12 Unmissable Cafes for Brunch in Antwerpen (+Map!)
Disclaimer: Real-life human experiences. Written by a human. Created for humans. (Travels at Missy does not use AI for our articles. All posts and information are 1st hand experience. AI data-scrapping tools are expressly forbidden from using Travels with Missy content for AI Training).
Antwerp is a city that has it all. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants, boutiques, museums and more – you name it they’ve got it! And it has a superb selection of superb brunch in Antwerpen spots throughout the city that shouldn’t be missed!
Brunch is one of my favourite ways of eating out on the weekends. I’ve never been much of a breakfast person and usually by the time I get hungry for lunch, I’ve skipped breakfast altogether. Brunch combines those two elements, those who want the breakfast or lunch option, or both!
For those who want to explore this bustling city on their own terms without breaking the bank, here are 12 great places to try out for brunch in Antwerpen.
Best Brunch in Antwerpen
1. Quite Frankly | Klapdorp 57, 2000 Antwerpen
Finally, an American Diner has opened up in Antwerp and Quite Frankly does a superb job of hitting all the notes of a true authentic American Diner experience.
With plush blue velvet stools around a counter that allow you to watch your breakfast or lunch being cooked by an expert griddle cook. The menu is small, but be warned, come with an appetite as the portions are enormous. Especially the pancakes.
Open daily for breakfast & lunch (except Mondays), Quite Frankly is a new brunch in Antwerp spot that deserves to be sampled and enjoyed. The food is delicious and the experience is something that has been sorely lacking in Antwerp for the longest of times.
2. Tinsel | Sint-Paulusplaats 30, 2000 Antwerpen
Tinsel had completely escaped me for the longest of time. It was only by chance that I went for a walk in its former location on a sunny day and encountered it. And what a find. I think about Tinsel on a weekly basis.
This delightful cafe offers vegan snacks and options, but it is their pancakes that are truly mouth-watering and delicious. It recently moved location to its fabulous new Sint-Paulusplaats location and has doubled in size.
The pancakes are served with slices of banana and blueberries and the biggest dollop of thick cream. And mandatory maple syrup of course.
Before you leave make sure you check out their baked treats section – there are plenty of vegan goodies to choose from. With seating outside of the cafe and under umbrellas, you can enjoy your brunch outside. Tinsel is my top brunch in Antwerpen spot and never fails to disappoint!
Closed: Tuesdays
Website: Tinsel
3. Bakkerij Funk | Kronenburgstraat 41a, 2000 Antwerpen
Prepare to queue on the weekends if visiting Bakkerij Funk! The lines to this delicious bakery are worth the wait and once you manage to get inside the doors, the overwhelming delicious smells of freshly baked croissants, breads and pastries are mouthwateringly tempting to order everything off the menu.
And I really wouldn’t blame you. Everything that I’ve tried here has been super. Bonus points for a plant-based bakery that has nailed flavor and taste when sometimes it can be compromised.
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, you’ll find Bakkerij Funk is humming with activity throughout the day from 8 am until close at 6 pm.
4. Mampoko | Amerikalei 8, 2000 Antwerpen
Mampoko is always super busy on the weekends. In fact, getting a table can prove tricky. And there is good reason, the brunch offered here is excellent value and in such a pretty building.
Open every day of the week, this corner restaurant is fantastic value for money. A continental breakfast served with a soft-boiled egg, slices of young cheese, ham, chorizo, croissant, bread all for the fantastic price of €10. You’ll be stuffed afterwards.
This is the perfect place for a sunny Sunday brunch and a good book.
Website: Mampoko
5. Charlie’s Antwerpen | Volkstraat 66, 2000 Antwerpen
Charlie’s Antwerp is a perennial favourite of the Zuid-ites. Located on Volkstraat, Charlie’s makes you feel at home when visiting either for just a coffee or sitting down for a quick lunch. Not only is the homely feel visible in this absolutely stunning building but also in the welcome you get when walking in.
Charlies is perfect for families wanting to gather at the long benches and are made to feel welcome. Food options include french toast, panini’s, smashed avo on toast. What’s not to love!
6. Moss | Volkstraat 11, 2000 Antwerpen
Moss is a sweet tooths new best friend. And does some of the meanest sandwiches in Antwerp. One of the things I love about Moss the most is its dedication to a thick slice of bread. Trust me, it is hard to find sandwiches in which you need to dislocate your jaw to eat.
To me, that is the sign of a super sandwich and nothing to be sniffed at. If you have room after filling yourself with a Pastrami sandwich, you simply have to grab a slice of cake. Their cakes are just *chef kisses*. Vegans can also rejoice as there are plenty of options available.
7. Dansing Chocola | Kloosterstraat 159, 2000 Antwerpen
Dansing Chocola was one of those discoveries that I happened upon by chance. Like most of the places on the list, I stumbled across them on my walks around the city and promptly added it to my Google Maps for my next visit.
Covered and draped in ivy, Dansing Chocola is my favourite place to bring visitors for brunch Antwerpen style. The staff are so lovely and really try to accommodate people like myself who forget to make reservations.
A reservation is not always necessary but you will find it harder on weekends, especially if the weather is not so great, to get a table. Their baked camembert with honey and walnuts and the chunkiest bread is honestly to-die-for. With its homely quirky style, this is a fantastic place for brunch in every single season.
8. Nordica 31 | Belegstraat 31, 2018 Antwerpen
Nordica 31 is an expert at serving Scandinavian-inspired staples such as smoked herring on traditional smørrebrød, smoked salmon and crab cakes. Vegans can also rejoice at Scandi food options of them too with beet burgers and even vegan smørrebrød options too.
Nordica 31 opened in early 2020 and there is always a small crowd waiting to grab a seat, even on a rainy Antwerp day.
Their buns are also outrageous and a great way to finish your Scandinavian lunch, with flavours including Cinnamon, Blueberry and Cardamon. Seriously, these buns are out of this world good. Make sure when entering Nordica 31 to have a look into the kitchen through the glass floor.
For those looking for something a bit different, Nordica 31 is one of the best brunch options in Antwerp. Open daily from 8 am until 5 pm (Saturday & Sundays open from 9 am.)
9. Shuk | Minderbroedersrui 64, 2000 Antwerpen
Bringing flavours from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, dining in Shuk you can expect to find traditional hummus dishes, alongside Wild Mushroom Hummus and Pita filled with falafels and cauliflower shawarma.
But as Shuk’s states they are more than just hummus, with some of the best Borekas we’ve ever tasted.
It’s very hard not to order the entire menu, as everything is incredible. If you love the flavours of the Middle East and want to experience incredibly crafted flavours and dishes, then Shuk is the perfect place for grabbing some traditional street food.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Website: Shuk
10. Maison Tartine | Minderbroedersrui 60, 2000 Antwerpen
Right beside Shuk, you’ll find the delightful Maison Tartine. Offering traditional sandwiches, open-faced and also grilled, a personal favourite is the Tartini Italiano, cheese, pesto, pumpkin seeds, parmesan and mozzarella toasted under the grill, with a dirty chai latte on the side. Unbeatable.
We love that all their tartine’s are named after cities from around the world and the flavours from that country. And as the seasons change, so does their menu, bringing in seasonal vegetables and flavours from around the globe. Maison Tartine’s breakfasts are also enormous, so make sure you bring your appetite!
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
11. Umami | Luikstraat 6, 2000 Antwerpen
A brunch that involves sushi can only be a good thing, right? Umami has a superb brunch on Sunday’s that includes not only more traditional breakfast foods such as granola and baked goods but also platters of fresh sushi!
There is even a children’s area with crafts, entertainment and sushi classes. Fun for the entire family! Brunch is 49.99 euros per person from the hours of 11.30 am – 3 pm.
12. Salt & Mint | Draakstraat 21, 2018 Antwerpen
One of the most popular cafes for brunch in Zurenborg, Salt & Mint has the best Shakshuka in the city. Each breakfast is modelled off a country’s cuisine and focuses on Middle Eastern/North African dishes such as shakshuka, Moroccan pancakes and bread and of course olives.
Bookings on the weekends are usually required, especially on Sundays. The atmosphere is ambient and always good fun, it’s sometimes hard to remember you’re still in Antwerp. Hands down one of the best Middle Eastern brunch in Antwerpen.
Berchem Station is the closest train station and is a short walk through one of the prettiest streets in Antwerp, Cogels-Osylei.
With its wealth of cafes and restaurants to choose from, Antwerp is a great place for brunch. Whether you’re vegan or gluten-free, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the city that will cater to your dietary preferences. Let me know what makes your perfect brunch experience by leaving a comment below.
Meet Missy…
Missy spent the first 2 decades of her life living in her native Dublin, Ireland. Before a life living overseas called to her, and she spent the next decade living in China, Laos & Belgium. She now splits her time in Antwerp, Belgium, and wherever the sun is currently shining. You can follow Missy’s real-time travels on her Instagram.
That all looks so delicious! I love good cafés and when ever I’m in another city I’m looking for unique food options. Cute café, rustic pubs, and other gems. Thanks for putting these here together!
I love a good brunch spot, and Album in particular looks absolutely delish! Thanks for the recommendations!
I love getting brunch so I always enjoy reading tips on the best brunch spots in cities I’ve yet to visit. It would be so difficult to choose one to go to!
Great information! My parents are in town visiting and I had no idea there were so many brunch options. We paid Dansing Chocola a visit and it did not disappoint. Friendly staff and delicious food! Thanks!
Thanks Jason! I’m so glad you and your parents enjoyed Dansing Chocola! Its a firm favoruite of mine. Always happy to help!
Missy