Sir Anthony Van Dijck

In Antwerp, where bold statements are easy to find, Sir Anthony Van Dijck prefers confidence in a lower voice. A meal here pairs beautifully with a wander through Vlaeykensgang, the 16th century alleyway hidden between Hoogstraat and Oude Koornmarkt. After cobbles, courtyards and centuries of merchant city atmosphere, this dining room feels like the natural sequel.

The restaurant carries the name of Anthony van Dyck, Antwerp’s most internationally celebrated portrait painter after Rubens. Born in 1599, Van Dyck became court painter to Charles I of England and helped define how European elites wished to be seen: elegant, elongated, slightly superior. A fitting reference for a restaurant that understands posture, polish and timing.

Inside, expect tall rooms, classic mouldings, warm wood, mirrors and the sort of lighting that improves both complexion and conversation. It has the charm of old Antwerp bourgeois taste, generous rather than flashy. The kitchen follows Belgian French instincts with admirable discipline: fine fish, seasonal game, proper sauces, crisp fries, careful cuisson. This is pleasure built through technique, not smoke machines.

A good local detail: Antwerp once had hundreds of narrow passages and hidden gangs linking houses, workshops and warehouses. Vlaeykensgang is one of the rare survivors. Restaurants like Sir Anthony Van Dijck feel similar in spirit, preserving an urban culture that rewards curiosity over speed.