Tilburg at its best: coffee, walks and moments of happiness
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Why Tilburg is the perfect city for little moments of happiness
Tilburg has something special. It's not a tourist hotspot like Amsterdam or Utrecht, and that's precisely its charm. Here you'll find authentic places, local businesses, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can truly savor the little moments.
As a Tilburg native and artist, I have my favorite ritual: a coffee walk through the city. Picking up specialty coffee, wandering the streets, and noticing small moments of beauty. This is my personal guide to how you can experience that too.
Coffee in Tilburg: the heart of my walking ritual
Let's start where every good story begins: with coffee. And not just any coffee, but Koffie in Tilburg – my favorite specialty coffee spot in the city.
Why Coffee in Tilburg is so special
Koffie in Tilburg (located on Heuvelstraat) is more than just a coffee shop. It's a place where coffee is made with care, where baristas take their craft seriously, and where you feel truly welcome as a guest.
What makes it special:
- Specialty coffee – carefully selected beans, perfectly roasted and brewed
- Personal service – the baristas know their coffee and are happy to share their knowledge
- Cozy atmosphere – small, intimate, and authentic Tilburg
- Perfect for takeaway – get your coffee and start your walk
My go-to order? A flat white to go. The perfect companion for a city stroll.
Other coffee hotspots in Tilburg
Tilburg has more to offer for coffee lovers:
Doppio Espresso (Hill Ring)
Italian coffee culture in the heart of Tilburg. Perfect for a quick espresso or a long cappuccino on the patio.
Café Bolle (Wandering area)
A cozy neighborhood café with good coffee and a homey atmosphere. Perfect for a quiet moment with a book.
Lunch at Lef (Korte Heuvel)
Not just for lunch – their coffee is also excellent. A modern atmosphere with an eye for detail.
Coffeelab UC (at University)
For the true specialty coffee nerds. Experimental, innovative, and always surprising.
My favorite walking route through Tilburg
Coffee in hand, time for a walk. This is my favorite route, which takes you past beautiful spots, quiet corners, and surprising discoveries.
Route: Center to Spoorpark (approx. 45 minutes)
Start: Coffee in Tilburg (Heuvelstraat)
Get your coffee and start your walk towards the center.
Stop 1: Heuvelstraat and Dwaalgebied
Stroll along Heuvelstraat, Tilburg's shopping heart. Take your time admiring the architecture – a mix of old and new. Wander into the Dwaalgebied (Wandering Area) for smaller, local shops.
Stop 2: Town Hall Square
The vibrant heart of Tilburg. Gaze at the town hall, enjoy the openness of the square. There's often a market here on Saturdays.
Stop 3: Wilhelmina Park
A small, green oasis in the middle of the city. Perfect for a break on a bench. Gaze at the pond, listen to the birds, and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Stop 4: Rail Zone and Rail Park
Head towards Spoorzone, Tilburg's creative heart. Here you'll find LocHal (a former locomotive hall, now a library and cultural hotspot) and Spoorpark – a green space with industrial charm.
End point: Spoorpark
End your walk in Spoorpark. Find a spot on the grass or one of the benches. Enjoy the peace, the space, and the feeling of a morning or afternoon well spent.
Alternative routes for different moods
For nature: Walk to Leijpark
Start at Koffie in Tilburg, walk through the city center to Leijpark. A large, green park with ponds, trees, and open space. Perfect for a longer walk (1-1.5 hours).
For architecture: Textile Route
Tilburg has a rich textile history. Stroll past old factories (now converted into homes and studios), the TextielMuseum, and the Piushaven. Industrial beauty.
For fun: Wandering area and Korte Heuvel
Stay in the city center and wander through the smaller streets. Discover local shops, galleries, and cafes. Short but full of discoveries.
Little moments of happiness: what to look out for during your walk
A walk is more than just walking from A to B. It's about mindfulness, about noticing the little things that make your day special.
What I pay attention to during my walks:
- Light – how sunlight falls through trees, shadows on buildings, reflections in windows
- Architectural details – old facades, modern additions, the mix of old and new
- People – a laughing child, an elderly couple holding hands, a barista working with passion
- Seasons – autumn leaves, spring blossoms, winter silence, summer warmth
- Sounds – birds, church bells, the murmur of terraces, silence in the park
These are the moments I later incorporate into my art. Small observations that become large on canvas.
From walk to art: how Tilburg inspires my work
As an artist, Tilburg is my daily source of inspiration. The colors of the seasons, the textures of old factories, the tranquility of parks—it all comes back in my art prints .
My coffee walks aren't just relaxation; they're also research. I observe compositions on street corners, color palettes in autumn leaves, contrasts in architecture. These observations form the foundation of my work.
That's also why I started the Print Club : to share a little bit of that beauty every month. Each print is inspired by moments like these—small moments of happiness that become tangible.
Create your own Tilburg ritual
You don't have to be an artist to savor these moments. Anyone can create a coffee walk ritual.
How to start:
- Choose a day and time – make it a fixed time, for example Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon
- Get good coffee – go to Koffie in Tilburg or another favorite spot
- Leave your phone in your pocket – no taking pictures for Instagram, just be there
- Walk without a goal – no route in Google Maps, just wandering
- Notice small things – light, colors, sounds, people
- Take your time – this isn't a workout, it's a moment of rest
This is slow living in practice: consciously slowing down, appreciating beauty, and cherishing small moments.
Seasonal tips for your Tilburg walk
Spring (March-May)
Blossoms in Wilhelmina Park, patios opening, longer daylight hours. Perfect for evening walks after work.
Summer (June-August)
Early morning walks to avoid the heat. Spoorpark is wonderfully green. Grab an iced coffee instead of a hot one.
Autumn (September-November)
My favorite season. Autumn leaves in Leijpark, golden light, cozy sweaters. The city is at its most beautiful.
Winter (December-February)
A hot coffee is essential. Shorter walks are possible, but the city has a quiet, understated beauty. Christmas lights in December make it extra special.
Tilburg hotspots for after your walk
Your walk is over, but the day doesn't have to end yet. Here are some places to extend your day:
Lunch: Lunch at Lef
A healthy, fresh lunch with attention to detail. Perfect after a morning walk.
Culture: LocHal
Impressive library in a former locomotive shed. Free admission, beautiful architecture, and frequent exhibitions.
Art: TextielMuseum
Discover Tilburg's textile history and contemporary textile art. Inspiring for creatives.
Nature: Leijpark
Extend your walk with a stroll through this large park. Bring a book and find a spot by the pond.
Drinks: Café Bolle
Cozy neighborhood pub for a beer or wine. Local atmosphere, friendly service.
Why these little moments are so valuable
In a world of deadlines, notifications, and to-do lists, these coffee walks are my anchor. They remind me to slow down, to see beauty, to be present.
These aren't big, Instagram-worthy moments. They're small, personal moments of happiness that no one else sees, but that make my day. A perfect flat white. Sunlight through trees. A smile from a passerby. Silence in a park.
This is what I try to capture in my art and what I want to share through the Print Club: the beauty of small moments, made tangible.
Start your own coffee walk ritual
Do you live in Tilburg or are you visiting? Try this ritual. Grab a coffee at Koffie in Tilburg, choose a direction, and wander. No plan, no rush, just be.
You'll be amazed at how much beauty there is if you take the time to look.
And if these little moments inspire you, consider bringing a little piece of beauty into your home every month through the Print Club . Each print is a reminder to slow down and savor – just like a good coffee walk.
Frequently asked questions about Tilburg and coffee walks
Where exactly can I find coffee in Tilburg?
Koffie in Tilburg is located on Heuvelstraat in the city center. Walk from the station towards Heuvelstraat and you'll pass it automatically.
Is Tilburg a nice city to visit?
Absolutely! Tilburg isn't a tourist hotspot, and that's precisely its charm. You'll find authentic places, local businesses, and a relaxed atmosphere without the crowds.
What's the best time for a coffee walk?
Saturday morning (9-11 a.m.) is my favorite—the city is awake but not crowded yet. Sunday afternoon is also wonderfully peaceful.
Can I also do these walks with children?
Absolutely! Wilhelminapark and Spoorpark have playgrounds. Grab a coffee for yourself and a hot chocolate for the kids.
Are there more specialty coffee places in Tilburg?
Yes! Besides Koffie in Tilburg, Doppio Espresso and Coffeelab UC are also excellent choices for specialty coffee.
What if it rains?
Tilburg has plenty of indoor spaces. Stroll through Heuvelstraat (partially covered), visit LocHal, or take a shorter walk and end up at a cozy café.
How long is a typical coffee walk?
My standard route is 45 minutes to an hour, but you can make it as short or as long as you like. It's about the moment, not the distance.