Diamond District Antwerp
Antwerp/Diamond District
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Diamond District .
The Diamond District - or Diamantkwartier- is a living memento of the history of Antwerp as the unrivalled diamond capital of the world. The trade and cutting of diamonds have made the Flemish city famous since the 15th century, with over 80% of the world's diamonds still transiting through this area every year. For curious travellers, however, there is much more to this neighbourhood than shopping for shiny stones! Its vibrant atmosphere, surprising museums, appetizing food joints and bustling nightlife make it a great place to call your interim neighbourhood during your days in town. The Flemish Opera and Antwerp Central Station, both within walking distance, are monumental neighbourhood landmarks with a wealth of stories to discover.
Diamond District”
Caffenation. food & drink.

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.

Mechelsesteenweg 16, Vlaanderen Belgium, 2000

Vlaamse Opera Antwerp. highlights.

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.

De Vagant

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

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.

Lange Koepoortstraat 64, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2000

Philip’s Biscuits

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.

Korte Gasthuisstraat 39, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2000

Native

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.

Muntstraat 8, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2000

Luddites Books & Wine

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.

Hopland 34, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2000

Esco*bar

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.

Quellinstraat 32, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2018

De peerdestal

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.

Wijngaardstraat 8, Vlaams Gewest Belgium, 2000

Serviced Apartments
Antwerp Opera a YAYS place

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

Frankrijklei 33, Vlaanderen Belgium, 2000

YAYS Antwerp Opera

what is a YAYS place?

Diamond District

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

Sleeps up to 6

Serviced Apartments
YAYS Insider, Elana

Elana

Elana loves foreign films, listening to songs in languages she does not understand, and telling jokes in Afrikaans with the occasional South African traveller. She can be quiet but don’t get her started about food, she could talk about the topic for hours – asking her to recommend a place for dinner is a great idea, if you have time to spare. After work, you can find Elana enjoying a cold craft beer at her favourite brewery in the neighbourhood. She speaks English, Afrikaans, Dutch, and she is learning Polish.

YAYS Insider, Elana

Elana

Elana loves foreign films, listening to songs in languages she does not understand, and telling jokes in Afrikaans with the occasional South African traveller. She can be quiet but don’t get her started about food, she could talk about the topic for hours – asking her to recommend a place for dinner is a great idea, if you have time to spare. After work, you can find Elana enjoying a cold craft beer at her favourite brewery in the neighbourhood. She speaks English, Afrikaans, Dutch, and she is learning Polish.