Breakfast in Antwerp | Maison Tartine

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Sometimes I have to remind myself that it is perfectly okay to have a few very close girlfriends instead of a big group of boys and girls to go out with. 
When I first started university I had this image in my head that I was going to meet so many great people and that I would go partying with them every single week. I did try for a few months to go and sit next to strangers, starting awkward conversations and in the end concluding that you have absolutely nothing in common apart from the fact that you both think it's too cold outside.

When I finally had some time to meet up with the girlfriends I've known for a while, I realized that I should be happy with the few very lovely friends I have. Not having to think too much about what you're going to say. Never having enough time to say everything you want to say to them. Meeting up twice in one day, because there's never enough time. Making plans for summer. Talking about food. Planning a christmas party. Wearing the same watch. Asking them to come to your class, because two hours goes by way faster with your close friends next to you.
Last but not least, having a lovely breakfast with them at one of my favourite places in Antwerp. 

Maison Tartine is most popular for its great tartines, as the name suggests. Many young people go there for lunch since it's located quite closely to the Academy of modern arts and the University of Antwerp. Having a very big menu isn't always a good thing, because you have to make sure that everything on there is delicious. You know what they say: "Quality over quantity." And I totally agree with that, but Maison Tartine gets every single recipe right.
We went quite early in the morning and there was a very cozy atmosphere. I don't think there were any christmas decorations up yet, but the lighting and music were just very warm and suiting.

We really enjoyed our breakfast! I went for cruesly with greek yoghurt, dried fruit, nuts and fresh fruit, Julia got the tartine with omelet and bacon and Renée got a boiled egg with "soldiers" and a "plistolé" with nutella. For drinks I went with a tea and a cappuccino (yes two drinks because my friends overslept and were half an hour too late).
Make sure to check out this hotspot if you're in the neighborhood. It's totally worth a visit.

Why go to Maison Tartine? 
Cosy atmosphere, delicious tartines, big menu, lovely staff, good coffee, letterkoekjes!

Breakfast in Antwerp | Eten Vol Leven

Yes, it's me again, with another breakfast post. I will never understand people who skip breakfast. I mean how do you survive an entire morning without eating anything? Maybe I'm one of the few that's extremely active in the mornings. I just love riding my bike down the empty streets on my way to the bakery. Normally Sundays are for sleeping in, but I get up extremely early just to make sure that I wouldn't arrive at a sold-out bakery. When you're craving that one specific pastry all week and the employee tells you they ran out of exactly that one... We want to avoid that right?

Although I do love me a big Sunday brunch with eggs and pastry, I usually have a very healthy breakfast. In fact, I'm always very motivated in the mornings to start a healthy day and then I give up around midday. But it's a good thing that I can balance things out a little by starting my days with a healthy breakfast.

Today I'll be introducing you to Eten Vol Leven, a place where you will not get seduced by pancakes or French Toast, because they only serve healthy and fresh food. So if you're someone like me who always ends up getting the unhealthiest, most decadent thing on the menu, this is the place to go if you don't want to slip up again.

I went for their Lifefood Granola and a Chai latte with cashew milk. I really enjoyed this lovely breakfast. The Chai Latte was heartwarming (I think I might have heard them make my cashew milk on the spot, I mean I heard something mixing so I guess they were mixing the cashews?). The granola was nothing like an average granola bowl, it was very light and the ingredients where out of the ordinary. The granola was made out of sprouted buckwheat and millet served with nuts, dried fruit and almond milk. 

The interior is also very pretty and there are piles of magazines everywhere. The people who work there are extremely friendly! They even gave me a little healthy snack to take away, because I was going to write this article about them. No one has done anything like that for me before and it made my day.

I strongly recommend Eten Vol Leven, for people who are interested in healthy, raw, vegan, gluten free food or for those who just love to try out something different.

Breakfast in Antwerp | Koek & Zopie

Before I went to university, I used to pass by Koek & Zopie twice a day on my way to school and back. So that means I've passed this lovely cafe a billion times without going inside. If only I knew back then what I was missing. I'm talking beautiful interior, great menu, pleasant staff, and delicious breakfasts!

I could've gone for the yoghourt and granola, but I thought I'd go all the way and order me some french toast with clotted cream, mint and berries. When my plate arrived it almost screamed "made-with-love"! I loved how the thick slices of bread seemed to be of a very good quality with beautiful poppy seeds on the crust. I always try to get a little piece of every single ingredient on my fork, so that all the flavours unite and my tastebuds can have a little party. First a berry, then a piece of french toast topped with a spoonful of clotted cream and lastly a bit of mint which gives you that fresh taste. 

I ordered a cappuccino to warm me up a little, and it came on this wooden tray which made my cappuccino taste even better. I'm not that person that thinks you eat with your eyes and presentation is everything, but I have to admit that everything looks better on a wooden chopping bord, tray or table. I can't wait to go back and try something else, because literally everything on their menu screamed my name. 

Breakfast in Antwerp | Coffeelabs

I don't really dare to say that I'm creating a little guide about breakfast in Antwerp, because as soon as I try to commit to something I give up. But I have to admit that I love writing these articles! 
I feel like tourists always seem to get lost without even knowing they're lost. I mean that they think they've seen Antwerp, but in fact they haven't seen anything. You won't find treasures "op de Meir" or "rond de Grote Markt". Don't get me wrong; I do love our waffles, chocolate and fries, but the real good and cozy places are a little bit hidden. Tourists or maybe even people who live in Antwerp probably have been only 20 meters away from Coffeelabs without even knowing it's there. 

Coffeelabs is a place where you can go for breakfast, lunch, sweets or drinks. They're mostly known for a place to go when you feel like taking things out of the office. You'll see many laptops and Iphones there, but also people reading books (like me) or friends getting together. 

They've got a pretty big breakfast menu and I can't wait to try everything out! This time however, I asked the lady, who very kindly served me, what the best thing on the menu was, to make sure that it'd be worth telling you guys about. She told me that the cappuccino and the avocado on toast were the best selling breakfasts. I obviously ordered what she recommended and even though I have a major sweet tooth in the morning, I really enjoyed this healthy breakfast. She even served my cappuccino together with my toast, so that I could take pictures without my cappuccino getting cold! 
The next time I go there I will probably try something else (sweeter) like their granola, vegan scones or french toast!

In summer, Coffeelabs is located on the top floor with a rooftop terrace. Now that it's getting colder they've moved downstairs and I have to say that I like this location better. It's so cosy!

So if you ever find yourself with a hungry stomach on the Meir, think about the little side streets!

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeelabsAntwerp/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/coffeelabs_antwerp/

Breakfast in Antwerp | Loes & Krikke Express

As I told you in my previous post; many nice restaurants and coffeeshops have recently opened their doors in Borgerhout. I love how I can go for a nice breakfast only five minutes away from me. Today my friend and I went to Loes & Krikke Express. I've been there quite a few times for a coffee, but I was always drooling over the granola they served. Today I finally decided to go and try one. We set ourselves by the window and enjoyed our granola, hot chocolate (with real melted chocolate), flat white and not to forget that little piece of brownie that comes with your drink. It's even worth just going there for that little piece of brownie you get. It's the best ever! The people who work there are very nice, and it's fun to watch all the people who sit there with their children before dropping them of to school or after picking them up. 

Everything is also very reasonable priced! I paid €7,50 for my sweet hot chocolate and big and beautifully served granola. 

They also serve spelt sandwiches, salads, brownies and other sweet goodness. There's also a small range of chocolate, coffee, postcards and little notebooks for sale. I really love this place and I think you should definitely pay a visit even if you're not in the neighborhood. 

Some of the pictures were taken by me, but the best ones are Renée's work. Check out her website here: http://reneevanzadelhoffphotography.tumblr.com/

    

Breakfast in Antwerp | September.

People are often afraid to go somewhere by themselves. Me, however, I love a little me-time. When you travel alone, you have no choice but to go eat somewhere by yourself. That's how I learned to love it. A beautiful interior, good music, delicious food, warm drinks and a good book is all I need not to feel lonely. Seriously, I think you should try it. Just make sure not to get too antisocial and ask a friend to join you from time to time.

I grew up in Borgerhout. In my eyes it used to be a neighborhood where you would only come if you lived there or came to visit someone. But they recently took things to another level. Small events, markets, coffeeshops, restaurants, bakeries and parties began to show up. One of these restaurants / coffee places is September.

You can go there for coffee, tea, wine, breakfast, lunch or pie on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. And they serve dinner on Mondays and apericena on Fridays. Check out their website for the Monday evening menu (vegetarian every other week). It's just around my corner so I often get tempted to grab my books and go study at September. I think anyone would pick studying on a marble table over studying at home.

This was the first time I went there for breakfast and I will definitely do it again. I got a rose tea and granola with lime and ginger confit which was delicious. Everything is also very reasonable priced which is always a beautiful bonus.

I strongly recommend paying a visit to September for those of you who live in Antwerp or those who are planning to visit this beautiful city.

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