Flemish, beer-led€€historisch-centrum
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.
Premium frites€theaterbuurt
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: Premium frites, Stoofvlees fries, Belgian sauces
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.
Seasonal Belgian-French€€€eilandje
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.
Vietnamese€€historisch-centrum
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.
Belgian lunch€€historisch-centrum
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.
All-day brasserie€€historisch-centrum
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.
