Brussels' most unique third place — a specialty coffee bar, Belgian hot chocolate destination, and events venue all in one

SPECIALTY COFFEE & MORE IN BRUSSELS CITY CENTRE

If someone asks "where's a good cafe near Grand Place?" — locals will tell you about The Unusual on Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 49. We're a two-minute walk from Brussels Central Station, right in the heart of the city, and we've been serving coffee that actually tastes like someone cared about making it since the day we opened. Three artisan coffee blends from Wide Awake Coffee — Duke, Duchess, and Harmony — roasted specifically for espresso drinks and pulled fresh by our baristas every single day.

Whether you want a classic cappuccino with perfect microfoam, a smooth latte with some art on top, or an iced coffee that doesn't taste watered down after five minutes — we make it right. All our specialty drinks come with your choice of plant-based milk. Oat, coconut, or Alpro 'Not Milk'.

FRESH BAKERY, EVERY MORNING

Every morning, fresh pastries show up at The Unusual, most of them baked on the spot. By noon, half of them are gone. The croissants are golden, buttery, and flaky in a way that makes you forget whatever you were stressed about. The chocolatemuffins are dense and moist. The cookies are chewy in the middle and crispy at the edges. People literally come back just for the cookies. We're not making that up.

Our bakery items include bagels, cinnamon rolls, pains au chocolat, and more. We carry vegan pastries that are genuinely good — our vegan chocolate muffin is one of the best sellers and half the people eating it dont realize its vegan. Got dietary needs? We've got gluten-free options too, because everyone who walks through our door should find something they can enjoy.

NOT JUST COFFEE...

Not a coffee drinker? No problem. matcha latte has quietly become one of our most Instagrammed drinks — bright green, smooth, no lumps; we even offer two types of matcha whether you prefer it sweet or ceremonial. The chai latte is basically a hug in a cup when Brussels does its grey-sky thing (so, most days). And our hot chocolate? That's our specialty, made with real Belgian Chocolate! You can opt for one of our signature hot chocolates or you can build your very own: from milk to toppings, we make it your way. Check out the full hot chocolate menu on the Chocolate Café page.

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CAFE

The Unusual is a laptop friendly cafe with free WiFi that actually works. Freelancers, remote workers, and students from KU Brussel campus & UCL St-Louis out here all the time. Power outlets at most tables, WiFi that handles video calls, and nobody giving you the look after 45 minutes. Stay as long as you need.

We're dog-friendly too — and we mean it. Not "dog-tolerant." Bring your pup, grab a seat on our outdoor seating terrace, and enjoy. Half our team will pet your dog before they take your order. Dog owners from Marollen, Sainte-Catherine, and Parc de Bruxelles have made us their regular stop.

For brunch on weekends, we've got a mix of sweet and savoury with plenty of vegetarian options. Our lunch specials are available daily — regulars near Bourse and De Brouckère check the board before deciding where to eat. And if you're in a rush, our coffee to go is ready in under three minutes. Same specialty beans whether you sit or walk away with it.

Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 49, Bruxelles. Between Grand Place and Central Station. Open every day. Good coffee, fresh food, a space that feels like yours. Thats The Unusual.