This is Coffeelab
CoffeeLab does not need an introduction for most Eindhoven residents. Until recently, the coffee bar near the station was a frequently visited spot for many coffee lovers. The regulars can breathe a sigh of relief: CoffeeLab is back! And in a special place too, the central station where you look out over the Stationsplein. Co-owner Jan-Willem van der Aa: “When you visit Eindhoven and walk from the station hall towards the center, CoffeeLab is the first spot you see. It is a beautiful and historic place.”
Q. What makes CoffeeLab a real Eindhoven hotspot?
Jan-Willem: It all started right here. The first CoffeeLab branch was located on the Stationsplein. How beautiful is it that we’ve found a place again in this iconic spot at the front of the central station?.
Q. You are not doing this alone. Who else is involved?
Jan-Willem: I do this together with Jeroen Veldkamp and Rob Bongers. We had been looking for a new place for CoffeeLab for some time after the lease of our previous location had come to an end. Here we can set up our business the way we like to do it: a relaxed place with lots of greenery, good food, and tasty coffee.
Q. What does a day at CoffeeLab Eindhoven look like?
Jan-Willem: We are open every day. Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. You can order everything from the menu all day long. So whether you want your breakfast at 4:00 pm or something savory early in the morning, you can. We want people to meet up here, even at times when other places are not open yet.
Q. What do you hope for the future?
Jan-Willem: Our ambition is that the people of Eindhoven and the visitor to the city will find each other here. We want to bring everyone together. Soon, a table will be installed along the entire length of the space, with a view of the station hall. Our visitors can enjoy working there. That creates a very pleasant dynamic.
Q. CoffeeLab in three words… go!
Jan-Willem: Three words? Oh wow, that’s not a lot. It is the place where you can be yourself. Not three words, but it is very short and concise for what we stand for.
Q. What do your guests come back for?
Jan-Willem: Our poached eggs. Actually, everyone here will find something tasty on the menu, we make sure that stays that way. We also have vegetarian and vegan options, of course, but these are not predominant.
Q. What is your signature dish?
Jan-Willem: Our banana bread is surely the best known. You don't want to know how many banana loaves are baked at all our locations!
Q. And which drink is a favorite?
Jan-Willem: All different coffees, of course. Here in Eindhoven, we make a lot of espressos. CoffeeLab is now located in four different cities and we see differences in drink preferences. Strong coffee is not shunned here and a lot of people in Nijmegen love coffee with plant-based milk.
Take a photo
Are you curious about CoffeeLab? The big red arrow is at the bottom of the stairs that lead to CoffeeLab, in the station hall, so you can't miss it. Take a picture of yourself with the arrow at CoffeeLab and share it on your Stories with a tag for @eindhovencity and @coffeelab_nl. When you show your post, you will receive a second coffee on the house.
Location: Stationsplein 23
Specialized in: Good coffee and relaxed meet-ups
An Eindhoven hotspot since: 2014, at this location since September 5, 2020
Spoken with: Jan-Willem van der Aa