Sint Andries Antwerp – All our local tips

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

Antwerp Hands are world famous. That’s a fact. This specialized old glove-shop is one of a kind.

For several decades House Boon is an established value in Antwerp fashion. They have existed for over three generations

Students of the academy get their gloves right here. If you like the interior, then you will love the service.

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A. Boon | Shopping | Pair of gloves from € 22.00
Lombardenvest 2 | Sint Andries | +3232323387
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Bazar Bizar is a cosy shop, filled with things from Indonesia, Morocco, Bali,… 
You can buy stuff there for your own interior, or presents for your family and friends…

My favourite is the pottery from Morocco, and the pillows from Bali, and the jewelry… oh well, I like it all! I used to work at Bazar in the weekends but I still go there a lot, just to feel the atmosphere and buy some lovely cheap jewelry from Bali, or things to put in my garden or house.

I invite you to come and take a look, you will love it! (and they have a bed & breakfast too, completely designed with stuff from the shop).

Bazar Bizar is the perfect shop to buy some lovely stuff to decorate your house with in these cold days. Enjoy!

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Bazar Bizar | Shopping
Steenhouwersvest 18 | Sint Andries | +3232329744
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 18:00, Sun 14:00 – 18:00

Indisputably Belgians are passionate about chocolate, and it is one of the things they are most proud of. A very good evidence of this can be found at the chocolate shop ‘Bourie Chocolatier’, where you can find a big variety of styles, shapes and tastes.

They do not only make very tasty chocolate, they also put so much love and effort in creating real masterpieces: little delicious jewels, bugs, vegetables, fishes, mushrooms, and everything cute you can imagine.

If you believe the prettiest the tastier then this is the place to be. If you do not I advise you to pay a visit, you will probably not be disappointed by looking at these art pieces.

Prices are above average, but they are worth it.

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Bourie Chocolatier | Shopping, Snacks
Korte Gasthuisstraat 3 | Sint Andries | +32032323688
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 18:00

If you are looking for an old record and you didn’t find it yet; go in this wonderful shop and look for it.

Mostly you’ll find that one treasure you really wanted.

It is so well organised that searching is just an easy job. And if you’re too lazy to look, somebody will do it for you.

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Chelsea Record | Music, Shopping
Kloosterstraat 10 | Sint Andries | +3232338577
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 18:00

Whenever you think of Belqium, you will think of chocolate, diamonds, fashion and … comics!  Just think of the worldfamous Tintin or Lucky Luke.

In Antwerp there are some wonderful comic walls! They spice up a district and let the people enjoy a giant piece of art. Several items you can discover around the city.

Feel like seeing them with a guide?  Book your personal tour and get to know all the secrets of cartoons & comics…

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Comic Tour | Art & culture | Two hours tour from € 95.00
Steenplein | Sint Andries
10:00 – 21:00 daily

For the non-Ducth speakers, welcome to the Spotted by locals Dutch course level 1… well not really, but if you are planning to stay in Antwerp for at least one day, it is imperative to learn at least one of the most important phrases in the Dutch vocabulary. Dear readers let me present you ‘te koop’ (’for sale’). Coop let me present you my dear readers.

Although confusing, this store is not the subsidiary of the Swiss supermarket chain. Coop in Antwerp is more fun because if you like toys, design and colors you will be stepping into the right place. From bobblehead Obama’s to ex lover voodoo dolls, there is a wide variety of curiosities to explore at reasonable prices.

It is fortunately not limited to toys; it also offers design lamps and furniture, kitchen and table ware. In short, everything you need to spice your space a bit more. Oh I almost forgot. It opens on Sundays! and that makes it my favorite shopping place (on Sunday).

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COOP | Shopping
Hoogstraat 11 | Sint Andries | +32322945460
10:00 – 19:00 daily

Truly speaking I have problems with commitment because I like shopping here and there, but when it is about body products, I am loyal like a dog.

I found Kiehl’s pretty much the way I found any other store: through the seduction of promotions and free samples. This time I am so glad I followed the promises of perfect skin because everything I have bought worked wonderfully.

It can be intimidating being in a store with hundreds of products, but luckily the personnel is very helpful and friendly. They provide very knowledgeable advice by matching the needs of your skin type and lifestyle with their stock, you are not obliged to make any purchase and you can ask for free samples to see if the product works for you.

If you are already loyal to this American chain then I am not saying something new, but if you are not, why don’t you try it out and become a fan?

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Kiehl’s | Shopping
Lombardenvest 80 | Sint Andries | +32032261460
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

On a lazy Sunday I love to walk through the Kloosterstraat. It’s my favorite ‘window shop street’. Most of the shops sell antiques: furniture, books, nice African antiques, etc. Some sell bathroom antiques, others sell Christmas decoration or fifties-objects. The fun is that there is this great amusing diversity and incredible curiosa.

The Kloosterstraat is like a constant changing open air museum where you can buy the strangest objects. If you have enough money of course. That’s an important detail: almost everything in the Kloosterstraat is heavily overpriced. But it is a pleasure to discover all the secret objects that are lost in time and lost in the Kloosterstraat.

They say that this street has an international reputation and that a lot of wardrobes and tables and books and stuff are sold overseas, but that I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m full of plans and dreams when I walk through this street. Plans for how I’m going to decorate that really big castle when I have that disgraceful amount of money.

I find it an amusing walk to the city center because every time I see things that I cannot believe or things that I never expected to see ever again. I can recommend a spaziergang to the South through the Kloosterstraat. And if you can resist all the beautiful things, it’s free…

On Monday and Tuesday the most shops are closed. The weekend is the best moment to visit this street…

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Kloosterstraat | Shopping
Kloosterstraat | Sint Andries
Aproximately Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

This little store is a visit worth for every fashion victim who goes out shopping in the fashion capital of Belgium.

Labels Inc is a second hand shop from all Belgian designers just in the middle of the best shopping-area!

Very low prices for clothes of Dries Van Noten, Véronique Branquinho and Ann Demeulemeester…

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Labels Inc. | Shopping
Aalmoezenierstraat 4 | Sint Andries | +3232326056
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

One of the cosiest boutiques in Antwerp is Lila Grace. As the name suggests, this shop is a walhalla for feminine and flirty styles, with a vintage feel.

The brands represented are all very affordable, which always makes shopping more fun.

Furthermore, you won’t find these labels splattered all over the city, which will make your find here all the more unique!

The fitting rooms are very spacious and nicely decorated, a nice touch you don’t see that often anymore, and which is a welcome change to the neon-lighted, too-small-to-move spaces of big chain stores.

The friendly ladies in the store will lend you a helping hand with a big smile and lots of stylish tips.

Don’t forget to check out the cute jewelry at the counter!

The window was elected as one of the most beautiful in Antwerp…  Go and check it out!

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Lila Grace | Shopping
Nationalestraat 83 | Sint Andries | +3232890099
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

There’s a small and very strange shop in the Aalmoezenierstraat. At first I didn’t know what to think about it. When it just opened the shop was almost empty. There were only a couple of small, intriguing things. I stood there sometimes, after closing time, looking in the window and fascinated by the little things they sell, trying to solve the mystery of their concept.

The shop is owned by two girls Mieke Verbijlen and Veronik Willems. They used to just collect nice things. After a while they thought that some of these things had to be for sale. And so they started this concept: they sell only what they like. It is a shop of paper and wood; a shop with ecological stuff, nothing synthetic, some handmade stuff, decorative things, little toys, a pillow, paperclips, some pencils, paper to put on shelves…

It’s their love for little nice objects that puts soul in this shop. I really love places like that. It’s real and honest, and not commercial. So lovely!

It is a pity but this shop will soon be closed. I don’t know exactly when but I’ll keep you posted! And in the meantime they give a 30% discount.

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Mieke Willems | Shopping
Aalmoezenierstraat 28 | Sint Andries | +3232930080
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Antwerp is the fashion heart of Belgium and more and more of Europe.

Since 2002 we have this nicely designed ‘Fashion museum’ called MoMu.

Bernard Willhelm, Veronique Branquinho, Martin Margiela; they all had an exhibition here.

Soon there will be a new exciting exposition Black, Masters of black in fashion & costmues. Starting from 25th of March till August 8th 2010.

In that same building the Academy of Fine arts Antwerp, departement fashion and the FFI (Flanders Fashion Institute) are both located.

If you’re under 26, you just pay ONE euro.

Info & booking for a guide: info@tanguyottomer.com

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MoMu | Art & culture | Entrance < 26 € 1.00
Nationalestraat 28 | Sint Andries | +3234702770
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 17:00

I have always thought geeks were antisocial, but I was rather wrong. Let me first include the Marriam-Webster dictionary definition of geek: “is a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc.”

Fortunately in Antwerp there is a place for those obsessed characters, and they all gather at the Outpost, which for me it is the coolest place to play. First of all it opens at noon and closes when the last person finishes playing, so it can be very late. Do not get me wrong, this is a store but a very special one.

The atmosphere is quiet nice. The tables are usually full with people playing ‘Magic’, or some other card game; you can also play online in one of the computers at the back. Drinks and snacks are available at decent prices and you can socialize with other players. Another advantage? the language barrier is not a problem because all the people playing here master English and most of them are really friendly.

In short: this is like the play room of a Japanese kid filled with games and people sharing snacks and drinks served by the always friendly staff.

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Outpost | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing
Beggaardenstraat 6 | Sint Andries
From 11:30 daily

The City of Antwerp is actually divided in two by the river Schelde. If you want to go to the left side of the river (Also called: Linkeroever) you can take the car and drive around the city, take the motorway to get there. Or you take the tunnel that starts almost in the centre of town and walk to the other side of the river.

The tunnel was built between 1931 and 1932 and that style is clearly reflected in the 572 meters of its length. It feels like a walk back into the Belle Epoque era. You can see some more pictures here.

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Pedestrian Tunnel | Art & culture | Free
Sint Jansvliet | Sint Andries
24 hours daily

The Colombian owners lucky number is… seven (siete in Spanish). Lucky is exactly how I feel when I enter the shop for the first time. Gorgeous boots, bags, accessories… here I had to find the boots I was looking for. And I did.

Every time I need new shoes, this is the first address I go to. And often I don’t need to go any further… easy!

Also go check the stuff in the back of the store, my favourite are the jewels with pictures of famous painter Frida Kahlo! They also sell very cool cork bags!

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Siete | Shopping
Steenhouwersvest 28 | Sint Andries | +3234857794
Mon & Wed – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 14:00 – 18:00

This is actually not one of the spots I visit often, but every once and a while when a friend is visiting from out of town I take them here. The view from the second floor café/brasserie is just breath taking.

The food is good, service is good but the view is the thing you should come for. From behind the big windows you have an excellent view over the river and the left bank of Antwerp.

There is also a big terras outside, but most of the time it’s quite windy, I prefer the inside.

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Zuiderterras | Bars, Snacks | Meal € 20
Ernest Van Dijckkaai 37 | Sint Andries
09.00 – 00.00 daily