What a charmer, that Ludo Pirrera! After quenching his thirst for coffee straight from the source in Peru and Indonesia, the globe-trotting barista headed back to Belgium to wax lyrical about the acidity of his beans, their terroir and all the various blends imaginable. Where, exactly, did he wind up? A teeny tiny coffee shop that’s warm and welcoming as can be, open to inquisitive locals gravitating around Mons’ central Grand-Place. Far from the somewhat aloof coffee rituals found in certain caffeinated joints, here you can enjoy a distinctly bitter espresso – much to the delight of Italian expats living in the region – carefully roasted by the man himself at his roastery in Ghlin, while the V60 pour-over and Aeropress satisfy those of a gentler disposition. And while it’s a shame this place is slightly lacking in the snack department (apart from vegan cookies and brookies), Ludo’s coffee alone is enough to woo your heart. // Charline Peanut
THE HIDDEN GEM: The Villa Maria blend with notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut and caramel (€7 for 250 g).