Finally, signs of life along the Coupure! Fien Vandemoortele and Emile De Schryver (also behind Marengo, Kunstmest and Monterey) have breathed fresh energy into this Ghent neighborhood café, which had been languishing for years. And what a revival! Behind the bar, a photograph of Fien’s grandparents (he a brewer, she a café owner) looks on with quiet approval. By day, it’s fresh tarts, either homemade or from Tarte Françoise (€6.50), alongside Mok coffee (€3 for an espresso). Come evening, there’s Stella on tap (€3 for a half-pint) or a glass of wine from a list with a definite soft spot for Spain, from Javier Ruiz (€5.50 a glass) to Jose Palacios (€48 a bottle), plus a few natural detours through the Loire Valley and Puglia. Feeling puckish? There are pastéis de nata (€4), crispy falafel with tahini sauce (€10) and hummus with homemade crackers (€7), all prepared by Omaima Al-Abbas from Café Marengo down the road. · Mina Perlemousse