Antwerp Shopping Tips by Norali Top 5 Page for this destination

Antiques: Shops on Kloosterstraat and nearby Antiques Review

Until recently, I didn't find the need to advertize about antique places in Antwerp.

Thing is, some close friends were involved in antiques shopping while spending summer holidays in Belgium.

They asked me to lead them to Antwerp, for the antiques. Why Antwerp specifically? "Because", my friends replied, "Antwerp is a passage of the stolen antiques items from the UK (!)"... So, since they were into filling their newly built English-style cottage in Madagascar, they really wanted to go to Antwerp, expecting the prices to be lower there than anywhere else in Belgium, or was it the choice to be more varied ? Whatever... It was a French antiques magazine who gave them the hint.. so I tend to believe this would be helpful and accurate. Not because it is French, it's because it's an insider tip. :)

Kloosterstraat and surrounding are the places for that....

What to buy: No pain, no gain... Go strolling there, bargain, observe.. soak up the ambience. And if shopping is not your forte, you can always head to pubs to chilling out (or warm up).

What to pay: depends on what to buy :))

Directions: Kloosterstraat and surrounding, called the antiques district, if I recall it well...

Theme: Antiques

Chocolatier Burie: Antwerpian chocolate Chocolates Review

A nice one located Korte Gasthuisstraat.

Years ago, I discovered it while trying to escape from the main crowded path I walked in... Well, the gourmette me just discovered something that sounded delicious in windowdisplay: hazelnuts chocolate plaque. That was impressive but I was on diet... So I just looked at it and walked away... I bought some stuffs from the neighbouring shop instead... Delicious as well and safer for me... Discover what it was.

This time, I asked Dannie several times (I hope I was not too insisting haha) about this shop I didn't remember the name of... that sells chocolate... that I was remembering the hazelnut chocolate plaque... that was located off a main street I didn't remember the name either... Quite instantly, she guessed it: "Burie" she said...

I was wondering how she guessed it knowing there are many chocolatiers in Belgium... But when I was in front of the shop, I, too, recognized it straight away. How fun!

Hans Burie still produces chocolates according to the traditional standards. I would qualify his offer as the Antwerpian chocolate thinking it is his only shop in Belgium (Antwerpians, do correct me if I am wrong). I would associate Burie chocolate with Antwerp as I would do it with the city and De Koninck beer.

What to buy: Chocolate: especially diamond-shaped chocolate. Remember, like Brabo and his hand, Diamond is a feature of Antwerp.

Handmade masterworks with original and topical subjects that locals can admire quite regularly. Burie chocolates and windowdisplay are known for that.

Address: Korte gasthuisstraat 3

Theme: Food and Drink

Cloths, shoes, fashion: Belgian fashion Cloths, shoes, fashion Review

Window shopping is great in Antwerp.

Many styles ranging from international chain stores to more conceptual designer shops.

You would find the former in the Meir area. The designer shops, especially those of the 6 of Antwerp, are located in many parts of the city as well.

Ann Demeulemeester's, for instance, is located in the Fine Arts museum area (accross the Museum, in fact). Ooh! I missed the Dries Van Noten workshop. I am not sure it is open for visit, though... Well, not for the common people like me... But I guess if I were a loyal cliente of the Master, I would have easy access to visit the atelier.

What to buy: Belgian fashion. Look at next picture for that...
For info, check this
http://www.modenatie.com

To know about Vitrine 2003, a yearly fashion exhibition in Antwerp, check http://www.modenatie.com/FFI/ffi.html
It will be held from Sep. 9 to Sep. 21 2003.

International brands like Benetton, H&M

Address: Antwerp center

Theme: Women's Clothes

Cloths, shoes, fashion: Belgian fashion, a style Cloths, shoes, fashion Review

The entry of the Demeulemeester shop. No, I am not paid to show you this. I just love it. Above the shop, I noticed the setting and lighting of a place that I assumed was the workshop.

Funny enough, when I took this picture, one of salespeople saw my camera. Like if he was used to it, he just looked away to escape the shoot. Well, I was acting like the camera tourist, that time.

In Belgium, fashion is taken seriously. Mind you, there is even a Mode Museum, located Nationalestraat 28, Antwerp. Check website below.

It even has a guide that is periodically released. Check http://www.modenatie.com/FFI/ffi.html

What to buy: Original pieces from the Six of Antwerp, including Dies Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Martin Margiela, Walter Van Beirendonck.

Plus the younger generation. I am not one of those who are invited to fashion show but I could appreciate the works of Dries van Noten, Véronique Branquinho and Olivier Theyskens, for instance. But not fashionista enough to utter some technical comments on those original pieces. I just like some stuffs, that's enough, no?

Address: See website below to locate shops

Directions: Nationalestraat area 28 (Momu)

http://www.modenatie.com/FFI/ffi.html

Other Contact: http://www.modenatie.com/FFI/ffi

Theme: Women's Clothes

Website: http://www.momu.be

Delikatessen Oud Huis Dam: Tempting fruits stalls

Do I have to describe? Just click on the image to see it...

For me, it was one of my foundest memories of Antwerp since it is something I remembered from my first visit in Antwerp ten years ago.

At that time, I bought there some fresh, fleshy and juicy cherries. A bit expensive but really worth the price.

Years later, I was expecting to see this stall again, packed with fruits, vegetables, herbs... Looking at the picture, some jars and bottles on shelves to enable you to taste delicacies, pickles, jams... And I was not disappointed, it was there.

What to buy: fruits
pickles
oils - special vinegars
jams
pasta
cheese - cooked meats

What to pay: Since no bargaining, whatever they cost.

Address: Korte Gasthuisstraat

Directions: Near Burie chocolatier

Theme: Food and Drink

Wim Meeussen: Local jewelry designer Jewelry Review

I know.. I know..

Diamonds are the girls best friends.. And I won't disagree. Buy diamond there if you want. Antwerp is the world's diamond trading center, after all.

Besides, Antwerp houses jewelry designers' boutiques as well. Personnally, I would recommand those instead of those cold shops and chain stores that sell industrial jewelry series.

What to buy: I spotted here a ring a colleague used to wear. I've never been able to ask where she bought it (too shy at that time). I spent months searching for the ring or similar model in Brussels. In vain... and here I am, finding it in Antwerp. It seems that it was part of Wim Meeussen's works. Knowing that girl is from Antwerp area, I am quite sure she bought it here. Anyway, no worries. I found the model I used love.

What to pay: A nice and artfully designed silver ring at round 100 euro.

Address: Wim Meeussen - Wijngaardstraat 11

Directions: Narrow pedestrian street which connects the Grote Markt with Consciencepleintje.

Phone: 03 232 19 13

Theme: Jewelry

Website: http://www.wimmeeussen.be