Antwerp Seasonal Food: What to Eat When in 2026

What is in season in Antwerp, and what to order when the market changes.

Next up in Antwerp

4 Dec to 3 JanGlühwein, frites, speculoos, Belgian winter food

Spring

White asparagus from Mechelen: April to June peak. The Mechelse koekoek heritage chicken pairs at brasseries like Dôme and Bistrot du Nord.
Morels: Late April through May. Fine-dining rooms put them on the tasting menu paired with veal or asparagus.
Belgian green asparagus: May to June. Lighter than the white asparagus; brasseries pair it with North Sea sole.

Going to Antwerpen Proeft?

Hotels in Antwerp, 6-9 May 2027

Holidufrom USD 59 a night

Mussels with frites: Season opens around 15 July. Bocadero on Eilandje and Mampoko on Amerikalei put them on the daily menu.
Hoogstraten strawberries: May to October peak. The Hoogstraten growers' stalls run at Antwerp markets through summer.
North Sea sole and turbot: July to September peak. RAS and Bistrot du Nord serve them off the daily chalkboard.

Going to Bierpassie Weekend?

Hotels in Antwerp, 18-20 Jun 2027

Holidufrom USD 59 a night

Game and pheasant: October to January. Bistrot du Nord and Dôme run a full game menu for the autumn season.
Belgian endive (witloof): September through April. Witloof gegratineerd with ham and béchamel is the canonical Antwerp gratin.
Chestnuts and Belgian sprouts: October to December. Roasted chestnut carts appear around Grote Markt and Groenplaats.

Stoofvlees and Flemish stew: November to March. Elfde Gebod and most Belgian brown cafes serve the canonical version with frites year-round but stew season is winter.
Mussels late season: November to March, second mussel window. The Zeeland mussels run smaller and sweeter than the summer catch.
Christmas market food: Glühwein, frites with stoofvleessaus, speculoos and waffles. Grote Markt and Groenplaats from early December.