Coffee & tea – All our local tips

when I go shopping at ‘Wilde Zee’, I have to get an ice cream from Bieke (summer, winter, it doesn’t matter!).

Hallelujah, you won’t believe how good this tastes. They make everything fresh, all year long. My favourite is the banana taste!

And when you don’t feel like eating ice cream, have a waffle… they’re yummy too!

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‘T Bieke | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ice cream € 1.00
Korte Gasthuisstraat 8 | Meir | +323231659
Mon 11:00 – 19:00, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Whatever you will order, in this sweet and cozy Antwerp place it’s always good!

They have a varaity in the best breakfasts in town, but you should certainly try the spaghetti ham & cheese… I get hungry for it, just by writing about it!

They sell Elixir d’Anvers (a sweet old liqueur from Antwerp) & Antwerpse Handjes (”Antwerp Hands”) Hands – sweet cookies.

You can find me here almost every weekend with a newspaper and a coffee.  Can it get any better?

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‘t Suut Bekske | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Extended breakfast € 8.50
Hoogstraat 54 | Sint Andries
Tue – Wed & Fri – Sun 09:00 – 18:00

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 & 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 relax 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 (check website for hours)

This is realy brunch & lunch heaven for me. Whenever I’m there it feels like my grandfather is preparing me my favorite food in his own special way, like only he knows how.

Delicious sandwiches are served here. Every ingredient is home made with special care… you can see that!

It’s a nice environment where you can relax on your own, experience great food with a newspaper or enjoy the company of your friends over a delicious meal.

There’s a terrace when the weather is fine.

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Beauz | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Main Meal € 15.00
Mechelsesteenweg 12 | Meir
Tue – Sat 09:00 – 21:00

In the shadow of the new and modern palace of Justice, you’ll find the best sandwich bar in town.

The sunny terrace and enormous choice in the best tradition of Belgian sandwiches will make your breakfast or lunch a topper!

Every week they have a “sandwich of the week”.  Try it out, because that’s the way to learn different tastes of the Antwerp way of living….

One thing, which I think is very important, is the friendly service at the table.

After a big smile from the waitress my sandwich tastes even better! Take Away also possible!

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Berros | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich € 3.00
Brusselstraat 35 | Zuid | +3232163526
Mon – Fri 06:30 – 15:00

Right across the beautiful Art Deco building of the Steinerschool, you find the Biologische bakker (”biological bakery”). when the weather allows it, we put ourselves on the terrace, order a coffee and a piece of pie (they are great!) and we just look at the beautiful building across the street.

I buy my sugar there, and they have great biologic fruit juices, the apple-cherry is my favourite!. And as the name already says it, you can buy very good biologic bread there (and cakes, pies, cookies… mmm!)

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Biologische bakker | Coffee & tea
Volkstraat 17 | Zuid | +3232160042
Mon- Sat 08:00 – 18:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

Since 2003 Antwerp has a super popular coffee bar very close to the Meir, our little shopping paradise… Caffénation is a bit hidden, but that doesn’t mean it is not noticed. It’s a small place where coffee is the sacred wonder thing. The owner is in love with coffee (they say he even attends coffee tastings). They sell a lot of original coffees with a creative touch. If you want a latte art, caffè machiato, single blend ristretto, decaf soy cappuccino or iced vanilla latte; they have it. They also have soy milk. And they don’t forget tea lovers and chocolate lovers. They sell for example a drink with Maltezers.

You can drink your coffee in a sofa or at a big table with a newspaper or a magazine. When you leave you can also buy some coffee. A talk with the owner makes you believe it is not possible to survive without coffee.

I love to come there. It has everything a what a coffee lover like me wants. But I’m not the only one that likes it there. There’s also the rest of Antwerp. It’s a great place for a quick meeting with a friend, for a little pause after shopping. I never stay long. It is one of the very hot spots in town and sometimes that’s a pity…

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Caffènation | Bars, Coffee & tea | Espresso of the week € 1.80
Hopland 64 | Meir | +32486323015
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 19:30, Sat 09:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

This place is new in the neighbourhood where I live. You can have breakfast, lunch and the tastiest coffees, teas and juices here.

They serve fresh sandwiches, soups, burgers, …. every week a new sandwich, latte and cappuccino special.

I went there for breakfast, which was great and I’m definitely going back for some more!

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De Cafetaria | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Montignystraat 21 | Zuid | +3232944570
09:00 – 19:00 daily

A couple of years ago the neighborhood around the falconplein was a different world. It was a square with dubious shops ran by the Russian mafia and Georgian gangsters. They say it was possible to buy grenades under the table, and the smuggling in fake products and girls from the east were big business then. The falconplein was/is also at the edge of the red light district.

When the city decided to ‘clean up’ the square in 2007 this was very successful. Not so adventurous anymore but today it is a more pleasant square where crime isn’t longer the most important thing.

On the first and the third Sunday of every month there is a market for biological products. And on the square you can find the nice café Bartilia. It is called Bartilia because of the former trees that stood on the square. They were all limetrees (’Tilia’). When they redesigned the square all the lime trees had to go.

The owners of Bartilia wanted to make a statement and they named the cafe after the trees. Bartilia is a cosy cafe for young and old, but especially for the young. In weekends it can be busy but it is always nice to be there. It is allowed to smoke in there. The atmosphere is good.

On Sunday it is nice to combine the market with a coffee in Café Bartilia. But be careful, sometimes the café opens a little bit later than planned…

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Falconplein – Bartilia | Bars, Coffee & tea
Falconplein 43 | Eilandje | +32484157995
Autumn/Winter 15:00 – 03:00 daily | Spring/Summer 11:00 – 03:00 daily

Somewhere deeply hidden in the Zurenborgh area is a little store that sells high quality food. Locals come here to fulfill their little Sunday morning needs at the breakfast/lunch table. Fruit, bread, vegetables or a variety of delicious home made items…

But there ’s more. If you walk to the back of the store you’ll find a cozy and calm place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. It’s a great environment with a great service. And everything in this store is for sale: the food, the plates, tea cups, tables, chairs, …

And there’s even more: they also have a bead and breakfast service upstairs. So actually, this could be your ideal base to start your Antwerp citytrip from!

Worth a visit when you’re in the neighborhood!

The website is still under construction but will be online soon.

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Frais Divers | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Breakfast/lunch) | Main € 16
Grote Hondstraat 5 | Zurenborg
Tue – Fri 08:00 – 18:00, Sat 08:00 – 16:00

In the most Southern point of Antwerp, with a great view on the new Court House of Antwerp you can find Restaurant The Lobby. This fresh and modern restaurant is a must visit for every overnight visitor in Antwerp. I really like the interior and the special big lamp centrally placed in the restaurant.

Their dinners are of high quality and every plate has an ingredient you never heard of before. Served with a great smile and passion for their “métier”.

If you have the time: take time to have breakfast… you’ll never find any better! Apparently they have a superb Bed & Breakfast.

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Lobby Antwerp | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French) | Main Meal € 30.00
Jan Van Beersstraat 51 | Zuid | +3232336483
Tue – Fri from 08:00, Sat – Sun from 10:00

I always meet one of my best friends here. Almost every Saturday we have breakfast at Mo’s. We throw ourselves in the sofa, order a healthy breakfast and start chatting.

The breakfast is great! muesli, bio-yogurt, a big bowl of fresh fruit, fresh orange juice, coffee or tea (order the traditional Mint tea!). The other breakfasts are also great, but after a Friday night of drinking, we always prefer the healthy one.

The salads also are delicious and there are a lot of newspapers, magazines and even wifi to spend your time there. Ooo i can’t wait till it’s Saturday!

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Mo Made | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Healthy breakfast € 10.00
Volkstraat 63 | Zuid | +3232904680
07:30 – 19:00 daily

Despite of what some people might think about Antwerp inhabitants, we do not only shop and eat… we also drink coffee! Not so long ago I thought the only way to have a home-like-coffee-drinking-experience did not exist, but it actually does.

The place resembles a big living room with comfy couches, nice decoration with a great atmosphere. This is indeed one of the few places in Antwerp where different generations and backgrounds drink together in harmony: babies with their mothers and grandparents, people in their twenties, in their thirties, Belgian, British, Dutch… this is actually a great place to network.

The specialty of the house is the ‘Antwerpse coffee’ prepared with one of the most typical Antwerpian spirits: Elixir d’Anvers.  The Coffee of the Month’ in February is a mix of almond liquor and speculaas spice.

No doubt this is one of my favorite places in the whole country not only because the coffee is great, original, and versatile, but because my man (one of the most

anti-coffee-persons) actually enjoys having a drink of coffee. I think I finally converted him.

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Monte Cristo | Coffee & tea | Coffee € 2.00
Pelgrimstraat 14 | Meir | +32032331078
Mon, Thu – Fri 14:00 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 20:00, Sun 11:00 – 18:00

It smells good, looks excellent and tastes even better!

I am not a big pro-sweet person, but there are certain things you cannot let pass by (for breakfast, lunch or supper), and those are found in the Patisserie Schoenaers.

From the outside it looks just like an upper-class bakery in the Jewish neighborhood, but do not let looks deceive you because prices are market average. The only issue: you might leave with the feeling of wanting more.

Let me explain: The bread, pastry, and ice cream are so delicious that I am pretty sure you will like (if not almost) everything you see there. If you cannot get enough you should consider requesting beforehand the ‘Diplomaat’ (`the diplomate’) cake, which really lives up to its name.

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Patisserie Schoenaers | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Pastry (shop) from € 1.00
Belgielei 109 | Stationsbuurt | +32032307198
Tue – Fri 07:30 – 18:00, Sat 07:30 – 17:00, Sun 07:00 – 16:00

The renewed museum opened its doors in 2004 (after being closed for three LONG years) and it looks great.

It’s my favourite museum because they always have different collections and exhibitions at one time. There is a permanent History Collection and the exhibitions. I go there once every two months. Just to wander around, drink a coffee in the lovely bar, find books in their library or buy stuff in their shop.

The shop is great, you find a lot of Photography Magazines, books and funky photography stuff. The perfect place to hide from the busy museums and the perfect place to buy a cool gift for someone.

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Photomuseum | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Entrance € 6.00
Waalse Kaai 47 | Zuid | +3232429300
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Starfish & coffee is a coffeehouse of Katja, a friend of mine. She designed the place in a way that it feels like coming home. You can have all kinds of coffees, tea’s… and my favourite: hot milk with honey and maltesers

And you really have to try the homemade Gingertea (cold and hot)! It’s an energyboost you have never experienced before!

Katja makes fresh pies and muffins everyday and they are soooo good! Starfish & coffee is the ideal place to drink a coffee and just enjoy the atmosphere and the relaxing environment…

To get warm again in winter Katja serves hot wine! Yummie!

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Starfish & Coffee | Coffee & tea
Bresstraat 9 | Zuid | +32486987977
Tue – Sun 09:30 – 18:30

Usawa is a non-commercial coffeehouse with an atmosphere of a living room and – most important – it is honest. Usawa means ‘honest’ in Swahili and that’s what this place is all about.

The concept is that you can eat soup or a fresh salad and you can buy almost everything that you see. Do you like the lamp in the corner? Check out the menu and you’ll find the price and you can be sure that it is fair trade, made in Africa (for example) and the person that made it gets an honest share. Do you love the little basket where they put the sugar in? Let’s buy it! They sell wonderful recycled toys, nice jewelry, djembes, African masks, art, furniture, etc. And for the moment they also sell paintings from Ine Van Wesel.

They have great ginger tea and when I’m there I always walk around in the place, looking at things, feeling at home, talking to the owner, a nice woman with a relax attitude.

It’s a funny combination of a shop and a coffeehouse. Not fancy or modern, but honest and cosy. And the owner is a great girl…

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Usawa | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping | Breakfast € 7.50
Kasteelpleinstraat 53 | Zuid | +32497734183
Sun – Fri 10:00 – 18:00

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

It has an 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!

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

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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

The Witzli-Poetzli (they say the name comes from the book The Master and Margarita from Boelgakov – Huitzilopochtli is a wargod of the Aztecs) is a very small café in the center of center of the citycenter. It is next to our great cathedral. In the summer there’s an unique terras in the shadow of the cathedral. In the winter it is a cosy place where people come to drink coffee and read a newspaper.

In the narrow street of the Witzli are no cars allowed and there are practically no shops. It is a passing-through-street. A lot of people pass by and from the Witzli-Poetzli you have a perfect view! In winter there’s a lot of wind in the street, so you can see very funny situations that happen to by-passers.

The former owner – Guido – died very sudden in December 2008, a couple of weeks after a fight in his cafe. This was a enormous shock for a lot of people in Antwerp. And of course: what would happen to the Witzli?! Antwerp wouldn’t be te same without! We are very lucky that a former barman took over the café and that he keeps the Witzli like it was.

I visit the Witzli-Poetzli a lot. It is the most ideal spot to meet friends or to rest after a walk in the city. But the most important reason is their white coffee (café au lait). I never drink white coffee, but it is such a genius form of white coffee that I always want to drink it when I come there. Don’t let them tell you something else.

Don’t leave Antwerp without tasting the Witzli-coffee!

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Witzli-Poetzli | Bars, Coffee & tea
Blauwmoezelstraat 8 | Meir
From 10:00 daily