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Antwerpse Handjes

Antwerpse Handjes have been a local culinary speciality since 1934. These chocolates or biscuits, with or without marzipan filling dipped in Elixir d’Anvers, are made in the shape of a hand and refer to the legend of Silvius Brabo and the giant Druoon Antigoon.

Mokatine

The confectionery shop Confiserie Roodthooft was founded in 1925 and makes its products in the heart of Antwerp. The best-known of these is the Mokatine, a hard coffee sweet that was developed in 1934. The distinctive packaging shape and the wrapper with an image of an Arab with a striped cloak are iconic features. Website:

Fries

Fries are an integral part of Belgium’s gastronomic heritage. Belgian fries are often called the world’s finest. Traditionally, they are sold in a paper cone or a cardboard tray with a large dollop of sauce on top. Vendors offer a very wide range of sauces and meat products. Antwerp also has a ‘ ’ on the Groenplaats above the famous Max fries shop.

Chocolate

Belgian chocolate is also world famous. Renowned chocolatiers who have set up shop in Antwerp include Burie, , Günther Watté, , and Del Rey.

Beer

De Koninck brewery brews the famous Bolleke (5.2%), De Koninck Triple d’Anvers (8%) and Wild Jo. Since October 2012, the brewery has belonged to the group of breweries around Duvel Moortgat, and cheesemaster Van Tricht (whose store was singled out as the best cheese shop in Europe by the Wall Street Journal) has housed a cheese ripening centre in the brewery. In the summer of 2015, De Koninck brewery opens a visitor centre. The brewing process, Belgian beer culture and beer tasting are central to this innovative beer experience centre. Websites: Huisbrouwerij ’t Pakhuis brews Antwerps Blond, Antwerps Bruin and Nen Bangelijke. Website:

or Seefbier is the name of a historic local beer from Antwerp. The Antwerp Brouw Compagnie brought it back onto the market in 2012. It is a cloudy blonde beer with a spicy kick.

Elixir d’Anvers

A digestive liqueur made of 32 plants and herbs, prepared according to a time-honoured tradition by the De Beukelaer distillery since 1863. Website:

Koffie Verheyen

Crazy though it may sound, coffee is definitely a regional product, in the sense that roasting methods vary from region to region. The Antwerp coffee Amberes made by Koffie Verheyen from Deurne is typical of the local coffee preference. This coffee is made up of South American and African coffee types including Maragogype, Costa Rica Tarazu, Guatemala Antigua, Zimbab­we Chïhosa, Sulawesi Makassar, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Nicaragua Las Brisas, Santos Fancy Screen and 3% Robusta Flores. Website:

GingerLove

GingerLove ginger tea originated in the vegetarian restaurant Lombardia. It has quickly become a huge success. Website: