5 exceptional wine bars in Antwerp

Tawat has created a hip urban wine bar where he shares his deep love of wine. His favourite bottles hang from leather straps on a deep green wall. You can experiment with a wine from South Africa, Bulgaria or Serbia, along with a plate of sardines or some Korean beef gyoza.

This is a relaxed spot for a glass of wine where you can just drop in and grab a stool at the bar. It occupies a modest corner building that was once a Japanese restaurant. The old name has survived, along with hints of Japanese interior design. But it is now a place to meet up for a glass of organic wine and perhaps a bite to eat.

Maud and Marie-Charlot run this friendly local wine bar in Borgerhout. The young owners mainly stock organic wines. They also serve delicious snacks – made with vegetables grown on local farms – and sourdough loaves from Bloemberen. No reservations, just drop by, sit and relax.

Two brothers run this small space in the theatre district dedicated to Belgian wines. It has a modern interior with bare concrete walls and tiny round tables. Here they serve delicate local wines from emerging Flemish and Walloon vineyards along with interesting Belgian cheeses.

Ernst Aben transformed a building that was constructed over 170 years ago, originally intended to serve as a repository for books and provincial archives, into a captivating wine shop and bar. The interior is truly remarkable, boasting a stunning display of cast iron throughout. Aben's collection features wines sourced from all over the world, with a particular focus on smaller, boutique wineries. Het Archief also houses an establishment of Bakker Aldo who bakes authentic sourdough bread the slow way using nothing more than flour, salt and water.