{"id":33557,"date":"2026-08-19T15:56:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T15:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/33557\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T15:56:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T15:56:37","slug":"the-best-of-antwerp-favorflav","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/33557\/","title":{"rendered":"The best of Antwerp | FavorFlav"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that summer, filled with tropical destinations and sunshine, is over, it\u2019s time to look a little closer to home again. Antwerp is the perfect base for a weekend getaway. Heading towards our southern neighbours this month? Then don\u2019t miss Smaakmeesters<\/a> \u2013 Antwerp\u2019s ultimate culinary festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Foto<\/p>\n

During Smaakmeesters, the centre of Antwerp is transformed into one huge food market. Until 31 October, you can visit no fewer than 116 restaurants and specialty shops \u2013 from bakeries to cocktail bars \u2013 to enjoy their signature dish. From coffee and pastries to an elaborate dinner or simply a dessert. You name it, they\u2019ve got it. I went ahead of you and put the following places to the test all across Antwerp.<\/p>\n

Noordzee Fishbar van A<\/p>\n

Anyone visiting Antwerp would do well to get a shrimp croquette as soon as possible. Something about a good start being half the work? Anyway; this ultimate Flemish snack is ubiquitous here, but take it to the next level and head to Noordzee Fishbar van A on Handschoenmarkt. Amid the tourist caf\u00e9s and souvenir shops, you can get not only that fantastic croquette, but also oysters, mussels, razor clams and dishes such as fish soup and sm\u00f8rrebr\u00f8d with gravlax or smoked mackerel salad. Add some bubbles or a beer, and that perfect kick-off to your weekend is a fact.
Handschoenmarkt 17\/19\/21<\/p>\n

Dansing Chocola<\/p>\n

If you want to avoid an afternoon slump after that mountain of croquettes and shellfish, you\u2019d do well to take a good long walk. That works out nicely, because although the historic centre is absolutely beautiful, you\u2019ll find the best restaurants and caf\u00e9s in Antwerp South. On Kloosterstraat, besides vintage shops and galleries \u2013 definitely pop in \u2013 you\u2019ll also find the authentic Dansing Chocola. The interior of this restaurant resembles the set of a retro television series, while outside you could imagine yourself on a Spanish or Italian square. In short: the ultimate spot for a beer or two in the autumn sunshine. After all, it\u2019s October and 22 degrees, so what more could you want? We\u2019re sticking with Antwerp\u2019s finest and opting for Seefbier and some Bollekes Keuning \u2013 the Antwerp beer De Koninck.
Kloosterstraat 159\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Dansant<\/p>\n

Sum Sum Zuid<\/p>\n

After a long terrace session, we walk on for another five minutes or so to Sum Sum Zuid. Here we start with a super-fresh basil cocktail and a load of not-so-traditional dim sum in Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean styles. Nicely eclectic. We go for the steamed Chinese dumplings with pork, cabbage and Sichuan sauce; the Japanese fried chicken gyoza, the crispy Korean mandu and the crab rangoon; deep-fried Chinese-American wontons filled with crab, cream cheese and Worcestershire sauce.<\/p>\n

We actually want even more dumplings, but decide to continue with a few more substantial dishes. The dinner menu is a kind of hit parade of Asian dishes that have made their way into the kitchens of trendy mainstream restaurants in recent years. In that spirit, we decide to go all the way and order the spicy dan dan noodles, the pork belly bao and General Tso\u2019s rotisserie beef rib.<\/p>\n

The pork belly in the bao is wonderfully tender, but if I\u2019m honest, the noodles and the ribs are a little disappointing. The dan dan noodles are somewhat boring and far from spicy. The sauce on the ribs is heavenly, but the meat itself is anything but tender. Final verdict? Next time I\u2019ll stick to the cocktails and dumplings \u2013 a winning formula if you ask me.
Leopold de Waelstraat 3<\/p>\n

More about Antwerp<\/p>\n

The FavorFlav editorial team regularly visits Antwerp. Read all about the best lunch spots<\/a> from editor Nadia here, and be sure to check out Marjan Ippel\u2019s ultimate weekend tips<\/a> too. And do you have any tips that we really shouldn\u2019t miss? Let us know via Facebook<\/a>! For more information about Antwerp, also visit Visit Antwerpen<\/a>. You can easily book your train journey with NS International<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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