Six visit Antwerp in April 2026

 

Antwerp Cafe City route plan at Cabardouche Taproom

Three sunny days in Antwerp from Thursday 23 April and six friends visited 16 beer cafes / bars / taprooms after travelling from West Berkshire by train via London and Brussels.

Tim devised itineraries for three days before a  move to Ghent on Sunday. This was a first visit to Antwerp for some so the idea was to include a variety of establishments to include traditional 'brown' beer cafes, specialist beer bars and brewery taprooms. 

Havenhuis - Photo: Rich

Apart from the busy area around Groenplaats and the cathedral there were visits to Havenhuis and MAS in the docks area on Friday and the 'improved' environments around KMSKA and Zuidpark in the Zuid / South district on Saturday.

Tim was able to add Cabardouche Taproom, Cafe Beveren and Quinten Matsijs (above) to his Antwerp tally and this post will only feature these three establishments in any detail.

Some of Tim's favourite Antwerp beer cafes were revisited including De Ware Jacob (bottom left photo with Jeff, Mike, Pat, Tommy and Rich), De Vagant (bottom centre photo with Bart behind the bar), Jazz Cafe de Muze and Paters Vaetje.

 

Unfortunately, the timing of our visit coincided with a temporary closure of Oud Arsenaal so it was only possible to get a photo of the historic brown cafe's exterior. With Tim's plan for the first pub of the trip stymied, we headed instead to De Kroon van Hopland a corner brown cafe that is another of his favourites.

L to R: Tommy, Mike, Tim, Rich & Pat

De Kroon appears to be under recent new ownership but the original furniture and decor remains and the barman was happy to take our photo holding up the delayed first beer of the trip, De Koninck Bolleke, brewed in the city. (Jeff had travelled on a later train and arrived at De Kroon, for his first Bolleke, after the photo above was taken.)

Cabardouche Taproom

On Saturday morning, with Rich on his way back from Breda after Waterakkers Parkrun (no local Belgian park run) and Tommy heading to Rotterdam for a Feyenoord v Groningen football match, only four of the group reached Cabardouche taproom initially.

Situated at Engelselei 254 in the multicultural Borgerhout district, we found a table inside the Taproom underneath a railway arch. There is a mix of seating options with a raised level on the inner side and big windows facing the street. It was nice to see plenty of (real) greenery and hear some funky music playing.

Flat white coffee

We were impressed by the industrious lone staff member who served us excellent (Caffenation) coffees and later beers while also attending to customers enjoying the sunshine outside.

A blackboard lists the current draught beers. The first beer we enjoyed here was Cabardouche Blonde Stoot (left, 5% ABV) with a minimum 33cl serving for €4.50. Tim's second beer was the brewery's Woeste Angela (right, 5% ABV), pleasantly sweet and costing €5 for 25cl. 

As with the Speciale Belge taproom in Antwerp first visited in March 2026, Cabardouche taproom is also an independent Antwerp brewery taproom that Tim now recommends and will surely return to on future trips. 

Cafe Beveren

At Vlasmarkt 2, Cafe Beveren enjoys a corner setting with views towards the river Scheldt.

On Saturday afternoon, after lunch of Croque Monsieur etc at Entrepot du Congo and a walk across Zuidpark to reach Scheldekaai Zuid 'linear park' by the river Scheldt, we were able to find a table inside Cafe Beveren next to the impressive 1937 Decap Jazz Organ. The decor is retro with photos and cartoons of Elvis Presley and others on the walls.

The jukebox was playing except when money was placed in the slot for the Jazz Organ to play a single tune. However, the fun was only just beginning as a hen party group arrived, recognisable by their white rimmed sunglasses, and some got up to dance on the furniture to the tune of 'You're the one that I want'.

Meanwhile our group had beers to drink from the limited beer list that includes draught Corsendonk Kriek Belgique (3% ABV). Cafe Beveren is usually only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This is a popular bar with locals and you may find it too busy or noisy at times so be prepared to revisit at a quieter time for the special experience of hearing and seeing the Jazz Organ playing (bring one euro coins for the slot).

Quinten Matsijs

At Moriaanstraat 17,  Quentin Matsijs, a traditional family-run restaurant bar, was busy on Saturday but a reservation was made for 8pm in person and we spent the intervening time at nearby Cafe de Kat.

Our group was given a table on the left of the entrance and well spaced from other customers. Three opted for Stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew) cooled with Trappist beer and served with chips or potato croquettes.

The draught beer range includes De Koninck Bolleke, Maredsous Tripel, La Chouffe and Cherry Chouffe (above). Bottled beers (16) include Duvel, Gouden Carolus and Cornet in addition to Abbey beers (2) Corsendonk and Trappist beers (5) Westmalle, Orval and Chimay. Originally an inn, the building dates back to 1565 and has colourful stained glass windows.

The decor, furniture, atmospheric lighting and personal service make a reservation worthwhile to ensure a beer and a meal in historic surroundings. However, a reservation may not be necessary at quieter times.

Antwerp - March 2026

This brief trip to Antwerp preceded a trip on a European Sleeper train to Decin in the north of the Czech Republic. This train from Brussels to Prague only runs on three days each week and Antwerp is the first stop. Arriving in Brussels on a Eurostar train from London on Tuesday 10 March 2026, we were able to connect with a SNCB train to Antwerp despite a strike on Belgian railways.

It's always a pleaure to arrive at Antwerpen Centraal. However, on this occasion an escalator from a low level platform was out of service but a lift provided the necessary elevation for us and our luggage to the original entrance. After a walk in the rain we reached Citybox, our economical contemporary accommodation for the night.

De Hovenier

An evening in Antwerp provided the opportunity to walk towards the cathedral and visit some bars. De Hovenier, Sint-Jacobsmarkt 26, wasn't busy at 18.45.

For the first beer in Antwerp, it was a simple choice to order draught De Koninck Bolleke, brewed nearby (€2.90 / 25cl). There are three other draught beers and 15 bottled beers, including Seef Bier and Tripel Westmalle (€4.30) on the laminated drinks menu.

The marble topped tables, traditional tiled floor, wood panelling and furniture make this a good example of a traditional bar. The landlord was jolly and a large drawing of his smiling face is pinned on a wall near the internal steel chimney pipe for the log burner. After settling for our drinks in cash it was nice to be invited to return another day. De Hovenier can be recommended as a place to call in for a beer for anyone not bothered by the choice of schmaltzy music that may be playing. 

Cafe de Kat

We arrived at Cafe de Kat, Wolstraat 22, at 19.45 and found a free window table. The laminated beer menu lists 3 draught beers including De Koninck(€3.60) and 18 bottles including Seef (€5.20) and Westmalle Tripel (€4.60).

Tim's choice was Westmalle Dubbel (€3.70). Despite the stylish Drinkt De Koninck neon sign behind the bar, this is a classic beer cafe with marble topped tables, traditional tiled floor, mirrors, wood panelling and furniture.

Mirror on far wall reflects neon sign above the bar

It is one of 16 Antwerp bars featured in Belgian Cafe Culture by Regula Ysewijn.

Jazz Cafe de Muze

Arriving at De Muze, Melkmarkt 15, by 8.45pm, before the 9pm jazz start, allowed us to find a table near the stage and order drinks before the 50 cent surcharge on drinks. Tim enjoyed a glass of Lupulus NEIPA with music from De Muze 5, the regular Tuesday night band. The handwritten beer menu card lists 10 draught beers including De Koninck Bolleke (€4.1) and 19 bottled beers including Seefbier (€5.4) and Westmalle Tripel (€5.3).

The dimly lit large space has a high ceiling, heavy light fittings, exposed beams and brickwork with two staircases to an upper level.

De Muze is near the Cathedral of our Lady which is illuminated at night.

Kassa 4

It's about a 15 minute walk from De Muze to Kassa 4, Ossenmarkt 21, near Citybox and the university. There were customers outside and we were able to find a table inside at 10.15pm. It was nice to discover plenty of traditional original features inside including floor tiles, marble table tops, wooden panelling and furniture.

A variety of enamel brewery signs are displayed on upper levels of the walls. A large blackboard above the bar lists the available beers, six on draught including De Koninck (€4) and 22 bottles priced at €4, €4.50 or €5 (maximum). Tim's last beer of the evening was a bottle of Troubadour Magma (€5). 

De Koninck Bar

The first beer of the afternoon on Wednesday was a Bolleke (€3.50) at the De Koninck Shop which has a bar and seating area.

The main De Koninck Bar is separated from the shop area by an internal opening.

Main bar with high seating and copper vessel in far room

This access was closed with a curtain due to a later opening time but there was an opportunity to get a photo. After many visits to Antwerp this was Tim's first visit to De Koninck brewery and with curiosity satisfied, probably the last. 

Speciale Belge Taproom

In contrast, a first visit to Speciale Belge Taproom is unlikely to be Tim's last.

Cobbled entrance to Taproom with blackboard listing beers

About a 12 minute walk towards Zurenborg from De Koninck Brewery, it is situated in the PAKT courtyard area that includes other enterprises including Caffenation PAKT for coffee. 

View towards bar with tank beers above and Untappd beer menu on screens

It's a friendly place with a slightly alternative feel to it. The brewery motto 'Goed Bier  Goed Volk' is displayed on an overhead banner.

Brewery vessels to the right of the bar can be observed through a glass screen.

From the 'home brewed' beers, Tim chose Al Blondy (€4.50) served in a stemmed glass with the brewery logo and tasting pleasantly fruity.

Ipadawan, a hazy DDH Session IPA (€5.5) proved equally enjoyable. Leaving at 5.15pm we had time to walk back to Citybox, collect our luggage, eat a quick meal at Thai Wok Express and buy cold beers at Proxy Delhaize, Astridplein, ready for the overnight train journey, departing at 20.02 hrs from a low level platform.

The chilled Leffe Blond and Tripel Karmeliet from the supermarket were enjoyed travelling through Belgium and the Netherlands before sleep across Germany until approaching Berlin.

Thursday 7.15am in Berlin - view from European Sleeper train

Antwerp - June 2025

On the annual trip to Antwerp for Beer Passion Weekend in late June, our group also visited Brussels and Lillo (Tim) or Ghent (Andrew, Keith, Richard & Simon) as described in separate posts:

Antwerp - Beer Passion Weekend 2025 at Handelsbeurs

Antwerp & Lillo by Waterbus 20 June 2025 + Ghent

As usual, we also visited several bars and taprooms in Antwerp during the trip including several favourites mentioned in previous posts. This post will start with a first visit to Station 1280 and include a few details of bars earmarked for a visit in future. 

Station 1280

In previous years, Station 1280 was always closed when an attempt was made to visit this bar, tucked away inside a neglected arcade of shops known as the Beehive, Winkelcentrum Oudaan, which lies just east of a landmark tall building, Politietoren.

Inside the main building, Station 1280 is next door to Uncharted Brew Co, a microbrewery which was closed as on previous visits.

Right: Andrew, Keith & Richard outside Station 1280

Having just met up with Andrew, Keith and Richard outside a favourite bar, Oud Arsenaal, which was closed this week, Station 1280 was Tim's first opportunity for a beer in Antwerp, the others having already enjoyed a beer at De Kroon van Hopland. On Thursday 19 June, Simon was still on his way to Antwerp.

Inside, there was a limited range of draught beers including some imported beers. The bar's current tap list with prices can be found on Untappd. Tim enjoyed Saison Dupont Biologique. Cheers to Richard who paid for our round of beers.

Bars to visit in future

The weather was very warm and it was tempting to stop at every bar but some had not yet opened and the temptation was resisted in other cases.

On the south side of Paardenmarkt, near the university, there are two colourful beer cafes that may be popular with students - Cafe Cousteau and Cafe Het Kleintje.

Bar Nest     +    Bar Noord

In the green area of Park Spoor Noord which is reclaimed railway land near the docks, with little shade to offer, there are two buildings which include contemporary spacious bar cafes with pleasant views and shade - Bar Nest and Bar Noord.

Near Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) and the docks are traditional warehouses including Felix Pakhuis which now includes a Wolf Sharing Food Market on the ground floor. There are various street food type kiosks and food / drinks are ordered online with a notification when ready for collection.

The draught beer range includes two Wolf beers - Wolf Blond and Wolf White both brewed at nearby Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie. Other beers include Cristal Pils and Triple d'Anvers.

Favourite bars and taprooms revisited

Panorama at Pelikaan with Simon, Keith, Andrew and Richard

Later on the Thursday evening, we chose Cafe de Pelikaan, on a Melkmarkt corner, near the cathedral, as a rendezvous for Simon. With tables inside, facing the bar, we were in a convenient position for service and to observe the constant activity behind the busy bar. The doors and windows were open on this warm evening. 

There's a good range of draught beers including Westmalle Duo and Tripel d'Anvers. Tim later ordered a local bottled beer not previously noticed - Bolder. This Antwerp brewed 7.5% Belgian Pale Ale, served in a delicate stemmed glass, was on the dry side and cost €4.60. A variety of music was playing including tracks by Nick Cave and Sam & Dave. On a busy Thursday night we stayed here until it was late before walking back to our various destinations, all quite near to the central station. 

On Friday, after a boat trip on the river Scheldt, Tim revisited De Ware Jacob and his visit to this favourite bar is covered in the Antwerp & Lillo by Waterbus post.

On Saturday, after Richard's traditional Saturday run, a double circuit of triangular Stadspark when in Antwerp, our lunchtime rendezvous was at the Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie taproom in Eilandje, the docks area. Tim's 9000 step walking route here was via Park Spoor Nord where Bar Nest and Bar Noord are located.

As one of the brewery's original crowdfunders, this visit is a tradition encouraged by Keith. We sat outside at a table with a parasol and went inside the taproom to order beers from the bar. New beers on this visit included Cadix Pils 'the only and original Antwerp Pilsner', a smooth and refreshing 5.2% ABV lager, not to be confused with Super Cadix, a dry hopped IPL variant. From the bottle, Martin's Populus is a limited edition 8% ABV lime blossom Tripel. 

However, draught Eilandje, named after the neighbourhood and now a regular ABC beer was Tim's favourite beer of those selected on this hot afternoon. It has tropical flavours and is an 'Antwerp interpretation of NEIPA'.

On the way to Dr Beer we had a look inside the historic Felix Pakhuis. However, after getting separated in the maze-like interior, both sub groups gave up on the idea of ordering a drink from the bar which is part of the Wolf Sharing Food Market.

Reunited at Dr Beer, Tim was excited to spot Boskeun, the strong Easter beer from De Dolle brouwers on draught tap 6. Apparently Boskeun is a childhood nickname given to Jo, one of the two Herteleer brothers and brewers, and means a hare. This would prove to be his favourite beer of the day.

Left: Simon & Richard + Right: (photo: Richard R) Tim & Andrew

While most customers, including Keith, Richard and Simon were outside, Andrew persuaded Tim to take advantage of a suspended cane chair for a unique seating experience! 

Jeroen Peeters arrived before our departure and Tim appreciated being greeted by the bar's owner just as we were leaving. 

Het Souke, on a corner of pedestrianised Hoogstraat, looked different with an A-board for LePlan outside and a Le Plan sign above the window. The translation of the words chalked on the A-board is 'More than 40 Antwerp beers' and several of these are from Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie as illustrated by the red enamel Seef sign at the entrance. 

Subsequent research revealed a March 2025 report that Erwin Liekens (41) is the new operator of Het Souke. Tim remembers visits in previous years when Jacob Gouka ran the bar with a friendly attitude and an interesting choice of music.

LePlan is the name of a relatively new brewery based in Westmalle linked to Dirk Vermeersch, a former rally driver who also owns a Rhone vineyard. Draught LePlan Extra 5 (photo above left) was Tim's first beer at Antwerp Beer Passion in Handelsbeurs on Friday, but the 4.8% ABV Blonde was too dry for his taste.

Near Het Souke and up the road from De Ware Jacob, De Vagant has been a group favourite for many years. Once it was the bar to enjoy flavoured Jenevers before or after a meal at De Groote Witte Arend opposite. 

Since May 2022, run by Bart Daems, it has become an uncluttered natural space with high windows and ceiling, a table reserved for chess and a well chosen range of beers including seven on draught. On Saturday evening, Tim enjoyed a bottle of Radio Minerva Tripel (€4), now a regular Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie beer which is named after a popular Antwerp radio station.