Modern Belgian-italian€€€€theaterbuurt
Le Pristine in Antwerp is Sergio Herman's modern Belgian-Italian dining room in a 1960s modernist building. Crudo, wood-grilled fish and pasta.
Signature: Crudo plates, Wood-grilled fish, Pasta of the day
Order: The crudo of the day and a wood-grilled fish; the pasta course rotates with what was shopped that morning.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The Cafe two doors down is the better-value breakfast and lunch option.
Vietnamese€€historisch-centrum
BÚN in Antwerp is a Vietnamese bar and restaurant on Volkstraat, listed in the Michelin Guide for fine-dining Vietnamese 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 from the Vietnamese-leaning list.
Tip: The smaller Little Bún noodle shop is the takeaway sibling for quicker counter eating.
Belgian€€€borgerhout
Nage relocated from Reyndersstraat to a Congresstraat corner space in the 2060 quarter and now serves casual seasonal cooking with a natural-wine list.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Orange-wine pairings
Order: A spread of small plates paired with the natural-wine flight.
Tip: Open Friday to Monday only; reserve a week ahead for weekend service.
Belgian€€€theaterbuurt
Bar Pêche on Bollandusstraat, just off Britselei, is chef Semmy Roumans's small bistro built around seasonal fish, vegetables and natural wine.
Signature: Seasonal fish course, Vegetable starter of the day, Natural-wine pairing
Order: The day's fish main, paired off the list with a glass of natural white.
Tip: The intimate dining room books up fast; reserve a fortnight ahead for weekend tables.
Belgian€€€historisch-centrum
RAS in Antwerp sits on the riverfront on Ernest Van Dijckkaai with a Scheldt terrace listed in the Michelin Guide. Located in Historisch Centrum.
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.
Belgian€€historisch-centrum
Brewers' Kitchen on Oude Beurs is a small Belgian-French dining room where the chef pairs seasonal plates with craft beers from local breweries.
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.