If you are looking for more than just caffeine in your morning cup, stop for a quick fix or breakfast at this temple of artisan speciality coffee. Here, coffee rhymes with quality.

Home to Ballet Vlaanderen, the Flemish Opera house provides a stage for both opera and ballet performances, a stone-trow away from your YAYS place in Antwerp. The newly renovated and traffic-free Operaplein in front offers great architectural views.

The atmosphere of De Vagant takes you back to medieval times. The first jenever bar in Belgium, it has a range of more than 200 varieties that warm up the soul. Although also referred to as Dutch gin, jenever finds its origins in the historical region now known as Flanders. Its first historical record traces back to the notes of an Antwerp-based physician from 1269. 

Curated by Edo is a collective concept store showcasing sustainable brands that have a story to tell. Saskia, also founder of Ms. Bay salmon leather handbags, and Audrey are the women behind it. They carefully select timeless designs for slow-living. Discover a beautiful range of fashion items, jewellery, skin care, accessories, design pieces, stationery and toys. All brands are from Belgium and the Netherlands. Stick around for a coffee or lunch at Bar Norm inside the shop.

Antwerp is also known as Koekenstad (Cookie Town), a nickname recalling the number of gingerbread bakeries and cookie factories in the old days. At Philip’s Biscuits, they are intent on preserving the craft of baking cookies. They still make their biscuits in the traditional way, by hand and using old recipes. Although they have a large variety of cookies and biscuits, make sure to try the Antwerp Hands. The light and tasty cookies refer to the famous legend of Antigoon.

Once Native’s host comes to present today’s dishes, you’ll have a very strong urge to order all that is written on the blackboard. Whether you’re a veggie enthusiast or not, it’s comfort food that will indulge you. Seasonal vegetables are the main focus of the menu, with occasional excursions into quality meat or fish. Organic and local are their golden standards, combined with a personal touch: try striking a conversation with the staff and you’ll see what we mean.

Looking for interesting literature? Luddites Books & Wine has the largest selection of English books in Antwerp. They also have a considerable selection of Dutch books as well. And just upstairs they also have a cosy wine bar where you can enjoy your newly acquired book with a delicious glass of wine.

Hidden in a busy street, there’s Esco*bar, a breakfast and lunch bar characterized by a Latin American atmosphere. The name comes from the owner’s family in Chile. Compose your own breakfast with eggs, Flemish buns (pistolets) and cold cuts, or go for homemade pie, a sandwich or a salad. In the back, you’ll find a green patio. Surrounded by trees and singing birds, you’ll forget for a moment that you’re right in the middle of town.

Just like the French, the Belgians are true bon vivants, eating and drinking their way through life. De Peerdestal (The Horse Stable) serves classical French cuisine in a historical building in the old town. In the entrance hall the ripening cabinets reveal one of the specialties: dry aged meat of Belgian-Blue-White among others. Another one of their signature dishes is horse steak. Cross the street to end the evening with a Dogma cocktail at the neighbours.

Choosing YAYS Antwerp Opera as your place in Antwerp is the perfect start if you want to get local!