Antwerp Guide: Food, Fashion & Fun for Weekend Explorers

I had three goals during my two-day stay in Antwerp: eat a waffle, find the best moules frites and track down a pair of shoes I’d been coveting. Antwerp turned out to be ideal for all three. The city is Belgium’s fashion and shopping hub and also offers a wide range of food and drink specialties.

Antwerp is also an excellent city to visit with friends. It’s compact and easy to explore on foot, which pairs well with the city’s recent green initiative. Since February 1, 2017, the city center has been designated a low-emission zone that restricts the most polluting vehicles in an effort to cut soot and fine particle pollution.

Start your visit in the historic center with the Cathedral of Our Lady, a landmark visible from many parts of the city. After 169 years of construction, the cathedral stands as a fine example of Gothic architecture and is the tallest Gothic building in the Low Countries. If you don’t have time to visit Rubenshuis—the former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, now a museum—you can still see works by Rubens, such as Elevation of the Cross, inside the cathedral. Wander the surrounding streets to soak up Antwerp’s historic atmosphere.

Fashion and Antwerp go hand in hand. The city hosts one of the oldest and most respected fashion academies, and many celebrated designers and trendsetters have studied or worked here. Begin at ModeMuseum (MoMu), where rotating exhibitions—unveiled twice a year—draw from a collection of some 25,000 garments and accessories and explore the stories behind designers, trends and themes.

Put what you learn to use across Antwerp’s seven fashion districts. The Fashion District and Nationalestraat are central for trend-driven shopping. For antiques, collectibles and the Grand Bazar, remain in the historic quarter near Groenplaats. Meir, with its elegant Rococo architecture, houses many European chain stores and the restored Stadsfeestzaal shopping hall, where I found the shoes I was after. For a quieter, boutique-lined walk featuring high-end labels, explore the Quartier Latin.

Food-focused shoppers should head to Wilde Zee, a cluster of five pedestrian streets filled with specialty food stores and trendy boutiques. I enjoyed a waffle while picking out boxes of Belgian chocolate to bring home as gifts.

The Station District presents many shopping options, from Asian groceries in Chinatown to design finds at Designcenter de Winkelhaak. The area’s standout, however, is the Diamond District. Antwerp’s diamond trade stretches back centuries; today more than 1,700 diamond firms and four diamond exchanges operate in the city.

Het Zuid is a creative neighborhood of concept stores and design shops and makes an excellent starting point for visits to Antwerp’s museums. There’s something to suit every interest: contemporary art at M HKA, temporary exhibitions such as “Energy Flash. The Rave Movement,” and the imposing Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), renowned for both its architecture and a vast collection that includes nearly 500,000 objects. MAS is high on my list for a return visit.

The Red Star Line Museum recounts the story of Antwerp from 1873 to 1935, when millions of emigrants left from the city bound for New York aboard Red Star Line ships. The museum blends archives, testimonies and personal stories to bring that era to life.

For visitors who want to sample a range of attractions, the Antwerp City Card is a convenient option. Available in 24-, 48- or 72-hour variants, it includes free entry to many top sights and unlimited public transport.

Having already enjoyed a waffle and shared moules frites with friends, I sampled other local specialties. A visit to De Koninck Brewery is a must for beer lovers: Antwerp’s last city brewery has a long history and an engaging museum that tells its story. Finish the visit with a Bolleke Keuning served in the brewery’s signature Bolleke glass.

Diamonds and shopping are highlights in Antwerp, but chocolate is equally compelling. One local specialty celebrates the legend of the city’s founding: “Little Hands from Antwerp” chocolates commemorate the tale of the giant Druon Antigoon, who once demanded tolls and severed hands as punishment. According to legend, the Roman soldier Brabo defeated the giant and threw a hand into the river Scheldt. Today the chocolate hands recall that folklore and make a sweet souvenir of this compact, storied city.

Antwerp Info to Go

Brussels Airport is the main international gateway to Belgium, with frequent trains to Antwerp. The roughly 30-minute ride arrives at Antwerp’s impressive Centraal Station, whose cathedral-like architecture sits on the edge of the city center. Antwerp is also connected to Paris and Amsterdam via the Thalys high-speed network.

Where to Stay in Antwerp

HILTON ANTWERP OLD TOWN Conveniently located in the historic heart of Antwerp, the hotel offers an Executive Lounge and a private roof terrace for guests who enjoy breakfast and complimentary snacks and drinks. Groenplaats 32 $$$

LEOPOLD HOTEL ANTWERP Eco-conscious travelers may prefer Leopold Hotel Antwerp, which is Green Key certified and offers environmentally friendly accommodations near major attractions. Quinten Matsijslei 25 $$

RADISSON BLU ASTRID HOTEL Situated near Antwerp’s fashion and diamond districts, this hotel features 247 guestrooms and suites with options for extended stays. Koningin Astridplein 7B $$$

Restaurants in Antwerp

BRASSERIE DE HERK Tucked in a picturesque alley near Oude Koornmarkt and Groenplaats, this classic brasserie is well known for its moules frites. Reyndersstraat 33 $$

THE JANE Housed in a former chapel, The Jane is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant that emphasizes bold, creative cuisine and an immersive dining experience. Paradeplein 1 $$$$

RAS Set along the Scheldt, RAS pairs striking architecture with beautifully plated food; indoor and outdoor seating offer scenic river views. Ernest van Dijckkai 37 $$$