Middelburg

Middelburg has breathed coffee since the seventeenth century, when the first beans arrived from Asia. Ever since, the city has turned every sip into a story, from stately coffee houses to creative micro‑roasters. This article explores the rich past, the modern offerings, and the green future of Middelburg coffee. Let the aromas spark the imagination and discover why this Zeeland capital ranks among the best coffee destinations.

As a VOC trading centre, Middelburg had access to exotic coffee as early as 1650. Elegant coffee houses soon opened where the elite discussed news from distant ports. In 1825 Abraham Geljon started the Nederlandsche Koffijhuis, famous for masked balls with live music. Thus coffee was immediately linked to culture and pleasure.

The arrival of the railway stimulated new cafés. The Stations Koffiehuis opened in 1874 next to the new station and is today called Kanaalzicht, still good for a robust espresso. In 1883 Wilhelmina Verseput‑Verhulst founded Gezelligheid; her son turned it into Hotel Du Commerce. Coffee thus became a driver for travel, trade, and hospitality.

In the early twentieth century contractors moved their market‑day meetings to coffee houses, so contracts were forged over steaming cups. That business function laid the foundation for today's versatile coffee scene.

Today the city centre is buzzing with characterful coffee spots. Five local favourites deserve a special mention:

– Expresszo, hidden in a monumental building, serves only fair‑trade varieties and offers accommodation above the bar.
– Sint John, an iconic address for a straight‑up espresso.  in a medieval atmosphere, with a toastie or yogurt ice cream.
– RØST, small yet delightful, serves beans from Koffiebranderij De Koepoort and uses local produce.
– Robuust!, situated by the market, blends coffee, vinyl records and barber chairs into one creative concept.
– Koffiebranderij De Koepoort, founded in 2015, roasts specialty beans for all of Zeeland and offers barista courses.

Each venue pairs craftsmanship with the typically Zeeland sense of gezelligheid, turning tasting into an experience.

Coffee forms the beating heart of many social occasions:

– Hanging Coffee Concerts at Het Koffiepand connect live music to the caffè sospesoprinciple, ensuring that those in need also receive a cup.
– Koters & Koffie in ’t Lokaaltje gives parents a break every Tuesday while children play.
– Cars & Coffee Zeeland brings classic cars and supercars together for an informal Sunday morning full of caffeine and chrome.
– Culikaravaan and other food festivals have unfailingly provided a mobile espresso bar since 2024, such as Ketelbinkie.
– De Koepoort regularly drives out with a mobile bar and shares knowledge through accessible workshops.

Sweet‑tooths love to pair a Zeeuwse bolus with their afternoon coffee. Wooncafé serves every cup in vintage crockery along with a splash of cream liqueur topped with whipped cream, a local indulgence that surprises visitors. Expresszo proves that flavour and fairness go hand in hand by pouring only ethically sourced beans and serving pastries from neighbourhood baker De Juf.

Trends remain international: Reynaert & Co was the first in the Netherlands to introduce the fair‑trade brand Afro Coffee, allowing guests to discover African flavours. At the same time, demand for organic options and less waste is growing; concept café InMiddels even uses organic sugar and composts coffee grounds for the city garden.

Although Middelburg is not yet an official Fairtrade Town, the municipality encourages sustainable coffee choices. In 2022 HZ University of Applied Sciences abolished disposable cups and introduced reusable alternatives, saving thousands of cups each year. Festival organizers are following suit with deposit cups, so cappuccino stays waste‑free even during live music.

The event De Smaeck van Zeeland, supported by the city, promotes organic regional produce including fairtrade coffee. Het Koffiepand also shows that a no‑waste model is both eco‑friendly and profitable. Examples like this accelerate the shift toward a circular coffee chain within the municipality.

Middelburg proves that a small city can make a big impact in coffee. History, innovation and sustainability flow together here in one steaming path. Coffee lovers will therefore find not only a perfect espresso, but also stories, events and a window on the future of the coffee world.