CURRENT POPULATION: 452,000 % POP GROWTH: 0.46 % CITY AREA: 504.5 KM2
CITY DENSITY: 2,229 INH/KM2 GDP PER CAPITA: €23,597 DIALLING CODE: +32
RESTAURANTS
WITH FRIENDS BRASSERIE APPELMANS
PAPENSTRAATJE 1
TEL. 03 226 20 22
There’s a perception that if a restaurant is in a busy tourist area the quality of food won’t be good. But that’s not the case here, with a delightful menu that includes Belgian dishes such as Antwerp stew prepared with De Koninck beer and modern variations such as the sublime candied duck breast fillet with a sauce of old port wine. Absinthe is a speciality and locals like to drink it mixed with water and sweetened with sugar to produce a refreshing drink. International DJs also play here on weekends.
ENTERTAINING A CLIENT HET DISTRICT
VELTWIJCKLAAN 48
TEL. 03 542 35 55
Take a short journey out of town and experience one of Antwerp’s latest grand cafés. Seafood lovers in particular will by hooked by the menu, which includes several inventive fish dishes. The trio of tuna starter is an absolute must, but make sure you leave room for one of the restaurant’s exquisite desserts.
CLOSING THE DEAL HUIS DE COLVENIER
ST ANTONIUSSTRAAT 8
TEL. 03 226 65 73
Now in its 25th year, this restaurant has captured the imagination and satisfied the appetite of real gourmets due to its outstanding menu and the charismatic owner who heads the kitchen himself. Make sure you pay a visit to the extensive cellar, which also doubles up as a lounge bar.
BARS
RELAX BLACK PEARL
BRAZILIËSTRAAT 12A
TEL. 03 232 26 69
Tucked away in Antwerp’s harbourside neighbourhood is a converted warehouse that attracts a stylish crowd. Take in the decadent surroundings while listening to a cool mix of house and jazz music.
STYLE COCKTAILS AT NINE
LIJNWAADMARKT 9
TEL. 03 707 10 07
Get cosy at this cocktail hangout, which caters for all weathers and moods. Two enclosed terraces are the ideal shelter from either sun or rain, and as the autumn evenings turn more wintry, head inside to the lounge and its open fire – the best place for a chilly night.
HOTELS
VALUE HOTEL POSTILJON
BLAUWMOEZELSTRAAT 6
TEL. 03 231 75 75
Walk out of the door of this hotel and you’ll find the old cathedral quite literally towering over you. It really doesn’t get more central than this small family-run B&B.
BUSINESS LEOPOLD HOTEL
QUINTEN MATSIJSLEI 25
TEL. 03 231 15 15
The Leopold Hotel (formerly the Carlton Hotel) has not only changed its name but has also had a makeover. Each of the spacious, hip 127 rooms comes complete with high quality beds, free internet access and a large desk.
BESPOKE HOTEL THE BLACK
AMERIKALEI 113
TEL. 03 298 42 98
Boutique hotels seem to be emerging almost every week in Antwerp. The latest one is owned by an interior decorator who has opted for a stylish black and white theme for the hotel. Each room has a retro bath in the centre.
KNOWLEDGE
Take a tour around Antwerp’s famous neighbourhood of Cogels-Osylei, which is famed for its stunning architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, neo-renaissance, neo-gothic and neo-byzantine (www.cogelsosylei. com). Start with Cogels-Osylei and follow the adjacent streets (Transvaalstraat, Waterloostraat, Generaal Van Merlenstraat, Generaal Capiaumont Straat and Velodroomstraat).
Catch the Friday morning antique auction (8am-1pm) at Vrijdagmarkt, where sales of furniture, household goods and secondhand clothing have taken place every week since the 16th century. Sales are conducted in Flemish but the auctioneer will accept bids in English. Every Sunday at Sint Jansvliet (9am-5pm) there’s a small antique market.
Step into the 1800s at Huis A Boon, the handmade leather glove shop on 2-4 Lombardenvest (www.visitflanders.in). This charming shop looks exactly as it was the day it was built in 1884. It stocks more than 10,000 gloves in six sizes.
SECRETS
The Hendrik Conscienceplein is one of the most peaceful and beautiful squares in Antwerp, situated by the beautiful Baroque Carolus Borromeus church. But the church is not the main event – come here for free afternoon performances by classical musicians who play on the square throughout the week.
