Antwerp City Guide

Far from an exhaustive list – this is simply a collection of a few places we have liked (or liked the looks of!) over the years.

TO EAT

TO DRINK

TO KNOW

TO SEE

TO EAT

Restaurants

Antwerp isn’t known for a particular food or style food - rather it blends the old with the new in unexpected ways.

Osaka
Our pick for a truly special night out. Its Brutalist, gallery-like interior is the perfect backdrop for refined Japanese plates and a superlative natural wine list. A complete, considered experience from start to finish.

Jordaenskaai 27, 2000 Antwerp

Camino
For laid-back, seriously delicious Asian comfort food, we love Camino. The atmosphere is cool and modern , and the menu is a brilliant tour of comfort food classics—it's impossible to order badly here.

Muntstraat 4, 2000 Antwerp

Mico & Jon
We discovered this during Covid when they offered takeaway wagyu katsu sandwiches on homemade milk bread. Now, it's a full-fledged progressive Asian bakery with a creative menu of cheffy dumplings, noodles, and delicate Japanese pastries.

Kloosterstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp

Ciro’s
When we're craving a dose of old-school charm, we always head to Ciro's. Open since 1962, stepping under its candy-striped awning feels like a trip back in time. It’s our go-to for perfectly executed classics in a room that feels wonderfully timeless.

Amerikalei 2, 2000 Antwerp

Frites Atelier
You can't leave Belgium without having frites, and this is the one place we stop at every time we’re in the city. Forget a simple paper cone; this is a gorgeous, marble-clad spot that treats the humble chip with total reverence. Keep it classic and get them with mayo, or go a little wild and try some of the Indonesian-inspired toppings.

Korte Gasthuisstraat 32, 2000 Antwerp

Smudged
Part bar, part restaurant, this lively spot has a fantastic open kitchen—grab a high table for the best view. Start with the irresistible brioche topped with something savory; you'll immediately want another. The creative, shareable menu is perfectly matched by a great natural wine list.

Sint-Paulusplaats 20, 2000 Antwerp

TO DRINK

Brown Bars

As a timeless antidote to fleeting trends, Antwerp's most authentic experience is found in its unassuming bruin cafés: the city’s wood-panelled living rooms whose walls are stained a deep, warm hue by decades of tobacco smoke and lively conversation.

Oud Arsenaal
Our go-to for the quintessential brown bar experience. It's one of the oldest and most beloved in the city, with dark wood, a fantastic beer list, and a perfect mix of old-timers and visitors. It's the ideal place to do the day’s crossword alongside one of Belgium’s legendary Cantillon beers.

Maria Pijpelincxstraat 4, 2000 Antwerp

Het Souke
If Oud Arsenaal is the classic, Het Souke is our beloved, slightly divey neighborhood secret. It's an incredibly tiny spot where it feels like you’ve been invited into a private club. It's the kind of place where you can watch the city’s rhythm unfold – or, if you’re like Mia, ask the bartender to borrow the poker chips and play a few hands.

Wolstraat 18, 2000 Antwerp

Bakeries

The neighborhood bakkerij is where Antwerp starts its day, drawn in by the amazing smell of baking bread and buttery pastries that are made with real, old-school skill.

Bakker Aldo
Tucked inside the striking Het Archief building, Bakker Aldo is a haven for pastry lovers—everything here is baked fresh, with buttery, crisp viennoiserie that speaks of quiet perfection. The building itself—modern, airy, and full of well-curated culinary stops—is reason enough to linger.

Geefsstraat 5, 2000 Antwerp

Bakkerij Goossens
The oldest (and smallest) bakery in Antwerp. A city favourite since 1884, Bakkerij Goossens charms with its vintage interior and masterful baking—try the roggverdommeke or chocolate-studded loaves, still warm from the oven and best eaten on the go.

Korte Gasthuisstraat 31, 2000 Antwerp

Coffee

Antwerp's coffee shops are more than just a place for a quick cup; they’re stylish, buzzing spots where the city's creatives gather over seriously good single-origin coffee.

Rush Rush
We think Rush Rush serves the best coffee in the city, and it's always worth the trip to the gorgeous Zurenborg neighborhood for it. It's our favorite spot to start the morning, not just for their exceptional coffee and fresh pastries, but for the fantastic, ever-changing breakfast menu—think polenta hot cakes and savory rice bowls.

Lange Altaarstraat 29, 2018 Antwerp

Cocktails

Antwerp definitely isn't just a beer city—its cocktail bars are cozy, hidden spots where talented bartenders mix up creative drinks for a crowd that appreciates quality.

Marigold
Honestly, Marigold might be our favorite bar in the city. Stepping inside is like entering a perfect jewel box—all art-deco curves and velvet, with a brilliant soundtrack always on vinyl. The drinks are focused purely on incredible flavor. If you don’t make time for it while you’re in town, fear not – the bartenders will be making a guest appearance during Saturday’s cocktail hour.

Vrijdagmarkt 10, 2000 Antwerp

Tazu
Our other essential stop is Tazu, for a completely different kind of magic. You slip down a stunning medieval alley to find this serene, minimalist sanctuary designed by the legendary Vincent Van Duysen—the sense of discovery is half the fun. It’s the perfect moody spot for an after-dinner drink, and we’re always blown away by their cocktails using incredible Japanese flavors like umeboshi, yuzu, and miso.

Vlaeykensgang, Oude Koornmarkt 16, 2000 Antwerp

TO KNOW

Bike: Everyone cycles in Antwerp and the city has built an extensive network of bike routes. The easiest way to get involved is by using the Velo Antwerpen bike-share scheme, which has hundreds of stations around town.

Tram and metro: Antwerp has a widespread electric tram system. Tickets can be bought through the De Lijn app, at kiosks, or even directly from tram drivers. Remember to validate your ticket before boarding.

Taxi: You can use Uber app to request rides, schedule them in advance, and get around the city. If you are looking to hail a cab on the street, authorized taxis will have red license plates.

TO SEE

Antwerpen-Centraal, Centraal Station

Please don't think of this as just a train station—for us, it’s one of the most stunning buildings in the city. Locals call it the 'Railway Cathedral,' and you have to step inside to appreciate the scale of its massive dome and lavish, gold marbled main hall. It's a true landmark, and a place we always recommend to first-time visitors.

Koningin Astridplein 27, 2018 Antwerp

Museum Plantin-Moretus

Even if you’re not a font nerd like Sam, we promise you'll be fascinated by this museum. The charm is getting lost in the dimly lit rooms of the gorgeous 16th-century mansion, surrounded by the world’s oldest printing presses. The best part is emerging from the quiet library into the perfectly peaceful inner garden—it feels like a secret you've just discovered.

Vrijdagmarkt 22, 2000 Antwerp

Sint-Annatunnel

This is one of our favorite "only in Antwerp" experiences. Instead of a bridge, the city has this incredible Art Deco tunnel from the 1930s to get to the other side of the river. The journey itself is half the fun—riding the creaky old wooden escalators down feels like a trip back in time. You’ll emerge on the other side to what is, without a doubt, the best panoramic view of the Antwerp skyline.

Entrance at: Sint-Jansvliet, 2000 Antwerp