These are our favorite restaurants in Antwerp
We love you Antwerp, we do. The city a stone's throw from our own country where it is always pleasant and where the nice restaurants fly around your ears. Because if the Burgundian Belgians can do anything, it is to dine well. Our favorite restaurants in
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Should we now (now now now) call it a favorite, in the case of restaurants in Antwerp That is, then we consider that quite a challenge, as is evident from this (laundry) list. But still… An absolute winner is Cobra. A small, creative restaurant that is both chic and cool, without falling into the conventional 'been there done thatto step into ' pitfalls. Accessible yet truly a night or afternoon out. It is the kind of place that will appeal to both your parents (or in-laws) as well as your first date: starched white tablecloths on the tables, but the (very nice) staff in sneakers and shirts that we want. That accessibility and chic at the same time applies to the menu as well: very good wines (also by the glass – hallelujah: sometimes we only want one glass, but then it has to be a Very Tasty one) and food ranging from shrimp croquettes to caviar. Indecisive? Go for Cobra. Do book well in advance: very popular. And now Cobra has a sister: Cobra House and okay okay okay, Cobra House can be found in Markgrave and not Quartier Latin, but we still think it is worth mentioning, because we have the same feelings about Cobra House as Cobra!
Van: same concept as Camion, same owners, but here you can queue up for lunch and dinner plant based dishes. They cook with fresh, organic, and local products that have been carefully selected. And if you're in the mood for a glass of wine (natural wine, by any chance)? Then you've come to the right place. After all, they only serve natural wines that they fully endorse – so you really can't go wrong.
With the men of ForwardLocated on Boomgaardstraat, you're in the right place for an evening of relaxed dining. Relaxed with a capital R, but with crisp white linen, classic dishes, and French bistro vibes. À la carte? Rotisserie chicken, sole, and bavette receive the attention they deserve here (and there is, of course, more). Also vegetarian highlights such as meatballs and parmentier Lentils certainly don't lie. The best part? The dishes with an R on the menu are simply 'and repasseYes, an extra serving on repeat without asking. Repasse? Classic vibes, young spirits.
Photo Credits: ©PbyM
Oooo, well hello Nectar! A gem of a all-day brasserie. Or actually it is more than just a restaurant: it is also an inspiring design address where delicious food, interior, and flowers come together. On the menu are those typical bistro classics just the way we like them, from Tuesday to Saturday (the first half of the week from 9 in the morning until 6 at the end of the day), and on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 10.
Great news too: none sharing plates or natural wine, but 'just' classic good food. Joe! You can go there for an extensive dinner, but also for a cup of coffee, and it is an excellent address for a private dining. And for the ideal terrace on one of the nicest squares in Antwerp: Leopoldplaats 5.
Bar Misera It fits the Barts Boekje picture perfectly—this whole list, of course—but we really, really like Bar Misera. The interior with lots of dark wood, cute curtains, and white tableware. You can always walk in for a drink, as they always keep a few spots free for spontaneous passersby, but we also find having a bite to eat here very tasty from time to time.
We could sit down at the table again every week Briquet, even if it is perhaps that tad fancyThis lovely corner building with a sunny terrace does things just a little differently. The menu features recognizable items that are nevertheless not standard in their execution. They change these tasty items frequently, and they always pair well with a fine natural wine or a refreshing cocktail.
We found Hiro On the Eilandje in Antwerp, definitely the discovery of the year. Inside the small, dark restaurant, Hiro, you look out over the water and the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), but otherwise you might easily think you have arrived at a Japanese place in the New York Catskills, or a beer-cool spot in Japan – you get the point. At the large wooden bar that dominates the place, you look out at the Yakiniku grill, and at the seating areas in the rest of the establishment, you sit low to the ground. It is rugged, it is Japanese, and modern elements are coming country from the speakers (we have adopted the playlist) and there are delicious small dishes on your plate.
Restaurant sixty is one of those culinary 'hotspots' that lives up to its reputation. Sleek, clean, yet incredibly cozy and, above all, incredibly delicious. Bonus points for the location too: perfect in the South, and that remains our favorite. hood to stroll through. Contemporary with an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a night out, although we can also sit down for an extensive lunch, which is probably because it products is quite sleek, and somehow we associate that with lunch.
Soixante's menu is seasonal: perfectly cooked sea bass with a lemon thyme sauce and roasted duck breast with a red wine sauce, for example, and a truffle risotto for our vegetarian friends.
Is it a bar? Is it a restaurant? Is it a restaurant where we will stick around for another (few) drinks? All above Go ahead. In the bright establishment not far from the Grote Markt, creative dishes are made that turn out to be surprisingly 'simple' in the end, and above all, very good. Tango It moves with the seasons without becoming heavy or pretentious. Just really good food in a place that is always busy, but never feels too crowded or too loud. And then there is the building: a sunny corner building on Sint-Paulusplaats where a laundromat used to be. So the location steals the show too. Show, Make a reservation!
A bit 'out of the way' if you are in Antwerp for a weekend, but definitely worth it: Cafe Service reminded us a lot of places like Binnenvisser and Calisto, or De Willem in Amsterdam. Brown-café-clean, so to speak. And we mean that in a very positive way, because we do like brown-café-clean. And we also like the service at Café Service, because it was friendly, funny, alert and correct (to be honest: many Amsterdam places could really learn a thing or two from that).
LOVE a good, classic, tasteful in every way bistro and they are excellent in that in Antwerp. Take for example Bistrot Benoit (photo left) & Bistrot de Pottenbrug (picture right): both establishments have proven for years and time again that classic never goes out of style. One of those establishments where you should actually just (again) sit down to see the other (hip) restaurants in perspective, even/especially when you think it's actually too stiff and old-fashioned for you. Because it's not.
In the category hip is Bar Rocket your husband. Don't get us wrong: hip but also very good and tasty! And therefore popular (read: book in advance). Should we immediately elephant in the room name it, then it is that you do not sit very comfortably: always a bit uncomfortable. If you sit at the small low seats, then you are looking at the buttocks of the people at the bar, and if you sit at the bar, then you are sitting on those most comfortable bar stools. Point for improvement though. That aside, we fell for the super nice design of basically everything there is to see, the delicious food (YES for the croquette sandwich) and the friendly people who do their work from the bar and the open kitchen that flow into each other. Definitely recommended, but especially if you do not want to sit at the table for ages.
BIG fan of Taqueria RicoRico – a nice guy who is basically always around, and we should know because we regularly score one there. block – runs his bright corner taqueria with the gusto of hosting a party for friends. And that’s exactly what it is: score a killer taco in a brightly lit space, grab a can of beer (or coke) at the steel table on the bar, and move on. 10 points.
At Epiphany's kitchen The experience begins the moment you walk into the courtyard – from the enchanting interior to the plate in front of you. Think: colorful, gluten-free dishes that taste healthy without being boring. Everything is homemade, largely plant-based, with the option to finish with fish, meat, or cheese. The atmosphere? Warm and dreamy. Perfect for long lunches, cozy dinners, or impressing a vegan date – everyone will find something delicious here. Tip: definitely order the famous vegan cheese croquettes. And for those who can't get enough, take something home from the mini deli: fresh pastas, sauces, or croquettes, all with that typical Epiphany touch.
Photo credits: Emily Samyn
Natural wines and slightly complicated food in an old-lady-style establishment on the outskirts of Antwerp, near Park Spoor Noord. That is quite a distance for people not from Antwerp, but you can get there in fifteen minutes by bike (and the Velo system in Antwerp is great). Anyway, Café Commercial A very warm place filled with an incredible amount of love. That applies to the food, the way you are served, and the wines selected for you. Even the toilet is one of the nicest we saw. And a restaurateur who also pays attention to his toilet is a good one, in our opinion. Deliciously creative food: the menu looks simple, but just wait: all dishes have a twist, without becoming overly fussy. Lots of flavors on a plate, and you have to be in the mood for that, but we were, and man, it was fun and tasty!
Your next stop can be at Fiskeskur are, the restaurant concept of Nikolaj Kovdal, or the chef who also created the beloved businesses Fish bar, Østerbar, Gå Nord and Bar Noord. All recommended but you are only as good as your last result and in the case of Kovdal that is very good! Where is the party? In the old customs building in the Eilandje district, you know, at the MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom). In the open kitchen they cook with an open fire, and from a rocket stove. What you eat? No one knows that. Well, almost not. The menu is guided by the daily catch and local harvest from organic fish and vegetable farmers, expanded with experiments in fermentation and pickling. Also perfect for an extensive (festive) lunch thanks to the wonderful open view.
Not fair (simply put) but Fié-è-ra, that's how you pronounce the fantastic restaurant in the heart of Antwerp. And Fiera is CRAZY. That's because of a number of things. First of all, the location: in the middle of the city but oh so hidden (right next to the parking garage, handy if you have a BOB with you) you enter a truly magical former Schippers and Handelsbeurs in Antwerp. The decor consists of all the old elements of that fair, supplemented with new-fangled design. Proud, that's it. Although Fiera stands for “the better fair” in Italian. And okay, you can also take them with you, but the wines and food are worth every euro.
Osaka – literally translated as 'great hill city' – is a well-known city in Japan, but can also be found in Antwerp. And no, not as a (new) city, but as a natural wine bar. Just within the boundaries of the Theater District (Centre/West), on an inconspicuous corner off the Britse Lei, you will find Osaka.. It is a dive bar – colloquially this means that it is a place for special drinks and casual vibes, with small snacks to share. Extra fun: the shared foods of Osaka vary daily, so to taste everything (and you want to), visit more often is one must. The dive bar was once a gentlemen's club, but is now a minimalist bar with industrial aspects. Think of concrete, metal and cool lighting. Real ones eyecatcher in the room is the furniture; the yellow tables and chairs brighten up the (slightly gray) place.
Is it a restaurant? Or is it a museum? It's the best of both worlds at restaurant Madonna. Not the least museum that houses a catering business, but the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) with a really good restaurant concept. During the museum's opening hours it is a Grand Café and in the evening the place transforms into a cocktail bar fine dining restaurant. Fine art meets fine food, with dishes inspired by the museum (because yes, the paintings with well-filled tables make us hungry).
Bistro Rocco Rocco in Borgerhout is the place to be for wine lovers who appreciate a cozy atmosphere and local cuisine. The bar was founded by two friends, Maud and Marie-Charlot. They share a passion for wine and local ingredients, allowing them to truly pamper their guests. At Rocco, the focus is on enjoying life; this is reflected in the dishes as well as the interior. Curious about what goes on in the kitchen? Feel free to take a look behind the scenes in the open kitchen.
Back to the old Slachthuisbuurt, where you will find a restaurant Veranda (near the Sports Palace). Veranda opened its doors in 2010, but moved to its new location in Antwerp North three years ago. There is no à la carte menu, but only one menu to choose from. For lunch you can choose from a two-, three- or five-course menu and for dinner there is only a five-course menu. The cuisine is seasonal and you eat what you can get. We love the interior of Veranda: rough walls, lots of concrete and wooden tables provide the typical Porch vibe and give the gastro-bistro a rock 'n roll jacket. Large windows provide plenty of light and the central open kitchen divides the place in two. At the back you will find the restaurant and a cozy city terrace, at the front is the walk-in wine bar. We certainly love it.
In the center of Antwerp, on the always lively Kloosterstraat, you will find Mico & Jon: an Asian restaurant with Japanese and Vietnamese influences that is beloved by local foodies. The menu features classics such as yakitori, pho, and homemade dim sum, prepared according to the owners' family recipes. The interior is simple and functional, with a relaxed atmosphere suitable for both a quick bite and a quiet dinner. With its own interpretation of East Asian dishes, Mico & Jon is a fixture in Antwerp's restaurant scene.
Another gem in the Slachthuisbuurt in Antwerp (I think that neighborhood is definitely a favorite of ours now). And this time with modern Japanese cuisine. In Dojo the food is carefully prepared with the best ingredients. There is a choice of a seven-course menu or a Sake Experience where you can choose from different quantities. The interior is also completely in Japanese style. Simple, here and there a work of art or Bonsai tree and Japanese tableware on the tables.
It is clear that you are at the right address in Antwerp when it comes to food. But after a day of strolling around the city, it is nice to have a moment of rest before you go out for dinner. For that you can just drop in at Rituals.
In the Rituals store in the center of Antwerp you will find the Mind Oasis by Rituals—a place where your mind is completely at rest with treatments based on sounds, scents and breathing exercises. You don't have to stay here for an hour (although you can of course). You can book a relaxing treatment from 20 minutes, such as the Hydro Massage. Here you lie on a waterbed with red light therapy, which stimulates collagen production and has a rejuvenating effect. Or choose the brain massage, where 30 minutes feels like two hours of sleep.
Glou Glou, that typical sound of wine being poured. And the term for a smooth, easy-drinking wine in the world of natural wines. You’ve probably guessed it already, but Glou Glou is a wine bar where they serve natural wines. In addition, they have delicious dishes to share and you are in the right place to have a nice chat with a friend. And the interior is also exactly what it is when you think of such a hip natural wine shop, the picture is complete at Glou Glou. Cheers!
Hotel Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is a five-star hotel in an old monumental monastery in a central yet hidden location in – surprise – the heart of Antwerp. And this is also the location of the restaurant Duke John**Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens are in the kitchen and take care of a unique dining experience. They have put together a fixed menu for you that depends on the season. You leave what you are served entirely up to the chefs, which also means that no allergies, dietary requirements or eating habits are taken into account. You can eat here two weeks a month and there are 22 places in the restaurant.
But of all of them, this one – knife to the throat – is perhaps the most favorite: Bistrot l'ilot. ‘A casual bistro that's seasonally spontaneous', is the slogan of this casual yet refined bistrot. Opened at the end of 2017 on Het Eilandje (where yours truly married, so that gets you special points right away). It's not that strange that they're a favorite, either, because one half of the entrepreneurs behind the place, chef Sander De Saegher, was maître d' and sommelier for years at Graanmarkt 13 (favorite), the restaurant of chef Seppe Nobels. Together with his girlfriend Valentine Ide, he started the small but oh-so-fine Bistrot l'îlot. The menu features nothing but small, attractive bites in the category of high-end but not pretentious. Just right. Oxtail croquettes, for example. And wild pigeon. And lobster. And more. So delicious.
You will find the authentic wine restaurant in an art-deco pig cutting factory in Antwerp's slaughterhouse district Bar(t)-à-VinIn Amsterdam, we love all the wine bars popping up on every street corner, so we are extra happy to find this wine bar in Antwerp. Classic French dishes are prepared for you in the kitchen using the freshest possible ingredients. Because fresh products are important to them here, the menu is often limited and can vary by day. The only things you will find on the menu as standard are fresh vegetables with stracciatella mozzarella, charcuterie as a starter, and steak tartare as a main course. Moving on to the wines, because it is a wine bar/restaurant for a reason: there is a constantly changing selection of approximately 200 wines, mainly from Europe. There is no wine list (you have to like that); you discuss your wine preferences with the host, and they make the wine selection for you based on that.
Spyridon The wine bar on Kronenburgstraat is certainly not your average. Nikolaj Kovdal – yes, the one from Fiskebar and Fiskeskur – created a place here where natural wine and character take center stage. From a glass of house wine to a rare bottle from the cellar, everything is served by the glass, simply because they can. The kitchen serves adventurous dishes with fermentation playing the starring role. This is also a place for interior design enthusiasts to linger. Clay walls, old mirrors, and an original wooden butcher's fridge now used as a wine cellar add extra charm.
Bun and Little Bun (Volkstraat 43 and Sint-Jorispoort 22, Antwerp) – how we love the bun! In Antwerp, for exactly that—authentic Vietnamese comfort food—you have to go to Bún. There are currently two locations, both top-notch. Little Bún serves noodle soup and snacks, while Bún B offers Vietnamese classics with a twist and a great cocktail menu.
Kato (De Vrièrestraat 4, Antwerp) – The last in this list is Kato, where an acclaimed sushi chef is rolling the sushi. Think outside the box and take one of the suggestions. The toro tataki, quickly fried tuna, still raw on the inside, for example. Or hijiki, black seaweed.
In the category 'eat where you live': Pilar (see also sleeping in Antwerp), and so in this case Food bar PilarIn 't Zuid (aka the nicest part of Antwerp), Foodbar Pilar combines gastronomy with an informal atmosphere. Shared dishes, international influences, a changing menu, and local ingredients. 10 points.
Although we like Foodbar Pilar – apart from the really good food – mainly because of the looks (an industrial style with warm accents) and the casual setting. This food bar positions itself a bit in between casual dining and a restaurant experience, making the venue suitable for a variety of occasions – from lunch to an evening meal with friends or business associates.
- Petit Boeuf
- Bear
- September
- And/Or
- Eppo (part of Hotel Yust, a very good, affordable place to stay. See also Hotels Antwerp)
- Cece is Hungry (more catering/private dinner, she sometimes does soirées, fun to keep an eye on)
Camino , which is a small but nice, inconspicuous restaurant where you eat very well: the Belgian Vietnamese restaurant can be called a revelation. Good for lunch and dinner and worth a visit if you're in town.
A household name in Antwerp is a restaurant Ciro's. With a real 'citizen kitchen', the restaurant is the most Antwerp restaurant in Antwerp. Classics such as Steak Ciro's, Toast Antonio and not to forget the Café Glacé in the silver Coupe mean that Ciro is always a good idea. The restaurant is exactly the same since it opened in 1962, which takes you back in time. We recommend booking in advance if you want to eat here, because you are certainly not the only one who wants to taste this classic joint.
A hidden gem, literally. Tazu It is hidden away in the Vlaaikensgang (an old, small alley). Although you can come here for the cocktails, we would actually come for cocktails AND sushi, because the sushi here is too delicious. The menu isn't very extensive, but they say that the smaller the menu, the better the food, and that is absolutely true. The interior is quite blue, but sleek and minimalist.
Fine dining at JeromYou could certainly put it that way. With a choice of a 5-course, 6-course, or 7-course menu with a matching wine pairing or, for the designated driver, matching mocktails. Langoustine, scallops, hamachi—all our favorites on one menu. They use ingredients from their own vegetable garden, which isn't found in Antwerp, but in Kleit. The restaurant is very spacious—and by that we mean narrow—but has very high ceilings. And not finished dining after dinner? You can continue in the lounge, where you can savor a coffee and even (for enthusiasts) a cigar.
Exclusive Japanese gastronomy with a French twist. What does that look like? Wagyu, sea urchin, lobster gyoza, and Chawanmushi—yes, we hear you thinking, what is Chawanmushi? We had never heard of it either, but in Japan, this is a type of egg custard, which at Nakazu prepared in the French way. Unusual, but tasty.
The much-discussed and promising The jane In Antwerp, it is a creation of renowned names such as Sergio Herman (and his right-hand man Nick Bril) and Piet Boon. The restaurant is now located on Het Eilandje, in an iconic, contemporary setting by the water, just outside the hustle and bustle of the city center. Reservations are a must (often with a waiting list), so tip: go for lunch; that saves (a little) on waiting time and the bill. Tip 2: The Upper Room, for smaller bites, just as refined and actually a bit cozier than the sleek yet elegant restaurant itself.
Bistro is located in bustling Borgerhout EstelleSmall, intimate, and homey. They primarily serve fusion dishes, everything fresh and well thought out, with organic and natural wines to finish it off. Perfect for a relaxed evening out where you just want to enjoy good food and sample a little bit of everything.
Peak refined dishes can be expected at OrThe kitchen is led by Chef Dimitri De Koninck, who has held a Michelin star since 2022. Every dish is prepared à la minute with great care, and they use only the freshest seasonal ingredients. At Nebo, you can choose from the à la carte menu, and only on Fridays and Saturdays can you even opt for the Nebo full experience menu—you definitely should.
Another one of those Parisian gastrobars, but this time in Antwerp, the entire bar filled with classic accents such as the gold trim and a striking chandelier on the ceiling. To top it off, it has Barriq a super-large grand piano standing in the middle of the room, where a pianist regularly plays live while you choose from the wide selection of cocktails and wines.
All the items below were actually taken from our favorites list, but we don't want to just throw them away. So you know.
It's our favorite road trip: Antwerp. Especially because many of the addresses we share are just outside the walkable center of Antwerp, such as in Berchem or Zurenborg. And then a car (especially with kids) is super nice. Oh? You don't have your own car?
No problem! In comes the shared car. You can read all about this perfect solution (believe us, we've been doing it ourselves for years) on startmetdelen.nl.
Car sharing indeed: a car that you share with others, and you only pay when you use the car. Ideal for those who, say, do not need a car more than a few times a month or even less. Or sometimes every week, and then again for months. For that one trip to that one unmissable weekend tip, or a bigger car so that you can take all your friends along. Especially outside the city, where public transport does not or hardly ever go. And no, that is no hassle, such a shared car… A travel hack, that's it. Just read: Sharing is caring: this is why we are fans of car sharing
The fact that Sergio Herman is Dutch does not matter (much) to Belgians, because the Zeeland chef is already opening his fifth (!) restaurant there. Restaurant Le Pristine and the heart of Antwerp will be the location. In the Lange Gasthuisstraat, the nicest shopping street in 'the city', a stone's throw from his Frites Atelier. Le Pristine's idea? Regions Zeeland roots with an Italian twist. Sounds like a plan! Pristine means 'pure' or 'authentic', and that is what it should be. No fuss, 'just' good (which of course is not always that 'normal'). It will not be a high-threshold business like The Jane: the center is more suitable for a brasserie with a café, a perfect break during shopping.
A crackling classic restaurant Bistrot Du Nord, not far from Park Spoor Noord. Not a place where the average tourist comes, and that is exactly the intention. In fact, Bistrot Du Nord is the favorite restaurant of many notorious gourmets. Chef Michaël Rewers has been cooking for the crème de la crème of the Antwerp catering industry for years and his cuisine has been named the tastiest in Antwerp more than once, especially by fellow chefs - and then you know it is good. The room is extremely classic, and that also applies to the dishes. Hare, veal kidneys and eel to name a few. Nostalgia, delicious dishes and wines and above all a hostess who knows her Pappenheimers. A guaranteed night out.
A favorite in Antwerp is the entire building of the former De Koninck city brewery on the outskirts of the city, diagonally opposite Yust. In the building (among other things) Black Smoke, a more than good – and very dark – barbecue restaurant. The interior is robust, the dishes are elegant flavor bombs. You can taste the... in every dish smoke, the showpiece of this meat joint where low and slow cooking is key. The sunday roast is highly recommended! Summer? There is a too cozy rooftop terrace – enjoy with an amazing view. There is also a branch there Rotterdam. Also beautiful and cool (although Antwerp is our preference).
Pure maybe you already knew? Or not of course. In that case: the business is located in the Wilrijk district on the outskirts of Antwerp, in Park den Brandt. Pure and simple food they preach, which sounds easier than it is: just try it, conjuring up truly delicious, varied vegan food. At Murni, they can do just that. You can stop by until late afternoon for breakfast with organic bread, homemade croissants, and gluten-free pancakes. Afterwards, you sit down for lunch and dinner, Tel Aviv style, yet the city of vegan meals. Lots of seasonal vegetables of course. And, for those who want, there is also fish, meat and cheese. If side dishes.
Really something completely different from what you are used to, and we are not necessarily talking about the food, but about the concept of Intake Academy. A concept that you like anyway. At Instroom you do not pay for your food, but for the education of refugees and newcomers who speak a different language. The restaurant is an education for this group of people and thus offers an opportunity for a new future in Belgium. Because it is a training course, there may be an error here and there in the dishes. Fortunately, we are human and (hopefully) we all make mistakes. We think it's a nice concept.
A Michelin star in Antwerp is a restaurant 't StoveIt is a classic restaurant located in an old mansion. The classic charm of this restaurant is reflected in the cuisine and the way the food is brought to your table: under a glass dome. The cuisine is traditional and uses less obvious ingredients, such as meat and fish combinations or pig's trotters. Belgian gastronomy evokes a nostalgic feeling (for the Belgians, at least). The standard is high, and it is certainly good.
This hip place in Antwerp is a big hit. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere with a seasonal à la carte menu. There is a choice of four starters, four main courses and for dessert lovers there are also four choices. Not a very extensive menu, but completely balanced. The wine list is also special Bar Peche, which consists of natural wines and classic wines. They do things a little differently here, and that's what we like about this tent just a little bit more.