Discovering

Antwerp

You’ve been measured, challenged, inspired, turned around, fitted to perfection. You’re all set. And you’re hungry. Good thing Antwerp is your oyster. Start the day at Caffénation,  Kolonel Coffee, Butchers or Andy for your much-needed cup of coffee. Call ahead and get a dinner table at Pêche, a few streets down from Café Costume. Dive into their richly flavoured dishes and enjoy their wine selection. If you’re looking for a less carnivorous, more relaxed time out, check out Camionette. If the opposite applies, get old school French chic at Ciro’s – the waiters in black aprons and white shirts are A plus.

The start of many a great story is a single drink, so mosy on down to Vitrin to see and be seen or savour the most exquisite cocktails your tongue will have the pleasure of knowing at Belroy’s Bijou, Dogma or Marigold. If your predilection lies with wine, check out Osaka or the charming and unassuming Café Ernst. If you truly fell in love with some bottles, Amber Bottle Shop can definitely hook you up.

Not to be outdone by her eateries and late-night watering holes, the city of Antwerp has so much more for you to stumble into: rent a city bike for the day and trek from town square to town square, crossing the Marnixplaats, Theaterplein (weekend markets!), Mechelseplein, De Coninckplein, Troonplaats and Draakplaats, if the sun is out. Pop into the MAS or Rubenshuis but (maybe) avoid the Groenplaats for tourist trap reasons. If you do find yourself there, side-track into a portal between the restaurants and get lost in a 16th-century cobblestone utopia, the ‘Vlaaikensgang’.

Our full list ofrecommendations:_____________

Food

L’Amitié – Upton – Ciro’s – Camino – Restaurant Veranda

Ni Shifu – Pristine – Hotel Pilar – Pêche

Drinks

Vitrin – Butchers Coffee – Belroy’s Bijou – Marigold – De Nieuwe Linde

Osaka – Café Ernst – Walvis – Glou Glou - De Baron

Visit

MAS – KMSKA – Marnixplaats – Kloosterstraat – Vrijdagsmarkt – Rubenshuis

Cathedral of Our Lady – Vlaaikensgang - Modemuseum