City Centre

Emmen Centrum boasts a vibrant coffee culture that cleverly blends tradition and innovation. Local cafés have been serving familiar filter coffee for decades, while modern baristas now showcase latte art. The result is a scene that attracts both long‑time residents and curious visitors. Below is a concise overview of the main trends, places, and prospects.

In Drenthe, coffee has long played a central role in hospitality. The well‑known Drenthe coffee table with krentenwegge and suikerbrood embodies that warm welcome. Since the 2010s, however, the third coffee wave has grown rapidly here as well. New bars introduced single‑origin espressos, turning the everyday “bakkie” into a refined experience.

Drents Bakkie reinforced this shift by roasting certified beans in its own city. Its distinctive Emmen‑blend tastes “just deliciously old‑fashioned”, yet still meets today’s quality standards. At the same time, the company creates development opportunities for people who are distant from the labour market. In this way, flavour goes hand in hand with social impact.

Anyone walking through Emmen will encounter a rich palette of cafés. The following establishments stand out for their atmosphere, offerings, and local appreciation.

• Koffiehuis Emmen - homely interior, house‑baked cake, and a creamy cappuccino with a hint of vanilla.
• Café De Koffiepot – vintage ambience near the station, wide range of plant‑based milks and beloved iced coffee in summer.
• Bakery & Coffee – bright workspace with fresh bread, popular hazelnut latte and reliable Wi‑Fi.
• Café De Koffiekamer – living‑room vibe by the park, renowned carrot cake and friendly staff.
• Drents Bakkie Roastery – tasting room for locally roasted blends and a showcase of social entrepreneurship.

Coffee connects the residents. Every third Thursday of the month, entrepreneurs network during Open Coffee Club Emmen. Café De Koffiepot regularly hosts poetry evenings and live music, bringing art lovers together. In community centers, coffee mornings are held where seniors can enjoy two cups for just €2 and find companionship. Latte‑art workshops and tastings fill the weekends with eager coffee fans.

The city center has a relatively large share of over‑55s, and they prefer mild, familiar flavors. A regular cup of coffee, priced between €1.70 and €3.10, remains the favorite. Thanks to the modest price point, coffee stays accessible without sacrificing quality. Loyalty to local brands such as “Emmense Natuur Blend” underscores pride in the region.

At the same time, a younger audience embraces creative drinks. Hazelnut and caramel lattes perform well, as do dairy‑free flat whites. Almost every café offers oat, soy or almond milk. The mix of generations creates a lively, inclusive atmosphere where everyone finds their own perfect cup.

Sustainable initiatives run deep in Emmen’s coffee scene. Drents Bakkie collects used coffee grounds from cafés and turns them into compost for urban green projects, reducing waste while enriching parks and gardens. Wildlands Adventure Zoo and several bars have also switched to reusable cups and offer discounts for bringing your own mug.

Many businesses purchase Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified beans. Using local products, from dairy to pastries, shrinks their transport footprint. Outdoor terraces are often set in green areas, so guests literally enjoy their coffee surrounded by greenery. With these efforts, Emmen positions itself as a city where coffee enjoyment, nature and social responsibility converge.

Emmen city centre shows that a close‑knit community, accessible prices and sustainable choices can shape a coffee scene that is both traditional and forward‑thinking. From a simple filter coffee to a flavourful single‑origin espresso, every guest finds their own moment of calm here. In short, Emmen offers an inspiring model for cities that want to use coffee as a driving force for connection and renewal.