Travel Guide: The Best Places to Shop in Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp has been synonymous with fashion since the Antwerp Six exploded into the fashion world in the eighties, and the undeniably cool city is worth at least a day trip should you find yourself in Belgium. Granted, a day will only allow you to scratch the surface of the city’s designers and shops, but if that’s all the time you’ve got I guarantee you’ll enjoy it – even if you don’t make a single purchase.

Michael and I spent a rainy Monday in the city in early October, which lent itself well to ducking into shops, but the conditions for taking photos were not ideal, which is why this post is quite image-light. After arriving and marveling at the beautiful train station, we set out on a shopping trail we’d mapped out in advance. As you begin to plan your own shopping day in Antwerp, it’s helpful to know that some stores are closed on Mondays, and most are closed on Sundays.

Here are the highlights from our visit, in directory form.

CLOTHING + SHOE SHOPPING IN ANTWERP

STAY Antwerp

“STAY” stands for “Style, Taste, and You,” and the shop does feel a bit like someone’s home… you know, the kind of place you might want to stay.

→STAY Antwerp // Nationalestraat 49, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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ACNE Studios

Yes, there are Acne stores all over the world, but the one on Lombardenvest in Antwerp is a nice, small, intimate shopping experience.

→ACNE Studios // Lombardenvest 42, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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VIER

Sneakerheads and high-end street-clothes addicts will appreciate the gear at VIER, which is admittedly way cooler than we are.

→VIER // Theodoor van Rijswijckplaats 4, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Lockwood Skateshop & Avenue Antwerp

After a visit to VIER, Lockwood Skateshop & Avenue Antwerp Store’s prices may feel a little more reasonable. Yes, they carry the sneakers you see everywhere, but they also carry a few other gems, too.

→Lockwood Skateshop & Avenue Antwerp // IJzerenwaag 3, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Ann Demeulemeester

We couldn’t leave Antwerp without visiting at least one showroom belonging to an Antwerp Six member. Walking into the Ann Demeulemeester store felt a bit like entering a church – the store was large, still, and quiet, except for the ethereal music playing.

→Ann Demeulemeester // Leopold de Waelplaats, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

SECONDHAND SHOPPING IN ANTWERP

Cities known for their fashion tend to have great secondhand shopping. The two stores listed below each featured carefully curated selections of designer pieces from past seasons at much more wallet-friendly prices.

ROsier 41

→ROsier 41 // Rosier 41, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Labels, Inc.

→Labels, Inc. // Nationalestraat 95, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

HOME + SPECIALTY SHOPPING IN ANTWERP

Moose in the City

Moose in the City carries a large selection of Scandinavian goods – clothing, yes, but many home goods and design items that are difficult to find outside of the Nordic region.

→Moose in the City // IJzerenwaag 10, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Sjokolat

Everyone knows that Belgium is famous for its chocolate, but rather than purchasing souvenirs from the grocery store or a tourist shop, we prefer to buy from small, artisan shops. You’ll find all of the classic flavors here, and even more surprising ones.

→Sjokolat // Hoogstraat 33, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Standaard Boekhandel

There are bookshops in many large cities, but this one had quite a good selection of comics to bring home – in many different languages – perfect for the little ones.

→Standaard Boekhandel // Multiple Locations

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN ANTWERP

You can’t shop all day after all – here are a few places to refuel!

Butchers Coffee

Butchers Coffee truly knows their beans, and the staff were quite excited to have non-locals venture in. Be sure to pick up a bag of beans to go.

→Butchers Coffee // Kasteelstraat 57, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Cuperus

Cuperus is ideal for the coffee vs. tea couple, as they carry a great selection of both. Sit in to enjoy your beverages, and then choose a tea from the wall to purchase by weight to bring home.

→Cuperus // Paardenmarkt 28, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

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Gillia Smiles + Pasta

Typically an empty restaurant is a bad sign, so we nearly turned away when we saw that Gillia (now closed) had no diners sitting at their tables. Thankfully, I’m happy to say that we were proven wrong. They take a DIY approach to dining, as you can create your own pasta bowls and you even pour your wine by the glass by yourself. Pro tip: don’t miss dessert.

→Gillia Smiles + Pasta // now closed

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If you could go shopping in any city in the world for the day, where would you go?

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The Best Places to Shop in Antwerp, Belgium