Koen and I just celebrated 7 years of being married! We decided to spend our long weekend off together exploring Antwerp a bit more. Tourists in our own city!

Day One

For our first day of celebrating, we visited the Plantin-Moretus Museum. It’s one of my favorites in Antwerp. The museum houses the two oldest working printing presses in the world. You’re able to walk around and visit the old printing presses and typography rooms, as well as seeing the old shop and living quarters of the family Plantin-Moretus. It’s a bit like two museums in one – the printing establishment and the former residence. So beautiful!

After the museum we were in need of snacks, so as a tourist, where to go? Frituur No. 1 for fries, of course! We needed to finish with something sweet and headed to Momade Cupcakes. I couldn’t make up my mind so I bought both the caramel and the oreo!

For dinner we had a proper fall meal – wild boar steak with oven roasted vegetables, chestnuts, and stove pears. Perfect first day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two

For the second day, we ventured out to Zurenborg, a neighborhood just outside of Antwerp in Berchem. Zurenborg is most famous for it’s Belle Epoque/Art Nouveau style architecture. Before walking the Cogels Osylei, the most prestigious street, we headed to Dageraadplaats for a drink. It’s the big square in the middle of of Zurenborg surrounded by cafes and the Norbertuskerk. I am an Elite Yelper, so we of course visited the cafe with the highest rating – Zeezicht. Very cozy!

After the drink we were getting hungry, so we started walking toward the more famous street, stopping for burgers at Wattman located on the Tramplein at the edge of the Cogels Osylei. Wattman is located in a Belle Epoque style house. We took our time eating and peaking through the window at the different art nouveau buildings. Once we were finished, we took a stroll down the Cogels Osylei. The street is much smaller than I expected, but still worth the visit! Actually all of the architecture throughout Zurenborg was worth the visit – so many beautiful buildings!

While in Berchem, we couldn’t pass up visiting Kaasaffineurs Van Tricht, the #1 cheese shop in Europe. Kaasmeester Van Tricht is especially famous in Belgium and the Netherlands. You cannot enter a Michelin star restaurant here and not find his name on the menu. He supplies the cheese to all of the top restaurants. Everything we sampled was amazing. Sooooo difficult to make choices but in the end we settled on a creamy gorgonzola, brokkelkaas, provencal goat cheese, and fig bread. Mmmmmmm!

Day Three

By day three we were ready to just stay in and watch movies – a real lazy day. But we did venture out for lunch! We ate at Finjan and had the most delicious falafel we’ve both ever tasted. If you are in Antwerp and love falafels you must visit!