If you’re in the mood for a slow coffee, something wholesome to eat, and a setting that feels far removed from city noise, the Back Area Gardens Tea Garden is one of those places you’ll want to keep to yourself — but probably end up recommending anyway.

The tea garden is tucked inside the Oude Molen Eco Village and offers outdoor tables, greenery all around, and fresh food.

A proper garden tea garden

The tea garden sits just outside the Back Area Gardens deli and organic shop, and it really does feel like a garden first and a café second. You’ll find rustic seating under trees, plenty of shade, and a relaxed, unpretentious vibe. It’s the kind of place where nobody’s rushing you out the door and where staying for “just one more coffee” is almost expected.

Kids are welcome and there’s a general feeling that time slows down a little once you sit down.

What’s on offer

The menu keeps things simple and seasonal, in line with the Back Area Gardens ethos. Expect good coffee, a solid selection of teas, and light meals made with organic and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Think fresh salads, comforting plates, baked treats, and the kind of food that pairs perfectly with sitting outside and doing absolutely nothing for a while.

Because the tea garden is connected to the organic shop, many of the ingredients used are the same ones you’ll see on the shelves — fresh, thoughtfully sourced, and focused on quality rather than trends.

More than just a coffee stop

One of the nice things about visiting the tea garden is that it naturally becomes part of a bigger outing. Before or after you eat, you can browse the organic store, stock up on fresh produce, or wander around the wider eco village. Oude Molen itself is worth exploring, with its gardens, small businesses and creative spaces all adding to the experience.