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WELCOME TO ANTWERP

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tested the city’s most famous fries shops.

Barista Isabelle gives us some tips for the

10 best coffee bars, fashion bloggers Lara,

Tine and Helen share their best streetstyle

photos and seasoned partygoers Caia,

Sven, and Nele tell you the places to be in

the evening and night-time.

This is Antwerp is a guide to discovering the

city with the benefit of inside knowledge.

The magazine and the accompanying app

are full of tips from people who know the

city, and addresses to help you get the

maximum out of your city trip. Don’t wait.

Plan your trip now, so you can experience

the spirit of the city for yourself.

Cartography

Nick Van Hee

Translation

Alphatrad

Print

Flyer.eu

THIS ISANTWERPStylish & confident. Vibrant & cosmopolitan. Heart-warming & relaxed.

Colophon

This magazine is a publication of the city of Antwerp and An-

twerp Tourism & Convention. It was edited with great care.

Antwerp Tourism & Convention cannot be held responsible

for printing errors or changes. No part of this publication

may be used by third parties without prior written consent

of Antwerp Tourism & Convention.

None of the adresses mentioned in this magazine paid for

their mentioning in it any way.

“Antwerp has so much to offer, and

nothing is far away. Everything you need

is within walking distance.” On page 14

Tiany Kiriloff, lifestyle blogger and fashion

designer sums it all up. Antwerp is a

city with eye-catching architecture and

countless cultural sights, with numerous

shopping possibilities, spacious parks to

just chill out and bars where the Belgian

beers flow freely and until late into the

night.

We followed the No. 8 tram and mapped

out an alternative tour through legendary

squares and popular bars, past hidden

shops, gardens and tunnels. We booked

at Carrod’s, a living room restaurant and

Publisher

Antwerp Tourism & Convention – Annik Bogaert,

Grote Markt 15 – BE2000 Antwerp

Editors in chief

Antwerp Tourism &

Convention, Trendwolves

Concept, Design & Illustration

We Make Graphics

Photography

Ellen Goegebuer

Sven Lambin

Helen Van Den Poel

Trendwolves

Antwerp Tourism & Convention

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FASHION FORWARD

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COFFEE TOUR

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FASHION-FORWARD

STREET STYLE

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WHAT’S COOKING?

ANTWERP ILLUSTRATED

NIGHTLIFE

“FRIET”CULTURE

SLEEP IN STYLE

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Bolivarplaats (Zuid)Our cruise starts at the Bolivarplaats tram terminal, where the

No. 8 stops just outside the new courthouse. This steel and

glass construction is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House.

The large glass sections together with the spacious square in

front of the building create a feeling of openness.

Openness characterizes the neighbourhood around the Zuid

area of Antwerp. Everything is broad and spacious here, and

that aura is precisely what attracts many young people and

creative start-ups. This neighbourhood which twenty years ago

was totally run-down is now a beacon of trendiness.

We breakfast on a soft boiled egg with soldiers or buttered

toast and cappuccino in De Cafetaria, an easy place to quietly

catch up on international magazines and today’s newspapers

(although latter are only in Dutch). If you want, you can opt for

a forget-me-not tea instead of the coffee.

From De Cafetaria we walk towards the river Scheldt. We zigzag

between apartment blocks to the Cockerillkaai, overlooking the

Zuiderterras. Apart from a few brave runners on this winter

morning, there is nobody about. It’s not always like that.

TRAM 8Silsburg - BolivarplaatsTram 8 connects Deurne and the preppy Zuid area. This tram crosses both the historic heart of Antwerp and the hip outskirts of town. We took a hop on, hop off tram ride, and compiled the best things to see at each stop.

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shopping paradise

Nationalestraat (Fashion District)The No. 8 tram stops just before Modenatie, the epicenter of

the Antwerp fashion district. Exuberantly dressed (fashion)

students and shoppers with designer outfits add colour to the

streets. An old school Macintosh, dozens of fashion-related book

covers and an intriguing photo of Antwerp fashion hero Walter

Van Beirendonck, will undoubtedly lure you into Copyright. This

design book store is connected to the Fashion Museum, where

Walter, one of Antwerp’s trailblazing designers, will be the

subject of an exhibition until February 19. (For fans: his latest

collections can be found at W.A.L.T.E.R., a remarkable shop just

up the Sint-Antoniusstraat).

In the Kammenstraat is the sugary shop window of the newly

relocated Heaven’s Closet, in stark contrast to the somewhat

dingy doorway of Fish & Chips, the streetwear shop on two

floors. The street is a colourful patchwork of vintage shops,

outlets, flagship stores and alternative boutiques.

Starting to work up an appetite, so we visit the Lombardia,

The green and pink eatery in the Lombardenvest, highly

recommended by the Wall Street Journal. We are following in

the footsteps of Sting, DJ Tiësto and the guys from Sigur Ros. We

order a Spice Girl roll with a Pulp Friction juice. Spicy and fresh,

the perfect combo.

Annually from Whitsun, the Gedempte Zuiderdokken or filled-in

docks form the backdrop for a huge fair that lasts for six weeks:

the Sinksenfoor. Apart from that, there are many activities. So

be sure to check when you come here.

From the docks we head towards the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA). That museum is housed in an old grain

silo in the Leuvenstraat.

If you cross the car park between the Gedempte Zuiderdokken,

Waalse Kaai and Vlaamse Kaai, you will find a whole host of

taverns and delis on the Leopold De Waelplaats. Behind the

tram stop, you will see the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in all its

glory.

Don’t jump back on the tram just yet. Take a short walk up part

of the Volkstraat. At Funky Soul Potato they sell potatoes with

surprising fillings. At number 59 - across the street - is Stone & Bone, a shop full of naturalia. A display full of hunting trophies

sets the tone. Inside you will find mice skeletons, framed

butterflies, dried sea urchins and much more besides. A few

doors down is the brand new hot spot Coffee & Vinyl. The shop

combines a wide range of quality music and arty farty walls with

steaming beverages. Look through the huge record bazaar, or

flop down in the sitting area with its (mini) library and warm

yourself up with a Snoop Doggy (hot chocolate with Maltesers).

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Cut through to the Sint-Annatunnel, the pedestrian tunnel

under the river Scheldt. To get there, you go down the retro

wooden escalators, slow but charming. If you walk through the

pedestrian corridor, then 572 metres later, you will emerge

above water. From the left bank of the Scheldt, there is a

fantastic view over the Antwerp skyline.

Back on the right bank, walk along the Kloosterstraat, the

Mecca for Antique and Kitsch. Just before entering the street,

stop off at La Chascona, a coffee shop/second-hand goods shop.

Everything in this bar that is not bolted down is for sale.

For a winter picnic in the middle of a green urban oasis, you

have to go to the overgrown Muntplein, which you are just

unable to see from the terrace of La Chascona. Order your picnic

at Ra 13 on the Kloosterstraat (check www.rapicnic.blogspot.

com). Besides its delicious cuisine, this concept store offers

300 square metres of fashion, a book store and a music corner.

We go for the soup of the day (beetroot and pumpkin) and

settle down by the window. The place where you can watch

everything happening - inside and out.

Steenhouwersvest is almost the wild little brother of

Kammenstraat. Alongside established fashion concepts, you

still find indie clothing and accessory shops. Episode has been a

reference for vintage clothing for years now, and Bazar Bizar is a

must for Bohemian interiors.

A few doors up the street is The Public Image. Watch out: you

might walk past it. This tiny shop has a fine selection of textiles

with graphics and illustrations by local designers. Business

owner Nele selects the designs, her boyfriend Jeroen prints

them on T-shirts, which Nele then sells.

Next door Julie - Jude - Deffrasnes runs the concept store

JudeLovesYou. Jude sells her handmade jewelry, Polaroid

pendants and gothic rings here, as well as Japanese curios. The

back room serves as exhibition space.

Around the corner, in the Hoogstraat, we walk into Galerie De Zwarte Panter. In the 14th century, this was a small guest

house for pilgrims, and in the ‘sixties it became a home for

contemporary art. Painter Fred Bervoets and illustrator Jan

Van Riet are regulars here. Photographs and paintings hang

throughout the shop, the chapel, the back part of the house

and the basement. In the courtyard you can imagine yourself in

another era.

shopping paradise

theatre is bustling. When we pass, at ten o’clock on Saturday

morning, bringing pasta makers, candy stalls and butchers are

selling their wares.

After that, visit the Graanmarkt. Behind house number 13, you

will discover Antwerp’s greatest treasures.

Our last stop is the Botanical Garden, next to the Sint-Elisabeth

Hospital. You can get in free via the Leopoldstraat. The garden,

once the nursery of the School of Medicine, Chemistry and

Botany, is still being used for the advancement of science.

Definitely a place to fill your lungs with fresh air.

Stroll down the Leopoldstraat, and you come to the

Mechelseplein square. This is where we nip back on the tram.

Huidenvetterstraat (Wilde Zee, Kruidtuin, Quartier Latin) The stop in the Huidevettersstraat, near the Nationalestraat, is

a great stop for discovering another slice of Antwerp. Right in

the Quartier Latin, near de Wilde Zee and the old city centre.

Start at the Bourlaschouwburg theatre. From the foyer you look

out over the Komedieplaats, especially the bright window of the

Louis Vuitton shop which is certain to attract your attention. Via

the Schuttershofstraat we walk to Hopland, where the cakes at

the counter of patisserie Vanhelmont are just crying out to be

eaten. We buy a strawberry cake and take it to the edgy coffee

bar Caffènation. Tastes great with a Cappuccino Star.

Now we are heading for the Vreemdelingenmarkt in

Theaterplein. In the weekend, the market-place in front of the

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1010

Along the Draakstraat, you will see Dageraadplaats, which

almost looks like a village square with a very friendly vibe.

Children play on the playground or the basketball court,

mothers chat and the men drink a nice cool beer at one of the

many terraces. After sunset, the artificial starry sky spreads

some Christmas spirit all year round.

Look for a bright blue door and go inside Den Overvloed, a

restaurant with both Flemish and world cuisine on the menu.

While we wait for our meal, we tuck into delicious rolls with

fresh garlic butter. The restaurant is almost always packed, but

you don’t need to book before hand. If there is no table free,

you get a teddy bear to keep you company while you wait in

Café ‘t Zeezicht, on the bottom floor of the building. You drink

an aperitif there, and as soon as a table is free, your bear will be

called out. Café ‘t Zeezicht is also the ideal place for rounding

off the evening (or night, because the bar is open until very late.

Locals come in until the early hours to drink Green Duvels, a

hard-to-find variant of the famous Belgian beer Duvel.

Guldenvliesstraat (Zurenborg)Before you know it, you walk into Café Stanny at the

Guldenvliesstraat stop in the Zurenborg District. A modern,

brown pub with graphic novels, cutting edge music and

traditional dishes of the day, the way only Flemish mothers still

make them today. A number of local beers are on tap. Here,

you can have a relaxed chat with young people from Zurenborg.

Behind the sansevierias, the view from Café Stanny looks out

onto the railway viaduct.

If you walk under the railway, you will see a different side

of Antwerp. A century ago, there were still farms here

amid pastures, which made way for Art Deco palaces, Art

Nouveau houses and modernist villas. Do not miss out on the

architectural splendour of the Cogels-Osylei. The chic avenue

leads to the Tramplaats where trams and buses spend the night.

They say that you eat the best burgers in the city here at De Burgerij at the end of the street. For affordable cocktails, head

for the Vertigo jazz bar. With a little luck, you can time your

arrival for a concert. Check out the programme on

www.cafevertigo.be.

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RETROWith the iPhone app Hipstamatic (€ 1.59), it looks like you have

taken your photo an old-fashioned plastic camera. Hipstamatic

gives a fun lomo-effect, without having to mess about with lenses,

film rolls or flashes. The free application Lightbox is the Android

equivalent of Instagram and Hipstamatic. The idea is the same,

only the filters are slightly different: you can record memories,

add Lomo, Retro or HDR effects, and afterwards easily share them

on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. The same applies to Fx Camera.

Here you can see photos with Fisheye or Warhol effects.

PANORAMAThe fully automated capture system Dermandar (€ 1.59) makes

360° panoramas really easy for iPhone owners. Android users can

record beautiful cityscapes seamlessly with the free apps Camera 360 or Photaf Panorama. A sensor keeps track of which angle you

take the photos from and makes corrections automatically.

phoneographyWe crossed Antwerp with the Instagram iPhone app at the

ready. A free iPhone application that allows you to take photos

fast. You can add some atmosphere or depth by choosing

a filter, and then share your photos with an enthusiastic

community of iGers. Instagram is far from being the only photo

app for smartphones. There are dozens of tools for quickly

improving or sharing photos. A selection:

Want to have a go your-self? Use the tag #thisisant-

werp. The best snapshots will be compiled into the next

edition.

tram 8

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22b - Zoet, zout en zo Sint-Vincentiusstraat 22b (2018 Antwerp)

‘t Onschuldig Schaep Justitiestraat 85 (2018 Antwerp)

’t Werkhuys Zegelstraat 13 (2140 Borgerhout)

Appelmans Papenstraatje 1 (2000 Antwerp)

Banks Steenhouwersvest 55 (2000 Antwerp)

Bar Leon Reuzenstraat 23 (2140 Borgerhout)

Berlin Kleine Markt 1 (2000 Antwerp)

Brasserie Triton Groot Hagelkruis 187 (2030 Antwerp)

Café Centrum Canadalaan 109 (2030 Antwerp)

Café den Draak Draakplaats 1 (2018 Antwerp)

Crown Plaza Antwerpen Gerard Le Grellelaan 110 (2020 Antwerp)

De Cafetaria Montignystraat 21 (2018 Antwerp)

De Groote Witte Arend Reyndersstraat 18 (2000 Antwerp)

Rode Zeven Sint-Jansplein 7 (2060 Antwerp)

Scheldezicht Sint-Jansvliet 10 (2000 Antwerp)

Storm Hanzestedenplaats 5 (2000 Antwerp)

Studiant Pieter v. Hobokenstraat 25 (2000 Antwerp)

Terminus Franklin Rooseveltplaats 9 (2060 Antwerp)

The Black Amerikalei 133 (2018 Antwerp)

The Foodmaker De Keyserlei 52 (2000 Antwerp) Meir 10 (2000 Antwerp) Bolivarplaats 2 (2000 Antwerp)

The Glorious De Burburestraat 4 (2000 Antwerp)

Via Via Reiscafé Wolstraat 43 (2000 Antwerp)

Wok A Way Groendalstraat 14 (2000 Antwerp)

Yellow Submarine Falconplein 51 (2000 Antwerp)

De Kaai Rijnkaai 94 (2000 Antwerp)

De Zeespreeuw Oude Leeuwenrui 52 (2000 Antwerp)

Falstaff Oude Vaartplaats 2 (2000 Antwerp)

Hotel Industrie Emiel Banningstraat 52 (2000 Antwerp)

Irish Times Pub Grote Markt 52 (2000 Antwerp)

King Kong Volkstraat 58 (2000 Antwerp)

McDonald’s Groenplaats 17 (2000 Antwerp) Teniersplaats 4 (2000 Antwerp) De Keyserlei 58 (2018 Antwerp)

NonSoloTè Riemstraat 2 (2000 Antwerp)

Park Inn Astrid Hotel Koningin Astridplein 14 (2000 Antwerp)

Permeke De Coninckplein 26 (2060 Antwerp)

Quick Koningin Astridplein 40 (2018 Antwerp) De Keyserlei 22 (2018 Antwerp) Groenendaallaan 412 (2030 Antwerp)

Grote Steenweg 462 (2600 Berchem)

Ramada Hotel Desguinlei 94 (2018 Antwerp)

Revista Karel Rogierstraat 47 (2000 Antwerp)

Free wifi

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AntwerpFASHION-FORWARD According to the New York Times, Antwerp is an underrated fashion paradise. “A place where one finds corners or unusual idiosyncrasy and surprise,” the newspaper said. We asked some local fashionistas about the ins and outs.

Who is Tiany Kiriloff?Stylist, blogger, TV presenter and editor.

Designer of her own capsule collection at Vero

Moda and author of the book “Kirilove”. Tiany

Kiriloff is a thoroughbred fashionista. In her

(Dutch-language) TV appearances, she speaks

about new neighbourhoods, shops and brands,

and talks to designers and trendsetters. On

Belmodo.tv, her own online fashion magazine,

she presents fashion finds along with two of

her fellow bloggers.

www.belmodo.tv

fashion-forward

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bring together international talent under

one roof. You’ll find a unique selection of

brands exclusive to Belgium.”

Which are the streets to watch? “Things are always changing in

Nationalestraat. New retail concepts are

popping up, although some disappear

just as fast. The same applies to

Steenhouwersvest, a shopping street

between the famous pedestrian tunnel

and the Friday Market. Here too, shops

change quite regularly. Most businesses

are fairly recent, I think that the vintage

shop Episode has been here the longest. Kammenstraat, which was until recently

the reference for everything that was

trendy, is now more mainstream. Half

of the street is taken up with jeans

brands and outlets. The trendsetting and

innovative stuff is gone.”

“In Antwerp Noord, near Dam, a lot is

going on these days. New businesses are

springing up like mushrooms. There is an

What is your relationship with Antwerp? “I don’t live in Antwerp, but my life has

been centred here for over twenty years.

Ever since I was thirteen and I moved

from Venezuela to Belgium, I have spent

my days here. I used to go to school in

Antwerp, now I work there. The Belmodo

headquarters is in Berchem, less than ten

minutes by tram from the city centre. I

know Antwerp inside out. I have walked

round all the shops and boutiques, shot a

lot of reports and gone to a lot of parties

there.”

“As a fashion editor and blogger, I think

it is very important to do field research,

to pound the streets. There is a lot on the

Internet, but if you sit in the office all day,

you don’t learn anything. Meanwhile I

have a sort of Sixth Sense about talent

spotting. Usually it starts with a sort of

spark, a little discovery, and then I follow

that line of investigation. I see someone

walk by, go into a new store or hear

things from a designer. Sometimes I am

very impressed by someone at a Fashion

academy show and then I follow that

lead. Then you soon see how that person

develops.”

Many international magazines are singing the praises of Antwerp as a fashion city. Are they right? “Absolutely, although Antwerp is a rather

atypical city. It has a compact centre and

is actually more like a village. The sheer

scale is not comparable to traditional

fashion cities. Paris or London are huge

by comparison. Antwerp is very much a

city in a nutshell. You will find everything,

or almost, in a very small area. Almost

all the good shops are within walking

distance of each other.”

“In terms of brands too, Antwerp is a

real melting pot. The arrival of some

retail concepts has expanded the range

of brands available enormously in recent

years. High-end concept stores like Ra 13

and multibrand stores like Renaissance

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“Lots of fashion, very close together”

entrepreneurial vibe, you see creativity

just bubbling away everywhere. In fine

weather many young families go out

for a walk in the vast Park Spoor Noord.

I enjoy spending time there myself. In

that area, you’ll find original restaurants

including like De Caravan, at Damplein 17,

but actually it’s all really nice. It strikes

me as a difficult area for independent

retailers though. Making a living out of

a small shop here can’t be easy. There is

not really enough footfall. You will find a

lot of pop-up shops there. Every time you

come here, something has changed.”

Tiany’s hotspots

fashion: Graanmarkt 13 (Graanmarkt 13)designer heels: Coccodrillo (Schuttershofstraat 9)vintage: Viar (Kloosterstraat 65) flowers: Baltimore (Augustijnenstraat 35) beauty goodies: Cosmeticary (Nieuwe Gaanderij - Huide-vetterstraat 38)perfume: Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (Augustijnstraat 39)rummage sale: in Zurenborg, in Cogels Osylei, Tramplein and Draakplaats

latte: Vitrin (Marnixplaats 12) or Cafématic (Vleminckveld 4)pastrami sandwich: Caffè Internazionale (Volkstraat 21)hamburgers: De Burgerij (Tramplein 2) or Wattman (Tramplein 3)cocktails: Café Homey (Sint Paulusplaats 24)

fashion-forward

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Fashion is in the streetsStreetstyle bloggers Helen, Lara and Tine of Antwerpen Streetstyle share their best shots and hottest spots

Antwerpen Street StyleOn their streetstyle blog, twin sisters Helen and Tine Van

den Poel together with Lara Richir tell us what is going on in

the Antwerp fashion scene. Unlike other local fashion blogs,

the girls are not really focused on themselves. They do not

post their own outfits or bargains they have found. They see

themselves as reporters photographing and interviewing

people on the street. In addition, they also write brief (photo)

reports of events in and around Antwerp. “That ranges from

swapping nights and block parties to exclusive previews,”

says Helen, the founder of the blog. “But it does not have

to be all about fashion. You will find us at flea markets in

Berchem or Borgerhout too.”

When they go into the city, the girls always have a notebook

and camera to record “unique looks”. Helen: “We look

for people who stand out from the crowd in some way.

Sometimes they are fashion students, sometimes punks or

skaters. Sometimes just a girl with a black outfit and bright

red lipstick. All three of us come up with different styles. So

Helen likes vintage and goes for the total look. I look more

17

at the details. A special bag, or a nice shirt,” says Lara Richir, at just

15 the youngest of the three. What is striking: there are quite a lot of

foreigners on the blog. Often they are fashion students, but sometimes

tourists too. “They are often innovative, and dress according to other

standards. That is something that hits you,” said Lara.

www.antwerpenstreetstyle.com

Top SpotsHelen, Tine and Lara take photos all over Antwerp, but still have some favourite spots.

These places are teeming with interesting figures.

Meir, this broad shopping street is always packed.

Kloosterstraat, a street full of vintage design and fashion.

Especially on Sunday, this is a great place for beautiful people

because then all the other shops in the city centre are closed.

In the vicinity of vintage shops like Think Twice in Kammenstraat or

Episode in the Steenhouwersvest.

Nationalestraat and all the little streets around the Modenatie, the

hub of Antwerp fashion. Chances are you will be rubbing shoulders

with students of the Fashion Academy here.

From left to rightStudents June & Joni, Albert Park

Girl on bicycle, IjzerenwaagBallet dancers Yuki (22) and Boris (20), Groenplaats

Students Livia & Ana, MeirModel Orelie, Meir

Fashion students Emmanuel (22) and Virginia (25), Kloosterstraat

You can see that transparency particularly

at Normo, an indie business where the

beans are roasted on the spot. When we

arrive at Normo, we are just in time to see

a load of Kenyan raw beans disappearing

into a large machine. Operator Jens Oris

keeps a watchful eye on the roasting

process via his Macbook, which he

connected himself to an old coffee

roaster.

“At Normo, you see how coffee is made.

So at least you know what’s in your cup.

That is the kind of transparency I am

trying to achieve at “Zwart”, my own

business,” says Isa. Zwart, a cool coffee

bar on De Coninckplein, is the brainchild

of Isabelle and Roeland Lenaerts.

Both baristas combine their job in the

Caffènation with their new project. They

have alternating shifts and take it in turns

easily get in and out. Meanwhile, the

Caffènation has acquired its own distillery,

and they supply coffee beans under their

own brand name to numerous cafés and

restaurants in town.”

Idealists “Basically you have two types of coffee

bars,” says Isabelle. “You have businesses

that focus on coffee and you have places

with a shared focus, which besides coffee

bake cakes, make fruit juices or sell LPs.

You can tell that from their products.

Coffee businesses in the first category pay

a great deal of attention to the coffee-

making process and seek a full flavour.

They are a bit idealistic, and want to show

where the coffee actually comes from.

In places like that, you learn what good

coffee should taste like.”

THE BEST COFFEE IN TOWN Coffee is booming in Antwerp. A new generation of black coffee drinkers is emerging and new bars are springing up like mushrooms. Hardcore barista Isabelle - Isa - Verschraegen, takes us on a lightning tour of the ten hottest coffee spots.

Our coffee tour starts in the Caffènation

in Hopland, the most celebrated coffee

bar in the city and also Isabelle’s second

home. This is where she learned the tricks

of the trade three years ago, and she is

still working there. Today is her day off, so

we find her at the bar with a black filter

coffee. She speaks enthusiastically about

her work as a barista, the national slow

brew championships and the burgeoning

Antwerp coffee culture, the reason why

she moved from Ghent to Antwerp two

years ago. “I was bitten by the bug, and I

was able to hone my coffee-making skills

at the Caffènation, which was one of

the most progressive bars at that time.”

According to Isabelle, this place remains

a focal point of Antwerp’s coffee scene.

“The bar is usually packed. There are

many baristas working here and you can

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advance how it will actually

turn out. That’s what

makes it fun. It makes sure

that the coffee scene here is

constantly changing. Next

month there will probably

be another new bar.”

Barista Isabelle learned her trade at Caffènation. After

three years in the coffee business, in December 2011 along with her

colleague Roeland, she opened her own coffee shop

under the name Zwart (translated: “black”).

what’s up

to work in the coffee bar. Behind the bar

at Zwart, they experiment with beans,

techniques and equipment. They only

serve pure coffee and tea. Totally black.

“You won’t find any lattes or cappuccinos

here. But a lot of different varieties of

coffee from all over the world.”

Start-upsFinally Isabelle takes us to Broer Bretel,

a newcomer on ‘t Eilandje. The bar has

recently opened and the neighbourhood

is still expanding fast, but there’s already

a pleasant bustle about the place.

Broer Toon is handling one order after

another, and manages to keep up with

the pace while chatting with everyone

in turn. A cool guy, because Toon has

only been in the business for a year. Last

summer, he went on a crash course at

Caffènation and immediately opened his

own business. “That’s the way it goes,”

says Isabelle. “Many young people in

Antwerp are getting a taste for coffee,

doing an intensive barista course, and

then moving on. Some of my friends are

involved in setting up their own business.

Very exciting, because you never know in

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3. NormoMinderbroedersrui 30, 2000 Antwerp,Historic city centre

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At Normo, the jute sacks of raw coffee

beans are displayed on pallets on

the floor. Owner Jens Oris has put an

authentic coffee roaster in the middle

of his business, and roasts the beans

during normal business hours. This “micro

roastery” makes Normo perhaps the most

independent coffee business in the city.

Normo - formerly Bar Choq - has only

moved a few doors away, and Jens tried to

keep the open, unpretentious atmosphere

in his new premises. The walls remain

white, the floors unpolished, just like

the bar. Good coffee doesn’t need any

fancy trimmings. On the coffee list, there

are four slow brew coffees, as well as a

number of unconventional varieties like

“flunispeculapam” and the “anti-smarti”.

HOT SHOTSThese are the places where you get the best coffee, whether or not it is roasted in-house.

1. CaffènationHopland 46, 2000 Antwerp, Quartier Latin

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“One Drug, One Café, One Caffènation” is

the slogan of Caffènation. Once over the

threshold, you almost stumble over the sacks

of house blend coffee. Inside is a pleasant,

no-nonsense atmosphere, typical of a

business that has nothing more to prove. The

music is slightly harder and both the service

and the interior have a rough edge. (What

to think of a larger than life image of Cher

Guevara (this is not a typo) on the wall.

The Caffènation has been in business for

about 8 years and is like the father of all

Antwerp coffee bars. Most coffees come

from their own roasting business, which also

supplies many other bars and restaurants

in Antwerp. Furthermore almost all local

baristas made their first espresso here. If you

want to take home some typical Antwerp

coffee, choose from a variety of bags of the

bar’s own coffee beans.

2. ZwartDe Coninckplein 21, 2060 Antwerp, Noord

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Zwart is a brand new, independent coffee

bar with a list packed with quality coffee

and tea in its purest form: plain black.

If you want milk or honey, whipped

cream or caramel, then you’ve come

to the wrong place. The coffee menu

is structured like a wine list in a good

restaurant. The types of beans are

ranked and priced according to taste and

region. An experienced barista explains

and helps customers make their choice.

Besides a place to sample coffee, Zwart

is also a coffee lab. Founders Isabelle and

Roeland - both baristas at Caffènation -

want to experiment with new flavours,

products and coffee-making techniques.

For example, they organize homebrew, to

familiarise people with the technical side

of coffee. Zwart lies north of the Central

Station, in an up-and-coming area known

for new design and retail concepts.

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4. Broer BretelNassaustraat 7, 2000 Antwerp, t’Eilandje

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Two brothers wearing braces serve

great coffee and full-flavoured tea. The

homemade Great Granny Ice Tea (with

parsley!) comes highly recommended. On

the wall, there are Polaroid photos of the

nicest customers. Broer Bretel is the ideal

place to talk quietly after a visit to the

MAS museum.

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10. De Dikke KatKasteelpleinstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

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De Dikke Kat is a coffee bar and exhibition

space under one roof with limited but

original menu and walls full of beautiful

things to see. Try a “kabouter (gnome)”

or a “honey poppie” while you peruse the

photographs, paintings and sculptures on

display here.

COFFEE & ...These establishments are not limited to coffee or tea. Also on the menu: juices, cakes, furniture or records.

5. La ChasconaOever 18, 2000 Antwerp

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La Chascona sells vintage furniture besides

coffee, tea and homemade cakes. Almost

everything in the shop is for sale, though

it does not mean that you really can

buy everything. Owner Dieter applies a

rather special price policy. Furniture that

he would rather keep for himself has an

exorbitant price tag.

6. Mademoiselle MoustachePaardenmarkt 21, 2000 Antwerp.

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You immediately feel at home in

this recently opened, angular shop.

Mademoiselle Moustache serves not only

coffee, but also homemade shakes, soups

and sandwiches at her counter.

7. Starfish & Coffee Bresstraat 9, 2018 Antwerp, Zuid

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Looking for a cosy place in the shadow of

“den Bell”? At Starfish & Coffee, owner

Katja bakes delicious crumbles, cakes and

“chocolate tarts”. Try the homemade

Ginger Tea too.

8. Coffee & VinylVolkstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

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This stately mansion with a coffee lounge

at the front and a record bazaar at the

rear gives the drinks menu a rock’n’roll

touch. Try a Flat Barry White (double shot

cappuccino) or a Snoop Doggy (chocolate

milk with Maltesers and honey).

9. RevistaKarel Rogierstraat 47, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

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Revista combines coffee, free wifi and a

whole array of international magazines

and newspapers, the holy trinity for

bloggers and fashion students. Revista

also offers soups and sandwiches, so you

can easily spend a whole day there.

Antwerpen-Centrum

AntwerpenBorgerhoutDeurne

DeurneSportpaleis

AntwerpenBorgerhoutDeurne

BERCHEM STATION

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Antwerpen-Centrum

AntwerpenBorgerhoutDeurne

DeurneSportpaleis

AntwerpenBorgerhoutDeurne

BERCHEM STATION

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CaffènationHopland 46, 2000 Antwerp, Quartier Latin

ZwartDe Coninckplein 21, 2060 Antwerp, Noord

NormoMinderbroedersrui 30, 2000 Antwerp,Historic city centre

Broer BretelNassaustraat 7, 2000 Antwerp, t’Eilandje

La ChasconaOever 18, 2000 Antwerp

Mademoiselle MoustachePaardenmarkt 21, 2000 Antwerp.

Starfish & Coffee Bresstraat 9, 2018 Antwerp, Zuid

Coffee & VinylVolkstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

RevistaKarel Rogierstraat 47, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

De Dikke KatKasteelpleinstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp, Zuid

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Antwerp Fashion Academy. It is advisable

to check on scheldapen.be, because

occasionally they are closed on Friday. In

both kitchens, the following principles

apply: first come, first served. Latecomers

may end up scraping out the pots.

WHATS COOKING?It is just past six when we turn up - half

an hour early - at the Kavka youth centre.

Some boys in the courtyard lead us

into the reception room, a warm room

decorated by the Lilith theatre collective.

Because fewer people are expected

tonight, the food will be served here soon.

The dining room is a cosy place with a

mixed bag of hunting trophies and funky

accessories. Some discarded white-painted

doors, complete with handles and hinges,

are being used as a large table. Our fellow

diners arrive in dribs and drabs. Three

Dutch girls who are studying in Antwerp, a

few volunteers and friends from Kavka and

a few members of a jazz band who will be

performing later in the concert room.

About 7 p.m. Bruno - the cook on

duty - serves dinner. For five euros, we

choose between rice and sweet and sour

pork or the vegetarian alternative nasi

goreng. Simple, but tasty. Especially in

combination with a cold beer and good

conversation. The atmosphere around the

table is relaxed. There is some chat about

rehearsals and the other activities that

evening.

Note: from December to March, Kavka’s

volunteer chefs take a break from

their duties. Only in the spring do the

Kavkasianen take up their ladles again

for the next round. The exact date is not

fixed but is announced nearer the time on kavka.be. No worries, even in Scheld’apen, food is

cooked regularly for people. Every Friday

they serve a vegetarian menu at 4 euro.

A party invariably comes after the meal.

Sometimes the evening is graced by a

DJ, sometimes by a fashion show by the

WINE & DINE with the localsA nice dinner at an affordable price? Yes, it is possible.At these addresses you come in, sit down at a table and eat whatever is on offer.

Carrod’sKrugerplein 18, 2140 Borgerhout

www.carrods.be

LIVING ROOM RESTAURANTCarrod’s is probably the city’s smallest

restaurant. As we arrive about eight p.m.,

cook and hostess Stephanie awaits us in

the doorway. Before we have had time to

take off our jackets, our glasses are already

filled.

Stephanie, just 26, enjoys cooking and likes

people around her. Although she studied

painting, it struck her as being more fun

to start a restaurant. She received a chef’s

diploma and has now converted her living

room, ably assisted by her father. On the

facade, the Carrod’s name, a contraction of

the upmarket Harrod’s department store

and simple and tasty carrots.

Approximately one year after its opening,

the restaurant is pleasantly full almost

every night. Both local residents and

friends, as well as people attending a

performance at De Roma, an authentic

theatre in Borgerhout, find their way to

her dining room. Stephanie sometimes

caters for tourists, which is remarkable

because not many tourists have discovered

this multicultural neighbourhood yet.

“The fact that the AB hostel is just around

the corner explains a lot, of course. But

there are also many people who find my

restaurant online. That suits me fine. The

more, the merrier!” laughs Stephanie.

“Sometimes the dining room is full but if

the guests don’t mind the pots and pans on

the table, I can free up some extra space

in the kitchen.” Every few days Stephanie

announces a new menu on her Facebook

page. Today, for 15 euro, you get a home-

made beef tartare, a fish curry and a piece

of chocolate-pear tart for dessert. “How

I would define my cuisine? Gosh, Franco-

Belgian with worldwide influences. I

always cook what I like, or what looks good

in the store. I try to use a lot of regional

products, as Bolleke De Koninck beer and

Filet d’Anvers. “ Besides the daily menu,

Stephanie also offers sampling formulas for

25 and 35 euro.

If you have specific wishes, all you have to

do is send her an e-mail (info@carrods.be). Carrod’s is only closed on Sundays. Make

a reservation is the message, because the

red and white check tablecloth tables are

being filled faster and faster.

wine & dine

26

MekanikThe largest comic shop in the worldMekanikSint-Jacobsmarkt 27, 2000 Antwerp

www.mekanikstrip.be- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mekanik is known as the cartoon strip

mecca of Antwerp and its surroundings.

Crawling down the wall is a real-life

Spiderman, while The Joker looks at you

menacingly from behind the window.

American comics are clearly the specialty

of the house (they import a new batch

every week), though assistant Sara boasts

that Mekanik has all the Dutch-language

titles on the market in stock too. Sara

makes a point of always giving personal

recommendations. Clever and innovative

work is flagged with white labels with

her own opinion, so that strip fans can

find their way around less obvious works.

The shelves also contain mangas and a

selection of English and French language

cartoon strips. At the front of the shop you

will find a huge quantity of curiosities and

gadgets. Bestsellers are Warcraft shirts

and miniature smurfs. Remember to take

the stairs to the exhibition floor, where

the content is changed regularly. In the

permanent exhibition “Wall of Fame” you

will find the cream of the Antwerp comic

scene in 15 frames and the same number of

illustrations. And - very cool - the originals

are all for sale at affordable prices.

ANTWERP ILLUSTRATEDArty walls, sketchy nights & 24-hour comic books

TSETSEcomic strips and picture booksTsetseKronenburgstraat 72, 2000 Antwerp

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Right opposite the Tropical Institute

(Antwerp is the place to be vaccinated

before visiting the tropics) is the Tsetse

comic shop. A small but very nice shop.

Above the entrance door is an enlarged

(TseTse) fly, a nice gimmick by owner Tim.

Tsetse focuses on European comics for

adults. Tsetse also sells children’s books,

mangas and toys, both new and second

hand. Tim will gladly advise you.

MUURVASTart on the wall Eight comic strip artists, illustrators and

cartoonists produced monumental scenes

on as many city walls. Besides Flemish

heroes like Spike & Suzy, Kiekeboe and

Jommeke, there are walls with cult drawings

and historical scenes. A must is the jazz-

wall by Philip Paquet in the Leopold De

Waelstraat, near Jazz Café Hopper. In

the spring of 2012, the award-winning

Antwerp illustrated

Belgian comic strip artist Brecht Evens will

reveal his own wall. For the exact date

and location you can go to the Town Hall

Shop (Stadswinkel) or comic strip specialist

Mekanik. At the same places you find a

“Muurvast” city guide to murals for 3 euros.

SKETCH THURSDAYSlive illustrationsBar NadarErnest van Dijckkaai 19-20, 2000 Antwerplast Thursday of the month, 19.30 - 23.00

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Bar Nadar, a gallery café, came up recently

with a brand new concept. Every last

Thursday of the month, a dozen Antwerp

artists meet at Ernest van Dijckkaai. Working

in pencil or pen, they get down to work live,

hanging the finished sketches on the wall

and selling them directly to the public. It is

not possible to categorise the participants.

You will bump into street artists, comic strip

talents and tattoo artists. Cartoonist Sacha

Eckes (who previously launched Sketch

Thursday in San Francisco) and illustrator

Sam de Buysscher took the initiative. They

want the bridge the gap between artists and

their audiences.

THE BRIES SPACEarty living roomBries SpaceLange Scholierstraat 10, 2060 Antwerp

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The Bries Space is a creative lab where

visual artists - painters, graphic artists,

illustrators, cartoonists and animation

artists - are free to do their ‘thing’. It

is a place for exhibitions, workshops,

parties and ready-made (but culturally

appropriate) gift shops. The cartoon strip

occupies an important place on the bill,

because the space is an extension of Bries,

a publisher of comics and graphic books.

In September 2011 the Space organized

a 24-hour Comics Day where nine artists

were given 24 hours to dream up and

draw a 24-page story. Check the website

for updates.

28 28

those days, there is an admission charge

to pay. While you’re there, order a ‘demi-

demi’, a white wine mixed with Spanish

sparkling wine, and quietly enjoy the

concert. Chances also are that you will

bump into a Flemish celebrity too.

Guitart

bar

Bresstraat 10, 2018 AntwerpThe cosy music café Guitart is the new

hotspot for those with musical talent. It

is no coincidence that the bar is next to

the Strings and Things music shop. Twice

a month, up-and-coming artists exhibit

their work here. Every fortnight, there

is a concert on Thursday. Chill in the

‘seventies decor, order a beer or a glass of

cava and enjoy the band.

Plaza Real / Pekfabriek

bar / party venue

Kattenberg 89, 2140 BorgerhoutPlaza Real has close ties with the local

music scene. The bar is run by Klaas

Janzoons, the violinist of the famous rock

band dEUS. The other band members are

regular guests. Another advantage of the

cafe is the hip party location behind it.

The “Pekfabriek” always guarantees great

parties. Unfortunately, Pekfabriek hardly

does any promotion, and events are only

announced on the Facebook page of Plaza

Real. Another tip: the name “Pekfabriek”

(tar factory) is not something that was

just plucked out of thin air. Don’t wear

white shoes or light-coloured pants. The

floor always leaves black marks, and that

is something you can do without.

Bar Leon

bar / party venue

Reuzenstraat 23, 2140 Borgerhoutwww.barleon.beAfter a concert or a movie in De Roma,

you can just chill in Bar Leon, a favourite

watering-hole in Borgerhout and beyond.

On Thursday and Sunday it is even cosier.

Between six and half past nine you can

eat there too. For an affordable price

(average 10 euro) you can get one of

the two daily specials. (The cook is a

vegetarian himself, so there is always a

vegetarian alternative). Every month, a

hairdresser also drops in. That day, she

A PARTY AFFAIRANTWERP BY NIGHTCheck out the free This is Antwerp app for the latest events and hot spots.

BAR

Hopper

bar

Leopold De Waelstraat 2, 2000 Antwerp www.cafehopper.be Café Hopper is one of Antwerp’s most

famous jazz cafés. Here, students at

the Conservatoire share the stage with

well-established names. On Sunday and

Monday night there are live sessions. In

the jazz season - which runs from October

to April - there are also concerts on the

first and third Tuesday of the month. On

nightlife

cuts hair for 15 euro. Will you be having

your hair done? In that case, you also get

to choose the music, because you get to

play with the owners’ iPod, although in

the evening occasionally the professionals

take over with live gigs or DJ sites. Events

and menus are announced on Facebook.

Nele Moens (24)

runs The Public Image, her own T-Shirt ShopFor hiphop, rock and parties, go to Venue 219 in Troonplaats.

Venue 219

Troonplaats 4, 2018 Antwerp www.venue219.be

CLUBS

Kavka

Oudaan, 2000 Antwerpwww.kavka.be Kavka has something for everyone. It is

a party palace in the heart of the city, as

well as a place for young musical talent

spotting. Occasionally there are indie gigs,

jam sessions, stage plays, circus acts or

mc-battles. And weather permitting, the

atmosphere moves out into the spacious,

graffiti-decorate courtyard. Here you

can attend (private) performances in the

soundproof rehearsal rooms, watch plays

in the old classrooms and even medium-

sized concerts in the biggest room. Keep

tabs on the upcoming programme.

Stereo Six

Luikstraat 6, 2000 Antwerp Sat (23.00 – …)www.stereosushi.be On Saturday night, the basement of

the Velvet Lounge is taken over by

international DJs. In Stereo Six - formerly

known as Stereo Sushi, and even before

that as Club Geluk - you can opt for funky

house music with a “touch of Soul”.

Admission is only 10 euro.

Petrol ClubD’Herbouvillekaai 25, 2020 AntwerpFri, Sat + concert daysEntry around € 10www.petrolclub.be Hire a bike, take a taxi or walk the two

kilometres from the city centre to the

d’Herbouvillekaai. You won’t regret it.

Petrol features a heady mix of established

and young, local talent. Petrol is now

a rock club, and a little later it is an

electro temple. The program is an

eclectic mishmash. Reggae, electro, rock,

drum’n’bass, funk, techno, hiphop and

dubstep are mixed in with art, literature

and multimedia.

Scheld’apen

Entry around € 5, sometimes free www.scheldapen.beScheld’apen is the natural habitat of

creative and musical Antwerp. They call

themselves the “ Temple of European

“De Venue” or “Bar 219” is pretty much my

local pub, so I meet all my friends there. The beers cost 1.80 euro, which is also af-

fordable.”

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punk dance, eclectronica, glitchhop

and power disco, by both Belgian and

international DJs and bands.

Kissinger

pop-up club

www.kissinger.be The pop-up cult club Kissinger started

as a party concept for a slightly older

audience. In 2009, local organizer Gregory

“Gory” Willems swooped on a ward at

the Military Hospital. The exclusive,

semi-chic, semi-trash character was a

big hit. Hip night owls and beautiful

women soon made Kissinger THE party

venue in Antwerp. Artists Luc Tuymans

and Jan Fabre were regular guests and

celebrities such as rock star Daan and

Deus frontman Tom Barman turned in

regular appearances there. Since then,

the Military Hospital has been converted

to a residential complex and the parties

are often held in various avant-garde,

sometimes alternative locations. From

buffet restaurant Colmar to the culturally

irreproachable MuHKA. From Antwerp

Bowling to the former customs building

FANCY PARTY CONCEPTS& UNDERGROUND CONCERTSF/S/A/R/

Flying Saucers Are Real

pop-up-club

www.fsar.be “Flying Saucers Are Real” is a pop-up-club

for believers (at least, that’s what the

organisers say: “They are out there. Very

soon, very near. And there will be no way

back.) Last winter, F / S / A / R / opened

in an abandoned office building, near

Berchem Station. In the summer they did

a three month residence in het Steen.

Since September, the “paharties” have

gone mobile again, but the party locations

are carefully chosen. Ranging from the

Museum Aan de Stroom to Muziekclub

Petrol, with the occasional excursion

abroad (Ibiza!). On the programme: post

Culture “, and they have good reason

to make the claim. On Friday, the

VolxkeukenDeluxe serves vegetarian

meals (at 4 euro per plate) with nightly

entertainment. On other nights you can go

here for jazz jams, electro documentaries

and noise concerts. Note: until Friday,

February 3,Scheld’apen is in hibernation.

Check out the Calendar or the This is

Antwerp app for new activities.

Sven Mesorganizer F / S / A / R, DJ Chubbee Bee

www.facebook.com/kelly.splinterwww.facebook.com/pages/Creep-Street/165802464240

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“The Kelly Splinter parties are well known in

Antwerp. They take place in the most diverse locations. Sometimes in strip bars and sometimes discos.

On the bill, you can always discover emerging artists, such as the obscure collective Crappy Birthdays. Creep

Street in Scheld’apen is a quite different proposition. These squat

parties are underground and alternative with dubstep and

broken house.”

They organise real underground concerts in

a small DIY basement near Astridplein. Barely 20 people can fit inside, resulting in very intimate and accessible screamo, experimental and hardcore gigs. You should not be put off by the admission price. Often it is

only 2 or 3 euros, or a donation that you decide.

on the Eilandje. The latter is a new

permanent site.

Untitled!

dubstep party

Muziekcentrum Trix

Noordersingel 28 - 30, 2140 Borgerhoutwww.untitledantwerp.com Last year (2011) Untitled! was

nominated for the Redbull Elektropedia

Awards. The parties guarantee the

most mouthwatering line-ups, unique

atmosphere, thundering bass and

impressive visuals. At present, Untitled!

is in residence at Muziekcentrum Trix,

where it attracts as many as 2500 dubstep

lovers.

Tensionstep

dubsteb party

www.furthur.be The recent organisation of Furthur

regularly starts up new dubsteb concepts.

Their “Tensionstep” label has already

established a sound reputation. The

parties usually take place at Petrol or

at JC Kavka. Check out the Tumblr blog

www.furthur.be for upcoming dates and

locations.

Caia Croes (27)

plays the drums & runs her own booking

agency

Search for Envers-swa on Facebook.

Envers-SWA

alternative rock

Van Schoonhovenstraat 20, 2060 Antwerp

32

FRITKOT MAXGroenplaats 12, 2000 AntwerpFritkot Max is an institution. This purveyor

of fries is next to the busy Groenplaats, and

you can get excellent, surprisingly cheap

fries here. You can acquaint yourself with

the culture of the famous Belgian fries - yes

Belgian, not French. The dining area above

the fries shop combines fries and art in a

mini-museum.

FRITUUR N°1Hoogstraat 1, 2000 AntwerpNumber One is the most famous fries shop

in Antwerp and the surrounding area. You

pay slightly more than usual, but for that

price, you get delicious golden yellow

fries. Operator Maria is an icon - on her

Facebook fan page, over 6,600 fans collect

her famous sayings. Number One is right

in the history city centre, and is open

almost around the clock. The ideal stop

after a few beers of an evening.

HAUTE FRITUREVlaamse Kaai 66, 2000 Antwerp, ZuidSearching for fresh & fancy fries? Then

go to ‘t Zuid. With his eco-friendly

“Haute Friture”, operator Misjel Meubus

is making fries hip, happening and

fashionable again. Eat in? Then sit on

design chairs made of birch, and you

get wooden cutlery - made in Belgium.

Unlike many other fries shops, the meat

snacks here are home-made. Misjel makes

fresh veal and beef croquettes and in the

hunting season, even game stew.

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“FRIET” CULTUREBig appetite but small budget? Act like a local and ‘steek een frietje’ (buy some fries). Not difficult in Antwerp, where you can find fries being sold on any street corner. A selection from the vast choice available.

born in 1981, is also highly recommended.

The “Bicky” consists of a fried hamburger,

a mix of chicken, pork and horse meat,

topped with three unique sauces: yellow

Bicky Dressing + red Bicky Ketchup + brown

Bicky Hot Sauce, fried onions and pickles. The

whole thing is served in a sesame bun.

The Bicky Burger is available in most fries

shops, but it is worth visiting Het Frietpaleis

at Koningin Astridplein 11, Near central

station, the only Bicky Flagship shop in the

country. Here you will find several variants

of the sweet&sour&spicy burger. The typical

taste of the Bicky Burger is so popular that

Belgians voted to have Bicky crisps launched

on the market. Crisp manufacturer Lay’s

produced a limited production run of these

potato chips. You will find the perfect “friet

souvenir” in any supermarket.

WHAT TO ORDER? If you find it hard to choose from the rather

overwhelming range in the shop, go for a small

tray of fries with mayonnaise (in your best

Flemish: “een kleintje met mayonaise”), which

is what people from Antwerp do when they

can’t make up their minds either. Depending

on your mood, you can replace the mayonnaise

with stew sauce (“stoofvleessaus”) or a spicy

Andalusian sauce (“andalous”). Want some

meat too? Then order a “curryworst”, a kind

of minced-meat hotdog. Careful, in the rest of

Flanders, an Antwerp “curryworst” is known as

a “frikandel”, which is no relation to a German

sausage. In fact, nobody can tell you for sure

how the sausage is made, or what goes into it.

Do you find curryworst a bit dry? Then ask for

a “curryworst special”, which gets you onions

and mayonnaise or curry ketchup on your

meat. The Bicky Burger, a real Belgian classic

34

AIRBNBfun & cheap accommodations offered by locals if you really want to live like a local, you

can rent a studio or duplex apartment

from people living in the city. On airbnb.

com, one of the pioneers in the alternative

letting circuit, you will find rooms from

35 euro per night. For 60 euro, you can

stay in a top-floor apartment with a full

fridge and sunny terrace (“smack-dab in

the middle of the city centre”). And for 80

euro, you get a vintage room on the Oude

Koornmarkt. A spacious loft with design

furniture in culturally diverse Borgerhout

is yours from 550 euro per week. On the

site, you can reserve immediately, and get

to know the house owners beforehand.

Most owners offer breakfast too, but that

is not included as standard.

www.airbnb.com/antwerp-belgium

PULCINELLAformerly known as Youth Hostel AntwerpThe famous Belgian architect Vincent van

Duysen built a super-cool youth hostel in

the heart of the Antwerp fashion district.

It combines openness with a sense of

security in a modern design. Pulcinella

has an interior that few design hotels can

match. It is still very new - the hostel only

opened its doors in May 2011. The prices

– including sheets and breakfast – are

between € 19.50 and € 26.50. Surprisingly

low for such state of the art design. The

rooms for two, four or six each have their

own bathroom.

Bogaardeplein 1, 2000 Antwerpwww.vjh.be

ABHOSTELbackpackers for backpackersTucked away behind the walls of a 120

year-old chocolate factory is Antwerp

Backpackers Hostel, a small-scale initiative

by Bridget. The operator - herself a born

traveller - aims to enable her guests to

sample a homely, hearty atmosphere.

Starting at 19 euro, you have a bed,

and can make use of free Internet, DVDs

and lockers. The hostel has an extensive

lounge and a completely fitted kitchen.

ABHostel is ideal for night-owls, as you

can eat breakfast at any time of day. The

hostel is in Borgerhout, one of the most

colourful districts of Antwerp.

Kattenberg 110, 2140 Antwerpwww.abhostel.com

SLEEP IN STYLEAbout cool boutique hotels, comfy youth hostels and hospitable locals.

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Pulcinela

AB Hostel

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THIS IS ANTWERP: FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE Antwerp is all about trends. What’s hot today, may be gone tomorrow. Sure you wouldn’t want to miss the numerous pop-up bars and shops. That’s why we made the THIS IS ANTWERP app for IPHONE and ANDROID, which keeps you updated about what is hot and happening. Totally local and totally free.

HOTSPOTS Eat, drink, shop, party, relax and act like a local. Wherever you are in Antwerp, we can show you all the HIDDEN SECRETS in your neighbourhood or broader area, offline. Complete and up-to-date information in the palm of your hand: opening hours, tram stops, telephone numbers, … Download it or you’ll miss the hottest parts of Antwerp!

AGENDA What is happening right here, right now? The agenda keeps you informed about what is going on today, tomorrow or next week. From parties to expositions, from live music to events, …

LOCALS Meet the Antwerp locals who are sharing all their secrets with you.

COMMUNITY Read and make suggestions, get a date or say hello to your fellow visitors and the locals. A Foursquare plug-in tells you where to find the trending places.

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