Food destinations within easy reach of Antwerp, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Antwerp. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: White asparagus in spring, Mechelse cuckoo chicken
Mechelen sits 20 minutes south of Antwerp by train. The town is known for white asparagus in April to June and the Mechelse koekoek heritage chicken breed.
Famous for: Gentse waterzooi, cuberdon noses, Trappist beer
Ghent sits 60 minutes west of Antwerp by train. The city's signature waterzooi was born in the Korenlei guild kitchens; the cuberdon sweet on Groentenmarkt.
Famous for: Belgian chocolate, mussels, Trappist beer
Bruges sits 90 minutes west of Antwerp by train. The medieval centre is a UNESCO site; chocolate shops and Trappist bars cluster around the Markt.
Famous for: Lierse vlaaike pastry, beer cafes around the Begijnhof
Lier sits 15 minutes east of Antwerp by train. The town's Lierse vlaaike spice-and-honey tart is a regional speciality; beer cafes ring the Begijnhof.
Famous for: Moules-frites, lambic beer, chocolate
Brussels sits 45 minutes south of Antwerp by InterCity. Brasserie Cantillon for lambic in Anderlecht; Maison Antoine on Place Jourdan for frites.
Famous for: Hoogstraten strawberries, regional Flemish kitchens
Hoogstraten sits 45 minutes north of Antwerp by car. The town is Belgium's strawberry capital; growers stalls run from May into October.