Quick answer
Antwerp's street food scene is a delicious reflection of its multicultural identity. Beyond the legendary Belgian frites, you'll find Lebanese falafel shops with queues around the block, Surinamese roti counters serving the city's colonial culinary legacy, Vietnamese banh mi stalls in Chinatown, and historic bakeries perfecting sausage rolls for over a century.
- Best overall
- Frituur No. 1
- Top pick
- Frituur No. 1
Top verdicts
- Frituur No. 1: Authentic Belgian frites experience in the heart of Antwerp
- Falafel Sami: Vegetarians, falafel lovers, budget-conscious travelers
- Pita Faisal: Meat lovers seeking authentic shawarma and kebab
The city's compact center makes it easy to eat your way through multiple neighborhoods in an afternoon. Start in the historic center for classic frituren, head to the Borgerhout district for Middle Eastern flavors, explore Chinatown for Asian street food, and finish in the Zuid for Surinamese specialties.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frituur No. 1 | Belgian Frites | ||
| 2 | Falafel Sami | Middle Eastern | ||
| 3 | Pita Faisal | Middle Eastern | ||
| 4 | Balls & Glory | Belgian | ||
| 5 | De Broers van Julienne | Belgian Sandwiches | ||
| 6 | Goossens | Belgian Bakery | ||
| 7 | Tokoman | Surinamese | ||
| 8 | Banh Mi 42 | Vietnamese | ||
| 9 | Wok to Walk | Asian Fusion | ||
| 10 | Cafe Local | Belgian Snacks |
1Frituur No. 1
Belgian FritesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic Belgian frites experience in the heart of Antwerp
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian Frites
- Limitations
- Can have long queues during peak hours and weekends
- Why it made the list
- The quintessential Antwerp frituur. Perfectly crispy double-fried frites served in a paper cone with your choice of 20+ sauces. The stoofvleessaus (beef stew sauce) is legendary.
- What to order
- Large frites with stoofvleessaus or andalouse sauce
🕐 Opening hours
2Falafel Sami
Middle EasternQuick comparison
- Best for
- Vegetarians, falafel lovers, budget-conscious travelers
- Strengths
- Known for Middle Eastern
- Limitations
- Always a queue, limited seating, cash preferred
- Why it made the list
- The most famous falafel in Belgium. Freshly fried falafel balls stuffed into warm pita with tahini, pickles, and fresh vegetables. The queue is part of the experience.
- What to order
- Falafel pita with extra tahini and hot sauce
🕐 Opening hours
3Pita Faisal
Middle EasternQuick comparison
- Best for
- Meat lovers seeking authentic shawarma and kebab
- Strengths
- Known for Middle Eastern
- Limitations
- Further from city center, mostly takeaway
- Why it made the list
- A Borgerhout institution for shawarma and kebab. Known for perfectly spiced meat, fresh-baked pita, and generous portions that will fill you up for hours.
- What to order
- Mixed shawarma pita with garlic sauce
4Balls & Glory
BelgianQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Belgian comfort food with vegetarian options
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian
- Limitations
- Slightly higher price point, can be busy at lunch
- Why it made the list
- Belgian meatballs elevated to an art form. Each ball is handmade with seasonal ingredients and served with stoofvlees (beef stew) or tomato sauce. Great vegetarian options too.
- What to order
- Chef's special ball with stoofvlees and mash
🕐 Opening hours
5De Broers van Julienne
Belgian SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Lunch seekers wanting elevated sandwiches with local ingredients
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian Sandwiches
- Limitations
- Small space, popular with office workers at lunch
- Why it made the list
- Gourmet sandwiches using locally-sourced ingredients on house-baked bread. The brothers focus on quality over quantity — limited menu, perfect execution.
- What to order
- Daily special sandwich or pulled pork
🕐 Opening hours
6Goossens
Belgian BakeryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Breakfast, snacks, or experiencing 140 years of Antwerp baking tradition
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian Bakery
- Limitations
- Popular items sell out early, limited seating
- Why it made the list
- A historic bakery since 1884, famous for its worstenbrood (sausage roll) and vlaai (fruit tarts). The worstenbrood is a must-try Antwerp institution.
- What to order
- Worstenbrood (warm if possible) and any seasonal vlaai
🕐 Opening hours
7Tokoman
SurinameseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Adventurous eaters seeking unique Surinamese-Dutch colonial cuisine
- Strengths
- Known for Surinamese
- Limitations
- Unfamiliar cuisine for some, limited seating
- Why it made the list
- The best Surinamese street food in Antwerp. Roti with curry chicken, broodje pom, and bara — flavors you won't find anywhere else in Belgium.
- What to order
- Roti chicken or broodje pom for first-timers
8Banh Mi 42
VietnameseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quick, fresh lunch with Southeast Asian flavors
- Strengths
- Known for Vietnamese
- Limitations
- Small shop, mostly takeaway, can sell out
- Why it made the list
- Fresh Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches in Antwerp's Chinatown. Crusty baguette, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and your choice of protein — simple and satisfying.
- What to order
- Classic banh mi thit (pork) or combination
🕐 Opening hours
9Wok to Walk
Asian FusionQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quick, customizable meal while shopping on the Meir
- Strengths
- Known for Asian Fusion
- Limitations
- Chain restaurant, can be crowded during shopping hours
- Why it made the list
- Build-your-own stir-fry cooked fresh in front of you. Choose your base, protein, vegetables, and sauce — ready in minutes, perfect for a quick shopping district meal.
- What to order
- Egg noodles with chicken, vegetables, and teriyaki sauce
🕐 Opening hours
10Cafe Local
Belgian SnacksQuick comparison
- Best for
- Belgian snacks and beer in a trendy neighborhood setting
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian Snacks
- Limitations
- More of a cafe than pure street food, pricier than frituren
- Why it made the list
- A trendy Zuid cafe with excellent Belgian snacks — croquettes, bitterballen, and cheese platters. Perfect for a late afternoon bite with a Belgian beer.
- What to order
- Garnaal croquetten with a local beer
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous street food in Antwerp?
Belgian frites (fries) are the most iconic street food in Antwerp. Served in a paper cone with a variety of sauces like mayonnaise, andalouse, or stoofvleessaus (beef stew sauce), they're a must-try. Frituur No. 1 near Grote Markt is considered one of the best spots for authentic Belgian frites.
Where is the best area for street food in Antwerp?
The historic center around Grote Markt and Groenplaats offers classic Belgian street food. For more diverse international options, head to the Chinatown area near Van Wesenbekestraat or the multicultural neighborhoods around Turnhoutsebaan and Borgerhout for Middle Eastern and Surinamese food.
How much does street food cost in Antwerp?
Street food in Antwerp is very affordable. A portion of frites costs around 3-5 euros. Falafel or pita wraps run 5-8 euros. Banh mi sandwiches are 6-8 euros. Most filling street food meals can be had for under 10 euros, making it one of the best budget eating options in the city.
What is Surinamese street food and where can I find it in Antwerp?
Surinamese cuisine is a Dutch colonial legacy featuring Caribbean-Indonesian-Indian fusion. Popular dishes include roti (flatbread with curry), broodje pom (sandwich with chicken and root vegetable), and bara (savory fried dough). Tokoman in the Zuid district is the go-to spot for authentic Surinamese street food in Antwerp.
Are there vegetarian street food options in Antwerp?
Yes, Antwerp has excellent vegetarian street food. Falafel Sami is famous for its vegetarian falafel wraps. Most frituren offer veggie burgers and cheese croquettes. Balls & Glory has vegetarian meatball options, and the Vietnamese banh mi stalls often have tofu options.
What are typical Belgian sauces served with frites?
Belgians take their sauce seriously. Classic options include: mayonnaise (the default), andalouse (mayo with tomato and peppers), samurai (spicy mayo), tartare (mayo with pickles and capers), and stoofvleessaus (rich beef stew gravy). Most frituren offer 15+ sauce options for around 0.50-1 euro extra.
What time are street food spots open in Antwerp?
Most frituren and traditional street food spots open around 11:00-12:00 and stay open until 22:00-23:00, with some late-night spots open until 02:00 on weekends. Bakeries like Goossens open early around 07:00. Sunday hours are often reduced, with some spots closed entirely.
Is street food in Antwerp safe to eat?
Yes, Belgian food safety standards are high, and street food in Antwerp is very safe. All vendors are regularly inspected. Look for busy spots with high turnover for the freshest food. The most popular frituren and falafel shops often have queues, which is a good sign of quality and freshness.