Coffee shops and tea rooms Belgium

Afternoon Tea was introduced by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840, at around 4pm. The ritual has spread throughout Britain... and to Bruges. Take time out between two visits to the superb setting of the Hotel De Orangerie and its salon, decorated with paintings from the ^17th and ^18th centuries, by the fireside in winter or on the terrace facing the canal in summer. From cream teas to champagneafternoon teas, there's a choice of formulas.

In the cosy and refined atmosphere of an English club (the spirit of Phileas Fogg must linger there), Le Cercle takes you on a world tour with a Belgian-French restaurant spiced up with a bit of exoticism and a well-chosen selection of world wines. Or come and have a drink and pick up one of the travel books available. Le Cercle is also a place of culture with concerts and events held in the superb 17th century vaulted cellars. This space, as well as the library, can be reserved for private dinners.

Behind this charming façade, we discovered this nugget: Julie's House. The comings and goings of regulars and tourists prove the success of this patisserie and tea house. Here, a wide selection of colorful pies, muffins and cupcakes entice visitors behind glass at teatime. You can order them to take away, or enjoy them on site, on the terrace or in the room on the mezzanine floor. Delicious breakfasts are also available in the morning. Everything is cute, appetizing and colorful: you'll love it!

Welcome to the coffee house run by Ken, the barista and owner. It's a bit like the trendy café of Oostduinkerke. The decor is all white walls, wooden tables, blue-green velvet chairs and antiques... a little Scandinavian, but with marine touches reminiscent of its location in a seaside resort. Atop a bookcase, a pair of Ken dolls watch over customers who come in for a very good coffee, breakfast, toast or bagel. Enough to fill your stomach before heading to the beach at the end of the avenue.

Chalet Robinson is a Belgian cuisine restaurant located in the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels. Housed in a wooden chalet on three levels, it boasts a breathtaking view of the lake and a terrace. The restaurant offers a generous menu featuring fresh, local produce. Chalet Robinson also offers water sports activities such as rowing boats and pedalos on the lake. The restaurant can also be privatized for corporate events, private functions or weddings. Chalet Robinson has become an institution over the years and is much appreciated by visitors.

Fika is Swedish for snack break, that moment in the afternoon when everything stops for a coffee and a pastry. This is the spirit in which Joana opened her café. As you push open the door, you're transported to Stockholm or Malmö: the scent of cinnamon from the buns, the smell of good original coffee, minimalist design warmed by wood, soft colors and plants: you're in the middle of hygge ! A relaxing place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world. We recommend the semlor, cream buns normally eaten at Easter.

Initially a sort of Brussels-style Starbucks, Café Capitale has evolved with François, its owner. His love of coffee led him to start a roasting business. Original coffees, different ways of preparing them (espresso, chemex, etc.)... For lovers of coffee with milk, there is a large list of alternatives to cow's milk ? To snack, the establishment offers a nice variety of pastries, cookies, cakes, sweet pies, etc. and as coffee and music go well together, have a look at the vinyls on sale.

After returning from an expatriation in Australia, Chloé Sengier had the idea to import the concept of the "all day breakfast", serving toasts, pancakes, buddha bowls and other healthy dishes. Crème was born in the popular Rue de Rollebeek next to the Sablon. The place is superb: plant suspensions, exposed brick walls, neon lights, wooden table and rattan seats. Everything is designed to be photographed. As for the dishes, we navigate between the greediness of pancakes dripping with toppings and the "clean" side of bowls. Excellent coffees and pastries.

At Mok, you can be sure of quality coffee, because in addition to running this great coffee bar, founder Jens Crabbé (twice Belgian cup-tasting champion) is also a roaster. Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guatemala and of course Colombia and Brazil, the best of the little caffeinated bean is selected and prepared with care and respect. The huge white counter invites customers to sit back and watch the baristas officiate. If you're hungry, a menu of vegetarian dishes and pastries (many gluten-free) will put you back on your feet.

Right next to La Monnaie, Frank welcomes you every day for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Regularly, Frank becomes Francine and invites you to dine, sharing dishes (or not) accompanied by a good glass of wine. Francine selects only European wines (with surprises like Belgian and Moldavian productions). Frank and Francine are vegetarians, so vegetables (organic and in season) are the order of the day. And the reception venue? A large white room overlooked by a huge stained-glass light fixture. So pretty!

Jackie uses coffees from Wide Awake roaster in Anderlecht. Quality is the key to success! The coffees are fresh, tasty and smooth. They come from different producing countries (Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala) but most of all, they come from small independent producers and are roasted by them. The teas are not left out and at Jackie's, you won't be bored while enjoying your beverage: a whole series of independent magazines that you can't find in every bookstore. It's a change from being glued to your smartphone!

In addition to offering a fine brewery, the Bellis can also be transformed into a tea room according to your wishes. You will find a fine selection of teas, coffees and milk drinks. To accompany them, let yourself be tempted by grandmother's pancakes, waffles, milkshakes or ice cream. All in an elegant and modern setting. The service is very pleasant and welcoming. The team will even be happy to translate the menu for you. When the weather is fine, the terrace will make this moment a quality pleasure!

Behind Bisou is Chloé Sengier, designer of Coco Donut and Crème, already featured on our pages. It's pretty much the same all-day eatery concept as Crème, but with a different decor, featuring a long orange banquette that spans most of the room, and an astonishing faceted counter. The special thing about Bisou is that it opened on the site of the legendary ice cream parlour Le Framboisier Doré, so alongside pastries, cookies and avocado toast, you'll find ice creams whose recipes have been handed down from generation to generation. To be enjoyed on the terrace!

Eating a waffle (or crêpe) after a long walk on the beach is a ritual that can't be cut on the Belgian coast, and Silversand boasts some of the best on the coast. What's more, they're huge! Their Brussels waffles are twice the normal size. They're deliciously light and crispy on top, and if you go for the version with crème fraîche, you can tell it's homemade. An extensive menu of savory brasserie dishes is also available, but the waffles suffice.

Who said veganism wasn't gourmet? At Buddy Buddy, they make dried fruit-based treats: almond butter, hazelnut butter, peanut butter... everything is roasted and toasted in their workshop, and organic. You can either buy them to enjoy at home, or take the time to sit down and sip an oat milk foam cappuccino with a savoury toast or pastry. The look of the café is surprising: it's as if cut in two by one corner painted hazelnut and the other creamy white. Daring, like their nut butters!

It's a bit ofEnglish Touch that has settled in the City of Doudou with Paddington. As soon as you see the sign (in the shape of a London subway sign), you are immediately drawn into the bath of this charming tea room: flowery wallpaper, big carpet, comfortable armchairs and kitschy porcelain and cushions: all the codes of the tea room are there. You can stop there to drink one, because it would be a shame to miss theAfternoon tea served in the right way: with sandwiches, pastries and delicious scones, all home-made.

A friendly café (near the market on Sundays) where you can enjoy a soup, a sandwich on the go (prepared with quality ingredients) or a sweet tart to accompany your afternoon coffee. Good coffees, smoothies and cocktails are also on the menu. The hipster population is young and relaxed, and the décor is vintage. Banquettes with cosy cushions in some corners, lots of light throughout. Nice terrace on sunny days, calm and relaxed atmosphere. Popular weekend brunch.

The atmosphere of this café-restaurant is ultra warm and cozy. Located right in the house of the Grande Dame (the leader of the Beguinage), the historical setting has a crazy charm! At the counter, the team is busy preparing divine hot chocolates, excellent teas and invigorating coffees. You can accompany these delicious beverages with the pie of the day. For those who love salty food, the house also offers simple dishes (spaghetti) or more refined ones (segredo d'iberico with chimichurri) or boards to share. A beautiful place!