At Cafématic, you never have to worry whether you will like what you ordered. Everything they serve here is good and the ambience is always pleasant. I would definitely stop in for their carrot cake and their home-made lemonades. This makes you wonder why order a simple sandwich when you could also be having a panini. Cafématic teaches us how delicious simplicity can be, by always adding a fun twist to the food they serve. You can also buy a reusable Antwerp Circular mug here for your coffee or chocolate milk.

Vleminckveld 4, 2000 Antwerp

You know what it feels like when you step inside a place and feel as if you’ve been transported to another country? A holiday destination that makes you so happy that you feel as if you want to speak the local language, because you are in holiday mode? That is how I feel each time I walk in at Gelato Milanese to buy ice-cream. But not just any old ice-cream: a perfect, Italian ice-cream, which tastes like it has been made with passion and craftsmanship. The classic but nice interior with the lovely ice domes, which keep the treasures under them at just the right temperature, is an indication of how good the ice-cream is here. I don’t care how awkward my “buongiorno” and “grazie” sound as soon as I taste their amazing flavours. They use fresh ingredients only. My favourites are pistachio, hazelnut and speculaas which is called “I <3 Belgium” here.

Vleminckveld 6, 2000 Antwerp

When going on a second-hand shopping trip, you should always bear in mind that it is very difficult to go in search of something specific. The chances of finding a second-hand item that looks exactly like what you had in mind can be challenging. Fortunately, Think Twice has just the solution. With three shops in the centre of Antwerp, Think Twice sells a wide range of second-hand clothes, shoes and accessories. They also often have fun table cloths, which will add a funky twist to your dinner party with friends. The collections at Think Twice change regularly and they often hold the kind of clearance sale that you can’t afford to miss. The ambience in the shops is very laid-back, giving you the time and space to browse until you find what you weren’t looking for.

Jezusstraat 18 | Nationalestraat 81 | Kammenstraat 85

Each time I walk through Boomgaardstraat, I stop at Pljoesjkin and dream away while I browse their eccentric collection. This antiques shop is anything but dusty. Collecting art is an art unto itself, which they know all too well at Pljoesjkin. Each object has its own story. Beautiful design and eccentric discoveries always give me pause for thought, they make me dream.

Boomgaardstraat 260, 2600 Antwerp

These days, a sustainable lifestyle has become much easier to achieve. Various specific products for use in your kitchen, bathroom or on the go help you reduce your impact on our planet. You can find all these tools at minimal. From an all-purpose cleaner to suntan lotion. Timeless products, made from sustainable materials, help you eliminate single-use products from your routine. After your visit, you can stop for a drink on the terrace at the rear.

Statiestraat 115, 2600 Antwerp

Flanders’ circular shops or kringwinkels are a great example of circular economy. Here a wide range of different products is given a second life. Regardless of which shop you decide to visit, it’s always difficult to leave empty-handed. You'll often ask yourself whether you really need it. In addition to their wide-ranging selection of goods, the Kringwinkel also proves that circular economy is a social economy. People who have difficulty finding a job in the regular labour market contribute to closing the loop every day in Kringwinkels. The Kringwinkel in Borgerhout has all kinds of treasures, from fun dinnerware, armchairs and bicycles to skates and swimming accessories. The Kringwinkel in the centre of Antwerp mainly focuses on clothes.

Borgerhout
Kroonstraat 166, 2140 Antwerp 

Centrum 
Otto Veniusstraat 11, 2000 Antwerp

There’s a picturesque little square in Antwerp’s nicest neighbourhood. Café Walvis, on the corner, is the place to go to quench your thirst and get rid of those hunger pangs. Their Hugo is the best in town, and all of my friends order it. Vegans will also love the menu here. They always have a plant-based cake, which is all that matters really! When I step into this café, the interior always makes me wonder whether you can actually live in a café. A visit to Walvis feels like coming home, because the owner and his staff are so friendly.

Walvisstraat 1, 2018 Antwerp

Circular economy encourages us to rethink ownership. Do you need to buy books for yourself, only for them to gather dust on your book shelves? No, the library is also a good option. But sometimes it’s nice to own your own copy of a book. When I want to buy a book, I always check whether they have a second-hand copy at De Slegte. Don’t let the name, which means ‘the bad one’ in Dutch, deter you. I think this is the best bookshop in Antwerp! In addition to new best-sellers, they also sell second-hand books and buy your old books to give them a new lease of life. What’s even more fun is that they also sell pre-packed books as a gift or a surprise for yourself. It can be a bit of a leap of faith, as you can’t see the title or read the blurb on the dust jacket. If you prefer to play it safe, then you’ll be happy to know that three floors of reading pleasure await!

Wapper 5, 2000 Antwerp

Pardaf is a pioneer in terms of giving clothes a second life. The stately townhouse in the centre of Antwerp offers shoppers 3 floors of second-hand shopping fun. Whereas some second-hand clothing chains source their clothes from around the world, Pardaf prefers a more local approach. You can pick up some great second-hand items here, but also drop off your own clothes to sell. Pardaf also often takes over the remaining stocks of shops, which means you can occasionally find new items here. Don’t be deterred by the amazing array of options for men, women and children. Think of it as an opportunity to scoop up some treasures! What’s even better is that when clothes aren’t sold, they are sent to Moeders voor Moeders, a non-profit organisation for mothers in need.

Gemeentestraat 8, 2060 Antwerp

Shopping for second-hand clothes can be an exhausting experience at times. But not at Rosier 41. This shop has an excellent collection. Rosier 41 only sells carefully curated high-end brands, at affordable prices. They also sell your own clothes on consignment.

Rosier 41, 2000 Antwerp