Provincie Antwerpen Travel Forum

Hi I will be visiting Antwerp for 2 days (28-29 Aug) and would like to some shopping for home. Couple of questions
Where can I buy good crystal glassware?
Some superstores near Radisson and Hilton where I can buy linen?
Cafes and restaurants in the area. Not too touristy but one that gives a glimpse of Belgian cuisine.
Some Belgian cafe owner who would be willing to spare a few minutes telling me about the cuisine. (I am a food writer).
Some food stuff to take back home.. somethng authentic.

Any information will be very appreciated.
Thanks for ur time.
Vidhi

Hi Vidhi,

as I'm living in Antwerp, i will try to give you some info...

Tourist area: located from the Railway Station (have a look at it, one of the most beautiful i've ever seen. And no, i'm not saying this because I live in Antwerp :p) to the Meir (main shopping street) to the Grand Square (with the Cathedral) and Groenplaats with the Hilton Hotel.

In this area, you will find lots of restaurants, pubs, lounges, etc. As you may probably know, belgian people love to spend money on quality food, so most of the restaurants are of high standard (because the competition is so big).

Paeters Vaatje pub: when you are standing in front of the cathedral, on your left side. The place itself is not so interesting, but in this pub, about 150 different belgian beers are offered. The beer "menu" is listed according to the percentage of alcohol. Give it a try i would say!

De Muze: Melkmarkt 15. Lovely pub, in the evening they play live music. In the center.

...

Restaurants in the tourist area:

Verona restaurant: Oude Koornmarkt 28.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the centre. Are a lot of Italian restaurants, but not all of them are so nice. Waiters are standing outside, trying to get you in, but the food is not always good... You can compare it to Fastfood, but then in a nicer atmosphere. Verona however is different!

Fez: Kloosterstraat 52.
Moroccan restaurant. Cosy atmosphere, good food. Located in the Kloosterstraat = street with lots of shops for Antique furniture

Restaurant `t Brantyser: Hendrik Conscienceplein 7
ONE OF MY FAVOURITES. Definitely try this one, as you are a food writer. Delicious food, Belgian/French cuisine, nice and cose interior. Great location (5 minute walk from the cathedral). Let me know afterwards how it was :)


When you go out of the tourist area, you should go to "Het Zuid" in Antwerp.
In this area, the Museum of Arts is located, the new courthouse, etc. It's the chique area, and the restaurants over there are all good. Plenty of choice, so you should go there and try yourself.
(from the centre, you can take tram nr. 8, only 4 or 5 stops, and then go out in front of the Museum of Arts, which you can see on your left, huge building)

Ok, that's it for now.

Good luck and let me know if you liked Antwerp!

good pub (but not sure if they will let you into the kitchen) is at Stadswaag called Het Waagstuk.
As for Het Brandyzer I can comfirm the food is nice.
It used to be a pub but now you can only go there to eat.
should you happen to go there
just tell the owner that you got the name of his restaurant from this site
he knows he is on our pages :)
for the rest of the info I will have to look as well.

Tourists also love the bar/restaurant "Pelgrom" in the Pelgrimstraat. Only 5 minutes from the Hilton. It's a Medieval vaulted (beer)cellar of an old burgess house. While you'll be there, don't forget to visit the house too, which is now a museum.

Thanks a lot for all ur inputs.
I am certainly going to Het Brandyzer and shall definitely let u know about the experience krikke83.
I am sure I am gonna enjoy Antwerp.