When you step inside Cotee, you feel it immediately: a warm atmosphere with a minimalist, cozy look. For the interior, Eva-Pilar and Thijs turned to designer and furniture maker Bieke Castelyn, who reimagined the seating area, bar, and kitchen. The showpiece? An organic Mortex table at the heart of the space.

Inspired by the free shape of that statement table and the overall interior, we designed the logo: two circles that touch and connect. A soft nod to Peper & Zout, yet with its own unique character. Two places and two stories intertwined, but still distinct.

 

À côté de qui?

The name follows the same thread. Cotee is a charming wink to the Kouter, a true Gentse cotée, and to "à côté",the caterer next door. A friendly name with a clear story. A perfect mix of place, identity, and individuality in one word.

At Cotee, it’s all about local ingredients and seasonal dishes. That love for quality carries through in every branding detail and piece of copy: the kiosk from the Kouter proudly features on the welcome board and butter paper, while colorful coasters carry playful lines that capture the essence of Cotee: "You get to enjoy, we’ll take care of the rest."

The lunch bar was designed entirely around Eva-Pilar and Thijs, their years of experience and natural rhythm. Flexibility is key. That’s why we came up with a smart solution for their ever-changing menu: a standing magnetic menu board on each table. No faded paper menus on wooden clipboards, but a sleek, simple system that evolves with the seasons. Elegant for the guest, easy to update for the team, a true win-win.

With Cotee, Eva-Pilar and Thijs serve up fresh, local lunches made with heart. De Barbaren added flavor to the visual identity, came up with a timeless name, and poured in a generous dose of copy. Take a seat!