Swartehond

Swartehond offers a riverside escape from the city, serving brunch, pastries, and an extensive drinks menu with many vegan options available. With plenty of seats on the Joris Helleputteplein, Swartehond is the perfect spot for a sunny day.
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 10:00-17:00
Sun: 12:00-17:00

Spore Nursery

A hidden gem near Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein, Spore Nursery is sure to impress you once you enter. This inconspicuous establishment sells plants and gifts as well as serving coffee, so there is limited seating in this green oasis.
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 10:00-18:00

Noir Coffeebar

One of the most popular cafés in Leuven due to their high quality coffee, Noir's interior is expansive to accommodate groups of all sizes. A great place to meet, work and read!
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 08:30-17:30
Sat: 09:30-17:30
Sun: 11:00-17:00

Poescafé

Although the Poescafé uses an automatic coffee machine, their great selection of cakes (including vegan ones!) and the presence of cats more than makes up for it!
Opening Hours
Mon-Sun: 10:00-18:00

MOK Coffee Roastery & Bar

Using coffee from their own roastery, MOK serves coffee, pastries and toasties in a contemporary and open setting.
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00
Sat: 10:00-18:00

Koffie en Staal

A bustling café with delicious coffee, pastries and light meals, Koffie en Staal is a perfect meeting spot or a place to take a break.
Opening Hours
Tues-Sat: 09:00-17:00

Onan

Alongside a large selection of drinks and pastries, you can buy bags tea and coffee from Onan's roastery. As a busy café, Onan is better suited for social gatherings rather than extended study periods.
Opening Hours
Tues-Sat: 08:00-17:30

KUp Corner

If you are a KU Leuven student, you have probably noticed that there is a little coffee corner inside of Universiteitshal on Naamsestraat. KUp Corner is also operated by Onan but since it is a part of the university hall, it has much calmer and quieter atmosphere. You can come here to study or work, on your own or with your friends, and easily spend the whole day.
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 08:00-18:00

Nina Specialty Bar & Shop

Boasting a large selection of coffee drinks in a funky interior, the small tables provides the perfect spot for meeting your friends or reading a book. Nina is also home to a small shop where you can buy coffee, tea, and kitchen appliances to prepare your own drinks.
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 08:30-17:30
Sat: 09:30-18:00

Standaard Boekhandel

One of the main bookshop chains in Belgium with two shops in Leuven. The larger one, in Rector de Somerplein, has a broad selection of the books in various languages, including a large English section. Standaard Boekhandel can provide you with titles not available in store in a short time. The second store is located in Diestsestraat and does not have as extensive language options. Alongside books, Standaard Boekhandel sells merchandise and gifts like Jane Austen tarot cards!
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 09:30-18:00

Oxfam Bookshop

Just behind the Oude Markt, Oxfam offers a large selection of second-hand books in a variety of languages, as well as a collection of sheet music books. As a second-hand shop, there are many more Dutch books than other languages.
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 10:00-18:00

Plato

Next to Ladeuzeplein, you can find Plato. With discounted books, a broad selection of academic texts, and movies, Plato is a friendly, local shop to depend upon!
Opening Hours
Tues-Sat: 11:00-18:00

Acco

For students in Leuven, Acco is the hotspot for books, stationery and other study materials.
Opening Hours
Tues-Sat: 10:00-18:00

Fnac

Alongside its selection of technical products, Fnac holds many books, from the recently published to classics, available in different languages.
Opening Hours
Sun-Thurs: 10:00-18:30
Fri: 10:00-19:00