MurielH

We're mainly food tourists, coming to Belgium for the food, beer and chocolate. We hope to explore new areas by visiting markets, coffee shops, bars, bakers and restaurants. We will be living near Antwerp for 8 days and will have a car. Your recommendations will be greatly appreciated.........
thanks

MyriamC

Antwerp:
On Saturdays there's a huge market (mainly food, both local and exotic) from 8 till 4 on Oude Vaartplaats.
For lunch you *must* go to Lunch Lounge Het Gebaar (1* Michelin) on Leopoldstraat. The chef is the best patissier in Belgium. Make a reservation way ahead (no reservations possible on Saturdays and closed on Sundays). http://www.rogervandamme.com/
Another good place for lunch or dinner is Fiskebar (fish & seafood) on Marnixplaats. Nothing fancy but excellent price/quality ratio. http://www.fiskebar.be/
Another one for dinner is L'Epicerie du Cirque on Leopold De Waelstraat. Again nothing fancy but excellent cuisine. http://www.lepicerieducirque.be/

The above are all in the city centre of Antwerp.

Will you be living south, north, east or west from Antwerp? Some other restaurant suggestions might come to mind.

Beer: in Antwerp there's a café (pub) on every street corner. Some cafés sell 100 or more (upto 500) beers.

nytraveler

We have fond the food in Belgium to be the best in europe - if not the world. We haven;t had anything bad anywhere - from very basic cafes to upscale places - all over the country. the food has been fresh, beautifully prepared - even if simple - and worth every penny of what you pay (I didn't say it was cheap).

And the chocolates. We found several local shops where the chocolates were hand made and intended to take them home - but they never got that far.

Can;t comment on the beer - it's not my thing - but I understand it's excellent and there;s a huge variety.

Sorry not to be able to give names - but I operate on a map in my head - and locates places I want to go back to that way.

Can say you must try a variety of moules frites.

bardo1

Stop (at least once) at Kulminator beer bar in Antwerp.

PalenQ

Moules et Frites!

Friets Speciaale from the ubiquitous street frites wagon = curry or peanut sauce or ketsup on those frites?

Piccolina

I've spent some time working in Brussels and I agree that Brussels has spectacular food. Must try:

Chocolates - Pierre Marcolini in the Grand Sablon

One of my favorite restaurants in the world is Lola, also in the Grand Salbon. A couple of doors down is Au Vieux St. Martin, which also has fabulous food.

Try the Filet Americaine (Belgium's answer to the french steak tartare) and have a dame blanche for dessert.

Bon appetit!

MyriamC

@ PalenQ: I would never send a foodie to a frietkot! Especially not to eat frites with peanut sauce. We're not in Holland! If you want to eat frites the Belgian way, eat them with mayonaise.

PalenQ

Myriam - thanks for the correction and it is well known that Belgium has the best French Fries - usually fresh cut and not frozen like in Holland I understand - anyway a serving of frites in a paper cup smothered with mayo - yup I'd say that is Belgium's number culinary delight for me. And try the Geuze type beers - I read fermented in Brussels in open-air and thus a distinct Brussels taste. Very alcholic however.

MurielH

thanks a lot for all your suggestions, really looking forward to trying them out. I think Belgium is such a special place. We'll be staying about 12 miles north of Antwerp

MurielH

thanks a lot for all your suggestions, really looking forward to trying them out. I think Belgium is such a special place. We'll be staying about 12 miles north of Antwerp

PalenQ

And they say there is only one real Belgian - the King!

MyriamC

12 miles north of Antwerp, that's more or less where I live!
Some more suggestions:
-Rest. De Koopvaardij in Stabroek - http://www.dekoopvaardij.be/
-Rest. Het Pomphuis in Antwerpen (Eilandje neighbourhood) - http://www.hetpomphuis.be/
-Rest. Bellefleur in Kapellen - http://www.debellefleur.be/
-Rest. Lievekenshoek in Brasschaat - http://www.lievekenshoek.be/

MurielH

Great, thanks a lot for your local knowledge, can't wait !

beanweb24

In Brugge, don't miss Den Dyver. This is one of my top favorite restaurants so far (ever). The food, service, and ambience is fantastic, and they take their beer very seriously. You can get beer pairings with your food, or you can order a la carte. Either way, you'll get a lovely verbal presentation regarding the background/style of your beer when it is brought to your table.

www.dijver.be

Coll

Don't miss the Chocolate Line while in Antwerp--great chocolate and just super impressive to see the chocolate creations--some of which are life size. You can also see into their workshop.

zeppole

For me De Vagant is a must for the jenever, but it is incredibly potent, so you can't do it if you are driving.

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/a...nt-antwerp.htm

ahotpoet

Wow! Now I have to go to Belgium!