Koffiehuis — The Dutch and Belgian coffee house

In the Netherlands and Belgium, koffiehuis (coffee house) is the term for a traditional café serving coffee and light food. This distinction matters locally: in the Netherlands in particular, the English-derived word "coffeeshop" refers specifically to a licensed venue selling cannabis, not a place to drink coffee — a koffiehuis or café is the actual coffee venue.

Dutch and Belgian coffee culture centers on straightforward, well-made coffee, often served with a small biscuit or piece of chocolate on the saucer — a common local touch alongside a regular cup. Cafés in both countries are used throughout the day, from a morning coffee to an afternoon break.

Ordering is generally simple and informal, and there isn't a strong ritual attached to how or when coffee is drunk compared with, say, Italy's counter-versus-table distinction — a koffiehuis is typically a relaxed, sit-down space rather than a quick-stop counter.