Ethiopia is where it all began for coffee, where humans first cultivated the beans and learned to roast and ground them to create the beverage drunk throughout the world today. For a few years now, Aksum has drawn on Ethiopia’s coffee culture and heritage to offer some of the finest coffee in Brussels. Be prepared, though, it’s strong, but delicious! The café has moved around quite a bit since it first opened, mostly to ever bigger premises. It’s latest incarnation is in the middle of the city centre’s most prestigious address: the Royal Arcade (Galeries Royales). 

In its large space you can order an espresso, café latte, or cappuccino – I prefer the cappuccino as the espresso really takes some getting used to – but all are made with Ethiopian coffee beans freshly roasted and ground on the premises daily, which they also sell to take away. 

If coffee’s not your thing, they also have interesting herbal teas from across Africa, unusual juices and excellent cakes to accompany your drink.

There is now another branch in the new shopping complex ‘The Mint’ by De Brouckère metro station.