Barts Best of: cup of coffee, brekkie and brunch in Antwerp (or: coffee and an extensive breakfast)
When you say Belgium, you say Antwerp, right? And when you say city trip, you better start the day well. In the always fun Antwerp There is no shortage of nice breakfast, coffee and brunch places, and for those who can't see the forest for the trees: here are ours long time and new favorites, plus of course the why. All you have to do is choose. Voila: Barts Best of: cup of coffee, brekkie and brunch in Antwerp.
Everything conveniently in an overview, for example in a clear Google Maps? We have. For that you can go to our Beyond by Barts Booklet Substack.
From the moment the folks behind Bakkerij Funk opened the doors of their small blue-and-white shop, Funk has been a hit and there is always a line on weekends. And rightly so: in the morning you go there for really good coffee and delicious pastries (all vegan) and from noon (we think) you add a glass of natural wine to that.
We can be brief about it: if you don't know where to have breakfast (and that doesn't just apply to Antwerp), just look for a nice hotel or a nice Bed and Breakfast, and there is a good chance that breakfast (and/or brunch) will also be there we fleek is. Likewise in the case of Charlie's. Beautifully colored dishes on your plate, and if there is not enough color, an edible flower will do the job; which are also incredibly tasty and nutritious. After all: we still have to walk all day, of course. In addition, Charlie's has many gluten-free and vegan options on the menu. The eye also wants something, and not just on your plate: the Charlie's room with all its shades of green is also a delight!
Not far from Antwerp top spots like PAKT (a meeting place), The Jane (you know, the one with two stars), August (lovely hotel) and Café Service (no bull shit cool restaurant) opened a coffee and out-of-home work spot Polly. Very nice to start the day quietly and linger a little longer.
Back to PAKT because there is Van one of the best breakfast spots in town!
Good place. Good coffee. On repeat this.
It is and remains one of the nicest hotels in Antwerp: Hotel Pilar. The modern, artistic decor with a touch of Morocco in the mix is delightful and the location in 't Zuid (right across from the Museum of Fine Arts) is spot-on. So far so good when it comes to sleeping in Antwerp, but Pilar is also the food bar of our choice when it comes to a relaxed breakfast or brunch. You can sit there in a Parisian-esque style on the terrace when the sun shines even a little and it is also a mini party inside. And we haven't even talked about the food yet. Favorite!
Tel Avivian food is a worldwide hit. And also the one that opened in 2020 Boker Tov in Antwerp became an immediate success. Open Monday to Saturday from 08.00am to 20.00pm and Sunday from 10am to 00pm (also their Sunday), you can go here for breakfast to brunch and early dinner. And anyone who has tasted Tel Aviv before knows that your table will be full of small dishes such as hummus, muhammara, pita, za'atar, tabbouleh, olives and more. They now have several locations, but the one at Doornelei 2 is the most original and worth a visit.
For the best cup of specialty coffee, go to Rush Rush. These experienced coffee guys roast their own coffee in many flavors. You can come and drink and buy this delicious gold in the beautiful building at Lange Altaarstraat 29. You can also enjoy it here around breakfast and lunch time. To find out what is on the menu, you have to ask the waiter, who will tell you what is on the menu that day. All this in a cozy atmosphere, so you might end up staying here longer than planned.
Favorite of many, including ours. Definitely not just a 'coffee bar', no no: Barchel Antwerp goes all the way as for the food, and it is – we think – the best place for such in the city. The first Barchel is not far from the city park, for us Dutch a bit out of the direction of where we normally exit in Antwerp (and where recently also Grand Café Capital (re)opened, see below), the second recently opened in Nieuw Zuid, at Jos Smolderenstraat 15. Both Barchels are available all day, although breakfast is particularly recommended. Hello Breakfast Bagel with poached eggs, bacon, cream cheese and avocado cream. Hello sweet potato flatbreads. And hello kids menu which we are very happy with. Further? Wooden herringbone floor, marble, plants, vintage details and good vibes only. Check. Oh, both locations are closed on Mondays and so is Barchel Zuid on Sundays.
Coffee from the butcher, that's a new one. Explanation: not from the butcher but the two young coffee roasters settled in a former butcher's shop and, as is fitting these days, wherever possible kept the old zoning plan in place. White tiles, simple wooden chairs and a meat hook here and there. Child's play. But of course it's all about the coffee and that is - if we are to believe the experts - in tip-top condition. In the meantime, the undersigned throws himself into the home-made lemonade and fresh toast. Also good to know: Butchers Coffee is close friends with the friends of Caffenation. You will find the place a bit out of the way, which makes it a wonderful base with plenty of space and a nice terrace. Kasteelstraat 57.
Tinsel is initially noticed by the modern logo and the stylishly decorated café behind it. And secondly, the breakfast and lunch cafe is not at all disappointing. In fact, it is one of our longest-running favorites in Antwerp. The dishes are more than tasty, the prices are good, the atmosphere is cozy, the service is friendly and all this at Sint-Paulusplaats.
It's a particularly good idea to check this out before you start spicy Indian food goes for a drink Whale. True. But you can also come here for an extensive brunch. Relaxed, that's what it is. The location of Walvis is again a bit outside the baths, so there is room for a large 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 nice spot under the trees. Never left unsatisfied. Tip? Have a round of Flatbreads!
Coffee First, of course, and in Antwerp Caffenation 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 where tourists would rush. The young, coffee-loving Antwerpians, however… Right. That one. And how. As a result, Caffènation 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 Caffènation (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!). This is where Caffènation now has its headquarters. And immediately a new, spacious coffee shop. There is light, lots of light, there are sandwiches, croissants and sweet cakes and well, it is simply not to be missed. Provided you coffee lover So you are, and you don't want to go in the usual Antwerp direction.
Album is one you can put in your Antwerp album. With a lunch that is a real work of art, this is a favorite place. Album is as they say: “A seasonal album of everything we like: sourdough, coffee, breakfast dishes, lunch and quality drinks”. Sounds like an album we want. And we are not the only ones, the restaurant is often fully booked. But you can always call, you can often still score a spot via the waiting list and enjoy Album's delicious food.
Amsterdam already has a few restaurants with a focus on hummus, but we had not spotted any in Antwerp yet. Until now. Don't expect goat's wool sock vibes (if you did when hearing about the chickpea pasta): Hümm is a contemporary hip spot with a sleek polished concrete floor, white painted brick, marble and an occasional leather ottoman or sofa. You can order different types of dips, mezze and salads. Plus a selection of natural wines and local beers.
For breakfast alongside your coffee, or just something tasty Bardin – coffee bar-lunch shop-aperobar near the Antwerp City Park – highly recommended. The bright place is what you call 'relaxed': serene, with exceptionally friendly service, striking music from the speakers (the better seventies work with Undertones, Looking Glass, Dolly Parton, and even The Clash and Black Sabbath - which goes remarkably well with that aforementioned serenity) and a very large garden, already a gift for sunny days to come. Oh, good to know: you can also go there for a great one apero (at the end of the day, or from about halfway through)
Let's pay attention: you have Barchel, Bardin and Barnini, all three are not the same, so to speak. But the last, Barnini so. If you go to the edge of the Saturday Market where Barnini is a lunch spot that is best known for its bagels, health proof breakfast and the delicious hot chocolate with lots of toppings (smarties, etc.)! Favorite? The chick bagel with chicken, guacamole mayo, extra avocado and salad. Just saying.
At Domestic you've come to the right place for authentic breads with a thick crust, crispy buns and baguettes, sweet brioches and more. Each one is made with attention to pure or rare grain products and good butter. You will now find three Domestic branches in Antwerp: one in the Zurenborgse Steenbokstraat, one in the Lange Gasthuisstraat in the city center and the last one on the Markgravelei.
In the second location you can also enjoy a quick bite or extensive high tea.
Read more: the best bakers in Antwerp
