Café: Moka

Around a legendary Faema E61 coffee machine from 1964, Moka has created an irresistible establishment such as one might come across in Rome or Barcelona.

In 2008, a young German set up an espresso bar on Rijke Klarenstraat/rue des Riches Claires. The place was a hit. Unfortunately, as time passed enthusiasm waned – one of the hazards of opening an establishment of this kind. So, following erratic opening hours and lacklustre service, Moka, as it was already called, closed its doors in April 2015.

Since then, a trio of friends have taken up the reins. Good news, this little coffee bar in the city centre has not stopped gaining momentum. Its name is now known among connoisseurs. There are several reasons for this success. To start with, the coffee, the heart of the enterprise. Made by Fernanda, the espressos (€2.30) and cappuccinos (€3) are to die for. This is due to a special mixture based on a blend that is 1/3 Brazilian, 1/3 Guatemalan, and 1/3 Cuban.

Unlike most coffees these days, the result is a beautifully well-rounded flavour with quite a pronounced hazelnutty taste. The excellent quality also has to do with a rare object and one of the unique features of the place: a vintage Italian Faema-brand coffee machine.

Homemade food
But there are other reasons to try out this place, whose regulars have sown the seeds of a new family here. Anne-Audrey puts great care into the homemade food. For example, the delicious chocolate cake (€3), which was somewhere between a fondant and a chocolate tart. Also, the carrot cake (€3), the cookies, the generous BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) sandwiches (€7), and the lunches, which are healthy and nutritional.

We also couldn’t go without mentioning the chai latte (€3.50) uniquely distinct from the usual brew prepared with processed powder. In this case, it is genuine black tea infused with pink pepper, cardamom, and cloves, among other things. Good news if you don’t like tea or coffee, one of the three associates has developed beers – Illegaal (€3.20) and Echt – which are brewed for them by the excellent Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille.

Finally, last but not least, we love the narrow, pretty space, the greenery provided by a garden with hanging plants, paved with old tiles sourced from here and there, and the ambiance created by the selection of music, which flows seamlessly from Latin American to garage rock.

di/ma/Tu > vr/ve/Fr: 09.00 > 18.00
za/sa/Sa: 11.00 > 19.00