Grand Maison

On the banks of the Meuse River, buddies Céline Fouarge (ex-graphic designer) and Fanny Marchal (ex-architect), along with partners Louise Lange and Lula Gabriel, wake up early birds and late risers alike at their very popular coffee shop, which blasts out specialty coffees and sweet treats all day long. On the Lord’s Day, La Batte is bustling on the south-facing terrace or, in typical Belgian weather, inside the narrow Grand Maison with its beamed ceilings, royal blue wall and sunny yellow counter upstairs. Nosh on one of the weekly-rotating dishes scribbled out on the mirror, like the Sunday we stopped by: puffy pancakes topped with blood orange, cream and maple syrup; comforting yogurt, granola and soft apple compote; dazzling carrot cake glazed with cream cheese; or a decadent écrasé au chocolat. On the next table over, there were deviled eggs and Vieux-Liège cheese sandwiches, plus a hearty asparagus omelet. Head’s up: payment by card not accepted! // Amber Oisy

FEELING THIRSTY? Coffee and more coffee, roasted by OR Coffee in Ghent (filter, cappuccino, espresso, flat white, from €2 to €4) and homemade seasonal drinks, like hot ginger-rosemary apple juice or ginger lemonade (€4).
PRICE: Dishes and sandwiches €3.50 to €9.50.