The Dutch are known for many things; delicious cheese,
mesmerizing canals, wooden clogs, vibrant tulip fields,
their height, the legalization of cannabis, their
directness….however, what many people may not know
is that the Dutch are also some of the world’s biggest
coffee drinkers as the average Dutch person drinks up to
four cups a day. Coffee in the Netherlands is much
stronger than the South African blends I am used to and
the most common type of coffee in the Netherlands,
called ‘koffie vekeerd’, is basically just a regular degular
café au lait. As someone who has explored most places
in the Netherlands, I never thought I’d end up in the
province of Noord Brabant. Here, I stay in Tilburg, the
sixth largest city of the Netherlands. No, it’s not
anywhere close to Amsterdam but if you ask me again
I’ll lie and say it is because no one seems to realize that
the
Netherlands has more than one city.
During my little adventures in the city, I set out to
explore which coffee shops I liked best. That’s another
thing one has to be careful with - here in the
Netherlands, coffee shops and cafés have very different
meanings. ‘Café’ generally means a place to eat at, while
enjoying tea or coffee. ‘Coffee shop’ here indicates that
the building is an establishment which sells various soft
drugs, such as weed or shrooms and other edibles.
Maybe we’ll write an article about that in the future, but
for now, here are my three go-to cafés located in the
heart of Tilburg centrum.
Lunchcafé Nieuwland
If you’re a beach baby like me, Lunchcafe Nieuwland
will almost have you feeling nostalgic for summer. I
enjoy how at home I feel as the space itself is open, yet
intimate. It has an earthy colour scheme consisting of
browns, greys and greens with glass and wooden
accents. The plants also make the cafe feel more
welcoming, as does the handwritten menu of the day
hanging from the wall. While I’m a huge coffee drinker,
my favourite beverage here is a fresh mint tea. The menu
offers a variety of desserts, from delectable scones to
hearty apple pies, making it a perfect place for a high
tea. For my fellow vegetarians, the menu has delicious
options to choose from and you can always ask to have
an item removed in order to make the dish vegetarian. I
also enjoy visiting as the staff are super friendly and
often easily switch to English if you’re struggling with
completing a sentence in Dutch. Hands down one of the
best places to visit in
the center.
Lunchcafe Nieuwland |
Bagels and Beans
A bit more of a well- known option as you’re likely to
find this franchise in other cities. The interior of Bagels
and Beans is the cutest and if you’re into the
cottagecore/fairycore aesthetic, this cafe is straight up
your alley. Think maple wood flooring, mismatched
colourful plates and saucers, hanging plants and fresh
oranges in a basket - it’s like attending an indoor picnic.
The decor and aesthetic of Bagels and Beans is lovely,
even the menu has artsy illustrations. The staff are also
very friendly, welcoming and regularly check up on you
- horrible if you’re eating and can’t reply or if you’re an
introvert like me and feel forced to make conversation,
but great if you’re someone who doesn’t have crippling
social
anxiety.
As for the actual food, my go to is the goat cheese on
sesame bagel, with a drizzle of honey and some
walnuts. They also have some vegan options in the
delicious range of salads and bagels. The sweet iced
coffee is a go to for me, but their freshly squeezed juices
are a close second. If you prefer fish, try the wild
salmon bagel and if you have a sweet tooth, the pecan
nut pie is a must try.
Bagels and Beans |
The Fat Greek
This is my favourite spot in the city center to hang out at
with my friends. There’s somewhat of a retro vibe going
on, with neon letters on the walls, warm toned furniture
and an array of delicious milkshakes that could give
Pop’s a run for its money. Equipped with a foosball
machine and a staircase that leads to De Living (one of
Tilburg’s hidden gems), The Fat Greek is a place that
should definitely be on your bucket list if you visit. For
vegetarians like me, there are a ton of sinfully tasty
options even though it’s also a meat lovers paradise.
Dishes like the cheese fries, gyros and the different
types of pitas are quite popular. If you’re a sweet tooth,
you’ll enjoy the monster cookies or the traditional
Greek bougatsa, a breakfast pastry filled with custard.
Coffee lovers, don’t even think about leaving if you
haven’t tried a traditional Greek frappé.
@tfgtilburg |
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