Café Capitale

Café Capitale is the home bar of Black Potion Coffee, the Brussels roastery led by François Lafontaine, and the menu is built around its own beans. A classic double espresso sits beside an Origin of the Day, a light roast allongé and filter coffee, and the roastery itself is just along Rue du Midi, so the beans in the grinder have barely travelled.

Hanging bulbs, a long wooden bar and a shelf of brewing gear and Black Potion bags set the scene, with pavement tables facing the street when the weather allows. Laptops are welcome, oat and pea milk are free, milk arrives daily in returnable glass bottles, and the team runs public cuppings and barista courses for anyone who wants to go deeper.