Brasserie, Italian-leaning€€€eilandje
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.
Franco-Belgian bistro€€€historisch-centrum
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.
Cafe-restaurant€€het-zuid
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.
Belgian beer-paired pizza€€het-zuid
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.
Fusion, organic€€€borgerhout
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.
Bohemian cafe-restaurant€€historisch-centrum
Witzli-Poetzli in Antwerp is a bohemian artists' cafe-restaurant on Blauwmoezelstraat in the shadow of the cathedral. Candle-lit, vintage, late-running.
Signature: Salads, Tartines, Belgian beer
Order: The tartine of the day with a glass from the long Belgian beer list.
Tip: The room is small and dim. Reserve the rear table for groups of four or more.