Before it closed, some Luxembourgers knew Holy Ghost Tattoo, opposite the Cité Judiciaire, as the place where they got their first tattoo. Today, this Luxembourg institution has reopened its doors. Hower, instead of tattoos, a charming, slightly old-fashioned, vintage-style venue filled with plants and flowers – a place to linger over coffee and cake. Its name? “Holy Ghost Garden”. A tribute of sorts.
Once through the door, nothing – except for the red-painted arch and the tattooist’s diploma still hanging above a doorway – recalls the tattoo parlour. The former shop was very familiar to Raoul and Batista, childhood friends. “We both had our first tattoos done there,” they say, so when the tattooist Jean-claude Wiseler announced his retirement, the pair decided otherwise. “There was no way we were going to let the place cease to exist in one form or another,” explains Raoul.
A haven in the heart of the Cité Judiciaire
After more than two years of brainstorming, renovation work to bring the space up to standard and all the necessary paperwork, the two childhood friends opened “Holy Ghost Garden” in June. “We thought about removing the Holy Ghost Tattoo sign above the shopfront, but now we’re not so sure – the name has become part of the place!”
For Raoul and Batista, opening a café is a new adventure they are throwing themselves into with passion and enthusiasm. “We’re trying, experimenting, daring every day to do something we’ve never done before!” Batista tells us. The result is a hybrid venue where the green world of plants and flowers provides a refuge for enjoying a coffee. Luxembourg-made products are also on offer for sale (Opyos gin, Atelier Virginie candles, Claire Royer ceramics, etc.).
The two friends are clear about their motives: “We’re not doing this for the money but to create a place in the neighbourhood where people can take a break, away from everything else.”
A cactus and a cappuccino, please!
On site, Nadjet, a trained florist, welcomes and advises customers. “Most people come through the door for a coffee but also leave with a plant. Once they discover the place, they come back to buy their flowers from us.”
And no wonder: the interior is a true Aladdin’s cave for plant lovers – spiky plants, leafy ones, succulents, and hanging plants – in clay pots, waterproof paper wraps, colourful containers, from floor to (almost) ceiling, the café is overflowing with greenery. With a small selection of cut flowers, customers can also create their own bouquet. Flower-arranging workshops were held over the summer, and Batista hopes to continue offering them, thanks to Nadjet’s presence.
“My role here is to look after the plants and advise customers,” says Nadjet, who also serves hot drinks and cakes alongside a barista and another member of staff.
On-trend drinks and sweet treats
For the two Luxembourger friends, it was clear that as many local products as possible should be offered to customers. “For the coffee, we chose Feierboun Coffeeroasters, not only for its excellent quality but also because it’s roasted in Luxembourg, which was essential for us.”
For sweet indulgences, they offer a selection of cakes made by Yolande Coop [a cooperative workshop, ed.], as well as carrot cake and cheesecake from carefully sourced local suppliers. “Our aim isn’t to expand by offering more food – we are first and foremost a café that sells plants – but it’s important for our customers to have a choice when they settle in here,” explains Batista. The friends are also looking to add some savoury snacks to satisfy workers from the Cité Judiciaire and around who pop in during their lunch break.
Alongside coffee and matcha, Holy Ghost Garden already has regulars who swear by their “ube latte” (a purple root vegetable infused in hot milk), the social media star of drinks. “As soon as we introduced it, it was an immediate hit. We use pure ube powder from Ranieri Tea, which is delicious with a touch of Luxembourg honey.”
With a lovely terrace at the back, the café is also ideal for a break away from the city’s noise. A floral haven to discover.
Holy Ghost Garden
8 Bvd Franklin Roosevelt
L-2450 Luxembourg
