Antwerp, Belgium, is house to a vibrant specialty-café scene. Make sure you go to these 4 cool espresso outlets on a weekend journey to town.

BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Pictures by Tanya Nanetti

Only a few miles south of the Dutch border lies Antwerp: Belgium’s most populous municipality and the principle metropolis of Flanders, the Flemish area of Belgium. Usually crowded however by no means chaotic, Antwerp is the proper place to spend a few days, strolling by the energetic alleys and visiting among the metropolis’s distinctive sights. 

Have you ever ever walked a pedestrian tunnel underneath a river? Ever had a picnic on prime of a museum? Have you ever ever seen the prow of a ship emerge from an artwork nouveau constructing? If you wish to expertise all this and extra, Antwerp is the suitable vacation spot for you. And once you’re there, don’t overlook to take a look at the unbelievable meals scene. Tasty meals from throughout, craft beer, pure wine, specialty espresso … Antwerp undoubtedly has one thing for everybody.

If espresso is your factor, comply with us on a brief go to to 4 of the good cafés yow will discover within the metropolis.

Kasette Koffie

For us, Kasette Koffie was love at first sight. Strolling into the store, which is self-described as a “neon specialty espresso store,” looks like stepping again into the Nineteen Eighties. However the espresso tradition is much from old style: Right here, you’ll discover completely brewed beans from throughout Europe, plus scrumptious cheesecake that makes you are feeling such as you’re in New York.

Behind the counter is Reuben Vermoet, the store’s proprietor and barista. Whereas ready for my pourover, I had the chance to talk with Reuben to study extra about this super-cool espresso store and the inspiration behind it.

“The shop is known as Kasette as a result of it was my first medium for listening to music: I had a yellow Sony Walkman Sport and after I was 6 years outdated, I made my first mixtape,” Reuben says. “On one aspect was Bruce Springsteen and on the opposite aspect was Michael Jackson.”

“I used to be at all times raised on music from the ’60s to the ’90s, so my musical tastes are fairly broad, however old-school. After I opened the shop, I wished it to be completely different from a lot of the new specialty bars: I discovered that every one the brand new shops wished to be very stylish and trendy, whereas I wished one thing cozy and even just a little bit ‘80s,” Reuben continues. “Visually, I actually just like the synth-wave vibe of these instances: ’Miami Vice,’ wavy synth bass, neon lights, ’Blade Runner.’ … That’s how the environment happened: centered on espresso and music. And, in fact, the chickens ….”

That’s proper, chickens! Let’s not overlook the 2 lovely chickens within the courtyard—an eccentric contact that by some means suits completely with the environment of the shop. Undoubtedly to not be missed.

Andy Espresso Roasters

If there’s one factor that struck me instantly about our espresso journey in Antwerp, it’s how authentic and completely different all of the cafés look.

Strolling into Andy Espresso Roasters’ flagship retailer within the south of town is like strolling right into a Fifties diner: from the design of the shop, to the gorgeous purple and white La Marzocco, to the comfy environment and glad crowd.

The colourful menu on the again wall, checkered and coloured like that of the very best fast-food eating places of yesteryear, gives, along with the each day espresso, 4 different espresso selections, from the extra traditional “Not So Fruity,” to “Fruity Washed” and “Fruity Unwashed,” to the funkier “Pink Sequence.”

We solely had the possibility to attempt the Indonesian beans—actually fruity and scrumptious—however we couldn’t have been happier. We will probably be again subsequent time, to attempt one thing completely different from the tempting menu.

Bakkerij Funk

Not removed from Andy Roasters, Bakkerij Funk welcomes clients with a singular mixture of selfmade plant-based pastries (as much as eight completely different ones every week), sourdough bread and toast, pure wine, and, in fact, specialty espresso.

Many pastries are sometimes bought out within the afternoon, and we have been glad we adopted a good friend’s suggestion and visited Funk earlier than lunchtime, thus having an opportunity to attempt the newest praline salted caramel “cruffins” (croissant muffins) and the ever-present vegan croissants. 

Each have been scrumptious and we determined to remain just a little longer to attempt one of many toasts, washed down with a glass of funky orange wine. It was then, questioning the place the identify of the bakery got here from, that we found a candy and exquisite story, the principle character of which was a gorgeous black Labrador named Funky.

Funky (Funk’s co-owner, Lisa’s, beloved good friend) liked foods and drinks, and was at all times prepared for a scrumptious snack. Funky really loved life, and Lisa and the remainder of the group may consider no higher celebration for Funky’s life than naming the bakery after the lately deceased canine.

As a result of in spite of everything, that’s what Bakkerij Funk is all about: celebrating life and good foods and drinks—all collectively. Attempt it for your self.

Rush Rush Espresso

On the outskirts of Antwerp, conveniently situated close to one of many principal transportation hubs for individuals who determine to journey to town by bus, is Rush Rush Espresso, one of many metropolis’s most famed native specialty-coffee roasters. It could be a bit out of the way in which in the event you plan to remain within the central a part of city, however it’s undoubtedly price strolling the additional mile, for a number of causes.

First, the environment is tremendous welcoming: Homeowners Nanigui Patel and Simon Derutter and the remainder of their group will make you are feeling at house in a second. Second, the meals is extremely tasty—and, lastly, the espresso is, in fact, scrumptious.

Don’t miss the possibility to attempt a espresso made with Simon’s AeroPress! In spite of everything, he has received the Belgian AeroPress Championship twice, and, in 2022, he took second place on the AeroPress World Championship … not dangerous, proper?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the espresso machine (or visiting some hidden nook of the world), she’s busy writing for Espresso Revolt, an internet site about specialty espresso that she’s creating alongside along with her boyfriend.

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