Intense Coffee, with cafés in Limpertsberg and Bonnevoie, offers more than just coffee—it fosters community. Specializing in Specialty Coffee and a fully vegan menu, it creates welcoming spaces that reflect Luxembourg’s multicultural identity, connecting people through quality coffee and shared experiences.
Can you describe Intense Coffee in a few words?
Intense Coffee is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a community-driven project with two vibrant cafés located in Luxembourg City’s Limpertsberg and Bonnevoie neighborhoods. Our mission is to share our passion for Specialty Coffee while creating welcoming spaces that bring people together. We believe that a café should be more than a place to grab a coffee—it should be a hub where friends meet, new connections are made, and individuals find a space to work, read, or simply unwind. In the midst of modern life’s fast pace, Intense Coffee offers a moment of pause, a place to slow down and enjoy a truly exceptional cup of coffee. By fostering a warm and lively atmosphere, we aim to bring energy back to the neighborhoods where people live and work, making them more connected, dynamic, and full of life.
What kind of experience does Intense Coffee offer its customers?
At Intense Coffee, we believe that coffee is more than just a drink—it’s a way to bring people together. Our cafés are designed to foster a sense of community, where everyone feels welcome, whether they’re regulars or first-time visitors. Our passionate team of baristas is dedicated to providing a rich coffee experience, continuously expanding their knowledge through training and working with guest roasters from across Europe. By featuring different coffee profiles, we celebrate the diversity and craftsmanship of the specialty coffee world. Beyond coffee, our kitchen team prepares a fully vegan menu that caters to all, paying close attention to allergies and dietary needs. More than anything, Intense Coffee is a shared space—whether you’re here for a business meeting, a date, a family gathering, a friendly chess match, or simply to unwind, you’re part of our community.
At Intense Coffee, we believe that coffee is more than just a drink—it’s a way to bring people together.”
What links do you make between Intense Coffee and Luxembourg?
Intense Coffee is deeply connected to Luxembourg’s multicultural identity. Just like the city itself, our café thrives on diversity. Our team is made up of individuals from different backgrounds, which reflects the international nature of Luxembourg. We speak a variety of languages, and these languages are often spoken with our guests, making everyone feel at home, no matter where they’re from. Our customers, too, are wonderfully diverse—ranging from long-time locals who’ve lived in the neighborhood for generations to newly arrived expats discovering their new home. At Intense Coffee, we embrace this diversity, providing a space where people from all walks of life can come together, share stories, and enjoy meaningful connections. This blend of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences is what makes Luxembourg so unique, and it’s what we celebrate every day at Intense Coffee.
©Pramudiya (Nathan Ishar)How did Maison Gilbert develop and adapt over the decades?
Maison Gilbert demonstrated remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, particularly through the efforts of Mathias Gilbert and Marie Neuberg. After Mathias’s premature death in 1890, Marie continued the business with her son Pierre. The family store moved to 11 Rue de l’Arsenal, offering better visibility and a more suitable workspace for the expanding business. As sons Paul and Jules joined the company, Maison Gilbert modernized itself. In 1914, following Pierre’s incapacitation, Paul returned from abroad to take up the torch, keeping the business united through difficult family events, such as the death of their sister Catherine’s husband, which left her with seven children. Despite these challenges, the family remained close-knit, and their company became an economic mainstay.
