For our spring/summer 19 collection we packed our bags and went to Antwerp with our team. Including: a camera, the most beautiful pieces of our Spring collection and a lot of fun. We booked an Airbnb in one of the coolest neighbourhoods (Het Zuid) and we loved our stay.

Belgium’s second biggest city holds a particular allure to the country’s creatives as well as travelers craving a stylish getaway. To find out what makes Antwerp so magical, we made a little guide to show you the way.

COFFEE, BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Tinsel

Tinsel has become hotspot in Antwerp in a short time. The charming breakfast, lunch and coffee place is very busy, but it’s worth waiting! We could write a book about the delicious menu: homemade granola, soft boiled eggs, pancakes with fresh fruit, … And then we have not even started about lunch.

The small space and open kitchen give an instant living-room feeling. Every week they create creative specials on their menu, often with healthy superfoods or seasonal ingredients.

Info:
Open from 8:30 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday.
Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Website

Cuisinette Domestic

By chance, we ended up at a small bakery in the center of Antwerp. The smell of this bakery was reason enough to have a chat with the person behind the counter. He told us that in the back of the store there is a section where brunches are being held, curious as we were, we went to take a look… What turned out to be the most “instaworthy” brunch spot that we had seen in ages. Think about: pink, velvet, golden details and a spectacular interior.

Info:
Open from 8:30 am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Saturday.
Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Website

DINER

Pho 61

Pho 61 is a Vietnamese noodle soup restaurant and brings the classic among Vietnamese street food to Antwerp – albeit in a modern way. The traditional noodle soup called ‘pho’ can be found in every corner of the street in this Southeast Asian country and is eaten at any time of the day. Also at our Pho 61 you can eat the specialty as late brunch, lunch, dinner or night snack … On the menu there are other typical dishes such as Banh Xeo (a kind of pancake), Banh mi (a Vietnamese roll), “nems” or Vietnamese snacks similar to spring rolls.

The interior is almost completely hand made. Although it is modern and not comparable with the typical Vietnamese noodle bars, the influences of the country are not hard to find.

Info:
Open from Monday to Thursday from 12 am. until 2 pm. and from 6 pm. until 10 pm.
On Friday from 12 am. until 2 pm. and from 6 pm. until 23 u.
Open at 12 o’clock on weekends.

Otomat (Heavenly pizza’s)

Otomat Heavenly Pizza is the brand new concept situated at “het Eilandje”.
They found their inspiration in New York and London. Forget about the Italian traditions, at Otomat the pizzas are more Belgian: the pizza dough is made with Duvel yeast! The pizza base is baked on stone and then filled with classic and less classic toppings. We didn’t know what pizza to choose, they all look de-li-cious.

Info:
Open from Monday to Friday from 12 am. until 10 pm.
Weekend from 12 am. until 11 pm.
Website

COCKTAILS

Appelmans

Around the corner of the Antwerp ‘Groenplaats’ and in the shadow of the Cathedral, the decor of Brasserie Appelmans is especially slick and hip. But that should not spoil the fun: the brasserie is a genuine tip for a drink (and dinner) after Saturday afternoon shopping or the non-daily morning brunch. They serve the best hand-made cocktails from their Absinthbar.

Info:
Open from Monday to Thursday from 4 pm. untill 0.30 am.
Friday and Saturday from 12 pm. untill 2.30 am.
Sunday from 12 pm. untill 0.30 am.
Website

Black smoke

Black Smoke in the heart of Antwerp: a restaurant and (rooftop) bar where American barbecue is the focal point. Here, true pit masters tame the fire! They create spicy but delicate dishes, whether or not to share: from tacos with smoked pulled beef and lime coriander salsa to pit grilled black tiger prawns. On Sunday there is smoking brunch.

On the first floor you will find an impressive bar, on the third floor is the restaurant with an open kitchen and a chef’s table for 18 people.

Info?
The bar is open from 6 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. until 1 am.
On Friday and Saturday until 2 am.
Website

(Source, newplacestobe.com)