Bocadero is a mediterranean beach brasserie restaurant in Eilandje, Antwerp.
Bocadero in Antwerp is a beach-bar brasserie on Rijnkaai 150 on the Eilandje waterfront. Casual plates and a long summer aperitivo.
Signature dishes: Fish and chips, Burgers, Beach-bar bowls
Must order: The fish and chips; the harbour terrace fills mid-afternoon.
Tip: Open seasonally with shorter winter hours. Reservations only on the indoor side.
Address: Rijnkaai 150, 2000 Antwerp
Felix Pakhuis on Het Eilandje is a brasserie inside a restored Sint-Felix warehouse on the Scheldt. Brasserie classics with an Italian streak; the Sunday brunch is the room's signature.
Signature: Vitello tonnato, Brasserie classics, Sunday brunch spread
Order: The vitello tonnato, then the fish main; come on Sunday for the brunch spread, or weekday lunch for a quieter sitting.
Tip: Closed Monday to Wednesday. The waterfront terrace fills first on warm evenings.
Camino in Antwerp is a Korean kitchen on Muntstraat. Traditional Korean BBQ at the table alongside sibling outlets Osaka and Tap Out.
Signature: Bibimbap, Korean BBQ, Bulgogi
Order: The bibimbap and a portion of bulgogi off the grill menu.
Tip: The Muntstraat room is the calmer of the two Antwerp Caminos.
Felix Pakhuis on Het Eilandje is a brasserie inside a restored Sint-Felix warehouse on the Scheldt. Brasserie classics with an Italian streak; the Sunday brunch is the room's signature.
Signature: Vitello tonnato, Brasserie classics, Sunday brunch spread
Order: The vitello tonnato, then the fish main; come on Sunday for the brunch spread, or weekday lunch for a quieter sitting.
Tip: Closed Monday to Wednesday. The waterfront terrace fills first on warm evenings.
Bistrot Benoit on Zirkstraat is a modern Franco-Belgian bistro on a quiet square at the edge of the old centre. Playful, ingredient-led plates that read traditional but rarely are.
Signature: Vol-au-vent, French onion soup, Menu Benoit
Order: The three-course Menu Benoit at 57.5 euros; vol-au-vent and onion soup show the kitchen's classical side.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Friday and Saturday dinner is Menu Benoit only; book a weeknight for a la carte.
Buchbar in Antwerp is a cafe-restaurant on Scheldestraat in Het Zuid. The kitchen runs all-day brunch, lunch plates and small-batch filter coffee.
Signature: Brunch plates, Lunch counter dishes
Order: The brunch plate with eggs and bread from the in-house counter.
Tip: Closed Monday. The patio fills first in summer.
Otomat in Antwerp on Van Schoonbekeplein serves pizzas built on Belgian beer-dough with beer-paired toppings.
Signature: Beer-dough pizza, Belgian craft beer pairings
Order: The Lupulus pizza; the kitchen pairs every pie with a specific Belgian brew.
Tip: The Antwerp branch is the original; chain expansion came later.
Bistro Estelle in Borgerhout is an intimate fusion kitchen on Laar. The room is small, the menu is fusion, the wine list runs natural and organic.
Signature: Fusion small plates, Natural-wine pairings
Order: The chef's fusion tasting; the kitchen leans into organic Belgian produce.
Tip: Borgerhout sits east of the ring road. The 1, 7 and 24 trams stop two blocks away.
