Koffie met Plets

The interior, the music, the latte art and of course the coffee itself make this our absolute favourite place in Gent.

Nothing beats sipping a good cup of coffee in the wonderful interior of Simon Says.
If you would only visit one spot on this list, let it be this one.

Oh, and there's teas, soups, croques, quiches and cakes too. All delicious.

Site: Simon-Says.be

Barista Coffee & Cake has an excellent location on a stone's throw from the "Vrijdagsmarkt".
The interior is cosy but spacious, there's a small terrace in front of the bar and they sell some delicious looking bread too.

Whereas in most of the bars, they just snatch a cup from the top of the machine, The glasses we got our double espressos in were carefully pre-heated.

However, the espresso itself could have been better. The Crema on top was... errm... basically non-existant.
Still way beyond your average cup of coffee, but we like the other Barista a lot more.

Site: Facebook Page

Ouch. We thought we read "koffiehuis" on a little plaquette just above the entrance. When we ask for coffees the reply is: "Well, ok then, because it's quiet. We don't normally do that." Apparently we're expected to order food too.
Makes you feel very welcome.

Oh, and we didn't really get a cappuccino nor an espresso. To us it tasted like ambtenarenkoffie (+ whipped cream).

Site: lekkerindebuurt

A dissappointment. The place looks great; the kind of wooden interior you've come to expect from coffee bars, much like the 'Le Pain Quotidien' places, but nicer and more quiet. And it's got a wonderful garden terrace.

But. The cappuccino tasted just like … well … water. Milk? Or milk foam? Nope, didn't taste that.

Maybe this one scores high for www.having-a-brunch-with-a-glass-of-whine-in-the-garden-with-plets.be, but the coffee was below par.

Site: Youropi.com

Now, this was a nice surprise!

It looks like the tavern you'd find your grandma spending the day, but we could have known by the small Lavazza sign hanging at the front.

We had some of the best espressos of Gent over here. They even came with a small glass of water, a sweet shot of amaretto and two delicious cookies.

Site: GentVerwent

This half open bar is known for its ice creams but is serving great coffees too. Of course this type of place lacks to cosiness of a real bar.

An excellent place for people watching, because of its location: right in the city center, at de Korenmarkt.

Site: Cityplug.be

Has a suprisingly big garden terrace. We like!
And decent coffees.

One of those places where you can choose between milk foam or whipped cream on your cappuccino.

Site: caffecaffee.be

We're still a bit confused by the huge patchwork of paper on one of the walls of this otherwise cosy place.
Probably the owner had to give in to his arty aunt trying to get her stuff sold.
That, or they should fire their interior designer.

The coffee and cappuccino was a bit disappointing (*cream alert*). But we would return for a lunch or salad; the place clearly focuses on breakfast and lunches.

Site: Lepelbed.be

Taking a seat at Julie's House means you've already lost the battle against sweet cakes and chocolates. You could just go for a coffee or cappuccino - they're definitely high quality - but missing out on the sugary delicacies would be a mistake.

Site: Julieshouse.be

So so. Not bad, but it doesn't really stand out; nor the coffee, neither the bar itself. A lot of coffees to choose from though.

The location, only a single block away from Gent's main shopping street De Veldstraat, make it suitable for when you're in need of a quick caffeine fix during shopping hours.

Site: Cityplug.be

Actually the first place where we got a glass of water with our espresso. We really think that should be standard. These guys are definitely pro!

Kind of a standard interior, but with the Illy brand you know the coffee will mostly be above average quality.

Site: goudengids.truvo.be

More of a restaurant and bar than a coffee or tea house, but they do serve great coffees! Including some exotic specialties.

We got a great Ethiopian coffee in one very nice little cup. A real treat for all you hardcore coffee lovers.

Site: Mosquitocoast.be

Wooptietoop! Mobile coffee bar 'La Dolce Barista' gives us coffee out in the open air at one of Gent's market places.
A quick coffee in the sun? That's the good life.

Apart from that, the coffee was delicious, the options plenty.

Site: DolceBarista.be

One of the many places in Gent where you can go for a quick lunch.
Quite cosy too, sort of feels like you're sitting in someone's living room.

Pity the coffee and cappuccino were so average. An espresso is not "a standard cup of coffee", and a cappuccino is not "that same standard cup of coffee with some whipped cream".

Site: PocketResto.be

Vooruit is one of Gent's main arts centres. Concerts, parties, dance and plays almost every night.
Surprisingly, there's also quite a big offer on coffees in this grand café. And they're good!

Site: Vooruit.be

They certainly know about coffee over here. The most impressive menu, with a whole lot of coffee drinks that are closer to a dessert than a hot drink. But the basic drinks are served with lots of love and skill too. The barista made the milk foam for our cappuccino by hand, on the spot. Oh, and don't you just love latte art?
And an impressive coffee machine, btw.

If it wasn't for the typical lounge music, or the lack of a little extra original touch in the interior, we'd certainly give it a five.
You'll often find us here. Trying something different.

Site: Youropi.com

Brooderie is a bed 'n' breakfast, bakery and coffee & tea house.

The waitress seemed kind of surprised when we asked for an espresso. "The small coffee, right?" She made sure we definitely wanted that one, several times. And yes, we did. Hehe.

The espresso we got was OK but didn't really "wow" us.

Site: Brooderie.be

Too bad this place is only open on weekdays at noon; they've got super salads, pastas, spaghettis and sandwiches here. And the coffee they serve to finish lunch is excellent.

Maybe, we're also a little bit in love with her.

Site: FinDeFaim.be

There's branches of Le Pain Quotidien all over the world. The wooden interior, the long table, … you probably know the deal.

It's a nice place, and the terrace of Gent's Le Pain Quotidien at the Kalandeberg is fun too.
Only, the coffee needs a little bit more love.

Site: LePainQuotidien.com

Walter is one of those newer coffee spots in Gent. With the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bar feels very open and spacious.

We got excellent espressos.

Site: CafeWalter.be

We love details. With so many coffee bars in Gent, we look for what's different. And Or Espressobar is one of those that stand out.

They've got a little water fountain here, where you can tap some water to go with your espresso. We'd like to see more of that.

Also, the staff, trained baristas, know about coffee and it shows.

A special cappuccino with a.o. cinnamon is the house specialty and an absolute recommendation. Tasty, tasty sweetness!

Site: Koffiebranderij-Or.be

The Macchiatos at Barista are deadly. Have you ever tasted a "White Strawberry Macchiato" before?
Well, we did. Whoa!

We've been told, they've won the Belgian Barista Championships once and we're not surprised.

Site: Facebook Page

A cosy place with fine coffee. No more, no less.
Big selection of teas too!

Site: users.telenet.be/coffeelounge

When we visited De Draak, it was around 8.30 in the morning and the place had just opened.
Since we were the only clients at that moment, the place felt way too large and empty. Not the kind of cosy place you want to enjoy your cup of coffee.

The coffee itself was pretty good though, so maybe we should give it another go.

Site: DeDraak.be

Mokabon is probably the first place people would think of when you ask for a coffee bar in Gent. Half of Gent's coffee addicts come to buy the freshly grinded coffee they sell at this classic place. We can imagine people would come and sit here just for that smell alone.

The people you'll find here are just as much part of the interior as the bar's brown chairs.
Act like a local and come here at 8am in the morning, take a chair in the back and gaze at the others trying to wake up.

Oh, and a little warning too; No matter what you order, you'll always get a splash of whipped cream with it. Be it on a separate plate, in or on top of your coffee. Don't worry.

Site: Mokabon.be