Antwerp culinary hotspot

Newsletter June 2022

Michelin star city

On Monday 23 May, the world-renowned Michelin stars were once again awarded. And we have reason to be very proud! Not only has Antwerp retained all of its stars, it has also welcomed no less than four newcomers. The Botanic Sanctuary hotel secured three Michelin stars in total: Hertog Jan was awarded 2 stars and Fine Fleur achieved 1 star. Restaurant Nebo on Nieuw-Zuid and Dim Dining in the historic centre were also crowned with a star. Antwerp now boasts 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, having notched up 19 stars in total.

Plant-based indulgence at Sapphire House Antwerp

Right next to the restored Handelsbeurs, the five-star Sapphire House Antwerp hotel opened its doors last month. In an authentic, historic setting, two-star chef Bart De Pooter is in charge of the complete culinary experience in the hotel, from the two restaurants PLANTn and WILDn *, to breakfast, room service and even the mini-bar. Sapphire House Antwerp is therefore the very first Marriott hotel to offer a 100% plant-based restaurant and hotel experience to its guests.

^{* WILDn will open at the end of June.}

Hotspot for vegan and plant-based foodies

In just a short space of time, Antwerp has become a hotspot for vegan and plant-based gastronomy. This guide lists the very best the city has to offer, from top culinary restaurants to hip lunch bars and spots for a quick bite. Delicious and healthy dishes for everyone!

Culinary Walk of Fame

Antwerp has developed its own culinary 'Walk of Fame'. Every year, more and more Michelin-starred chefs set up shop along the Lange Gasthuisstraat. Two years ago, Sergio Herman opened Michelin-starred restaurant Le Pristine here. Around the corner, hidden in the Botanical Garden, is Roger Van Damme's Michelin-starred restaurant Het Gebaar. Several new Michelin-starred establishments have since been added to this illustrious list.

Blueness Antwerp
Last week Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman opened the doors of his new restaurant in the premises of fashion store Verso. The chef himself isn't at the helm here, that honour has gone to 2 women: chef Jaclyn Kong and maître d'hotel Dorine Van den Eynde. The dishes combine modern French cuisine with Japanese accents.

Botanic Sanctuary
The new five-star superior hotel Botanic Sanctuary houses four restaurants and Henry’s bar.

Located in the greenhouse of the monastery garden is the cozy restaurant 1238, where chef Wouter Van Tichelen pampers guests with a reinterpretation of classic Belgian and French cuisine.

In Michelin-starred restaurant Fine Fleur, chefs Jacob Jan Boerma & Thomas Diepersloot create extraordinary taste sensations with seasonal, local ingredients.

In two-star restaurant Hertog Jan, Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens spoil their guests with haute cuisine in an intimate restaurant with its own greenhouse, beehives and herb garden.

Bar Bulot, the other restaurant owned by the two chefs, is a chic brasserie where you can enjoy traditional Belgian and French dishes à la carte from the kitchen of chef Koen Gussenhoven.

The summer bars are back!

Summer is just around the corner and that means time for bare legs, barbecues and balmy nights, but also a refreshing cocktail on the terrace of one of Antwerp's many cozy summer bars. Those looking to enjoy superb views of the Scheldt should book a spot at Sommar, Bocadero, Kamyon or Bar Paniek. For the ultimate summer feeling, you can sink into one of the deck chairs at Bar Noord, while the kids have fun in the playground or one of the water fountains. Or stop by Bar Chapel, a pink oasis located in a former chapel with garden. And there are definitely more addresses to come!

On the agenda

Beer passion weekend, 1 until 3 July
Modeste Beer festival, 1 and 2 October
Billies Craft Beer Fest, 11 and 12 November
Antwerpen Proeft, 18 until 21 May 2023

Come and discover it for yourself in Antwerp! Contact us:

City of Antwerp | Press & PR

press@visitantwerpen.be

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