The fastest, cheapest, frequently best food on Antwerp's streets.
Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in Antwerp.
Fritkot Max in Antwerp on Groenplaats has cooked Belgian frites in beef fat since 1842. The original cart stood on Burchtplein beside the Rubens statue and moved to Groenplaats when the Schelde was straightened.
Try: Belgian frites cooked in beef fat
Tip: Order with stoofvleessaus on top for the canonical combination. The fryer museum is on the first floor.
Frituur No. 1 in Antwerp on Hoogstraat is a classic frite counter near the cathedral. Hand-cut potatoes, double-fried in beef fat, paired with Belgian sauces.
Try: Belgian frites with sauce
Tip: Andalouse and samurai are the local sauce signatures. Cash works, card accepted.
Frituur 't Stad in Antwerp on Melkmarkt serves frites, frikandel and bitterballen from a corner counter a block from the Cathedral.
Try: Belgian frites, frikandel, bitterballen
Tip: Order the mitraillette for a frites-loaded sandwich with stewed beef and mayo.
Frites Atelier in Antwerp on Korte Gasthuisstraat is the premium Belgian frites concept. Skin-on potatoes, beef fat, long list of sauces and toppings.
Try: Premium Belgian frites
Tip: Try the truffle frites for a step above the standard order; cathedral steps are five minutes away.
Philip's Biscuits on Korte Gasthuisstraat bakes Antwerpse handjes, the city's hand-shaped butter cookie. Recipe traces to Jos Hakker's 1934 tribute to the Brabo legend.
Try: Antwerpse handjes butter cookies
Tip: Take the chocolate-coated tin for travel; the plain butter version is best eaten same-day.
The Exotische Markt on Theaterplein every Saturday runs a row of street-food stalls: Moroccan tagines, Turkish lahmacun, Lebanese sfiha and Greek souvlaki.
Try: North African and Mediterranean street plates
Tip: Bring cash. Stalls clear early; the freshest plates come off the grill before 12:00.
DelRey in Antwerp on Appelmansstraat sells chocolate-shell Antwerpse handjes from the family-run chocolatier counter. The recipe predates World War II.
Try: Antwerpse handjes in chocolate
Tip: The chocolate-shell tin is the canonical Antwerp souvenir; small and packs flat for travel.
Frituur 't Eilandje in Antwerp serves frites in the Eilandje quarter near the MAS. Hand-cut potatoes, beef-fat fry, classic Belgian sauces.
Try: Belgian frites with stoofvlees
Tip: Open until 22:00 most nights; the harbour walk pairs well with a cone in hand.
Bocadero in Antwerp on Rijnkaai sets out a summer beach bar with picnic tables, fish and chips and a long aperitivo on the Eilandje waterfront.
Try: Fish and chips, casual plates
Tip: Indoor reservations only. The beach is first-come; arrive before 16:00 for a deck chair.