Fine dining in Antwerp is more than just haute cuisine. These restaurants combine creative tasting menus, refined seasonal cuisine, unique interiors, and unconventional, passionate chefs. Perfect for a night out with your partner, friends, or family.
Mero
Mero is a fine-dining restaurant in Het Zuid, near the KMSKA. Chef Altin Mero was born in Albania, grew up in Greece, and has worked in international kitchens including Noma and The Jane. The result is a cooking style influenced by Mediterranean roots, Scandinavian simplicity, and Asian flavours. How about charcoal-grilled chickpea bread as an appetizer and Iberico cabecero with kimchi, cauliflower, and smoked eel as the main course?
Nakuzu
Dining at Nakuzu in Het Zuid is an almost meditative-like experience. The tasting menu combines the essence of Japanese cuisine with the precision of French culinary techniques. Get ready for a three-hour experience in an intimate kitchen bar, with room for 12 guests. Here, everything is performed mindfully and with restraint. Pair dishes such as Tsukemono (pickled vegetables with scallops) and Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach with shiso) with wine, sake, or alcohol-free pairings.
Lilium
This intimate restaurant is housed in the luxury boutique hotel De Witte Lelie, situated in the historic centre, near the Snijders&Rockox House. Chef Jo Bussels serves a four-, five-, or six-course menu, with a focus on seasonal ingredients, simplicity, and detail. À la carte dining is also possible. Choose smoked eel with cucumber and Granny Smith apples, or go for turbot with white asparagus, sea lavender, and green herbs.
De Aarde
De Aarde is a gourmet restaurant located in a spectacular corner house in the well-known architectural district of Zurenborg. In this warm and cosy setting, Evangeline and Frédéric Chabbert offer a unique experience. At 'De Eetkamer', you can dine à la carte with dishes including Swiss chard tart with fermented mushrooms and grilled rack of lamb. At 'De Vriendentafel', the chef serves a four-course menu tailored to the season and your preferences.
De Balans
Located near the Grote Markt, De Balans serves Belgian classics such as steak tartare, cod, and grilled corn on the cob in a stately building. The menu also features international dishes, such as ravioli with ricotta. This gastro-bistro is run by two Michelin-starred chefs, Thomas Diepersloot and Jacob Jan Boerma. The appetizer menu features oysters, homemade shrimp croquettes, and jamón ibérico. Perfect with a glass of champagne or a cocktail.
Eldo
Eldo is located in Het Zuid, next to the flagship Ann Demeulemeester store. It is an open-fire restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy Belgian-French dishes here, including steak tartare, entrecôte with fries, mussels, or fresh catch of the day. Art on the walls and a cosy, living-room atmosphere ensure a top-notch experience. Perfect for both a quick lunch and a nice evening with friends.
Osaka
Osaka is a casual wine bar and restaurant with Japanese influences. You'll find it in an inconspicuous corner on the Britselei. In a minimalist interior with industrial elements, you can enjoy delicious natural wine and share small dishes including kimchi croquettes. The menu changes every day, so make it a regular trip! The service is friendly, fast, and professional.
J'ami
On the Vlasmarkt, near the Scheldt quays, you'll find this Georgian restaurant in a historic building from 1574. The chef combines European and Mediterranean influences in dishes such as aubergine rolls stuffed with walnuts and served in an almond sauce. Shqmeruli is also on the menu: roasted coquelet in garlic cream sauce with potato purée. Georgia is regarded as the cradle of wine-making, and the wine list is proof of that. You'll also discover original artwork on the walls.
Harvest
Located in a historic building in the heart of the city, you'll find this farm-to-table restaurant. The chef uses organic products and ingredients sourced from local farmers. Composting, fermentation, and circular processing typify their zero-waste approach. The menu, which changes monthly, features meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Choose from oysters, sea bass with asparagus, and grilled vegetables with purple carrot purée.
Le Oui
Ready for an innovative kitchen with a funky twist? At Le Oui, located on one of the city’s most beautiful squares, you can enjoy fine dining in a laid-back atmosphere. The five-course menu changes every week. Chef Louis Broos, who runs the kitchen single-handedly, incorporates fermented delicacies such as kimchi, miso, and rayu into his creations. A culinary voyage of discovery!
Hendrik Conscienceplein 11, Antwerpen-centre
Soixante
Soixante in Zurenborg is one of the few Polish fine-dining restaurants in the country. Chef Kuba, who has worked in Lisbon and London, draws on his Polish roots and infuses them into a contemporary tasting menu. Discover dishes like pierogi (dumplings) and lazanki (pasta with cabbage), all made with seasonal ingredients, vegetables from local farmers, and a strong emphasis on fish and shellfish. Polish flavours, reimagined with a contemporary twist.
Quick pick
- Mero: fine dining with Mediterranean, Scandinavian, and Asian influences.
- Nakuzu: an exclusive Japanese dining experience in an intimate kitchen bar.
- Lilium: gourmet dining in a luxurious and historic setting.
- De Aarde: refined seasonal dishes in a warm and homely setting.
- De Balans: Belgian classics at a gourmet level.
- Eldo: Belgian-French dishes prepared over an open fire.
- Osaka: natural wine and creative sharing dishes with Japanese influences.
- J'ami: authentic Georgian dishes and exceptional wines.
- Harvest: sustainable farm-to-table cuisine featuring local produce.
- Le Oui: innovative fine dining featuring fermented delicacies and surprising flavours.
- Soixante: modern Polish cuisine with a contemporary twist.
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