Antwerp, Belgium, is residence to a vibrant specialty-café scene. Make sure to go to these 4 cool espresso retailers on a weekend journey to town.
BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photographs by Tanya Nanetti
Just some miles south of the Dutch border lies Antwerp: Belgium’s most populous municipality and the principle metropolis of Flanders, the Flemish area of Belgium. Typically crowded however by no means chaotic, Antwerp is the right place to spend a few days, strolling by way of 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 proper 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 positively has one thing for everybody.
If espresso is your factor, observe us on a brief go to to 4 of the good cafés you could find 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,” seems like stepping again into the Eighties. However the espresso tradition is way from old skool: Right here, you’ll discover completely brewed beans from throughout Europe, plus scrumptious cheesecake that makes you’re 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 be taught extra about this super-cool espresso store and the inspiration behind it.
“The shop is named Kasette as a result of it was my first medium for listening to music: I had a yellow Sony Walkman Sport and once I was 6 years previous, 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. Once I opened the shop, I needed it to be completely different from a lot of the new specialty bars: I discovered that every one the brand new shops needed to be very stylish and trendy, whereas I needed one thing cozy and even a bit of 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 ambiance took place: centered on espresso and music. And, after all, the chickens ….”
That’s proper, chickens! Let’s not overlook the 2 stunning chickens within the courtyard—an eccentric contact that one way or the other suits completely with the ambiance of the shop. Positively 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 Nineteen Fifties diner: from the design of the shop, to the gorgeous purple and white La Marzocco, to the comfy ambiance and pleased 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 decisions, from the extra basic “Not So Fruity,” to “Fruity Washed” and “Fruity Unwashed,” to the funkier “Pink Sequence.”
We solely had the prospect to attempt the Indonesian beans—actually fruity and scrumptious—however we couldn’t have been happier. We can be again subsequent time, to attempt one thing completely different from the tempting menu.
Bakkerij Funk
Not removed from Andy Roasters, Bakkerij Funk welcomes prospects 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, after all, specialty espresso.
Many pastries are sometimes bought out within the afternoon, and we had been glad we adopted a pal’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 had been scrumptious and we determined to remain a bit of 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 an exquisite black Labrador named Funky.
Funky (Funk’s co-owner, Lisa’s, beloved pal) liked food and drinks, and was at all times prepared for a scrumptious snack. Funky really loved life, and Lisa and the remainder of the group might consider no higher celebration for Funky’s life than naming the bakery after the just lately deceased canine.
As a result of in any case, that’s what Bakkerij Funk is all about: celebrating life and good food 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 many who determine to journey to town by bus, is Rush Rush Espresso, one of many metropolis’s most famous native specialty-coffee roasters. It might be a bit out of the way in which when you plan to remain within the central a part of city, however it’s positively value strolling the additional mile, for a number of causes.
First, the ambiance is tremendous welcoming: House owners Nanigui Patel and Simon Derutter and the remainder of their group will make you’re feeling at residence in a second. Second, the meals is extremely tasty—and, lastly, the espresso is, after all, scrumptious.
Don’t miss the prospect to attempt a espresso made with Simon’s AeroPress! In spite of everything, he has gained the Belgian AeroPress Championship twice, and, in 2022, he took second place on the AeroPress World Championship … not unhealthy, 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 Riot, an internet site about specialty espresso that she’s creating alongside together with her boyfriend.
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