The petit grand café 't Kanon reopens with a brand new interior design and character that will endure the test of time. An all-female crew pledged their alliance to revamp this new café in Ghent, with help from the multidisciplinary design office, Altu, and creative direction specialists, Studio Stories. Together they honoured café 't Kanon's 35-year history whilst serenading the venue with hints of modern touches.

Balancing between historical references and contemporary details, was at the heart of this renovation project. The café used to be a fashion boutique in the 1970s and then a traditional pub for many years. This trendy new spot is situated a few steps away from Vrijdagmarkt, a market square with a legacy dating to 1199. The old terrazzo floors and glass windows have been carefully restored and complemented by warm mahogany walls and ceilings that recall the old iconic bars of the 50s. Inklings of innovative touches are in the hand-polished metal, mirror, and glass details. The attention to detail finally emerges in the bathroom, where there's an old ceramic sink and funky glass lamps from the 70s adjacent to the eclectic marble tiles. Café 't Kanon is the embodiment of Parisian details and Milanese grandeur but with the easy-going mentality of the local inhabitants of Ghent.

Café 't Kanon serves food and drinks every day of the week from 14:00 until the late hours of the evening. Think of the delicious abundance of shrimp croquettes, fish pie, Chef Tarek's very own special spicy-crispy chicken, an excellent wine pairing with oysters, or even dried pork cuts imported from the Italian region of Emilia Romagna. Need a refreshing drink for all of that? Let the staff amuse you with the Kanon cocktail, a classic Margherita's, or a glass of Astobiza, a super mineral-rich wine from the Basque Country. Artisan beer enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the venue works with Dok Brewing Company for its beer supply. When the weather permits, the floor-to-ceiling guillotine windows open wide, enabling diners to use the indoor spaces or the large outdoor terrace.

The new central horseshoe-shaped bar and wooden ceiling enter into a spatial dialogue with the original curved façade - it subtly divides the space into two cosy seating areas. The shape creates a buzz behind the bar, where staff prepare the drinks and stir the signature cocktails. Add a subtle streak of light around the bar and vintage lamps that reference the cannonball, and you have a cocktail of entertainment of your own.

Three foodies currently run café 't Kanon: Steven Desmedt, Ahmed El-Saidy, and Jules Gahide, who, together with the all-female crew behind Altu and Studio Stories bring more life to the city centre in Ghent.