These Are The 9 Best Restaurants In Antwerp, Belgium Right Now

Belgium’s second city is full of surprises. Home to the largest port in the country and the finest art galleries, Belgium’s fashion capital is also its capital of cool. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, its medieval old city goes hand-in-hand with trendsetting ultra-modern design.

And then, there’s diamonds. Over half of the world’s polished diamonds are finished in Antwerp, 84% of rough diamonds are traded through the city. The world’s unlikely diamond center is very much a global city. Antwerp’s Diamond District is dominated not by Belgians, but by traders from India, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Armenia.

Because of this, the best restaurants in Antwerp are a diverse bunch. Not only is the city home to some of the best Belgian cuisine you’ll find, but a wide array of dishes from around the world. A tour of the best restaurants in Antwerp will take you on a journey across continents, cultures and centuries of history.

Getting to Antwerp

Whilst Antwerp does have a small international airport, it mainly serves seasonal traffic to popular European holiday destinations. A handful of year round routes exist to Spanish winter sun destinations. Most travelers arriving in Belgium by air will find themselves landing at Brussels Airport (BRU). Located just 40 kilometers to the south, it’s easy to fly into Brussels and not miss out on the best restaurants in Antwerp. Frequent intercity buses connect the two in around 40 minutes.

Belgium is a small country, and perfect for exploring on a road trip. Rent a car from Brussels Airport to see all the Belgian highlights. As the best restaurants in Antwerp are a mere 20 kilometers from the Dutch border, this is a great opportunity to explore some of The Netherlands’ finest cities too. Add in visits to Amsterdam and Rotterdam whilst sampling some delicious Dutch snacks and street food.

For those who prefer to travel by public transport, Antwerp is well connected to the rest of Belgium. State owned train operator SNCB provide fast and frequent services to Brussels and Leuven. International connections to Amsterdam and Paris are provided by Eurostar.

Where to Stay in Antwerp

To try as many of the best restaurants in Antwerp as possible, we recommend you choose a hotel in the city center. The historic old city and the Jewish Quarter are the best areas of the city for visitors; both are extremely walkable.

The old city is home to many of the best restaurants in Antwerp along with the city’s UNESCO-listed cathedral and its top museums. Our favorite hotel here is Hotel Matelote which provides the perfect balance of value and comfort. For a spot of luxury, you can’t beat Hotel ‘t Sandt. Hotel National is the best among the budget-friendly choices.

Staying in the Jewish Quarter is ideal for first time visitors to Antwerp. Centraal Station, Antwerp Zoo and the Diamond District are all within walking distance. This is also the best part of the city to pick up some fantastic hotel bargains. Astoria Hotel is the best bargain of all. For something a little more luxurious, Hyllit Hotel offers an excellent fitness center and pool, whilst De Keyser Hotel is perfect for romantic city breaks.

The Best Restaurants in Antwerp

1. Het Lastig Portret

It’s only fitting that the first stop on a tour of the best restaurants in Antwerp should be to sample the local cuisine. Het Lastig Portret, a couple of streets back from the cathedral, is the place to do just that.

Open on weekdays only for lunch and dinner, this upscale bistro has the feel of a charming neighborhood café. The menu is typically Belgian, with some Dutch influence for good measure. Start with garnalenkroketen, shrimp croquettes, then tuck into a succulent steak topped off with a rich mushroom sauce.

Whatever you settle on, leave room for dessert. Their homemade tarts are too good to miss.

2. Amvrosia

A little bit of the Mediterranean on the North Sea, the next of the best restaurants in Antwerp brings a taste of Greece to Belgium. In the heart of the city, perfect for dinner after an Antwerp highlights walking tour, Amvrosia is so popular they’ve recently opened a second location just along the street.

Gyros and pitas are their specialities, but it’s the mixed grills which makes Amvrosia one of the best restaurants in Antwerp. Generously portioned and perfectly cooked, their San Tous Chiotes for two is almost too good to share. Vegans and vegetarians won’t go hungry either. There are several meat-free dishes on offer including a grilled vegetable pita and the mountainous veggie bowl layered with rice, salad, pita and vegetables.

3. Brewers’ Kitchen

No list of the best restaurants in Antwerp would be complete without at least one beer-themed contender. Belgium is famous as the center of European brewing. Together, the country’s 417 breweries produce 1,600 different brands of beer. Belgians don’t just make great beer, they love to drink it too. In 2024, Belgians consumed 650 million liters of the hoppy beverage.

Brewer’s Kitchen is Antwerp’s upscale brewpub come bistro of choice. The menu changes with the seasons to make the most of fresh local produce. Whenever you visit, you’ll always find a meat, fish and vegetarian option for both courses, along with a decadent dessert selection. Vegan choices are available, but must you will need to inform them in advance.

Dining at Brewer’s Kitchen is an intimate experience and advance booking is essential.

Travel tip: Enhance your Antwerp experience with a guided beer tour. You’ll get to sample five delicious craft brews, plus some Geneva Gin.

4. Sir Anthony Van Dijck

Sometimes selecting the best restaurants in Antwerp boils down to something as simple as a name. Though this is true in Sir Anthony Van Dijck’s case, this upscale French brasserie has plenty more going in its favor.

Set in a characterful 16th century building, older still than the artist himself, dining at Sir Anthony Van Dijck is about more than food. Choose from their four or five course tasting menu, or order a-la-carte. The dishes change daily, with an excellent value lunch menu also on offer. For the ultimate culinary adventure, go for their set Auguste Escoffier menu which alters every two weeks.

5. Curry Dhaba

With the Diamond District attracting Indian merchants in their thousands, it’s no surprise that top-class Indian eateries make up some of the best restaurants in Antwerp. Curry Dhaba is the best of the best. Tucked away in the quiet residential Antwerp Zuid district, it’s the perfect dinner stop after an afternoon browsing Antwerp’s fantastic nearby art museums.

Their menu is on the shorter side, by Indian restaurant standards at least, which is no bad thing. As is often the case, the smaller the menu, the higher the quality. Better still, all their curries are classics you’ll find in the sub-continent. There’s no Chicken Tikka Masala here.

You won’t be short of choices though. Their curry highlights include a palak paneer, lamb karahi, chana masala and vegan-favorite, Garden Treasure. The house speciality, traditional Delhi-style butter chicken is the star of the show. For a lighter lunchtime meal, go for their Street Snack Box.

6. Syrianfood

Another of the best restaurants in Antwerp we owe thanks to the diamond industry for, Syrianfood is one of the newest additions to the city’s dining scene. The lovechild of two Syrian expats, tradition is at the heart of their cooking.

If you’re yet to sample classic Syrian cuisine in Damascus, or are yearning for more, a meal at Syrianfood is a must. They serve all the staples. Kick off with a falafel bowl or some delicious ijeh, Syrian parsley omelettes, before overloading on a table full of sharing platters. Vegetarian options make up the majority of their menu, but meat-lovers will find solace in kibbeh and sambousek, hearty minced meat and cheese pies.

7. Libanezza

Continuing the Middle Eastern theme through the best restaurants in Antwerp, the next culinary gem on our list will transport you straight to Hamra. Just around the corner from the fascinating DIVA diamond museum, Libanezza’s extensive menu features all the staples.

If this is your first time sampling the flavors of Lebanon, you’ll find many similarities with its Middle Eastern neighbors. Although there are several crossovers with Syrian cuisine, it bares more similarities to Israeli and Greek cuisine.

Start with a selection of hot and cold mezze. Tabouleh and houmous with tahini are a must, as is grilled halloumi. Then, move on to a delicious shawarma, kafta (kofta) or meshwi kebab. Their four-course set menu for two offers excellent value, and is an ideal introduction to Lebanese delicacies.

8. Confetti’s Kosher Italian

There are few places in the world you’ll not struggle to find a great Italian restaurant. Antwerp is no exception. Confetti’s Kosher Italian, in the heart of the historic Jewish Quarter, is the ideal dinner spot after a day exploring the Diamond District or Antwerp Zoo.

Naturally, all of Confetti’s pizza and pasta is made in house. It’s delicious, of course, but it’s their fish which brings diners in their droves. The highlight, a trio of grilled fish, consists of salmon, cod and sea bass.

As with any Italian worth their salt, the homemade desserts are unmissable, and their wine list is the envy of the town.

9. and/or

Bringing to a close our rundown of the best restaurants in Antwerp, and/or is the city’s latest vegan hotspot. Situated in residential Brederode, it’s far enough away from the tourist sites to have a true neighborhood feel, yet close enough to make it worth the ride.

The creation of Michelin-trained New York City-expat Karen Shu, and/or sets out to prove that fine-dining need not involve meat. The menu changes on a monthly basis, making the most of local, seasonal produce. Expect an elevated take on timeless classics, like a mushroom pate with garlic toast, alongside combinations you’d never have dreamt of.

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