Image by Niko Caignie

Normo is not just one of the many coffee bars, baristas in Antwerp, it’s becoming “The Coffee Bar”. This bar is actually the bigger version of the the owner’s previous bar a little bit further down the street: “Bar Choq”.

They moved to this new and bigger location, so that they can expand their bar in many different ways. More focus on burning their own coffee beans (the machines for doing that are in the bar and look great) and the genuine coffee experience… Talk to the owner, he will explain his plans to you, and feel his passion and joy for making great coffee.

Everything in this bar is perfectly in balance: nice atmosphere, excellent music choice, quick visitors and locals working mobile office, old & young match perfectly here. 

But in fact, even if this would have been a crappy, dark room with no windows, bad music, … even then I would come here to get me some great coffee shots … because that is what makes this coffee bar just outstanding: their great skills in making coffee in so many different ways. 

So if you’re in Antwerp and you just want to make one coffee stop, Café Normo would be it! And my personal favorites are the Muskat or a Wonka. Just try it!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Normo | Coffee & tea | Greta coffee € 3
Minderbroedersrui 30 | Meir
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

In a small alley next to the St Vincentius Hospital you can find this quiet and cosy day time lunch-bar. It’s quite new but that doesn’t change its charm.

The interior feels warm and cosy. The food is homemade with care and you just take it out of the counter and pay at the counter.

A very down to earth place and ideal for a relaxed lunch or just to read your newspaper during lunch.

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22b | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Lunch) | Meal € 10.00
Sint-Vincentiusstraat 22B | Zurenborg | +32475674930
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

Amidst the upcoming grandeur near ‘t Eilandje is a small restaurant that reflects everything the neighbourhood should be about: small, cozy environment with a touch of quality and finesse: L’ile d’ Anvers.

One thing is for sure, the guys who run this restaurant are passionate about their business, and that will be about eight years now. Anyway, I felt comfortable and relaxed from the minute I entered.

They have friendly service with a big honest smile. And the food is great! They serve the slightly better dishes here and charge the right price for that. After dinner you can enjoy the nightlife around the docks and yacht club.

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L’ile d’ Anvers | Restaurants (French/Fusion) | Meal € 30.00
Verbindingsdok, Oostkaai 3 | Eilandje | +3232269909
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 22:30, Sat 18:00 – 22:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

When I’m looking for a decent yet quick meal, I go to Lunch Cafe Walrus.

It has a very good kitchen with honest prices. The service is mostly with a smile and you just get what you want here: something to satisfy your hunger!

Whether for breakfast – brunch – lunch or dinner … they’ve got what you need! Don’t expect haute cuisine, but expect to be satisfied!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Walrus | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Belgian) | Meal from € 15.00
Jan van Beersstraat 2 | Zuid | +3232383993
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 22:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

Deeply hidden in the the beautiful Belle Epoque neighbourhood of Antwerp is a little gallery inside a house. This gallery is owned by a passionate photography enthusiast who wants to enable young photographers to display their work. He goes around the world to find them and offers them a jump to Europe/Belgium.

It felt really strange to just walk up to a house, ring the bell and then enter someone’s house to see an exhibition. But it also adds charm and value to the concept. Take your time to look at the displayed work and talk to the friendly owner of the gallery. He can tell you an awful lot about the displayed artist and work.

So keep an eye on the website and whenever there’s something that you like, don’t hesitate to check it out. It might be a nice alternative on a rainy day. It’s not big, so you’ll be in and out in about 45 minutes. I really liked it!

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Stieg Litz 19 | Art & culture
Arthur Goemarelei 19 | Zuid | +3232484931
For opening times check website, depending on exhibition.

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

This Café located in the South part of the city is probably the most famous café… Opinions vary about this spot, it’s just personal taste. But when you’re looking for a spot to enjoy some jazz this is one of the better options in Antwerp.

I ain’t much of a jazz lover but I can appreciate the soft sound while enjoying a beer. Gigs are organised twice a week on Sunday starting from 16:00 and on Monday evening. Occasionally there are more concerts, check their website for more details.

Besides the jazzy atmosphere of this café, its terrace is one of the best to capture the most sun during the day. The view on the Musée Royal des Beaux-Arts (see the Royal Museum of Arts article) adds even more value to the terrace.

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Hopper Café | Bars
Leopold de Waelplaats 2 | Zuid | +3232484933
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by BMX by Niko Caignie

Not so long ago I was a passionate skateboarder, but then real life, body weight and other stuff kicked in. So my favorite sport got a bit left behind… but that doesn’t stop me from visiting the skate-parks where I used to hang out.

So if you are enjoying a stroll in the Antwerp City park make sure you make a stop at the north side of the park where a fine skate-park is located. Take a seat on to the ground and watch a variety of skaters and BMX’ers showing off their skills. It’s worth a little stop, especially if you’re into this kind of sports.

more pictures – full screen

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Live To Ride | Relaxing | Free
Quinten Matsijslei | Meir
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko caignie

Located near Park Spoor Noord (check the Spoor Noord article) on the North side of Antwerp this is quite a new Bistro/Resto. It’s built in an old apothecary, but that is only the outside. Inside you’ve got a mixture of styles and different tastes. A bar, tables, some couches and even a room for kids. Many locals visit “De Caravan” on the weekend, for brunch or lunch on their way to the park or on the way back.

You can go for a quick coffee or a good meal with friends. And even better, you can come and fetch a genuine picknick basket to have a picknick in the nearby Park. How cool is that!

Anyway, it’s a cozy place and you’ll be served by two very nice ladies who run their place with great passion! Just go there and enjoy!

They organise a lot of thematic evenings and parties every month. More about that on the Facebook page (below) and soon to be launched website.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Caravan | Snacks | Ael € 15
Damplein 17 | Eilandje | +3232976852
See website under info

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

One of the things that makes Antwerp attractive is the river “Schelde” which runs on the side of the city. Seen from a historical point of view, this river has been the vein that kept Antwerp alive. And it still is, but it’s not only functional, it also provides some nice views over the city: Antwerp is located in a curve of the river.

Whenever there is sun you can find lots of people here: enjoying the view, some wine or beers, the sunset over the water, the sound of the wind. Although they are not allowed, bbq’s happen very often… and apparently no one has ever got a fine for that!

So after you shopped all day, had a nice dinner somewhere and before you’re ready to step into the nightlife: come for a walk and enjoy the sunset at the river bank. You’ll see Antwerp in all of its aspects.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
River bank | Relaxing
From De Gerlachkaai to Rijnkaai | Eilandje
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

In the middle of the shopping neighbourhood of Antwerp you can find this small park. Actually it’s a botanical garden which houses more than 2000 different rare or remarkable plants. It’s a very nice place to walk around, even if you’re not at all interested in plants whatsoever.

The park is a welcome change from the busy shopping area. You’ll find many locals on the benches just sitting or reading. Most of them are enjoying the instant calmness.

At the back of the park a big solar greenhouse which houses an enormous variety of cactusses. I met the guardian or gardener once. He was a weird guy with a funny sense of humor. Talk to him, he’ll show you some great details about these, at first sight, boring plants!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Botanical Garden | Relaxing
Leopoldstraat | Meir
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp