Thanks to its port, Antwerp has developed into a melting pot of cultures and flavours over the centuries. From Michelin-starred restaurants to breweries and from Belgian cuisine to multicultural flavours: send your clients to Antwerp and let them discover the city's unique gastronomic DNA.
A world of cultures
With inhabitants of more than 170 nationalities, Antwerp is a cultural melting pot, and that can be discovered in Antwerp's restaurants. At Hoffy's, they serve the best of kosher Yiddish cuisine, while the vegetarian restaurant Aahaar is a must for lovers of Indian cooking. For fans of Middle Eastern cuisine, then Middle Eats is highly recommended.
Authentic markets
Antwerp has many bustling markets. Recommend that your clients visit Theaterplein at the weekend. On Saturday, there is the exotic market offering local and Mediterranean specialities, while on Sunday there is the Vogelenmarkt with antiques, flowers, clothing, and much more.
Local products
What better way for visitors to immerse themselves in a city than by sampling the local specialities? Antwerpse Handjes are biscuits or chocolates that refer to the famous legend of Brabo and Antigoon. The Elixir d'Anvers liqueur, which has been around since 1832 and is made with 32 plants and herbs, is also definitely worth a try. This and plenty more local products and other souvenirs can be found in the visitor centre at Steen Castle.
Belgian chocolate
Belgian chocolate is a world-famous quality brand, and naturally you can go on a chocolate quest in Antwerp. Add Chocolate Nation to your clients' itinerary, a perfect introduction to the story of Belgian chocolate. There are numerous chocolatiers all over the city, such as The Chocolate Line in the historic Palace in Meir and the family-owned business Delrey, with a wide range of sweet treats. A chocolate walk and a chocolate workshop are also among the possibilities.
Belgian beer
Beer lovers will also feel right at home in Antwerp. Het Bolleke is the beer of Antwerp and an icon of the city. It is available in almost all of the city's cafés. Your clients can visit the brewery and follow an interactive tour. Looking for a fun activity? A guided beer tour provides a mix of fun and discovery. Seefbier is also worth sampling: it is a historic local beer that disappeared for a while, but thanks to Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie, it is being brewed and sold again. Their Biergarten is the perfect place to sample the beers and order a snack alongside them.
Urban city vibes
Many new culinary hotspots have emerged in Antwerp in recent years. In the trendy Groen Kwartier is PAKT, home to a group of sustainable and creative entrepreneurs. Guests are served the freshest dishes made from produce foraged from the roof gardens of PAKT. At De Koninck brewery, visitors can not only sample beer, but also discover a wealth of tasty local delicacies from shops such as The Bakery, Butcher's Store, chocolate from Jitsk, and cheese affineurs Van Tricht. Wolf Sharing Food Market on Het Eilandje has also quickly become a fixture in Antwerp. Perfect to combine with one of the local hotspots: the MAS, the Red Star Line Museum, the new Port House...
Michelin-starred restaurants
Do you have clients who like to indulge in good food? They should know that Antwerp is home to many Michelin-starred restaurants. On the top floor of the MAS is the three-star restaurant Het Zilte run by chef Viki Geunes. Discover the full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Antwerp.