Quick answer
Antwerp's best frites, ranging from budget-friendly to gourmet, are a culinary highlight, with Frituur t'Stad standing out as a top recommendation for its authentic, classic experience. To truly savor the best, venture beyond the tourist hotspots and discover where the locals indulge in this Belgian staple. Antwerp, like all of Belgium, is renowned for its frites, but the quality can vary greatly between frituurs (fry shops).
- Best overall
- Frituur t'Stad
- Top pick
- Frituur t'Stad
Top verdicts
- Frituur t'Stad: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- Frites Atelier: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- Frituur De Smulpaep: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
Antwerp, like all of Belgium, runs on frites. But not all frituurs (fry shops) are created equal. The perfect Belgian frites are a work of art: double-fried for a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior, served in a paper cone with a generous dollop of sauce. Many spots are tourist traps selling mediocre fries. So where do the locals go?
Area map
All 7 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frituur t'Stad | restaurant | mid | Melkmarkt 1 |
| 2 | Frites Atelier | restaurant | mid | Korte Gasthuisstraat 32 |
| 3 | Frituur De Smulpaep | restaurant | mid | Varkensmarkt 2 |
| 4 | Frituur No. 1 | restaurant | mid | Hoogstraat 1 |
| 5 | Fritkot Max | restaurant | mid | Groenplaats 12 |
| 6 | Frituur 't Draakske | restaurant | mid | Drakenhoflaan 5, Borgerhout |
| 7 | Frituur De Jean | restaurant | mid | Ossenmarkt 29 |
1Frituur t'Stad
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Melkmarkt 1
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Melkmarkt 1
- Price / value
- €4–8
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frituur t'Stad is a featured pick in this guide.
2Frites Atelier
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Korte Gasthuisstraat 32
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Korte Gasthuisstraat 32
- Price / value
- €7–12
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frites Atelier is a featured pick in this guide.
3Frituur De Smulpaep
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Varkensmarkt 2
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Varkensmarkt 2
- Price / value
- €4–9
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frituur De Smulpaep is a featured pick in this guide.
4Frituur No. 1
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Hoogstraat 1
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Hoogstraat 1
- Price / value
- €5–10
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frituur No. 1 is a featured pick in this guide.
5Fritkot Max
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Groenplaats 12
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Groenplaats 12
- Price / value
- €4–8
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Fritkot Max is a featured pick in this guide.
6Frituur 't Draakske
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Drakenhoflaan 5, Borgerhout
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Drakenhoflaan 5, Borgerhout
- Price / value
- €4–9
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frituur 't Draakske is a featured pick in this guide.
7Frituur De Jean
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Restaurant in Ossenmarkt 29
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Ossenmarkt 29
- Price / value
- €4–8
- Why it made the list
- / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
- What to order
- Frituur De Jean is a featured pick in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Belgian and American fries?
Belgian frites are double-fried — first at low temp to cook through, then at high temp for crispness — and traditionally served in a paper cone with mayo. The result is fluffier inside with a sturdy exterior, distinct from thinner American fast-food fries.
What sauces do locals order with frites in Antwerp?
Mayonnaise is the most common, but locals often choose andalouse (a tomato-mayo with peppers), samurai (mayo with sambal), or cocktail sauce. Some shops offer 30+ sauces — pointing at a numbered photo board is normal.
How much should a cone of frites cost?
Expect €3–€4 for a standard small cone (klein) and €4.50–€6 for a large (groot). Sauces cost €0.50–€1 each. Frituurs (fry shacks) are cheaper than restaurants serving frites as a side.
Are frites stands open late?
Most frituurs close by 9–10 PM, but a few near nightlife areas (around Groenplaats, De Coninckplein) stay open until 1–2 AM on weekends. Check Google Maps for current hours since they vary.
Do any frituurs offer gluten-free or vegan options?
The fries themselves are usually vegan and gluten-free (cooked in beef fat at traditional shops, but many now use vegetable oil — ask). For sauces, ask for vegan mayo or stick to ketchup. Cross-contamination from breaded items is common.
Is it better to eat frites standing or sitting?
Standing at the counter or eating from the cone while walking is the local style. Most frituurs have only a small standing bar; full sit-down meals with frites are at brasseries, not stands. The cone-on-the-go experience is part of the tradition.
Are there vegetarian-friendly fry shops in Antwerp?
Yes — most modern frituurs cook in vegetable oil, but traditional shops still use beef fat (rundsvet) for that distinct flavor. Ask 'plantaardig olie?' (vegetable oil?) before ordering. Frietboutique and several newer spots commit to vegetable oil only.