If you are in Belgium (or if you are planning to go) and want to know where to eat and drink in Antwerp, this article is the best way to discover great places and a series of food and beer tips that you cannot miss in the city.
In our opinion, meals are part of those most memorable moments of travel, whether positive or negative. And it is precisely because we want to help you have more positive experiences that we have gathered here good options for where to eat and drink in Antwerp. They are places and foods that we have already tried and that are only here because we recommend them!
This post was organized in this format after numerous messages from our readers and followers with questions like those in the table below:
Where to eat cheaply in Antwerp?
Where to eat in Antwerp on a budget?
What are your recommendations for restaurants in Antwerp?
What are the best restaurants in Antwerp?
So it became a very complete guide where we objectively present what you will find in the place and how our experience was, including price reference. A small guide to where to eat and drink in Antwerp. So save this link and share it with friends, family and anyone else who can take advantage of these tips like you. Oh! And don't forget to come back to comment here and tell us what you think of the places we recommend.
How this guide to where to eat and drink in Antwerp is organized
Thinking about the best way to present the tips to our readers, we organized the guide by type of establishment, categorized into:
- typical food restaurants
- beer bar/brewery
- hamburgers and fast food
- cafes
To give you an idea of values, next to the name we indicate the average price of each one of them according to the classification below. The indicated price range refers to the average cost of a meal in Antwerp. This is generally equivalent to the typical meal formula model with starter + main course + dessert with beer and water. But there are exceptions, of course. Options such as cafes, bars and fast foods follow the reference value range and in the text we explain how the meal is on site. Another issue is that we use the Euro as a currency to minimize the impact of exchange rate variations on the Real. So the classification looks like this:
$$$$$ – over 50€ per person
$$$$ – between €40 – €50 per person
$$$ – between €30 – €40 per person
$$ – between €20 – €30 per person
$ – under 20€ per person
Where to eat and drink in Antwerp: typical food restaurants
Backyard ($$)
Backyard is a very relaxed restaurant and pub located in the historic center of the city on the bustling Grote Markt, the main square. It has a modern decor in a more industrial style with a mix of rustic elements such as wood, iron and stone walls that represent the contemporary concept that the place proposes.
Despite being in this very touristy area, we saw many locals having Sunday lunch at neighboring tables. From an elderly couple to the youngest and also many families with young children.
With a menu that mixes the best coffees, beers, drinks and cocktails that can be accompanied by snacks or else a heartier meal like Sunday brunch and a la carte dishes from the extensive menu. Backyard's kitchen proposal is to keep traditional Belgian brasserie dishes with that modern touch. Ideal for quick meals without spending so much.
What to order: our tip is to take advantage of this tradition of Belgian cuisine and try Stoofvlees, typical spicy pot meat traditional in Belgium. It wasn't the best part of the trip, but it's not bad either. For burger lovers, don't pass up the Backyard classic burger. The two dishes are also accompanied by traditional Belgian fries, very crispy with mayonnaise. And to drink, we recommend a local beer, of course!
Address: Grote Markt 52, 2000 Antwerpen | Open from 12:22 to XNUMX:XNUMX every day (except Tuesdays)
Bart a Vin ($$$)
Bart a Vin was a wonderful find on our trip to Antwerp, one of those gems outside the tourist area and mostly frequented by the locals. A small restaurant where the kitchen is in the center of the environment with the tables around it and you can see Chef Tom Vanderborght preparing the dishes of the classic French brasserie in front of you without secrets while you are welcomed by Bart Adriaenssens (owner and passionate about his business) . Hence the pun in the name: BarT a Vin. 🙂
And how did we get there? Well, we discovered Bart a Vin when we were planning our itinerary on internet searches. We were really intrigued by the amount of positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Google and decided to include it in our gastronomic itinerary.
Thus, the restaurant was our choice on the second day in Antwerp, when we left the Historic Center taking 15 minutes by public transport to reach the neighborhood/district of Slachthuissite and another 5 minutes walking until we arrived in front of the small and cozy place with its grapevines of grape at the door <3. An excellent way to receive and present your concept: “the authentic Antwerp wine restaurant”.
That way you already understand the tone that Bart imposes on the restaurant, offering an excellent list of selected wines that harmonize beautifully with the dishes on the menu. By the way, the restaurant is also a wine shop and is located in an old art deco pig-cutting factory that Bart insisted on keeping with tiles and original elements restored and adapted for the restaurant space. Full of history and references, plus great food.
Speaking of which, the menu that is written in chalk displayed above the kitchen counter right in the center of the space varies daily with new dish options, as they are prepared based on fresh and local products. They follow the classic formula: starter + main course + dessert with option of coffee and digestif. And of course: a great selection of wines by the glass that Bart can suggest and help you pair with your choice of food. Important: it is not mandatory to book but it is strongly recommended! Of those unique, intimate experiences that are marked in memory.
What to order: we recommend at least one starter to share, such as vegetables with stracciatella mozzarella or a plate of local cold cuts, which are fixed menu options. As for the main course, there is another fixed option: the famous – and excellent – house steak tartare, the best we've ever had in our lives! But be sure to try some of the dishes on the menu of the day with seasonal vegetables and side dishes. Chef Tom's seasoning is great and you certainly won't regret it. Oh! It is also mandatory to order at least one glass of wine to harmonize and taste the mousse for dessert – which can also be easily shared.
Address: Lange Slachterijstraat 3-5, 2060 | Open from Monday to Friday, from 12:15 to 18:30 and from 23:XNUMX to XNUMX:XNUMX. Not open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Great White Eagle ($$$ – $$$$)
If your desire is to drink Belgian beer accompanied by a nice dinner with traditional dishes of the local cuisine or even typical snacks, then you need to visit De Groote Witte Arend. The restaurant is one of our top recommendations for where to eat and drink in Antwerp! It is located close to the Historic Center and is close to several tourist attractions, making life easier for the hungry traveler who is thirsty for good food and good memories.
Speaking of which, the story goes that the property where the restaurant operates has existed since 1488 – so old that it predates the discovery of Brazil. In somewhat more recent history, a café was opened in 1977 in the grandiose building, then listed as a historic monument. Still, it's more than 40 years of history.
Today, the beautiful mansion in the city center serves as an excellent family restaurant owned by Ronald and Tim Ferket (father and son), maintaining the country's culinary traditions and, especially, serving good Belgian beer. Huge and with a unique contagious atmosphere, it combines music and long wooden tables distributed in the best biergarten style right in the middle of the property of which the family is so proud. And when the cold and snow arrive and it is no longer appropriate to stay in the garden, the interior lounges are reopened, transferring the relaxed atmosphere to the heated environment.
What to order: we recommend sharing a huisgemaakte kroketten van orval kaas as an appetizer, that is, a home-made version of the traditional Belgian croquette made with orval cheese, a wonderful cheese. For the main dish, you can follow the tradition and order stoofvlees op grootmoeders wijze, that is, the traditional minced meat in the style and seasoning of “grandma's food”. In their version, the meat is prepared with De Koninck beer and comes with salad and fries. Another option is to go for the seasonal menu, which varies according to the season and the availability of ingredients. When we went, we were able to try the pork ribs accompanied by baked potatoes with garlic sauce and salad. Incredible! When it comes to dessert, the tip is to share a mokatine crème brulée, a crème brulée made with Caramella Mokatine, a very typical Belgium coffee toffee. And of course, all this washed down with several pints of different styles of Belgian beer. Take advantage of the vast list to try the varieties of several local breweries.
Address: Reyndersstraat 18, 2000 | Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30 am to 22:XNUMX pm. Mondays it is closed.
Fish Bar ($$$ – $$$$)
If you are also a fan of seafood, you cannot fail to try the delights of Belgium in this regard at least once during your trip. That's why this guide on where to eat and drink in Antwerp had to include this restaurant! In the city, the best place to try the famous and delicious fish and seafood of the North Sea is undoubtedly in Fish bar. It is here that you can find fresh and sustainable flavors from those who work exclusively with European fish and seafood.
If in winter Fiskebar offers a very welcoming and spacious interior, in the hot months the tables on the sidewalk are full, in a super relaxed atmosphere. And the funniest thing is that the restaurant is in front of the Monument Schelde Vrij, which has the Roman god of the seas and oceans, Neptune, on top of the sculpture. All in the mood with rustic wooden tables and metal chairs surrounded by flower boxes and trees. The cozy atmosphere is completed by the parasols and the leafy canopy of trees covering the entire external environment.
On the menu, fixed options are served à la carte and there is always a dish with the catch of the day, fresh fish that is prepared with side dishes made from ingredients from local products. Thus, at lunch there is a fixed price menu of the day that serves options within the formula: starter + main course + coffee. And for those who are wine fans, know that Fiskebar maintains an extensive list with wine options that please all palates and budgets. In addition, they serve house water in a special bottle all cute with the restaurant's brand and replenishment is constant. Portion of delicious homemade bread is also served with extra virgin olive oil that makes all the difference in the meal experience.
What to order: For starters, order the salmon with couscous and salmon roe or the scallops. Or, if it's in season and you like it, a portion of house-style oysters is a great choice. As for the main course, the tip is the seafood risotto where the protagonist is the octopus. Divine! And of course, all this accompanied by one (or more than one) glass of French or Belgian wine from the excellent wine list available. Oh! Don't leave without ordering the Belgian chocolate pie (of course!) for dessert! I swear you won't regret it.
Address: Marnixplaats 11, 2000 | Open every day from 12:22 to XNUMX:XNUMX.
Where to eat and drink in Antwerp: beer bar/brewery
Bier Central Antwerp ($$ – $$$)
O Bier Central it is the mecca of true beer lovers. A place that is not just a beer bar but where everything refers to craft beer and the passion for beer. And not just for the beer but for the local culture of the country. The love for Belgium's traditions is also present in the menu, which features only typical dishes and where you won't find any international beer. By the way, the beer menu, which only has Belgian representatives, is not a simple menu: it is literally a beer encyclopedia with more than 120 pages in book form. And surprise: all are available for consumption on site!
And this whole atmosphere is the result of the rustic environment, a decoration loaded with wood, in the mood of old and classic bars. Everything in the best pub style with tables and high stools, in addition to the huge counter with many taps of the best beers possible. Those who imagined a place for more mature people are wrong. There's a youthful atmosphere at Bier Central. Maybe because of the music and the bustle of the waiters who circulate with dozens of pints of the sacred hoppy liquid and generous portions of the best Belgian dishes.
Located very close to the famous Antwerp train station (one of the most beautiful in Europe), the place ends up attracting a mixture of many tourists and locals who take care of the tables in the outdoor area and the large indoor space. Typical pub with amazing quality food.
What to order: In the category beers, a good way to start is by asking for the “beer tasting”, that is, a ruler with 4 beers on tap to choose from more than X taps. If you are with someone else, the tip is to choose different beers. In our case, we were left with 8 different Belgian beers to try. das foods, Order a traditional croquette for starters (both the shrimp and the cheese were great). As for the main course, we recommend two traditional options in Belgium: the Mosselen Ramee – famous and classic mussels made in Ramee beer and accompanied by fries and Beef stew, the shredded meat made in Bourgogne beer from Flanders and also accompanied by fries. . Typical Belgian cuisine with a special beer flavor from Bier Central. I'm sure you won't regret it.
Address: De Keyserlei 25, 2018 | Open every day from noon to midnight!
De Koninck – Antwerp City Brewery ($-$$)
visit to The Koninck Brewery is, perhaps, one of the most fun things to do in Antwerp. The visiting experience is so well done and interactive that even for those who are not fans of the hoppy drink, taking the route is a tourist activity of those “must-do”. When you get to the brewery's ticket office, you already get a glass of Bollekes beer and start drinking.
The route is self-guided and everyone can do it at their own pace without the hassle of having a guide with endless explanations about the brewing process. On the way out, another beer tasting, but this time in the large and cozy bar that is next to the store. There you can also order typical Belgian snacks and extend the program until late on weekends, as it closes at 22 pm.
What to order: once you've made the visit, take your time and enjoy the De Koninck Bar. There are many taps with beer styles manufactured by De Koninck and Duvel, which is part of the same owner group. We recommend trying the local De Koninck beers and snacking on a cold cuts board with cheese produced by another company in the group: Only Cheese. The brewery is a guarantee of fun and an authentic taste of Belgium.
Address: Mechelsesteenweg 291, 2018 | Open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 18pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 20 pm.
Where to eat and drink in Antwerp: Burger/fast food
Ellis Gourmet Burger ($ – $$)
For those who like hamburgers, the best option is to try Ellis Gourmet Burger, a hamburger chain that has branches in the main cities of Belgium. In Antwerp they have 3 addresses but we recommend the branch located in the Eilandje region, on the trendy street in front of the Museum Aan de Stroom, one of the city's tourist attractions. With these characteristics, you already realized that you can become a regular customer if you are one of those who are fascinated by a nice and juicy hamburger.
Another point worth mentioning in our opinion is the concern that Ellis Gourmet has in using fresh ingredients from local producers and continuously improving the recipes, resorting to specialists and renowned chefs to create new dishes – which you can find as Hamburgers Signature on the menu . That is, the extensive menu also has house classics and seasonal dishes that vary according to the time of year. This was one of the aspects that caught our attention, as we found a lot of variety in the ingredients used and were surprised by the quality of the meats and cheeses. Traditional flavors of Belgian cuisine and, of course, those crispy fries with mayonnaise – a typical accompaniment and a symbol of Belgium! And if you're a vegetarian, don't worry! There's the revolutionary Beyond Burger, a hamburger that looks like meat but isn't meat, made from vegetable ingredients. Not to mention the other vegan options in the snacks section.
But what about the drinks? As expected being in Belgium, Ellis Burger has a wide range of beers, which in our opinion is the best pairing for a meal where the main course is hamburgers. Hmmmm! My mouth is watering just remembering it! Oh! But if you're not such a fan of beer but love a good drink, know that Ellis Gourmet has two sections on the menu dedicated to cocktails. There are definitely options for all tastes!
What to order: our recommendation to make no mistake is to order one of the burgers from the classic section like the Ellis Special 2.0, which has 100% beef, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles with Ellis special sauce. If you have more people, it's worth ordering a different one and trying it out. I'm crazy about flavored cheeses, I highly recommend the Blue Cheese Madness by Van Tricht from the signature burgers. This little beauty has bleu des causses cheese, a creamy cheese that oozes through the 100% beef burger, red onions and crispy lettuce. Oh! Don't forget fries to go with it and a light local Belgian beer like Bolleke De Koninck.
Address: Sint-Aldegondiskaai 52/54, 2000 | Open every day from 11:30 am to 22:30 pm.
Where to eat and drink in Antwerp: Cafes
Coffee Nini ($$)
Kaffeenini is a super cozy cafe with varied and delicious options. It is close to the historic center of Antwerp, in a kind of square. It's actually a very charming corner that has a huge outdoor area. There are scattered long wooden tables to share and other spaces prepared for pet owners to enjoy their breakfast in peace. In addition to the ambiance and laid-back atmosphere, Kaffeenini combines other good things about life: coffee, bagels, good service, and free Wi-Fi. The classics are the bagels, but the menu is quite extensive, including vegan and vegetarian options.
What to order: for breakfast, order Nini's breakfast which comes with coffee or tea, fresh orange juice, croissant, ham, cheese and fried eggs. And if you have more people, the tip is to ask for another option that is healthier and combine the two: Nini's fruit breakfast that comes with coffee or tea, orange juice, fruit salad, yogurt and granola. This way it is a super cafezão and everyone leaves satisfied. At least Guto and I left breakfast rolling. haha ha
Address: Nationalstraat 114A, 2000 | Open from Wednesday to Monday, from 8am to 18pm. On Tuesdays it is closed.
And there? Did you like our guide to where to eat and drink in Antwerp? Comment here at the end of the post telling if you have any other tips for places or if you went to one of these places that we recommended. We would love to receive your message!
Have you already booked your hotel in Antwerp?
Do not leave to the last minute! Find your ideal hotel in Antwerp now and make your reservation with incredible discounts through Booking, the largest hotel reservation site in the world!
Or if you prefer our personal recommendation, here are two suggestions of where we stay in Antwerp:
Hilton Antwerp Old Town
For those who cannot do without the comfort of a hotel, the Hilton Antwerp Old Town it is ideal for those looking for a good location without giving up the safety and comfort of a large hotel chain such as Hilton. The hotel is versatile and caters well not only to executives but also to young couples or families and older people. In addition to the excellent service, the price is compatible with the city average and even a little below expectations for a hotel of this level.
+ Read also: Hilton Antwerp Old Town – stay at the best located hotel in Antwerp
Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites
For those who prefer the cost-effectiveness of a good apartment, staying at Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites it's having the opportunity to experience a magazine apartment, with all the comfort and warmth you need. Without a doubt, one of the best we've experienced in all our travels around the world.
+ Read also: Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites – apartments in the heart of Antwerp, Belgium
More tours and activities in Antwerp
To make sure you get to know and explore every corner of a city, nothing better than guided tours. Get Your Guide is an international company that manages to bring together the best tour options in various destinations around the world. Antwerp is no different! And the best: it has guarantees and the possibility of canceling if you book in advance. See tour options:
