The Best Brunch Stops In Het Zuid Antwerp

Het Zuid (which simply translates to ‘The South’) is the fashionable area of Antwerp. It has become a cultural hotspot after a series of renovations in the 1980s, its Art Nouveau architecture packed with museums, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. You’ll find plenty of bunch options in this hip neighborhood, and we’ve highlighted some top picks for a range of atmospheres and budgets.

1. Barnini

Bar, Restaurant, Belgian, Pub Grub

This Bagel bar charms its customers with New York style and a lot of Belgian heart. They serve bagels and sandwiches at affordable prices, as well as several soups (perfect for dunking), delicious cakes, and a nice tea selection. They also offer a weekly bagel special and menu options for vegetarian customers. The atmosphere here is retro and cozy, outfitted with cushy armchairs and sofas for curling up to sip your tea, and cute little tables for catching up over lunch. Both forms of seating at this popular café are often packed with regulars, so you may have to wait for a spot during rush hours. If you’re coming here to work, the wait is worth it for the free Wi-Fi and the gorgeous view from the patio.

Horta Grand Café

If you’re seeking a stylish option for Belgian cuisine, head to Horta Gran Café, where you can enjoy local specialties like shrimp kroketten and steak tartare in an elegant atmosphere of wide glass walls and ample natural light. The excellent, strikingly plated food is served promptly by their kind and professional wait staff, who can also help you choose a Belgian beer to pair with your meal. But without a doubt, the highlight here is the dessert menu. Be sure to save room for speculaas tiramisu with fruit Rumtopf and pistachio crunch, or for an exceptional slice of Belgian chocolate cake made with chestnut crémeux and butterscotch. Those visiting on weekends should definitely book ahead.
Horta Grand Café, Hopland 2, Antwerp, Belgium, +32 3 203 56 60

2. Chickpea

Restaurant, Belgian

It’s simple logic, if you love hummus, you will love Chickpea. This sweet, homey restaurant uses top-quality ingredients to prepare a wide range of dishes, but the star and staple of this menu is hummus. They offer several delicious homemade varieties, like tahini, fried mushroom, and even a version with extra chickpeas. You’ll also find other typical Middle Eastern menu options here, such as pita, falafel and homemade spicy sauces. If you’re thirsty after one of their spicier dishes, order off their juice menu and watch them freshly prepare it in front of your eyes in a slow juicer. This juicing style is extra healthy, since it ensures that the organic fruits and vegetables used in your drink will lose the least amount of vitamins in the process. Complete your experience here with Chickpea’s signature dessert, the Pittartatin.