Bar Pêche is a seasonal belgian gastro-bistro restaurant in Theaterbuurt, Antwerp.
Bar Pêche on Bollandusstraat, just off Britselei, is chef Semmy Roumans's small bistro built around seasonal fish, vegetables and natural wine. The card is short: four starters, four mains, four desserts.
Signature dishes: Seasonal fish course, Vegetable starter of the day, Natural-wine pairing
Must order: The day's fish main, paired off the list with a glass of natural white; the vegetable starter shows the kitchen's understated hand.
Tip: The intimate dining room books up fast; reserve a fortnight ahead for weekend tables.
Address: Bollandusstraat 2, 2000 Antwerp
RAS in Antwerp sits on the riverfront on Ernest Van Dijckkaai with a Scheldt terrace listed in the Michelin Guide. The kitchen leans heavily on North Sea fish.
Signature: North Sea fish, Mussels in season, Belgian seafood plates
Order: Whatever is in season from the North Sea; the chalkboard rotates with the day's catch.
Tip: The Scheldt-facing terrace fills first in summer. Reserve the inside river view for sunset dinners.
Brewers' Kitchen on Oude Beurs is a small Belgian-French dining room where the chef pairs seasonal plates with craft beers from local breweries. Tartare, lamb and house dessert are the signature trio.
Signature: Hand-cut steak tartare, Filet américain, Dame blanche
Order: The hand-cut steak tartare to start and the dame blanche to finish, both house signatures.
Tip: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The chef works the room and the stove, so the pace is unhurried; book the early sitting on busy nights.
Hiro in Antwerp is an informal Japanese izakaya on Napoleonkaai overlooking the MAS. Chef Prakash Lamichhane runs the open sushi counter and a craft-sake list.
Signature: Sushi, Japanese-inspired small plates
Order: The omakase counter seat; the chef builds plates around the day's fish and a short list of Japanese-inspired hot dishes.
Tip: Sit at the counter to follow the knife work. The basement room is louder; reserve upstairs for a quieter dinner.
Bocadero in Antwerp is a beach-bar brasserie at Rijnkaai 150 on the Eilandje waterfront. Outdoor seating, casual plates and a long summer aperitivo.
Signature: Fish and chips, Bowls, Burgers
Order: The fish and chips; the harbour terrace fills mid-afternoon on sunny days.
Tip: Open seasonally with shorter winter hours. Reservations only on the indoor side; the beach is first-come.
Marolus in Antwerp is a lunch restaurant on Hendrik Conscienceplein, a tree-lined square between the cathedral and the Carolus Borromeus church.
Signature: Belgian lunch plates, Pasta, Salads
Order: The Belgian dish of the day; the kitchen rotates a stoofvlees, a fish plate and a vegetarian option.
Tip: Lunch only, no dinner. The square's terrace seating is the better seat in summer.
Camino in Antwerp is a Korean kitchen on Muntstraat in the old centre. The room serves traditional Korean BBQ alongside sibling outlets Osaka and Tap Out.
Signature: Bibimbap, Korean BBQ, Bulgogi
Order: The bibimbap and a portion of bulgogi off the grill menu.
Tip: The Muntstraat room is the calmer of the two Antwerp Caminos. Reserve, especially Thursday to Sunday.
