Felix Pakhuis is a brasserie restaurant in Eilandje, 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 dishes: Vitello tonnato, Brasserie classics, Sunday brunch spread
Must 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.
Address: Godefriduskaai 30, 2000 Antwerp
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.
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.
Elfde Gebod sits in a 16th-century building beside the cathedral, walls covered in religious statues. Belgian classics with beer sauces and a list of more than a hundred brews.
Signature: Rabbit stew in beer sauce, Mussels in white wine, Flemish carbonade
Order: The rabbit stew in beer sauce or the Flemish carbonade, both built around Belgian abbey ales from the bottle list.
Tip: Open daily noon to ten. The Suikerrui sister-room on the Scheldt is the same kitchen with a different view if Torfbrug is full.
