Coffee & tea

Het Spijker is a bar downtown, next to the famous Gras- and Korenlei. It has two floors and is always pretty crowded.

At first I was a bit skeptic, but there is a really good vibe here, so I understand that everybody wants to be there. The bar offers many types of beer, also right off the tap for the real beer lovers.

Het Spijker differs from other bars while its interior is also very woody, with barrels and logs in the ceiling. And I still have to check it out, but apparently, besides the terrace in the front, there is also one in the back with a great view of the old fishing mine (a very nice place by the way which was recently reopened after being closed for more than fifteen years). But untill then, We keep tasting new beers on tap and wandering to past memories.

Like coffee and cigarettes can be addictive, so is the cream on my cappuccino at Or. This charming espresso-bar in the Walpoortstraat opened several years ago and can count me as a number one fan ever since. Or can get crowded sometimes, but I have always managed to find a spot, even with complete strangers!

During the week though, I find myself there mostly in the morning, near the window in the sunlight and a very calm surrounding. The music mostly is jazzy, or chillout.

If you are hungry, you can try their bagels. Or, if you do not have to pay attention to your calories intake, you can always order delicious pastries from Julie’s House, like brownies or pie. And, every first Tuesday evening of the month, they organize a cupping moment, where you can taste new brands and give your opinion on which coffee they should introduce next month. But you cannot just show up, you have to let them know beforehand.

Since March 2011, Or decided to open every day! So there’s Sunday brunch now, yeah!

More updated news: Charlene, one of Ors baristas, won Belgian and World championships in slow coffee. You can ask her to explain, it’s really hard to score points! And did you know that filter coffee can be more strong than espresso?

Looking for some really good pancakes? Pannenkoekenhuis Gwenola in the Volderstraat knows what it takes and has known for fifty years! You find them in all different flavors: three kinds of sugar, ice cream, fruit, hot chocolate sauce. Coincidentally, pancakes are one of my favorite fat-makers and that delicious, round dough then better be good. I recently got a pancake baker maker as a gift and yeah, my pancakes weren’t a real success.

I have been coming here since I was a little child. The interior does not seem to have changed much, so expect no tight black and white furniture here. Instead you will still find some porcelain plates decorating the wall, yellowish chandeliers and sturdy brown furniture.

The service is excellent and you can even sit on a terrace in the front or the back. A lot of famous Belgians come here to eat their pancakes too! I never saw one though.

In the beginning of February Gwenola had to close for the first time in existence due to an explosion somewhere in the street. She still could bake pancakes, but it was too cold for the clients. Her closing even made the local newspaper

P.S. I have gotten better at my own pancake baking, but if I do not want to know how much grease I am eating, I still go to Gwenola yeah.

Patershol is a very cosy old neighbourhood close to the city center. It´s mainly know for its nice atmosphere and a bunch of restaurants, but there is also a very special bar. Although the name is officially rococo, most people now it as “Betty”, the name of the pleasant owner.

The place looks like a living room. There are just a few tables, so don’t mind to go and join people at the same table. Betty will help you to find the right spot. Maybe you want to install yourself close to the romantic open fire place or maybe you prefer to be in a corner to have some private moments with your lover. The place is full of candles which creates a very warm and intimate atmosphere.

If you come here, you shouldn’t be in a hurry. It could happen that you have to wait some time to get served as Betty likes to tell about her life or her latest adventures to her guests. Do not worry, your patience will be rewarded.

If she has time she makes her own ice tea, pastries and the delicious Liqueur d’amour. Of course the recipe of the last one is secret, but Betty claims a night full of passion after drinking it. I tried it, but not going to tell you on the consequences as you have to find it out yourself. And as Betty would say it as only she can with the local accent: “Geniet ervan” (enjoy it)!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Rococo | Bars, Coffee & tea | Liqueur d’amour € 4.5
Corduwaniersstraat 57 | Patershol | +3292243035
Tue – Sun 22:00 – …

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I personally very much enjoy a Sunday morning going out of house for brunching. It gives me 100% guarantee to good coffee and a variety of healthy and a nutritious food to star the active – or in most cases -lazy day…

One nice place to have an enjoyable morning experience is Brooderie: not only does it offer you the chance to a biological breakfast; you can also crash here for a fresh made soup or a delicious slice of cake in between shopping or after a visit to the Design Museum just across the street.

The warm brown and yellow colors in the interior makes you feel at home in a split second! I am a fan of their large variety of quiches and their several brunch formulas. If you want the feeling to last longer, you can also buy their bread or even better: sleep over! Yes, they even exploit a Bed and Breakfast to spend a lovely weekend in Ghent City!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Brooderie | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Quiche € 10
Jan Breydelstraat 8 | City Center | +3292250623
Tue – Sun 08:00 – 18:00

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