The counters in Antwerp worth queuing for: bread, pastry, and the morning ritual.
Bakery counters in Antwerp worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Philip's Biscuits in Antwerp bakes the city's official biscuit on Korte Gasthuisstraat. The recipe traces to Jos Hakker's 1934 tribute to the Brabo legend.
Tip: The chocolate-coated version is the better gift for travel; the plain butter cookies are best eaten the day of purchase.
Worth the queue: Antwerpse handjes with sliced almonds
DelRey in Antwerp on Appelmansstraat is a family-owned chocolatier and patisserie since before World War II. The case runs across handmade pralines and pastries.
Tip: The chocolate-shell Antwerpse handjes box is the canonical Antwerp souvenir.
Worth the queue: Antwerpse handjes in chocolate
Bakkerij Goossens in Antwerp has worked the same Renaissance house with stepped gable since 1884. The roggeverdommeke rye-raisin loaf is the canonical bake.
Tip: Lines start before 09:00 on Saturday. Arrive early for first pick of the brioches.
Worth the queue: Roggeverdommeke rye-raisin bread
The Bakery in Antwerp sits inside the De Koninck brewery complex on Boomgaardstraat. Chef-baker Kenney Van Hoorick runs the kitchen in an 1833 classified building.
Tip: Bread sells out by midday on weekends. Pair a coffee with a fresh croissant in the brewery courtyard.
Worth the queue: House sourdough loaves
Bürr Bakehouse in Antwerp on Brederodestraat ferments sourdough for 72 hours and runs a small cafe counter. The Het Zuid bakery sources flour from local mills.
Tip: Bread goes by midday on weekends. The pastries fill in second.
Worth the queue: Slow-fermented sourdough boule
Domestic Bakkerij in Antwerp on Steenbokstraat is the bakery sibling to restaurants Dôme and Dôme sur Mer. Long-fermented sourdough, viennoiserie and rare grain bread.
Tip: Three locations across Antwerp; the Steenbokstraat original is the largest. Closed Monday.
Worth the queue: Long-fermented sourdough, viennoiserie
Bakkerij FUNK in Antwerp on Kronenburgstraat is a vegan bakery and natural-wine shop in Het Zuid. Sourdough loaves, vegan croissants and cinnamon buns.
Tip: The natural-wine counter at the back rotates Belgian and Loire growers.
Worth the queue: Vegan pastries, sourdough loaves
Bakker Aldo in Antwerp bakes slow-fermented sourdough on Lange Leemstraat near Berchem station. Aldo Neri learned the craft at Domestic, sister to Dôme.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. The Geefstraat city-centre branch keeps the same recipes.
Worth the queue: Honest sourdough boule, no additives
Kleinblatt in Antwerp is the city's largest kosher bakery, in the diamond district on Provinciestraat. The Hasidic-community staple bakes challah, bagels, sesame bread.
Tip: Closed Saturday for Shabbat. Friday afternoon is the busiest sitting for pre-Shabbat challah pickup.
Worth the queue: Sesame seed bread, bagels, challah
Barnini in Antwerp on Oudevaartplaats bakes New York-style bagels through the morning. The smoked-salmon and cream-cheese bagel is the signature build.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The bagels finish around 14:00; arrive before lunch for full lineup.
Worth the queue: Smoked-salmon bagel