AKKO CAFÉ is a Japanese tea house and specialty coffee shop located in the former Irsi chocolate factory in Brussels.
The project is set within a remarkable heritage building, whose façade has been carefully restored, revealing its gilded Art Deco frieze, Portoro marble frames, and blue stone façade. The interior design creates a dialogue between Japanese aesthetics and Brussels architecture, bridging tradition and modernity. Wood elements, the continuity between interior and exterior, and several references to Japanese architecture — such as the wooden framing of the bay window and the small Japanese-inspired garden — shape a warm and calming atmosphere, inviting visitors to slow down and enjoy the moment. The space also features a curated selection of Japanese artisanal objects centered around coffee and tea culture.
To express the idea of a bright and welcoming space, Jane, the founder, drew inspiration from her mother’s name, Akiko. The associated kanji 晶 (“aki”) evokes light coming together and shining brightly.