Final tips on Antwerp

If you're looking for a green area to spend some time in the sun, go to Park Spoor Noord. A good place to play with the kids, go for a pic-nic or just laying on the grass.

Every Sunday, in the city center, you have the Vogelmarkt, which is a market a little bit about everything: clothes, food, animals. Since most shops close on Sundays, this is a nice thing to see, when strolling in the center.

The most known street for shopping is the Meir, where you have the normal brands (like Zara, H&M, C&A, etc) and then some that are not so common in continental Europe (like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, River Island). They close on Sundays, but on any other day the street is pretty crowded.

On that same street, you will find The Chocolate Line, which is one of the most famous chocolate stores in Belgium. Even if you're not planning on buying anything, just enter to see their delights and to enjoy the space where it is located, as it is a very nice and fancy palace.

The Central Station is very beautiful too, both on the inside and on the outside. If you go through the back entrance/exit of the station (Lange Kievitstraat), you will pass by lots of the famous diamond stores and will be in the center of the Jewish neighbourhood. You can see lots of orthodox Jews and their families passing by, all dressed up traditionally.

Not as famous as Amsterdam's red light district, Villa Tinto is, on the other hand, known to be the world's most hi-tech brothel. It is located near the pier and basically is a shopping mall turned into windows for prostitutes. It has a police station on the inside, lots of security and modern technological features. It can be interesting to pass by there (you can cross on the middle of it and the adjacent streets are also from Antwerp's red light district) just to see this one-of-a-kind thing.

Amadeus Antwerp

When I returned to Belgium this second time, there were some things I knew I wanted to do again. One of them was to eat the famous ribs, that I had tried before in the Amadeo restaurant in Brussels. This time, with a plus: I could do it in Antwerp, experimenting one of the two restaurants they have there. I opted for their first restaurant, near the pier, although they have opened a new one in the center.

Again, we had to go for the ribs, the potato and that marvellous butter sauce! Accompanied with the house's red wine, of course.

The restaurant is quite famous there too (the street and surroundings were kind of empty on a Saturday night, but the inside of the restaurant was crowded!). The quality remains, so as the price and the fact that you can order as many ribs as you want. My greediness was satisfied and I left the place full, as always. Definitely a must-do for everyone in Belgium!

Amadeus

St-Paulusplaats 20

2000 Antwerpen
+32 03/232 25 87

ives@mail-box.be

http://www.amadeusspareribrestaurant.be/F/antwerpen/info.html

MAS

Two weeks ago I went to the Museum aan de Stroom, which is located near the port area, in Antwerp. I didn't visit the museum itself, as I just went to the top floor to get the panorama view of the city. Though I have heard the museum is good, not expensive (5€ for the permanent exhibition) and you have plenty of floors (10!) full of artwork to explore. Nevertheless, if you want to do like myself, you just have to go up through the automatic stairs until the last floor and admire the view (it's for free). You can get a magnificent view of the cathedral and the old town buildings!

Stadtpark

In Antwerp there is this park in the city center that is well worth a visit! You have lots of space to jog, a lake and a children's area for them to play. There's also a bridge and birds passing by. I went there on a sunny day and it was a great place to stroll around and soak up the sun :)

Antwerp's Zoo

A week ago I went to visit the zoo in Antwerp. I hadn't been to the zoo since I was little and it was great to have this experience again. The zoo is located right next to the main entrance of the central station and is now having a "winter offer" that makes tickets cheaper than usual. Even though they are not that cheap (we paid 15€ per person), I thought it was totally worthy it! They have lots of animals, open air or in some galleries (for example, the fish, the monkeys, the reptiles) and during the day you can see several shows (for example, playing with the seals and feeding the elephants). We saw all the animals and it took us 3h! It was a sunny day, so perfect for strolling around. And, even though on a weekend, there were not many people around.

The sea lions being fed

The decoration of the space is really nice too!

Funny!

They have a Nemo :)

The lions resting in the back.

Some humans got into the animal spirit too!

This is how my eyes look when I wake up every morning to do the Antwerp-Brussels ride...

Camouflage!

I saw many exotic animals I had never seen in my life (I specially recommend the nocturne section, where you can see some strange mixes, like pig-rabbit, squirrel-kanguru and mouse-deer). It was such a great visit that made me eager to visit other zoos when travelling. The Lisbon one will be next :)

Wagamama

I found about Wagamama last year when I went with my parents to Antwerp, as it was recommended to us by a friend of theirs. Now, since I am living there and liked the place, I went back. Apparently this chain of ramen-bars is quite popular in the UK, where they have over 100 places open, but in Belgium there's only one, which is this one located in Antwerp. The interior is quite simple, with long tables and benches and space for many people. They are specialized in these warm soups with noodles, meat/fish and vegetables and those were what I ate both times.

Teriyaki salmon ramen

Wagamama ramen (noodles in a miso, ginger and chicken soup topped with grilled chicken, barbecued pork, prawns, mussels, a tea-stained egg, chikuwa and wakame. garnished with menma and spring onions)

Their price is around 15€ and you get quite satisfied with one, as it is quite rich in ingredients and warm. As it's a soup, I never needed to order a drink either. So, if you're in Antwerp and into this kind of food, or want to get a bit warmer in a winter day trying this one-of-a-kind restaurant in Belgium, you should definitely pass by there!

Wagamama

http://www.wagamama.be/

De keyserlei 15
Antwerpen
032349980

Zaowang

Last weekend, in a craving mode for sushi, I went to eat at Zaowang. This is a Japanese restaurant located in the center of Antwerp, very close to the old market (although they have a second restaurant in another area of the city).

The view from our table, with the typical Belgian houses seen by the window

The waiter preparing the drinks

For starter, we had the prawn crackers that were immediately brought to our table. Then, after checking the menu, we decided to order one of the sushi boats, as that way you are already served with a good variety of pieces. This is the boat for 2 people, which has 45 pieces (including some sashimi). They also have boats for 3 or 4 people and other combos you may order.

We couldn't leave before dessert, of course! Especially with such good delights to choose from.

Green tea ice-cream

Passionfruit bavaroise and ice-cream

We really liked having been to this restaurant, as the sushi was great and the whole ambiance is nice too (conveniently located, with very nice interiors and attentive staff). I recommend you passing by there if you're into oriental food and are up for a good meal! Probably better to reserve first, as we did, as for a Saturday at lunch time it was almost full.

Zaowang

 http://www.zaowang.be/

Oude Koornmarkt 22
2000 Antwerpen

03 290 55 29

info@zaowang.be

Broer Bretel

On my last visit to Antwerp, I visited this cafe whose owners are four brothers who sure understand how to make tasty and good looking drinks. The place is cozy, service is fast and I had the chance of sitting at the counter and seeing two of the brothers preparing everything in full speed!

Milk hot chocolate and Maltesers hot chocolate on the making

Black Momma hot chocolate

They are specialized in all types of coffee, hot chocolate, tea (iced or hot) and sodas... and you also have cake to go along with your drinks, if you feel like it. Prices are quite good for size and quality and you can check the full menu here. If you happen to be in Antwerp, pay them a visit and enjoy a good relaxing moment with a high quality drink.

Broer Bretel

Nassaustraat 7, Antwerpen

+ 32 484 15 82 96
contact@broerbretel.be

http://www.broerbretel.be/