Have a craving for genuine European cuisine? Spare yourself the hassle of overseas travel. Just a short walk down Hitt Street will take you to Günter Hans, an upcoming café featuring authentic European-style food.

The idea for Günter Hans was born in 2009 when founder Lydia Melton was studying abroad in Belgium, where she fell head-over-heels with the food that surrounded her. Upon returning, Melton set out to bring these authentic recipes to Columbia. After three years of planning and preparation, Günter Hans’ grand opening is set for Aug. 16-17 with the possibility of a soft opening earlier in the month.

Melton says the processes used and the standards held for the food at Günter Hans are what set the café apart from other establishments throughout Columbia. The pretzels, Brussels waffles and cinnamon butter are all homemade, and the Liege waffles are even imported straight from Liege, Belgium.

“I was very, very particular about the recipe that I wanted to use,” Melton says. “So we started out talking to a bunch of bakeries in Germany and kind of getting their recipes. We started coming up with something that we really liked, and we felt like represented us and also represented what the best of Germany has to offer.”

The Günter Hans menu may appear short, but Melton believes that quality is greater than quantity.

“We have a pretty limited menu right now, but in the future we hope to grow,” Melton says. “What our goal to do is to make things really well. So I’d rather have a few things that are just perfect than a whole bunch of things that are just not as good.”

Without the bother of lugging around yet another rewards card in your wallet, Günter Hans offers a digitalized rewards club to their loyal artisan-food enthusiasts. By joining, you’ll receive free birthday snacks, complimentary treats, invites to exclusive events and “random surprises.”

“We just try to reward the people who are loyal to us, it’s kind of our way of being thankful,” Melton says. “We wouldn’t be in business if it wasn’t for them, so I just think we need to show some respect and appreciation for that.”

Above all, Günter Hans strives to operate by their mission to lead by example, work by the golden rule and serve the best European-style food in Columbia.

“Of course every business wants to turn a profit, but at what cost?” Melton says. “I would much rather stay true to who we are and produce food that really is authentic. If we can’t do it ourselves, we need to get it from the people who can, and that means even if we have to go to a different country to get it. We’re really committed to that because I don’t want it to be just frozen freezer food that you can get from any other restaurant around.”