Our top spot to get great coffee in the European Quarter

Just a stone's throw from place du Luxembourg, Caffè Italiano is a must-visit spot for fans of Italian-style coffee. It's the place to go for typical espresso, served standing up at the counter (with a starting price of just €1!). You can also sit down comfortably for a break and take advantage of the more extensive drinks menu. The place is also renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine, which can be eaten in or taken away. Such is its success that a second café has just opened, right next to Schuman.

Returning to Belgium after his studies, Jay Karsmakers decided to open his own coffee house in 2008, inspired by California, which he had just left. Since then, his establishment has built up a solid reputation. You'll find great speciality coffees, as well as home-made pastries and NY-style bagels that bring long lunchtime queues. If you want to sit back and relax, you can opt for the cosy sofas by the fire or, when the weather's fine, soak up the sun on the rear terrace.

For over 20 years, Tout Bon has been watching over the place du Luxembourg and, by extension, the European Parliament. Timber is omnipresent, guaranteeing the warmth of the premises. The menu is delicious and the bakery corner extremely convenient. Of course, the choice of coffees is more traditional, but Tout Bon is versatile enough to suit your needs: brunch (you can take your time), lunch (fast and efficient) or tea room, for a lazy afternoon. Tout Bon, of course, offers coffee on the go, so you can pick one up on your way to work.

Caffelatte Espressobar is also inspired by Italian coffee tradition. Some are available in 3 sizes (don't forget to specify which one you want). The clientele is international and packs in at rush hour. Of course, we recommend the flagship drink, the famous espressino al pistacchio (almond, pistachio and hazelnut milk). If you're looking for something original, try the Red latte (with rooibos). The little extra? They don't charge extra for plant-based milks!

This Brussels establishment is a classic. With several locations across the city (and the whole world!), Le Pain Quotidien on rue de Tongres boasts a wood-panelled interior with alcoves and nooks that guarantee privacy. The best thing about the place is that you'll find the products you love, with consistent quality. So there are no nasty surprises. Except, perhaps, not being able to find a free seat… it's very popular.
A new Pain Quotidien has recently opened at 196 rue Belliard.

Funkier but just as immersed in Belgianness: Léopold Café Presse, not far from Montgomery roundabout. With its deliciously busy pop decor, this multi-faceted café adapts to your mood, your desires and your needs. It is many things: the ideal place to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while you work; a self-service cafe for a lunch break in a friendly atmosphere; and, of course, a gourmet coffee afternoon with a wide choice of cakes and other sweet treats. The sofas and armchairs are as soft as you could wish for, the staff are friendly and, when the warm weather returns, the terrace is one of the best. You'll feel right at home.

Kapa is a coffee shop influenced by the flavours of Greece. So, alongside the traditional variations on quality coffees, milky or otherwise, you'll find freddo espresso, a popular Greek drink consisting of a double espresso, cooled and served over ice. The same goes for their sweet treats, with specialities such as bougatsa and even Polish sweets such as bakka. The Basque cheesecake, with its "burnt" crust from San Sebastian, is making a comeback. Their sourdough bread is also well worth a visit.

After winning over the Royal Quarter, Bouche has set its sights on the European Quarter for its second address, between place Jourdan and rue Belliard. The location may be new, but the recipe remains unchanged: a focus on speciality coffee with, as a bonus, a warm welcome. The beans are supplied by Brussels roaster Wide Awake, and Bouche offers a range of quality beans from Belgium and elsewhere for sale. When it comes to drinks, they offer the great classics (espresso, batch brew, americano, macchiato, cortado, latte...), but also their own version of the lesser-known (but excellent) London Fog. Milks of both animal or vegetable origin (including the latest, pea milk!) are available, and, as for sweet or savoury treats, you can rest assured, you'll be spoiled! Their cookies and banana bread must be at the top of your list.

Halfway between Schuman and place du Luxembourg, right next to the superb Leopold Park, the Living Room concept store combines the beautiful and the delicious. It's beautiful because its industrial space is bright, spacious and yet warm thanks to its Scandinavian influences. It's also beautiful because it's a design shop. The delicious part is the menu. The coffee served comes from Belgian roaster Or and is available as batch brew, flat white, espresso and latte. They also offer brunches, lunches and a generous list of delicacies, including, of course, vegan and gluten-free options. When the fine weather returns, the large terrace is an added bonus for this already unmissable place-to-be.