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

discover your place.

Feel right at home in town with all the comforts and YAYS signature features of your fully-equipped serviced apartment in Antwerp.

YAYS Antwerp Opera by Numa

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

view building
Serviced Apartments

the insiders.

These are the Insiders who will be available 24/7 and know everything there is to know about the neighbourhood. All our insiders are actually from the neighbourhood. So whether you’re looking for the most romantic restaurant on the block or the best place to buy gifts for the home front, all you have to do is ask.

Dascha

Dascha speaks Dutch, English, Russian and Ukrainian and the spontaneous woman that she is, you’ll have poured out your heart to her without even noticing it. She’s lived everywhere, from Ukraine to London and Antwerp, scouring the continent for beautiful vintage goods. With a long history in fashion, she now runs her own business selling only the most qualitative and aesthetically pleasing vintage clothing, accessories and furniture. When she’s not at the hotel, she’s either photographing her found treasures or her cute dog Jaap, the funniest little teckel that loves himself a good carrot.

Eric

Eric is an expert when it comes to the city of Diamonds! He is also a big foodie and will love to help you choose the best cafés and restaurants in the neighbourhood, around Theaterplein and Graanmarkt. Very sporty, he travels 45kms by bike everyday and could talk for hours about surfing in the Dutch Carribean! In Antwerp, his favourite spot is Conscienceplein with the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk church and the library. He speaks Dutch, French, English, German, the Maastrichtian dialect and the Antwerp dialect.

Lisa

Meet our very own story enthusiast, half-Ghanaian and half-Dutch, and always on the lookout for a new tale to hear or tell! Born in Amsterdam, raised in Ghana, and now based in Belgium, she's traveled far and wide in search of captivating narratives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for media and entertainment, she's constantly on the lookout for intriguing stories to discover, analyze, and share with the world. So pull up a chair and get ready to be transported to far-off lands and otherworldly adventures. Our storyteller is here to take you on a wild ride!

Lena

Lena is a lover of all things second hand, and is slightly obsessed about her extensive vinyl and book collection. If you're lucky, you can see her rolling around in Antwerp. Compared to her multilingual colleagues she speaks only the very common languages of Dutch, French and English. She will do her best to understand your Spanish and Portuguese as well and when you let her know you speak Swahili or Badjou she will (too) proudly display her 3-word knowledge. (Jambo! Habari gani? – Mbeya Mbeya Mbou!)

the insiders.

These are the Insiders who will be available 24/7 and know everything there is to know about the neighbourhood. All our insiders are actually from the neighbourhood. So whether you’re looking for the most romantic restaurant on the block or the best place to buy gifts for the home front, all you have to do is ask.

Dascha

Dascha speaks Dutch, English, Russian and Ukrainian and the spontaneous woman that she is, you’ll have poured out your heart to her without even noticing it. She’s lived everywhere, from Ukraine to London and Antwerp, scouring the continent for beautiful vintage goods. With a long history in fashion, she now runs her own business selling only the most qualitative and aesthetically pleasing vintage clothing, accessories and furniture. When she’s not at the hotel, she’s either photographing her found treasures or her cute dog Jaap, the funniest little teckel that loves himself a good carrot.

Eric

Eric is an expert when it comes to the city of Diamonds! He is also a big foodie and will love to help you choose the best cafés and restaurants in the neighbourhood, around Theaterplein and Graanmarkt. Very sporty, he travels 45kms by bike everyday and could talk for hours about surfing in the Dutch Carribean! In Antwerp, his favourite spot is Conscienceplein with the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk church and the library. He speaks Dutch, French, English, German, the Maastrichtian dialect and the Antwerp dialect.

Lisa

Meet our very own story enthusiast, half-Ghanaian and half-Dutch, and always on the lookout for a new tale to hear or tell! Born in Amsterdam, raised in Ghana, and now based in Belgium, she's traveled far and wide in search of captivating narratives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for media and entertainment, she's constantly on the lookout for intriguing stories to discover, analyze, and share with the world. So pull up a chair and get ready to be transported to far-off lands and otherworldly adventures. Our storyteller is here to take you on a wild ride!

Lena

Lena is a lover of all things second hand, and is slightly obsessed about her extensive vinyl and book collection. If you're lucky, you can see her rolling around in Antwerp. Compared to her multilingual colleagues she speaks only the very common languages of Dutch, French and English. She will do her best to understand your Spanish and Portuguese as well and when you let her know you speak Swahili or Badjou she will (too) proudly display her 3-word knowledge. (Jambo! Habari gani? – Mbeya Mbeya Mbou!)

  • Amsterdam.
  • YAYS Amsterdam Vondelpark by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam Maritime by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam Prince Island by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam Salthouse Canal by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam North by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam Vondelpark by Numa
  • YAYS Amsterdam Maritime by Numa
  • YAYS Numa Amsterdam The Crane
  • YAYS Numa Amsterdam Docklands
  • YAYS Numa Amsterdam Oosterpark
  • YAYS Amsterdam East by Numa
  • Paris.
  • Paris Eiffel by YAYS
  • YAYS Paris Issy
  • The Hague.
  • YAYS The Hague Willemspark by Numa