Coffee First, of course, and in Antwerp in Cafènation it is a household name, to say the least. The first location of the coffee roasters was in 'the city', on the Mechelsesteenweg. Nice and inconspicuous and not at all a place that tourists rushed towards. The young, coffee-loving Antwerp residents, however… Right. That one. And how. As a result, Cafenation quickly became a household name, the insta-galore was on and an opening followed in our own Amsterdam. Just as good coffee, just as casually cool. But even more fun is Cafènation (yes, the dash on the e goes that way) now that there is a coffee joint in the young PAKT, an industrial area on the edge of the city (keep an eye on PAKT!).

Let's join hands for the new Curry Club aka Mission Massala! On the Dendermondestraat, also so nice and out of the way for Antwerp day visitors and therefore completely owned by the Antwerp locals, just outside the 't Zuid district (or is it still 't Zuid officially?) but close to favorites such as Butchers Coffee (yeah, read here) and De Walvis (read below) opened the Indian Streed Food restaurant. The business has been open since March and that didn't just happen. No, Mission Masala has fully earned its right to exist after two successful food trucks. The hit was a big hit, the friends and fan club grew and so London foodie Pavan and Antwerp DJ Tim opened their own restaurant. Voila. 

As mentioned above, the location of De Walvis is outside the baths, so there is room for a nice terrace and the atmosphere is always friendly and the people are good and pleasant. In fact: I think it is the nicest terrace in Antwerp, in a pretty nice spot under the trees. Drinks, yes, but De Walvis is actually a café restaurant for the whole day, from morning coffee to evening snack. Still not left satisfied. Tip? Have a round of Flatbreads!