Best places to eat in Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is well known fo it’s beautiful architecture but not everyone knows that there are also plenty of great restaurants and amazing cafés. The city offers numerous trendy places with European, exotic and modern cuisine. Here is the list of the top places to eat in Antwerp.

Breakfast all day long at That’s Toast

Breakfast, brunch, lunch or just a nice drink at That’s Toast, any choice will make your tummy happy. This charming and cozy cafe is located in the trendy area of Antwerp, at the waterfront with a great view of the MAS museum. Sitting on the terrace, sipping on the delicious coffee or yummy cocktail you can can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The hungry ones should definitely order one of the sumptuous dishes. Portions here are magnanimous. The friendly service and the meals are always out very quickly.  

For a healthy start you can try different fresh juices or lemonades. The Asian cuisine lovers should try the baked dumplings, they are so good! I already have my favourite toasts and they are Classic with avocado salsa, poached egg, green asparagus topped with Grana padano and mint & The Triple French. But hey you should find your own ideal choice and share it with me!

That’s Toast is also located in Bruges so if you are visiting that medieval little town don’t hesitate to enjoy your brunch there too!

Trendy Restaurants in Antwerp

The Jane

“The Jane” is a Michelin restaurant in Antwerp famous all over the globe.  It’s one of the masterpieces and treasures combining ancient and modern designs. The history of the building goes back to 1906, when it used to be a military hospital. Nowadays the area is surrounded by fancy and pricy lofts. The carcass of the building stayed untouched but the insides became the creative freaky but tasteful and modern interior. The architectonic composition is not the only reason though, why that place reached high popularity. It’s also the high quality cuisine that is the epitome for the taste journey.

If you have the desire to visit that unique restaurant, then you should reserve a table or place in the upper bar 1-2 months in advance. You can do it easy and quickly online directly on The Jane Website. That place is always full booked, but it doesn’t feel crowdy or busy, because it has enough space to enjoy the interior and sweet conversations. Furthermore be prepared to spend 3-4 hours in The Jane’s wonderland trying diverse selections of smaller experimental dishes. An ideal choice is to order the 8 courses tasting menu for 65€ per Person.

If you are dining in the upper room bar you will sit and observe the chef creating magic on the plates. It is a moment when gastronomy meets the show. From the top bar you can also admire the view of the imposing giant skull, unconventional paintings on the huge windows, original chandelier resembling dancing molecules and the restaurant on the lower level.

The menu is constantly changing in the Upper Bar, so you will always be surprised what will appear in front of you on the miniature plate. Although every dish is a masterful combination of sophistication and simplicity, intensified by rich flavors. Trendy lounge music played by known Djs in the background during the degustation, gives the fragrant scene a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

De Rooden Hoed

The interior of De Rooden Hoed is intimate, cozy and pleasing: The wooden floor, discretely decorated in an old-fashioned, elegant design room with comfortable sofas. But you can also take a sit outside on the terrace. In the evening it gets pretty busy I would suggest to book a table in advance.

De Rooden Hoed is famous for it’s seafood and tartar, so definitely try it from the menu. There is also a wide range of Belgian beers and good wines. The staff may seem not very friendly because of the hectic and business. Prices of the menu are a bit higher than average in Antwerp.

Roji

 Roji is located on the main restaurant street of Antwerp’s Old Town, close to the Grote Markt. The building used to be a monastery, that was built in the 13th century by monks. The warm colors, dimmed lighting, wooden furniture and playful fireplace inside of the building give the area a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Roji is an amazing place for a memorable dining evening and a must visit in Antwerp. The fusion of French and Japanese cuisins will leave you speechless. The menu also includes various splendid Whisky sorts, like the famous Hibiki and Yamazaki and great cocktails. I found a liquid jewel, that perfectly complements Japanese cuisine: Basil Smash. A gin based cocktail mixed with basil, sugar and lime. You can also experience the exquisite taste of the Japanese delicacy, Wagyu beef. The chef personally flies to Japan every 2-3 months to choose the perfect slice of wagyu meat.