Frites Atelier is a premium frites restaurant in Theaterbuurt, Antwerp.
Frites Atelier in Antwerp is the premium Belgian frites concept on Korte Gasthuisstraat. Skin-on frites cooked in beef fat with a long list of sauces.
Signature dishes: Premium frites, Stoofvlees fries, Belgian sauces
Must order: The classic frites with stoofvlees on top; the beef-fat fry is the point.
Tip: Counter service. Take the cone for a five-minute walk to the cathedral steps and eat with the spires above.
Address: Korte Gasthuisstraat 32, 2000 Antwerp
Bistrot L'îlot in Antwerp is a 30-seat seasonal bistro on Eilandje. Chef Sander De Saegher runs the kitchen with a tight short-menu approach.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Natural-wine pairings
Order: The four-course seasonal menu with a natural-wine pairing; the kitchen leans Loire and Burgundy.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Book a fortnight ahead; only 30 covers per service.
BÚN in Antwerp is a Vietnamese bar and restaurant on Volkstraat, listed in the Michelin Guide for Vietnamese cooking on Belgian organic produce.
Signature: Bún noodle bowls, Bánh mì, Vietnamese small plates
Order: The bún noodle bowl with grilled pork and a glass of natural wine.
Tip: Little Bún is the smaller takeaway sibling for quicker counter eating.
Marolus in Antwerp is a lunch restaurant on Hendrik Conscienceplein between the cathedral and Carolus Borromeus church.
Signature: Belgian lunch plates, Pasta, Salads
Order: The Belgian dish of the day; the kitchen rotates stoofvlees, a fish plate and a vegetarian option.
Tip: Lunch only, no dinner. The square's terrace seating is the better seat in summer.
Berlin in Antwerp is an all-day brasserie on Kleine Markt that serves breakfast through to late-night plates, popular for unbookable weekend brunch.
Signature: All-day breakfast, Brunch plates, Burgers
Order: The brunch plate with eggs and in-house granola; served until 16:00.
Tip: Walk-in only on weekends. Arrive before 11:00 to skip the queue.
Mampoko in Antwerp is an all-day brasserie in a restored corner building on Amerikalei. Bistro plates from breakfast through to late dinner.
Signature: Brasserie classics, Mussels in season
Order: The mussel pot in season; pair it with a glass of Bolleke on tap.
Tip: The corner terrace opens with the weather. Lunch fills with the local office crowd.
Bocadero in Antwerp is a beach-bar brasserie on Rijnkaai 150 on the Eilandje waterfront. Casual plates and a long summer aperitivo.
Signature: Fish and chips, Burgers, Beach-bar bowls
Order: The fish and chips; the harbour terrace fills mid-afternoon.
Tip: Open seasonally with shorter winter hours. Reservations only on the indoor side.
