Map 1 CENTRAL ANTWERP 498
320 338 351 467 288
265
66
360 248
at
72
436
79
42
291
og
str a
at Ho St Andries Church 327
444 241
231
220 216
jklei Wapper
23
201
319
174
Frank ri 178
117
121 64
239 377
373
232
233
19
Bourla Theatre
101
lestr aat
388
215
Oudaan 365 179 190
98
112
263
245
t Schuttershofstraa 63 236
ona
256
224
Nati
18 244
395
317
Hopland 87 73
34
295
209 237 206
381
225
226
430
240
383
250
25
137
Rosier
234 364
303 128
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
340
6
Botanical Garden
443
404
46
198
151 210 275 203
150
Theaterplein
33
kle i
290
285
214
Fr an kr ij
aat
331
Munthof
Kloo st
47
292
t aa str
355
177 58
243
211
en
erstr
49
471
242
252
235
straat Leopold
185
75
246
Meir
107
t
r Oe ve
251 258 212
Meir
348
Huidevettersstraa
Dijc Van est Ern
kaa i ntin
110
475
207
238
rkt
213
247
480
184
298
Schoenma
mm Ka
Pla
323
arkt
347
uwstraat
262
187
17
217 219
127
406
t
249
Lange Nie
cobsm
305
196 393 337 Vrijdag186 markt
253
4
313
at
289
148
500
Groenplaats
tra
477 454
418
Sint-Ja
St Jacob Church
354 183
353
mark
rss
179 2
314
11
rn Koo
103 Re yn de
Kipdorp
392 119
189
143
157
nel
131 181
e
322
408
tun
59
318
208 346
496
Cathedral
ud
nna
156
261
497
O
t-A
321
105 341
138
kka
ai
15
7
139
104
158
173
St Carolus Borromeus Church
10
409
134
416
35
324
lei
Grote Markt
309
57
176 311
Sint-Kate lijnevest
City Hall
124
223
300
Lange Ko
230 286
363
Italië
epoortstra
414
Sin
152
352
Schelde
306
194
Stadspark
27
162 51
384
69
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
Map 1 CENTRAL ANTWERP 498
320 338 351 467 288
265
66
360 248
at
72
436
79
42
291
og
str a
at Ho St Andries Church 327
444 241
231
220 216
jklei Wapper
23
201
319
174
Frank ri 178
117
121 64
239 377
373
232
233
19
Bourla Theatre
101
lestr aat
388
215
Oudaan 365 179 190
98
112
263
245
t Schuttershofstraa 63 236
ona
256
224
Nati
18 244
395
317
Hopland 87 73
34
295
209 237 206
381
225
226
430
240
383
250
25
137
Rosier
234 364
303 128
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
340
6
Botanical Garden
443
404
46
198
151 210 275 203
150
Theaterplein
33
kle i
290
285
214
Fr an kr ij
aat
331
Munthof
Kloo st
47
292
t aa str
355
177 58
243
211
en
erstr
49
471
242
252
235
straat Leopold
185
75
246
Meir
107
t
r Oe ve
251 258 212
Meir
348
Huidevettersstraa
Dijc Van est Ern
kaa i ntin
110
475
207
238
rkt
213
247
480
184
298
Schoenma
mm Ka
Pla
323
arkt
347
uwstraat
262
187
17
217 219
127
406
t
249
Lange Nie
cobsm
305
196 393 337 Vrijdag186 markt
253
4
313
at
289
148
500
Groenplaats
tra
477 454
418
Sint-Ja
St Jacob Church
354 183
353
mark
rss
179 2
314
11
rn Koo
103 Re yn de
Kipdorp
392 119
189
143
157
nel
131 181
e
322
408
tun
59
318
208 346
496
Cathedral
ud
nna
156
261
497
O
t-A
321
105 341
138
kka
ai
15
7
139
104
158
173
St Carolus Borromeus Church
10
409
134
416
35
324
lei
Grote Markt
309
57
176 311
Sint-Kate lijnevest
City Hall
124
223
300
Lange Ko
230 286
363
Italië
epoortstra
414
Sin
152
352
Schelde
306
194
Stadspark
27
162 51
384
69
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
Map 2 HET ZUID
Map 3 UNIVERSITY QUARTER
Schelde
MAS
Willemdok
269
lestr
aat
199
257
ona
293
Nati
122 382 391
Kloosterstraat
102
118
Ankerrui Oude Leeuwenrui
Brouwersvliet
illk
aa
i
255
221
254
65
372 412
52
eu
m
st
21
at
i
339
Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Begijnhof University of Antwerp 336
Prinsstraa
t
54 Lambermontplaats
316
398
Hendrik Conscienceplein
123
325
345
53
Kipdo
rp
aa
t
403
Ossenmarkt
312 405 315
155
133
294
ui
358
343
rsr
A
r me
le ika
402
357
arkt
61
de
78
271
rp
oe
132
20
Kl
br
at
Royal Museum of Fine Arts
enm
do
ap
12
er
48 Sc hi 68 ld er ss tra
Paard
204
ind
32
166
St Antonius Church
70
76
26
M
287
ra
raat
Vl
aa m
se K
aa i
W aa
lse
us
126
t raa
55
M
160
165
Paardenmarkt
inst
328
89
100
182
171
365 399
lple
97
De Vrièrest
Ka
ai
62
191
tee
218
Kas
146 451
Falconplein
180
6
Vo lks
272
i
159
284
24
149
tra
at
94
487
222 60
Italiële
Co ck er
99
ed
A
ero de
str
Sint-Ja St Jacob Church
Bolivarplaats 268
Sint-Katelijn eve
141
Br
i
ale
rik me
cobsm
arkt
175
Lange Nie
uwstraat
st
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
Map 2 HET ZUID
Map 3 UNIVERSITY QUARTER
Schelde
MAS
Willemdok
269
lestr
aat
199
257
ona
293
Nati
122 382 391
Kloosterstraat
102
118
Ankerrui Oude Leeuwenrui
Brouwersvliet
illk
aa
i
255
221
254
65
372 412
52
eu
m
st
21
at
i
339
Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Begijnhof University of Antwerp 336
Prinsstraa
t
54 Lambermontplaats
316
398
Hendrik Conscienceplein
123
325
345
53
Kipdo
rp
aa
t
403
Ossenmarkt
312 405 315
155
133
294
ui
358
343
rsr
A
r me
le ika
402
357
arkt
61
de
78
271
rp
oe
132
20
Kl
br
at
Royal Museum of Fine Arts
enm
do
ap
12
er
48 Sc hi 68 ld er ss tra
Paard
204
ind
32
166
St Antonius Church
70
76
26
M
287
ra
raat
Vl
aa m
se K
aa i
W aa
lse
us
126
t raa
55
M
160
165
Paardenmarkt
inst
328
89
100
182
171
365 399
lple
97
De Vrièrest
Ka
ai
62
191
tee
218
Kas
146 451
Falconplein
180
6
Vo lks
272
i
159
284
24
149
tra
at
94
487
222 60
Italiële
Co ck er
99
ed
A
ero de
str
Sint-Ja St Jacob Church
Bolivarplaats 268
Sint-Katelijn eve
141
Br
i
ale
rik me
cobsm
arkt
175
Lange Nie
uwstraat
st
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
EAT — DRINK — SHOP — FASHION — BUILDINGS — DISCOVER — CULTURE — CHILDREN — SLEEP — WEEKEND — RANDOM
115 PLACES TO EAT OR BUY GOOD FOOD The 5 most
B E A U T I F U L R E S T A U R A N T S —————— 22
The 5 restaurants for
E X C E P T I O N A L C O O K I N G —— 24
The 5 best restaurants for
5
E A T L I K E A L O C A L ———— 28
O R I G I N A L R E S T A U R A N T C O N C E P T S ———— 30
The 5 best restaurants with G A R D E N S and T E R R A C E S ———————————————— 32 The 5 best
I T A L I A N R E S T A U R A N T S ————————— 35
The 5 best places to eat in 5 great places for
C H I N A T O W N ———————— 37
RELAXED PLACES
and
to eat————————— 49
H E A L T H Y L U N C H ——————— 52
The 5 best places for P R O P E R B E L G I A N F R I T E S —————————————— 54
5 of the best The 5 best
F O O D S H O P S ———————————————— 56
B A K E R I E S ————————————————————— 58
The 5 best places for
E X O T I C F O O D —————————— 60
The 5 best places for S U N D A Y B R U N C H and L U N C H ———————————————————————————— 63
V E G A N S —— 39
The 5 best places for
S W E E T T R E A T S —————————— 65
A S I A N R E S T A U R A N T S ————— 41
The 5 best shops for
B E L G I A N C H O C O L A T E S ——— 67
VEGETARIANS
The 5 most original
The 5 most
B R A S S E R I E S ——————————————————— 47
The 5 best places for a
F I S H F R O M T H E N O R T H S E A ———————————— 26
The 5 best restaurants to
The 5 best
The 5 best
J A P A N E S E R E S T A U R A N T S ——————— 43
The 5 best
SANDWICHES
and
S A L A D S ——————— 45
5 SPECIALITIES TO EAT AND DRINK before you leave——————————————————————————— 69
115 PLACES TO EAT OR BUY GOOD FOOD The 5 most
B E A U T I F U L R E S T A U R A N T S —————— 22
The 5 restaurants for
E X C E P T I O N A L C O O K I N G —— 24
The 5 best restaurants for
5
E A T L I K E A L O C A L ———— 28
O R I G I N A L R E S T A U R A N T C O N C E P T S ———— 30
The 5 best restaurants with G A R D E N S and T E R R A C E S ———————————————— 32 The 5 best
I T A L I A N R E S T A U R A N T S ————————— 35
The 5 best places to eat in 5 great places for
C H I N A T O W N ———————— 37
RELAXED PLACES
and
to eat————————— 49
H E A L T H Y L U N C H ——————— 52
The 5 best places for P R O P E R B E L G I A N F R I T E S —————————————— 54
5 of the best The 5 best
F O O D S H O P S ———————————————— 56
B A K E R I E S ————————————————————— 58
The 5 best places for
E X O T I C F O O D —————————— 60
The 5 best places for S U N D A Y B R U N C H and L U N C H ———————————————————————————— 63
V E G A N S —— 39
The 5 best places for
S W E E T T R E A T S —————————— 65
A S I A N R E S T A U R A N T S ————— 41
The 5 best shops for
B E L G I A N C H O C O L A T E S ——— 67
VEGETARIANS
The 5 most original
The 5 most
B R A S S E R I E S ——————————————————— 47
The 5 best places for a
F I S H F R O M T H E N O R T H S E A ———————————— 26
The 5 best restaurants to
The 5 best
The 5 best
J A P A N E S E R E S T A U R A N T S ——————— 43
The 5 best
SANDWICHES
and
S A L A D S ——————— 45
5 SPECIALITIES TO EAT AND DRINK before you leave——————————————————————————— 69
The 5 most BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANTS
1
DÔME Grote Hondstraat 2 Zurenborg ➅ +32 (0)3 239 90 03 domeantwerp.be
2
RAS Ernest van Dijck kaai 37 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 234 12 75 ras.today
22
This used to be an elegant tearoom before it was transformed into a stunning restaurant with a beautiful mosaic floor and an impressive domed ceiling. Relaunched by French chef Frédéric Chabbert in 2017, it offers creative modern French cooking in a sublime neoclassical setting. The Antwerp architect Bob van Reeth designed this handsome waterfront restaurant which looks like a white ocean liner moored on the Scheldt waterfront. People love the porthole windows and modernist toilets, along with the sweeping river views. For its 25th anniversary, the restaurant changed its name to RAS (short for Restaurant aan de Stroom) and recruited interior architects Co.design to create a more relaxed space. The kitchen provides sophisticated European cooking to match the setting, with a menu that changes with the seasons.
3
HET POMPHUIS Siberiastraat Het Eilandje ➇ +32 (0)3 770 86 25 hetpomphuis.be
4
FIERA Lange Nieuwstraat 14 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 369 23 32 fiera.be
5
THE JANE Paradeplein 1 Haringrode ➅ +32 (0)3 808 44 65 thejaneantwerp.com
In 2002 this imposing restaurant opened in the port area. You may need a car or taxi to get out here, but it is worth the effort to eat in this industrial monument from 1920. While waiting for the food to arrive, you can admire shiny pumps that could empty a dock in two hours, and watch huge Chinese container ships slide past the windows. The cooking here is serious and professional. This stunning restaurant opened in 2020 in the renovated Schippersbeurs, where global shipping firms once traded. Architect Catherine Verbraeken has lovingly restored the high vaulted roof, wood panelling and mosaic floor to create a dramatic setting, while Ann Demeulemeester has designed the tableware. The kitchen draws on global influences to produce sophisticated dishes named after world ports. Nick Bril’s stunning restaurant is located in an old 19th-century chapel that once belonged to a military hospital. The interior is lit by an enormous chandelier that weighs 800 kilos, while the cooking happens in an open kitchen on the site of the altar. This is a gorgeous setting in which to experience Bril’s creative contemporary cooking.
23
The 5 most BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANTS
1
DÔME Grote Hondstraat 2 Zurenborg ➅ +32 (0)3 239 90 03 domeantwerp.be
2
RAS Ernest van Dijck kaai 37 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 234 12 75 ras.today
22
This used to be an elegant tearoom before it was transformed into a stunning restaurant with a beautiful mosaic floor and an impressive domed ceiling. Relaunched by French chef Frédéric Chabbert in 2017, it offers creative modern French cooking in a sublime neoclassical setting. The Antwerp architect Bob van Reeth designed this handsome waterfront restaurant which looks like a white ocean liner moored on the Scheldt waterfront. People love the porthole windows and modernist toilets, along with the sweeping river views. For its 25th anniversary, the restaurant changed its name to RAS (short for Restaurant aan de Stroom) and recruited interior architects Co.design to create a more relaxed space. The kitchen provides sophisticated European cooking to match the setting, with a menu that changes with the seasons.
3
HET POMPHUIS Siberiastraat Het Eilandje ➇ +32 (0)3 770 86 25 hetpomphuis.be
4
FIERA Lange Nieuwstraat 14 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 369 23 32 fiera.be
5
THE JANE Paradeplein 1 Haringrode ➅ +32 (0)3 808 44 65 thejaneantwerp.com
In 2002 this imposing restaurant opened in the port area. You may need a car or taxi to get out here, but it is worth the effort to eat in this industrial monument from 1920. While waiting for the food to arrive, you can admire shiny pumps that could empty a dock in two hours, and watch huge Chinese container ships slide past the windows. The cooking here is serious and professional. This stunning restaurant opened in 2020 in the renovated Schippersbeurs, where global shipping firms once traded. Architect Catherine Verbraeken has lovingly restored the high vaulted roof, wood panelling and mosaic floor to create a dramatic setting, while Ann Demeulemeester has designed the tableware. The kitchen draws on global influences to produce sophisticated dishes named after world ports. Nick Bril’s stunning restaurant is located in an old 19th-century chapel that once belonged to a military hospital. The interior is lit by an enormous chandelier that weighs 800 kilos, while the cooking happens in an open kitchen on the site of the altar. This is a gorgeous setting in which to experience Bril’s creative contemporary cooking.
23
55 PLACES FOR A DRINK
The 5 most
B E A U T I F U L C A F E S ————————————— 74
The 5 best bars to The 5 most
D R I N K W I T H T H E L O C A L S —— 76
STYLISH
and
H I P C A F E S ————————— 78
The 5 best bars for
JAZZ
and
The 5 bars with the
L O N G E S T B E E R L I S T S ————— 82
B L U E S ——————————— 80
The 5 most
O R I G I N A L C A F E S —————————————— 84
The 5 best
W I N E B A R S ———————————————————— 86
The 5 best
C O F F E E B A R S ————————————————— 88
The 5 best
C O C K T A I L B A R S ——————————————— 90
The 5 best cafe terraces for S I T T I N G I N T H E S U N ——————————————————— 92
The 5 best cafes for M E E T I N G and C O - W O R K I N G —————————————————————— 94 KOLONEL KOFFIE
55 PLACES FOR A DRINK
The 5 most
B E A U T I F U L C A F E S ————————————— 74
The 5 best bars to The 5 most
D R I N K W I T H T H E L O C A L S —— 76
STYLISH
and
H I P C A F E S ————————— 78
The 5 best bars for
JAZZ
and
The 5 bars with the
L O N G E S T B E E R L I S T S ————— 82
B L U E S ——————————— 80
The 5 most
O R I G I N A L C A F E S —————————————— 84
The 5 best
W I N E B A R S ———————————————————— 86
The 5 best
C O F F E E B A R S ————————————————— 88
The 5 best
C O C K T A I L B A R S ——————————————— 90
The 5 best cafe terraces for S I T T I N G I N T H E S U N ——————————————————— 92
The 5 best cafes for M E E T I N G and C O - W O R K I N G —————————————————————— 94 KOLONEL KOFFIE
The 5 most BEAUTIFUL CAFES
116 LE ROYAL Pelikaanstraat 3 Station Quarter ➃ +32 (0)3 225 58 80 brasserieroyal.be
117 OUD ARSENAAL Maria Pijpelincx straat 4 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)486 71 79 12 dorstvlegel.be
118 DANSING CHOCOLA Kloosterstraat 159 Het Zuid ➁ +32 (0)3 237 19 05
74
119 MAURICE
The Flemish TV celebrity Véronique Leysen has created a beautiful coffee bar inside BAR CHAPEL Korte Nieuwstraat 22 a hidden mediaeval chapel. The Gothic Central Antwerp ➀ interior is a spectacular space with white +32 (0)3 295 62 27 walls, old wood beams and tall windows. mauricebar.be There is also a garden to add to the charm of this secret spot.
120 GRAND CAFÉ Antwerp has always liked to impress its visitors, as is clear the moment you step off the train at Central Station. The vast entrance hall has grand staircases and a magnificent dome, while the station cafe is decorated with moulded ceilings, high mirrors and an enormous clock.
DESINGEL
AT: DESINGEL ARTS CAMPUS Jan van Rijswijck laan 155 Southern Antwerp ➆ +32 (0)3 237 71 00 grandcafedesingel.be
Located in a glass cube designed by Stéphane Beel, this is a striking space with sweeping views. The cafe occupies a large open space, while the restaurant is in a separate area behind the bar, overlooking a motorway. They subscribe to an impressive selection of newspapers and magazines including The New York Review of Books.
This authentic old Antwerp cafe dates back to 1924. Named after an arsenal that once stood nearby, it is a friendly place with an old wooden bar, red leather benches and a curious savings cupboard with numbered slots to deposit money. It attracts a lively mix of locals and tourists who squeeze inside to drink red Rodenbach beer or a local bolleke. This beautiful corner cafe in the antiques quarter is decorated with old posters, a painted ceiling and velvet curtains. It attracts a friendly mix of locals, antique hunters and young couples. People come here for the relaxed atmosphere, the intimate mezzanine and the leafy terrace.
120 GRAND CAFÉ DESINGEL
75
The 5 most BEAUTIFUL CAFES
116 LE ROYAL Pelikaanstraat 3 Station Quarter ➃ +32 (0)3 225 58 80 brasserieroyal.be
117 OUD ARSENAAL Maria Pijpelincx straat 4 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)486 71 79 12 dorstvlegel.be
118 DANSING CHOCOLA Kloosterstraat 159 Het Zuid ➁ +32 (0)3 237 19 05
74
119 MAURICE
The Flemish TV celebrity Véronique Leysen has created a beautiful coffee bar inside BAR CHAPEL Korte Nieuwstraat 22 a hidden mediaeval chapel. The Gothic Central Antwerp ➀ interior is a spectacular space with white +32 (0)3 295 62 27 walls, old wood beams and tall windows. mauricebar.be There is also a garden to add to the charm of this secret spot.
120 GRAND CAFÉ Antwerp has always liked to impress its visitors, as is clear the moment you step off the train at Central Station. The vast entrance hall has grand staircases and a magnificent dome, while the station cafe is decorated with moulded ceilings, high mirrors and an enormous clock.
DESINGEL
AT: DESINGEL ARTS CAMPUS Jan van Rijswijck laan 155 Southern Antwerp ➆ +32 (0)3 237 71 00 grandcafedesingel.be
Located in a glass cube designed by Stéphane Beel, this is a striking space with sweeping views. The cafe occupies a large open space, while the restaurant is in a separate area behind the bar, overlooking a motorway. They subscribe to an impressive selection of newspapers and magazines including The New York Review of Books.
This authentic old Antwerp cafe dates back to 1924. Named after an arsenal that once stood nearby, it is a friendly place with an old wooden bar, red leather benches and a curious savings cupboard with numbered slots to deposit money. It attracts a lively mix of locals and tourists who squeeze inside to drink red Rodenbach beer or a local bolleke. This beautiful corner cafe in the antiques quarter is decorated with old posters, a painted ceiling and velvet curtains. It attracts a friendly mix of locals, antique hunters and young couples. People come here for the relaxed atmosphere, the intimate mezzanine and the leafy terrace.
120 GRAND CAFÉ DESINGEL
75
50 PLACES FOR FASHION & DESIGN
The 5 best shops for The 5 hippest
A N T W E R P F A S H I O N ————— 116
H I G H F A S H I O N B O U T I Q U E S —— 118
The 5 most original
F A S H I O N S H O P S ———————— 120
The 5 best shops for
S U S T A I N A B L E F A S H I O N —— 122
The 5 best
V I N T A G E S H O P S —————————————— 124
The 5 most innovative The 5 best
S H O E S H O P S ————————————————— 128
The 5 best
J E W E L L E R Y S H O P S ———————————— 130
The 5 most
S U R P R I S I N G S H O P S —————————— 132
The 5 most stylish
CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS
C O N C E P T S T O R E S ————— 126
D E S I G N S H O P S —————————— 134
50 PLACES FOR FASHION & DESIGN
The 5 best shops for The 5 hippest
A N T W E R P F A S H I O N ————— 116
H I G H F A S H I O N B O U T I Q U E S —— 118
The 5 most original
F A S H I O N S H O P S ———————— 120
The 5 best shops for
S U S T A I N A B L E F A S H I O N —— 122
The 5 best
V I N T A G E S H O P S —————————————— 124
The 5 most innovative The 5 best
S H O E S H O P S ————————————————— 128
The 5 best
J E W E L L E R Y S H O P S ———————————— 130
The 5 most
S U R P R I S I N G S H O P S —————————— 132
The 5 most stylish
CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS
C O N C E P T S T O R E S ————— 126
D E S I G N S H O P S —————————— 134
The 5 best shops for ANTWERP FASHION
211 LOUIS Lombardenstraat 2 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 232 98 72 louisantwerp.be
214 ARTE Kammenstraat 45 Central Antwerp ➀ arte-antwerp.com
215 ESSENTIEL Geert Bruloot opened this shop in 1986 to sell clothes by the Antwerp Six. Now run by Marjan Eggers, the shop still stocks clothes by the best designers, including Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela and Dior, but it also promotes young talent by inviting final year fashion students to exhibit in the window.
Huidevetters straat 57-59 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 213 15 10 essentiel-antwerp.com
Graphic designer Bertony da Silva has brought a youthful, optimistic edge to the Antwerp fashion scene with his T-shirts, sweaters and jackets inspired by hip-hop, landscape and architecture. He sells his streetwear in a modernist interior inspired by the architect Mies van der Rohe. The Antwerp brand Essentiel sells clothes for flamboyant people who like to dress on the wild side. Check out the window display of their flagship store in the heart of the fashion quarter to see how passionately they believe in bright colours, loud checks and clashing styles.
212 CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS Christian Wijnants has opened a store Steenhouwersvest 36 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 284 41 76 christianwijnants.com
213 HET MODEPALEIS Nationalestraat 16 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 470 25 10 driesvannoten.be
116
between two antique shops in the heart of the fashion district. The interior is a sober Nordic space with a window at the back looking out on a lush garden. A graduate of Antwerp Academy, Wijnants designs layered, wearable clothes for urban women, often incorporating contemporary knitwear. Dries Van Noten renovated the 19thcentury Modepaleis in 1989 as his flagship store. Furnished with wooden cabinets and vintage leather chairs, this is where the quiet Antwerp designer displays his sober, often melancholy collections.
214 ARTE
117
The 5 best shops for ANTWERP FASHION
211 LOUIS Lombardenstraat 2 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 232 98 72 louisantwerp.be
214 ARTE Kammenstraat 45 Central Antwerp ➀ arte-antwerp.com
215 ESSENTIEL Geert Bruloot opened this shop in 1986 to sell clothes by the Antwerp Six. Now run by Marjan Eggers, the shop still stocks clothes by the best designers, including Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela and Dior, but it also promotes young talent by inviting final year fashion students to exhibit in the window.
Huidevetters straat 57-59 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 213 15 10 essentiel-antwerp.com
Graphic designer Bertony da Silva has brought a youthful, optimistic edge to the Antwerp fashion scene with his T-shirts, sweaters and jackets inspired by hip-hop, landscape and architecture. He sells his streetwear in a modernist interior inspired by the architect Mies van der Rohe. The Antwerp brand Essentiel sells clothes for flamboyant people who like to dress on the wild side. Check out the window display of their flagship store in the heart of the fashion quarter to see how passionately they believe in bright colours, loud checks and clashing styles.
212 CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS Christian Wijnants has opened a store Steenhouwersvest 36 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 284 41 76 christianwijnants.com
213 HET MODEPALEIS Nationalestraat 16 Central Antwerp ➀ +32 (0)3 470 25 10 driesvannoten.be
116
between two antique shops in the heart of the fashion district. The interior is a sober Nordic space with a window at the back looking out on a lush garden. A graduate of Antwerp Academy, Wijnants designs layered, wearable clothes for urban women, often incorporating contemporary knitwear. Dries Van Noten renovated the 19thcentury Modepaleis in 1989 as his flagship store. Furnished with wooden cabinets and vintage leather chairs, this is where the quiet Antwerp designer displays his sober, often melancholy collections.
214 ARTE
117
20 BUILDINGS TO ADMIRE
The 5 most
I M P R E S S I V E T O W E R S ————————— 138
The 5 most striking The 5 finest
M O D E R N B U I L D I N G S ———— 141
ART NOUVEAU
buildings————————— 143
The 5 most striking buildings in the Z U R E N B O R G Q U A R T E R ———————————————— 145
DEN BELL
20 BUILDINGS TO ADMIRE
The 5 most
I M P R E S S I V E T O W E R S ————————— 138
The 5 most striking The 5 finest
M O D E R N B U I L D I N G S ———— 141
ART NOUVEAU
buildings————————— 143
The 5 most striking buildings in the Z U R E N B O R G Q U A R T E R ———————————————— 145
DEN BELL
The 5 most IMPRESSIVE TOWERS
261 CATHEDRAL Handschoenmarkt Central Antwerp ➀
262 DE BOERENTOREN Eiermarkt 20 Central Antwerp ➀
138
The north spire of Antwerp Cathedral slowly rose above the city’s rooftops between 1420 and 1518. The architect designed the upper sections in a beautiful Brabant Gothic style, creating the tallest spire in the Low Countries, at 123 metres. Concerts are played on the carillon in the tower every Sunday, from May to September, from 3 pm to 4 pm. You can also catch evening concerts in July and August, on Mondays from 8 pm to 9 pm. Built from 1929 to 1932 the Boerentoren (Farmer’s tower) was Europe’s first sky scraper, constructed like the skyscrapers of Manhattan around a steel skeleton. Designed in art deco style, the tower was originally 87,5 metres high, but gained an additional 10 metres in 1976. Previously owned by KBC bank, the iconic skyscraper was bought in 2021 by Antwerp entrepreneur Fernand Huts, who plans to turn it into a multifunctional complex with offices, shops, restaurants, apartments and an art centre.
263 OUDAAN POLICE TOWER
139
The 5 most IMPRESSIVE TOWERS
261 CATHEDRAL Handschoenmarkt Central Antwerp ➀
262 DE BOERENTOREN Eiermarkt 20 Central Antwerp ➀
138
The north spire of Antwerp Cathedral slowly rose above the city’s rooftops between 1420 and 1518. The architect designed the upper sections in a beautiful Brabant Gothic style, creating the tallest spire in the Low Countries, at 123 metres. Concerts are played on the carillon in the tower every Sunday, from May to September, from 3 pm to 4 pm. You can also catch evening concerts in July and August, on Mondays from 8 pm to 9 pm. Built from 1929 to 1932 the Boerentoren (Farmer’s tower) was Europe’s first sky scraper, constructed like the skyscrapers of Manhattan around a steel skeleton. Designed in art deco style, the tower was originally 87,5 metres high, but gained an additional 10 metres in 1976. Previously owned by KBC bank, the iconic skyscraper was bought in 2021 by Antwerp entrepreneur Fernand Huts, who plans to turn it into a multifunctional complex with offices, shops, restaurants, apartments and an art centre.
263 OUDAAN POLICE TOWER
139
COLOPHON E D I T I N G and COM P OS I N G — Derek Blyth GRA PH I C D ES I G N — Joke Gossé and doublebill.design PH OTO G R A P HY — Joram Van Holen and Roel Hendrickx — roelh.zenfolio.com A DDI T I O N A L P HOTOG R AP HY — p. 29: Tony Le Duc — p. 51: Inneke Gebruers
p. 203: Karlijn Nijs — p. 207: Robert Rieger The addresses in this book have been selected after thorough independent research by the author, in collaboration with Luster Publishing. The selection is solely based on personal evaluation of the business by the author. Nothing in this book was published in exchange for payment or benefits of any kind.
D/2021/12.005/15 I S B N 978 94 6058 3025 N U R 511, 510
© 2013 Luster Publishing, Antwerp Eighth edition, November 2021 – Seventh reprint, November 2021 lusterweb.com – THE500HID D E NS EC RE TS.CO M info@lusterweb.com Printed in Italy by Printer Trento.
FSC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher. An exception is made for short excerpts, which may be cited for the sole purpose of reviews.