Antwerp’s city-centre has plenty of excellent and interesting places to eat and drink, but they are well-hidden. Here is a small selection of cafes and bars that we managed to find.
Also recommended
De Pelgrom, Pelgrimsstraat 15 (cellar restaurant); Het Vermoeide Model, Lijnwaadmarkt 2 (French restaurant built against the cathedral); Marmite, Tofbrug (dodgy bar next door to Het Elfde Gebod); De Heksenketel, Pelgrimsstraat 22 (folk pub with plenty of atmosphere); ’t Pakhuis, Vlaamsekaai 76 (micro-brewery, 20 minutes’ walk South of the city centre).
Not tried; looks interesting
The Eat House, Kammenstraat 12 (basic English food); Symforosa, Kleine Markt (quicherie); Bar Choq, Minderbroedersrui 64 (espresso and chocolate cafe); Hopper Café, Leopold de Waelplaats 2 (Jazz cafe); any of the Irish pubs because, let’s face it, it’s criminal to drink imported beer in Belgium.