TRIED & TESTED: FELIX PAKHUIS ANTWERPEN

Most striking feature:

New style grand cafe. Everyone is welcome here: from children to elderly people in wheelchairs. Because of my fathers birthday we drove to this restaurant located in the area called ‘t Eilandje. In an old warehouse you’ll find all different kind of chairs and tables. The service is great – in other words: they smile and know exactly when to help you. They aren’t greedy at all: the menu is full of huge portions. They have a lazy sunday breakfast and a huge terrace.

http://www.felixpakhuis.nu

LIKE TO HAVE: LAMP at REWIND ECODESIGN

Everything they sell at Rewind Design in Antwerp is based on ecological design (recycled stuff turned in something brilliantly beautiful). Like this secondhand lamps made of electricity wires. They are made by hand and are available from 175 euro. But it’s also a good address for gifts. Like a notebook made of elephant poo (for someone you don’t like I quess) for 5 euro or cool photoframes for 28 euro.

Check out: www.rewinddesign.be

Will you every buy a notebook made of elephant poo as a present? Just curious!

NEW SPOT: STRANTWERPEN ANTWERPEN

3 reasons to enjoy your sunday afternoon here:

1. If you like being an indian. They have indian tents to chill in.
2. If you like pizza (14 euro) and your guest dim sum (8 euro).
3. If you like cocktails, appelcider or a healthy juice.

Check out: www.perrier-strantwerpen.be

NEW SPOT: SOUL SUITES ANTWERP

3 reasons to sleep here:

1. Because you sleep in a suite for 150 euro, so you have a lot of space (70m2)  for the price of an average room in the most booming area of Antwerp.
2. Because of the design: retro with cool color accents.
3. Because of the location: ‘t Zuid in Antwerp.

Check out: www.soulsuites.com

TRIED & TESTED: REVISTA ANTWERP

Most striking feature:

Good place to go if you’re on your own. There is a huge selection of good (inter)national magazines and newspapers. You see a lot of people with their laptops joining the wifi-network of Revista. And what do you order? A good cup of coffee or tea of course.

No website. Address: Karel Rogierstraat 47

NEW SPOT: FISKEBAR ANTWERP

3 reasons to go to Fiskebar:

1. To eat fish. They write the catches of the day on the chalkboard and you choose between everything from mussels to snapper.
2. To enjoy the real Antwerp atmosphere. This place isn’t wide known.
3. To enjoy the simple terrace in summer.

Check out: www.fiskebar.be

NEW SPOT: MAGNOLIA SHOP ANTWERP

3 Reasons to shop at Magnolia Shop:

1. They sell beautyproducts that aren’t widely available in Belgium and the Netherlands. Such as Laura Mercier.
2. They sell Malin + Goetz. A minimalistic designed brand (see images below) from the States.
3. They can give you a small treatment if you like.

Check out: www.magnoliashop.be also for their webshop

TRIED & TESTED: NERO ANTWERP

Most striking feature:

The black bricks. On the floor. On the roof. On the walls. Even on the bar. If your date is boring, you could always try to count the bricks. I’ve tried the platter of amuses instead. Especially the marinated gravad lax with wasabibavarois. Mmm, delicious. If the temperature allows it, they open a huge terrace outside.

Check out: www.barsserienero.be

NEW SPOT: THE GLORIOUS ANTWERP

3 reasons to go to The Glorious:

1. To drink a glass of wine after shopping
2. To drink a cup of coffee before shopping
3. To dump your boyfriend when you visit neighbour Hospital for some exclusive shopping behaviour.

Check out: www.theglorious.be

NEW SPOT: STUDIO JOB GALLERY ANTWERP

3 reasons to visit the Studio Job Art Gallery:

1. To see the work of Dutch designcollective Studio Job.
2. And friends of them (read: Viktor & Rolf. Studio Job designed the furniture for the shows of that Dutch fashion duo).
3. To get inspired.

Check out: www.studiojob.be