Something Different

Antwerp is an enjoyable and, on the whole, an inexpensive place to eat. Its busy centre has plenty of informal cafes and restaurants which combine traditional Flemish dishes with French and Mediterranean cuisine. There’s a concentration of top-class places on and around Grote Pieter Potstraat, off the Suikerrui, and another in the vicinity of Hendrik Conscienceplein. Whilst the Grote Markt and the Groenplaats have a multitude of more touristy cafes.

Most cafes open fairly early in the morning, at least by 9am, and stay open until quite late at night. Restaurants tend to open daily from around midday until 11pm, with maybe a few hours closure in the afternoon. Those with regular closing days, normally take either Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays.

Many restaurants offer a set menu, usually of three or four courses, which can be a very good deal but are usually only served at lunchtime.

Although it is always tempting to head straight for a typical brasserie and order a huge meal of steamed mussels and piles of crispy frites, Antwerp is a serious gourmet destination, here are a few of our favourites:

't Fornuis - One of the city's most popular restaurants. French influenced cuisine in a traditional Flemish setting.Reynderstraat 24. (00 32 (0)3 233 62 70).

La Rade – haute cuisine served in a lovely old mansion close to the river. Ernest Van Dijckkaai 8. (00 32 (0)3 233 37 37).

Sir Anthony Van Dyck – one of the city’s most delightful restaurants. Reservations are essential Oude Kooornmarkt. (00 32 (0)3 321 61 70).

Pottenbrug - Charming, Parisian-style bistro which has been serving up delicious French classics for 20 years. Minderbroedersrui 32. (00 32 (0)3 231 51 47).

Coco C - a chic restaurant serving light French-fusion dishes – a hang-out for fashion-model wannabes wanting to catch a glimpse of the town's famous designers. Volkstraat 58; (0032 (0) 3216 9643). 

Different

Absoluut Zweeds - one of the hottest restaurants in town. The chef is Swedish, and the cuisine an eclectic mix of Scandinavian, French, Japanese and Italian influences. Wijngaardstraat 12; (00 32 (0)3237 2843),

Mata Mata & Pili Pili - a hip diner and late-night bar, with a menu featuring exotic African cooking. Hoogstraat 44; (00 32 (0)3213 1928)

Confituur - a casual bistro symbolising Antwerp's cool designer style. The dining room doubles as a lounge bar, where you can drink while reclining on comfy old sofas, and delicious, reasonably priced home cooking is served at minimalist tables. Then browse its art gallery and contemporary furniture boutique at the back. Volkstraat 45; (00 32 (0)3237 0337).

Seafood

De Matelote – a top seafood restaurant. Located close to the Grote Markt.

Haarstraat 9; (00 32 (0)3 231 32 07)

Zuiderterras- a modern restaurant with lovely views overlooking the river - good mussels and other seafood.

Ernest Van Dijckkaai 37; (00 32 (0)3 324 12 75)

Hat Vermoeide Model - A cosy, antiquated tavern leaning up against the cathedral, with good fish and salads.

Lijnwaadmarkt 2; (00 32 (0)3 233 52 61).

Traditional

Cheap De Stoemppot - a great place to try the local favourite stoemp - a traditional Flemish dish of puréed meat and vegetables.

Vlasmarkt 12; (00 32 (0)3 231 36 86)

The Grand Cafe Horta - worth visiting as much for its stunning design as for the food. Right next door to the Rubenshuis, this is a good place to sample hearty Belgian fare.

Hopland 2; (00 32 (0)3232 7213)

Cafes and Snacks

Den Angel - Traditional Antwerp café and bar right opposite the Stadhuis.

Grote Markt 3; (00 32) (0)3 233 12 51).