Maison Corica Brussels

I love good coffee, which is a little thin on the ground here in Brussels. Luckily, Corica has come to my rescue repeatedly since I first ventured in.

I love standing at the bar, selecting my coffee from one of the 20 or so varieties available, and soaking in the atmosphere of its refreshingly diverse clientele. The strong aroma of coffee creates an oasis of contemplation amid the hustle and bustle of the city's medieval centre.

Corica is about as different from a brand corporate chain café as you can get. In fact, it is actually a shop, the only one in Brussels that still roasts its own coffee, using an impressively sturdy machine that sits by the door. People pop in all day to buy beans to take home, or have a quick coffee at the bar.

I love the feeling that this is a working part of the city. Nobody lingers too long, just enough time to exchange some gossip and try one of the latest blends from places like Costa Rica, Brazil or Yemen. The exotic origins and flavours of the coffee transport me a million miles away to all corners of the globe, then the friendly banter and flow of workmen in for their coffee breaks, bring me right back to the centre of Brussels.

If you happen to find yourself in the European quarter, check out their second branch on Rue Caroly 39.