missypie

We will be stopping briefly in Antwerp on our way to Bruges. Can you recommend a restaurant for lunch, in walking distance from the central train station?

Thanks.

zeppole

Check a map to see if you consider De Foyer to be in walking distance. Since the lunch buffet is so cheap, you might consider it worth it to take a taxi, especially if it is raining.

http://maps.google.it/maps/place?cli...ed=0CEIQ4gkwBA

missypie

Thanks, zeppole. I keeping the plans loose. We arrive at Schipol early in the morning and are taking the train to Bruges. Depending on how tired we are, etc. we may spend most of the day in Antwerp, just stop for lunch, or just go straight thruough to Bruges. Thanks again.

Tulips

Also near Zeppole's recommendation is Graanmarkt 13; excellent restaurant, there's a great shop on the ground floor too. Nearer the station I can't really recommend anything, unless you like Chinese food.

If you walk from Central Station towards the old town, turn left on the 'Wapper', past Rubens House, and you'll end up at Horta; a very popular lunch spot. Foyer and Graanmarkt are near there as well.

avalon

I love Antwerp and all the food we had was great. I think we might have eaten at Horta which was mentioned above. I know a place we really enjoyed was a few steps away from Ruben's HOuse.

missypie

Thanks so much. Any particular "Antewerpian" food to look for? I've been there once and I recall having a nicoise salad.

Tulips

A nicoise salad is not really Antwerp food!

Have garnalen kroket (prawn croquettes), local beer (De Koninck), mussels and frites (when mussels are in season).

An excellent Belgian restaurant in the oldest part of town is Sir Anthony van Dijck, in the Vlaeckensgang.

If you have enough time, go and see the new MAS museum, and the area around there. It's a bit further from Central Station though.

bardo1

In the event things change and you can get away from the train station to the historic area, I'll recommend de Groote Witte Arend at Reyndersstraat 18. A five minute taxi or a 20 minute walk.

Unfortunately, their web site is only in Dutch

Still: the restaurant is great, inexpensive, and convivial. A casual spot with great food and a killer beer list.

http://www.degrootewittearend.be/

missypie

LOL, I know. It's pretty odd that I even remember that, given that it was the summer of '85...but it was the first nicoise salad I'd ever had.

globetrotterxyz

Another vote for Horta. We were just there last month (I have yet to write my trip report) and the ambience was nice. Very relaxed and the food was good.

zeppole

One Belgian epicurean delight you won't easily find outside of Antwerp is Belgian jenever, which is gin that comes in a whole range of subtle herb flavors and not-so-subtle ascending proofs. I hesitate to recommend it to people coming off a long plane flight, but if you are up for it, head for Da Vagrant at Reyndersstraat 21. The also serve food.

I also recommend you sample fresh chocolate in Antwerp. In the historic center, it is sold by the piece in a number of shops. I found it tastier than what I sampled in Brugge.

bardo1

Da Vagrant is right across the street from de Groote Witte Arend! She should visit both - food, beer and jenever!

MyriamC

It's 'De Vagant', not 'Da Vagrant'. Their jenevers are good but I dislike their food.

If you want top notch, you should have lunch at 'Lunchlounge Het Gebaar'. Reservations essential.
http://www.hetgebaar.be/

The restaurant referred to by Avalon is 'The Bistro' on Wapper. We had an excellent dinner there together.
http://www.thebistro.be/bistro/antwerpen/2/

Nothing that I can recommend close to Central Station, unless maybe Hoffy's, a Jewish restaurant.
http://www.hoffys.be/

zeppole

Thanks for the spelling correction, Myriam. I did not eat there.

missypie

Not looking for top notch. Traveling with a family of five that will not be fresh or well rested. Just looking for pleasant.

bardo1

missypie,

This still fits (from above):

http://www.degrootewittearend.be/