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Best Food in Antwerp (2026)
Begin your culinary tour in the historic center around the Grote Markt, where you'll find a mix of classic Belgian brasseries and modern eateries. For an authentic taste of localβ¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary tour in the historic center around the Grote Markt, where you'll find a mix of classic Belgian brasseries and modern eateries. For an authentic taste of local cuisine, head to 'De Peerdestal' at Grote Markt 21, serving hearty Flemish stews and mussels in a charming setting. Prices are moderate, with mains around 20 to 30 euros, and it's open daily from noon to late.
π Fries and Street Food
No visit to Antwerp is complete without sampling Belgian fries from a traditional frituur. Visit 'Frituur No. 1' at Oudevaartplaats 15, a beloved spot near the city center, where a generous portion costs about 3.50 euros. For a twist, try the 'frietje stoofvlees' (fries with beef stew) at 'De Frietketel' on Korte Gasthuisstraat, open until 2 AM on weekends.
π« Chocolate and Sweets
Indulge in Antwerp's chocolate scene at 'The Chocolate Line' on Korte Gasthuisstraat 15, where you'll find inventive pralines and chocolate bars crafted by a renowned chocolatier. Prices start at around 2 euros per piece, and the shop is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. For a more traditional experience, visit 'Burie' on Korte Gasthuisstraat 3, a family-run chocolatier since 1919, famous for its handmade marzipan and chocolate letters.
πΊ Beer and Local Brews
Pair your meals with Antwerp's vibrant beer culture, from Trappist ales to local craft brews. Visit 'Kulminator' at Vleminckveld 32, a legendary beer bar with a cellar of over 500 bottles, where you can taste rare vintages for 5 to 15 euros per glass. For a brewery experience, take a tour at 'De Koninck' at Mechelsesteenweg 291, where you can sample their signature Antwerpse Bolle beer, with tours costing 15 euros including tastings.
π₯ Hidden Neighborhood Gems
Venture beyond the tourist center to the 't Zuid' neighborhood, known for its trendy dining scene. Try 'Barchel' at Waalse Kaai 25, a cozy spot serving seasonal Belgian dishes with a modern twist, mains around 25 euros. Another gem is 'Het Gebaar' at Leopoldstraat 24, a Michelin-starred restaurant run by a pastry chef, offering a tasting menu for 95 euros, open for lunch and dinner.
π¦ Seafood Specialties
Antwerp's proximity to the North Sea means excellent seafood, especially at the city's fish restaurants. Head to 'Fish & Eat' at Marnixplaats 14, where you can enjoy a fresh lobster or oysters for around 30 euros, with a lively atmosphere. For a more upscale experience, 'Het Pomphuis' at Siberiastraat 30, set in a former water pumping station, serves a refined seafood platter for two at 85 euros, open from noon to 10 PM.
π° Sweet Endings
Finish your food journey with a visit to a traditional Belgian pastry shop. 'Bakkerij Van den Broeck' at Korte Gasthuisstraat 21 offers a heavenly selection of cream cakes and tarts, with slices around 4 euros. For a unique treat, try the 'Antwerpse Handjes' (little hands), a buttery cookie shaped like a hand, available at 'Bakkerij De Volder' at Suikerrui 12, a local favorite since 1886.
πΆ Budget-Friendly Bites
If you're traveling on a budget, Antwerp has plenty of affordable options that don't skimp on flavor. Grab a quick and tasty sandwich at 'De Broodnatie' at Kammenstraat 12, where a filled baguette costs about 6 euros. For a filling meal, head to 'De Pottekijker' at Grote Pieter Potstraat 25, a cozy spot serving daily specials like spaghetti or stew for under 15 euros, open from 11 AM to 8 PM.
yeah the guide's pretty on point but nobody mentioned the 'dagelijkse kost' spots, the lunch places where locals eat. check 'den artiest' on maarschalk gΓ©rardstraat, it's a brown cafe that does a killer vol-au-vent with homemade fries for like 12 euros, no menu, just whatever they cooked that day. also for the 'antwerpse handjes', don't bother with the fancy bakeries, the best ones come from 'confiserie ruf' near the zoo, they've been doing them since the 1920s and they're less sweet, more buttery. and if you're doing the beer thing, skip kulminator on a saturday night, it's packed and the owner's grumpy, go on a tuesday afternoon when you can actually chat with him about lambics. one more thing, the guide says fish & eat is lively but it's also loud as hell, if you want quiet seafood go to 'oesterbar' on the suikerrui, tiny place, 10 seats, oysters shucked to order and a great chablis list.
honestly the guide's solid but it missed the frituur at the vlaamse kaai market on sundays, best fries i've had in belgium and they come with this homemade andalouse sauce that's like crack. also for chocolate, skip burie if it's busy, the queue's insane on weekends, but the chocolate line is worth every cent for their weird stuff like the wasabi praline. and yeah het gebaar's a pain to book, but the tasting menu's actually worth it if you can snag a spot on a weekday lunch, way quieter
the guide nailed the classics, but honestly the best thing i ate in antwerp wasn't on this list. skip the tourist fries and walk over to 'friethuisje' on hoornstraat, tiny place with a window, they do their stoofvlees slow-cooked with a real dark beer reduction. costs like 4 euros and the lady running it has been there since the 90s. also, if you're near 't zuid anyway, barchel is great but try 'sombat' on waalse kaai for thai, totally different vibe and the green curry is better than anything i had in bangkok. one tip the guide missed: reserve at 'het gebaar' way ahead, like 3 weeks, i walked in once and got laughed at. and for the antwerpse handjes, get them fresh from 'de volder' in the morning, they're still warm and way better than the packaged ones.
3 Days in Antwerp: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip at the Grote Markt, the city's main square, surrounded by guild houses and the Brabo Fountain. Visit the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lβ¦ πΊοΈ Day One: Historic Center
Start your trip at the Grote Markt, the city's main square, surrounded by guild houses and the Brabo Fountain. Visit the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lady), open Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with an entrance fee of 12 euros. For lunch, head to the Vlaeykensgang, a hidden alley with charming cafes, just a five-minute walk from the cathedral.
π¨ Day One: Art and Museums
In the afternoon, explore the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), a striking red sandstone building offering panoramic city views from its rooftop. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is 12 euros. For dinner, walk to the 't Zuid neighborhood, known for its trendy restaurants like The Jane, which requires reservations well in advance.
π Day Two: Getting Around
Use the city's efficient tram and bus network to reach the trendy South district ('t Zuid). A single ticket costs 3 euros, or you can buy a day pass for 7 euros at any De Lijn ticket machine. From the Central Station, take tram 4 or 10 to the 't Zuid stop, which takes about 15 minutes.
ποΈ Day Two: Shopping and Design
Spend the morning browsing the fashion boutiques along Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat, home to the Antwerp Six designers. Visit the ModeMuseum (MoMu) on Nationalestraat, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with tickets at 10 euros. For a break, stop at the trendy coffee bar Caffe Mundi on Kammenstraat for a cappuccino and a pastry.
π« Day Two: Chocolate and Beer
In the afternoon, take a chocolate-making workshop at the Belgian Chocolate Makers on Korte Gasthuisstraat, costing 35 euros per person. Later, join a beer-tasting tour at the Antwerp Beer Tour, which starts at the De Koninck brewery in the Antwerp South area. The tour lasts two hours and includes samples of local brews, priced at 25 euros.
π³ Day Three: Parks and Palaces
Begin your final day with a stroll through the Stadspark, a peaceful green space near the Central Station. Then, visit the Royal Palace of Antwerp (Koninklijk Paleis), which is not open to the public, but you can admire its facade from the outside. For a unique experience, take a guided boat tour along the Scheldt River, departing from the Steenplein, costing 15 euros for a one-hour trip.
π½οΈ Day Three: Local Flavors
For lunch, try the famous Antwerpse handjes (little hands cookies) at a local bakery like Bakkerij Goossens on Korte Gasthuisstraat. In the evening, dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant 't Zilte, located on the top floor of the MAS, offering stunning views and a tasting menu for 145 euros. Make sure to book at least a month in advance.
π Day Three: Departure Tips
If you're leaving by train, Antwerp Central Station is a stunning architectural gem worth arriving early to explore. The station offers direct connections to Brussels (40 minutes), Amsterdam (1 hour), and Paris (2 hours). For airport transfers, take the direct bus to Brussels Airport from the station, which runs every 30 minutes and costs 15 euros.
This is a well thought out plan, you've got the essentials covered. One thing I'd add is a stop at the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which the guide skips entirely. It's a 16th century printing house and bookstore, UNESCO listed, and it's one of the few places where you can still smell the old paper and ink. It's a short walk from the cathedral, open daily except Mondays, and the entry is around 10 euros. It gives you a real sense of Antwerp's golden age beyond just the art and fashion.
For the chocolate workshop, I'd actually skip the big branded place on Korte Gasthuisstraat and go to a smaller operation like Chocolaterie Angelito near the Groenplaats. It's run by one guy, hands on, and you'll make a mess and have fun doing it. Same price range, but you're not in a group of twenty tourists.
Also, if you're at the MAS rooftop for sunset, grab a drink at the bar on the eighth floor first. It's a bit pricey, but you get to sit down and watch the river traffic instead of jostling with everyone else for a spot at the railing.
honestly this itinerary is solid, but you're missing one thing: the Saturday flea market at the Vrijdagmarkt. it's every friday actually, not saturday, my bad. whole square fills up with antique dealers and random junk, great for people-watching and grabbing a cheap waffle from a stall. goes from like 7am to 1pm, so hit it before the museums open.
also, skip The Jane if you can't get a reservation, it's overhyped imo. try Graanmarkt 13 instead, same price range but the setting is way more intimate and the menu changes weekly. tucked behind a fashion store, you'd never find it unless someone told you.
one tip for the MAS: the rooftop is free, you don't need to pay the 12 euros just for the view. just walk in and take the escalators up, nobody checks. best spot in the city for sunset pics.
and if you're into beer, skip the De Koninck tour, it's touristy. go to Kulminator instead, tiny bar near the cathedral, they have like 300 bottles aging in the cellar. owner's a grumpy old guy but he knows everything. open weird hours though, check before you go.
The itinerary's got the big hitters covered, and I'd definitely keep the cathedral on there. But if you're around on a weekday morning, swap one of the museum slots for a wander through the Zurenborg district, just east of the center. It's a quiet residential area packed with art nouveau facades, especially along Cogels-Osylei, and it's a completely different vibe from the tourist core. Tram 11 from the center gets you there in about ten minutes, and it costs the same as your day pass.
For food, the guide's right that 't Zuid is the place, but skip the fancy reservations and grab a table at Fiskeshop on Marnixplaats. It's a tiny fish bar, nothing fancy, but their fried squid and a local white beer will run you under 25 euros and it's always full of Antwerp regulars. They don't take bookings, so go early, around 6 PM, or you'll be waiting outside like everyone else.
One thing nobody mentions: the cathedral's tower climb is separate from the main entrance ticket. It's a narrow, steep spiral staircase, 515 steps, but the view over the whole old town and the river is worth the leg burn. Only open on weekends though, so plan for that if you want the full experience.