Vito's Guidebook to Antwerpen
Food Scene
Home-roasted coffee goodness and a good place to hang or work just around the corner.
46 locals recommend
Normo
30 MinderbroedersruiHome-roasted coffee goodness and a good place to hang or work just around the corner.
Koffieklap
41 KlapdorpAnother wonderfully cozy coffee bar across the door.
A great pizza place to sit down. It boasts an innovative menu and does surprisingly excellent beer pairings.
36 locals recommend
Otomat Antwerpen Mas
11 Van SchoonbekepleinA great pizza place to sit down. It boasts an innovative menu and does surprisingly excellent beer pairings.
A cozy travel restaurant that is a mainstay in Antwerp, unassuming with great prices and service, order the chilli, with or without carne!
24 locals recommend
Via Via reiscafé
43 WolstraatA cozy travel restaurant that is a mainstay in Antwerp, unassuming with great prices and service, order the chilli, with or without carne!
A Belgian “frituur” is a thing of its own and this is our local legend. Order a large “friet” with “satékruiden” and go for some meaty or less meaty snacks (I like the "spicy viandel" myself). We go here at least once a week when we are in Belgium!
Mid-Mac
3 KlapdorpA Belgian “frituur” is a thing of its own and this is our local legend. Order a large “friet” with “satékruiden” and go for some meaty or less meaty snacks (I like the "spicy viandel" myself). We go here at least once a week when we are in Belgium!
Balls & Glory
Do you want giant meatballs? We figured. This is the place to go.
Buffet breakfasts on Sunday in a great location (the same building as Balls & Glory) and tables outside next to the water on sunny days.
54 locals recommend
Felix Pakhuis
30 GodefriduskaaiBuffet breakfasts on Sunday in a great location (the same building as Balls & Glory) and tables outside next to the water on sunny days.
Excellent empanadas to go or to stay and a great terrace - they have a hatch that goes directly to the bar next door!
Buenos Aires Empanadas
3 KoepoortbrugExcellent empanadas to go or to stay and a great terrace - they have a hatch that goes directly to the bar next door!
A cheap bar, restaurant, and great outdoor place in the middle of Park Spoor Noord - excellent to go to with kids in the summer (they have water fountains)
50 locals recommend
Bar Noord
64-80 Viaduct-DamA cheap bar, restaurant, and great outdoor place in the middle of Park Spoor Noord - excellent to go to with kids in the summer (they have water fountains)
A restaurant serving Belgian classics like our grandmothers would, hence "De Bomma." A bonus: it is decorated with pictures of grandmas!
17 locals recommend
De Bomma Suikerrui
16 SuikerruiA restaurant serving Belgian classics like our grandmothers would, hence "De Bomma." A bonus: it is decorated with pictures of grandmas!
The coffee bar that started the Antwerp coffee renaissance!
65 locals recommend
Caffènation Antwerp City Center
16 MechelsesteenwegThe coffee bar that started the Antwerp coffee renaissance!
A great new Thai place close by run by a famous Belgian actress who also runs Yam Thai on the South side
Nimman
9 StadswaagA great new Thai place close by run by a famous Belgian actress who also runs Yam Thai on the South side
Sushi Palace
4 VleminckveldWhere we order our sushi - the best in town with speedy delivery!
A no-frills restaurant that is cheap and good, filled with artists from the next door Academy of Fine Arts
Het lastig portret
1 BlindestraatA no-frills restaurant that is cheap and good, filled with artists from the next door Academy of Fine Arts
A great new coffee bar/restaurant next to the "Groenplaats." Great to hang out, talk, and eat - they make a mean cocktail too!
7 locals recommend
Belmondo
69 ZwaluwstraatA great new coffee bar/restaurant next to the "Groenplaats." Great to hang out, talk, and eat - they make a mean cocktail too!
Hands down the best and cheapest vegetarian Indian place in Antwerp, one of our perennial favourites! It has an all-you-can-eat buffet for 10 euros and is open on Monday, when a lot of other places close.
24 locals recommend
Aahaar Delux
23 Lange HerentalsestraatHands down the best and cheapest vegetarian Indian place in Antwerp, one of our perennial favourites! It has an all-you-can-eat buffet for 10 euros and is open on Monday, when a lot of other places close.
Tucked away on Nassaustraat right by the MAS museum, Balck and Yellow is your go to place for barista coffee in the hood.
12 locals recommend
Black & Yellow Coffee bar
7 NassaustraatTucked away on Nassaustraat right by the MAS museum, Balck and Yellow is your go to place for barista coffee in the hood.
Two Michelin stars, that should give you an idea. Book way in advance, expect to be in the restaurant for 5+ hours, and waddle home on your bike or legs to our place. Thank us when you have recovered.
63 locals recommend
The Jane
1 ParadepleinTwo Michelin stars, that should give you an idea. Book way in advance, expect to be in the restaurant for 5+ hours, and waddle home on your bike or legs to our place. Thank us when you have recovered.
Sum Sum Zuid
3 Leopold de WaelstraatWhen you want sum good sum - dim sum that is.
Butchers Coffee
57 KasteelstraatExcellent coffee, even better breakfast, a hard to beat combo.
Coffee place / Restaurant that is an excellent introduction into the happening neighborhood of Zurenborg, renowned for its great late-19th, early-20th-century architecture on pretty much every corner!
33 locals recommend
Walvis
1 WalvisstraatCoffee place / Restaurant that is an excellent introduction into the happening neighborhood of Zurenborg, renowned for its great late-19th, early-20th-century architecture on pretty much every corner!
Pizza in the neighborhood of Zurenborg. Look at beautiful buildings all day, have a beer on the Dageraadplaats, and then stuff yourselves with legit pizza at Orso.
25 locals recommend
Orso Pizzeria
46 Grote BeerstraatPizza in the neighborhood of Zurenborg. Look at beautiful buildings all day, have a beer on the Dageraadplaats, and then stuff yourselves with legit pizza at Orso.
When pizzeria Orso in Zurenborg is fully booked, Bellini is the best alternative. Located on the corner of the impressive Transvaalstraat and conveniently located for drinks on the Draakplaats afterwards.
21 locals recommend
Pizzeria Bellini
75 TransvaalstraatWhen pizzeria Orso in Zurenborg is fully booked, Bellini is the best alternative. Located on the corner of the impressive Transvaalstraat and conveniently located for drinks on the Draakplaats afterwards.
Hang out with the local moms and kids in the day drinking hot chocolates, switch to one of their maaaany beers on tap from 4 pm onwards - that's allowed in Belgium.
69 locals recommend
Café Mombasa
37 MoorkenspleinHang out with the local moms and kids in the day drinking hot chocolates, switch to one of their maaaany beers on tap from 4 pm onwards - that's allowed in Belgium.
Tel Aviv disco dining in Antwerp - when you're craving some disco-ball-lit labneh (which is always).
15 locals recommend
Middle Eats
2 Graaf van EgmontstraatTel Aviv disco dining in Antwerp - when you're craving some disco-ball-lit labneh (which is always).
The best new coffee and breakfast / lunch place in town, run by a good friend of ours. Basically just order everything. You will not be disappointed!
Album
6 VlaamsekaaiThe best new coffee and breakfast / lunch place in town, run by a good friend of ours. Basically just order everything. You will not be disappointed!
Drinks & Nightlife
Kassa 4
21 OssenmarktTHE student bar in Antwerp.
They serve more beers than you will be able to remember in this well-known Antwerp café, especially after having more than two.
31 locals recommend
Paters Vaetje
1 BlauwmoezelstraatThey serve more beers than you will be able to remember in this well-known Antwerp café, especially after having more than two.
Lots of beer, but even more statues of saints (no joke), wall to wall!
15 locals recommend
Elfde Gebod
10 TorfbrugLots of beer, but even more statues of saints (no joke), wall to wall!
dogma Cocktails
5 WijngaardstraatExcellent cocktail bar around the corner!
Cocktails at Nine
9 LijnwaadmarktSmooth cocktails in deep leather seats, ideal for romance.
An excellent café on the "Mechelseplein," a square filled with great bars for hip youngsters or young hipsters.
41 locals recommend
Korsakov
1 Sint-JorispoortAn excellent café on the "Mechelseplein," a square filled with great bars for hip youngsters or young hipsters.
Plaza Real / De Steeg
89 KattenbergA real Antwerp bar with real Antwerp people. Open late.
An Antwerp institution. As "divey" as a dive bar should get, and the place where your parents hung out in the 60s and 70s if they were cool.
96 locals recommend
Zeezicht
7-8 DageraadplaatsAn Antwerp institution. As "divey" as a dive bar should get, and the place where your parents hung out in the 60s and 70s if they were cool.
A bar that often has great live music. A little less rowdy than Zeezicht and populated more with 30 somethings.
De Zurenborger
4 DageraadplaatsA bar that often has great live music. A little less rowdy than Zeezicht and populated more with 30 somethings.
When all the other bars have closed, this is where the die-hard Antwerp party people end up.
9 locals recommend
de Pallieter
17 MechelsepleinWhen all the other bars have closed, this is where the die-hard Antwerp party people end up.
A bar and restaurant. For drinks with your mother, someone else's mother, or a romantic date.
37 locals recommend
Captain Zeppos
78 VleminckveldA bar and restaurant. For drinks with your mother, someone else's mother, or a romantic date.
An Antwerp secret gem. Beer, beer, more beer, a lot of plants. This place has beer, lots of it. Did we mention they serve a lot of beer?
30 locals recommend
Cafe Kulminator
32 VleminckveldAn Antwerp secret gem. Beer, beer, more beer, a lot of plants. This place has beer, lots of it. Did we mention they serve a lot of beer?
For that underground hardcore show or a cheap dance party. Perfect for in your 20s and early 30s - any older and you'll get bummed out that people are so young.
Kavka Oudaan
14 OudaanFor that underground hardcore show or a cheap dance party. Perfect for in your 20s and early 30s - any older and you'll get bummed out that people are so young.
Beautiful music venue with old-world charm and art-deco. A serious place for serious dates with excellent programming. You can even go just to admire the seriously beautiful architecture, you will not be disappointed. Go to the Dageraadplaats in Zurenborg after for drinks.
76 locals recommend
the Roma
286 TurnhoutsebaanBeautiful music venue with old-world charm and art-deco. A serious place for serious dates with excellent programming. You can even go just to admire the seriously beautiful architecture, you will not be disappointed. Go to the Dageraadplaats in Zurenborg after for drinks.
Shopping
Highly popular Antwerp jewelers specializing in beautiful fine necklaces and rings in pure gold...
Wouters & Hendrix
52 SteenhouwersvestHighly popular Antwerp jewelers specializing in beautiful fine necklaces and rings in pure gold...
THE antiques street in Antwerp, which is always open on Sundays and is the ideal gateway between the center and the South side. Ideal for a stroll!
129 locals recommend
Kloosterstraat
KloosterstraatTHE antiques street in Antwerp, which is always open on Sundays and is the ideal gateway between the center and the South side. Ideal for a stroll!
My favorite bookstore in the whole of Antwerp. Demian's place is a small, cozy nook that specializes in second hand books, with a very large collection of poetry and English language books - he is especially obsessed with beatnik culture. If you're a literature or bookstore junkie, you'll want to spend a day browsing in here.
Demian
16 Hendrik ConsciencepleinMy favorite bookstore in the whole of Antwerp. Demian's place is a small, cozy nook that specializes in second hand books, with a very large collection of poetry and English language books - he is especially obsessed with beatnik culture. If you're a literature or bookstore junkie, you'll want to spend a day browsing in here.
An excellent bookstore that also carries a vast collection of interesting presents, postcards, and has a large collection of children's books.
8 locals recommend
‘t Stad Leest
18 OudaanAn excellent bookstore that also carries a vast collection of interesting presents, postcards, and has a large collection of children's books.
In den Olifant is Antwerp's best children's toy store. They have a wide array of beautiful wooden children's toys, books, dinosaurs, and anything else your child might wish for.
in den olifant
12 LombardenstraatIn den Olifant is Antwerp's best children's toy store. They have a wide array of beautiful wooden children's toys, books, dinosaurs, and anything else your child might wish for.
Essentials
There are plenty of places to get your groceries, day and night, but this one is the closest. Your basic supermarket with fresh baked goods as well.
9 locals recommend
Proxy Glazen Huis
42 Sint-PaulusstraatThere are plenty of places to get your groceries, day and night, but this one is the closest. Your basic supermarket with fresh baked goods as well.
Sightseeing
Apartment from being one of the most impressive cathedrals in Belgium, ours also houses an immense art collection with all the Rubens you will ever need to see. A must for the Antwerp tourist!
177 locals recommend
Cathedral of Our Lady
21 GroenplaatsApartment from being one of the most impressive cathedrals in Belgium, ours also houses an immense art collection with all the Rubens you will ever need to see. A must for the Antwerp tourist!
Getting Around
This is the Antwerp Central Station. You can take trains to pretty much anywhere in Belgium from here, as well as high speed trains to the Netherlands and France.
188 locals recommend
Antwerpen Centraal station
27 Koningin AstridpleinThis is the Antwerp Central Station. You can take trains to pretty much anywhere in Belgium from here, as well as high speed trains to the Netherlands and France.
This is Antwerp's main bus depot. If you want to grab a bus to smaller towns outside of Antwerp, this is where you'll need to go. Check out their full array of services and locations on www.delijn.be
11 locals recommend
Franklin Rooseveltplaats
Franklin RooseveltplaatsThis is Antwerp's main bus depot. If you want to grab a bus to smaller towns outside of Antwerp, this is where you'll need to go. Check out their full array of services and locations on www.delijn.be
If you are looking for free parking in Antwerp, you need to go South and you can review all free parking spaces here under "free parking": http://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/detail/parking-in-antwerp.
9 locals recommend
Gedempte Zuiderdokken
VlaamsekaaiIf you are looking for free parking in Antwerp, you need to go South and you can review all free parking spaces here under "free parking": http://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/detail/parking-in-antwerp.
Arts & Culture
Antwerp's Museum of Modern Art (M HKA) is a great place to enjoy the cutting edge of the international art scene, without being too big to take up your entire day.
147 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
32 LeuvenstraatAntwerp's Museum of Modern Art (M HKA) is a great place to enjoy the cutting edge of the international art scene, without being too big to take up your entire day.
I know I said you could see all of the Rubens you'll want to see in the Cathedral, but Antwerp also houses... well... his house. See where he lived and worked and take in an impressive collection of his work.
166 locals recommend
The Rubens House
9-11 WapperI know I said you could see all of the Rubens you'll want to see in the Cathedral, but Antwerp also houses... well... his house. See where he lived and worked and take in an impressive collection of his work.
Antwerp was a big part of the printing revolution (remember Gutenberg?) and this museum houses everything to do with the processes, including a large number of very rare antique books. It might not sound so impressive, but it is. Our University takes all first year literature students here for good reason.
81 locals recommend
Plantin-Moretus Museum
22 VrijdagmarktAntwerp was a big part of the printing revolution (remember Gutenberg?) and this museum houses everything to do with the processes, including a large number of very rare antique books. It might not sound so impressive, but it is. Our University takes all first year literature students here for good reason.
One of Antwerp's oldest and best theatres. Catch a show if you can because Antwerp has some of the best theatre companies in the world.
8 locals recommend
Toneelhuis
18 KomedieplaatsOne of Antwerp's oldest and best theatres. Catch a show if you can because Antwerp has some of the best theatre companies in the world.
Music, dance, theatre, De Singel has it all. Excellent international programming (as opposed to the more local Toneelhuis) that often pushes boundaries.
33 locals recommend
deSingel
25 DesguinleiMusic, dance, theatre, De Singel has it all. Excellent international programming (as opposed to the more local Toneelhuis) that often pushes boundaries.
Wonderful small museum with an excellent, excellent collection of classic Flemish and Netherlandish art. Just around our corner and often overlooked, but it's a gem!
8 locals recommend
Snijders&Rockoxhuis
10 KeizerstraatWonderful small museum with an excellent, excellent collection of classic Flemish and Netherlandish art. Just around our corner and often overlooked, but it's a gem!
Another excellent little gem of a museum that's often overlooked but well worth the visit, off the beaten path
19 locals recommend
Museum Vleeshuis
38 VleeshouwersstraatAnother excellent little gem of a museum that's often overlooked but well worth the visit, off the beaten path
Excellent museum anchored in a permanent collection of graphic paper work by Rops, Goya, and Munch, and with great temporary exhibits as well - for the connoisseurs!
7 locals recommend
Museum De Reede
7 Ernest Van DijckkaaiExcellent museum anchored in a permanent collection of graphic paper work by Rops, Goya, and Munch, and with great temporary exhibits as well - for the connoisseurs!
Wonderful historic palace housing the works of local artist Eugeen Van Mieghem - be sure to double check opening hours on this one, it's a great one if you can get in
Museum Eugeen van Mieghem Museum
9 Ernest Van DijckkaaiWonderful historic palace housing the works of local artist Eugeen Van Mieghem - be sure to double check opening hours on this one, it's a great one if you can get in
Home of Pieter Bruegel's ravishing work "Dulle Griet", the Renaissance woman-at-arms leading an army of women to go and pillage Hell...I mean...do you really need to know more? Also houses an excellent collection of Flemish and Netherlandish painting and sculpture aside from Dulle Griet.
20 locals recommend
Museum Mayer van den Bergh
19 Lange GasthuisstraatHome of Pieter Bruegel's ravishing work "Dulle Griet", the Renaissance woman-at-arms leading an army of women to go and pillage Hell...I mean...do you really need to know more? Also houses an excellent collection of Flemish and Netherlandish painting and sculpture aside from Dulle Griet.