floral and fresh notes and is definitely a taste experience. Best enjoyed as a pure coffee, but also great with milk. They also serve other drinks from all over the African continent if you don’t feel like caffeine one day.
10. Corica
At this coffee roasted and cafe you get strong, very strong coffee. You choose the country of origin of your coffee from an extensive list and then tell the friendly barista how you’d like your coffee. Just espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, you name it. The one in the European Quarter is rather small, with a long bar, where people usually take a shot of espresso and leave. Perfect for take-away, too. During times of Covid the one close to Place Luxembourg is closed, but visit their shop in the city center.
