Updated October 2026
For a first date in Antwerp, try Grand Café Horta, RAS (Restaurant Aan de Stroom), or MAS (Museum aan de Stroom). Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A first date in Antwerp is usually a drink on a terrace or in a café, planned a few days ahead and started on time. Splitting the bill is normal, and a walk along the river is never a bad idea.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from a free rooftop view at the MAS to dinner on the Scheldt quays, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
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Grand caféMeir (Hopland)€€All ages
A spacious grand café with an Art Nouveau hall above it, open all day, every day from breakfast until 22:00. Walk in for a coffee, a glass of champagne or a cocktail; elegant without feeling stiff.
Hopland 2, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
RestaurantScheldt quays€€€30s
A restaurant in a striking building right on the river Scheldt, open daily from 9:00, with big windows over the water. Lovely for a sunset drink or dinner after a walk along the quays.
Ernest Van Dijckkaai 37, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
Museum and viewpointEilandje€All ages
A red stone tower in the old docks whose walkway of escalators leads up to a free rooftop panorama over the city, port and river. Do the museum if you like, or just ride up for the view and continue to the bars of the Eilandje.
Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen · Walk-in
MuseumHet Zuid€€All ages
The fine arts museum, open daily, with Rubens and James Ensor as highlights, temporary exhibitions and a free audio tour in its app. Afterwards, Het Zuid's cafés and terraces are all around you.
Leopold de Waelplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
Photo museum and cinemaHet Zuid€All ages
The photography museum, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with a museum café and its own arthouse cinema. An exhibition and a film give you plenty to talk about over a drink.
Waalsekaai 47, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
Concert hallBorgerhout€€All ages
A historic cinema turned concert hall, with pop, indie, jazz and singer-songwriter shows almost every week. The atmosphere is warm and the tickets are fair, and Borgerhout has plenty of bars for a drink afterwards.
Turnhoutsebaan 286, 2140 Borgerhout · Takes bookings
MuseumOld town (Vrijdagmarkt)€All ages
The house and workshop of a famous printing family, with historic presses, libraries and a quiet inner courtyard. Calm and atmospheric, it suits a curious daytime date.
Vrijdagmarkt 22, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
ParkAntwerpen-Noord€All ages
A large park on a former railway yard, with wide lawns, play areas and old railway halls. Free and relaxed for a walk or a picnic, and the bars of the Dam and Seefhoek are close.
Park Spoor Noord, 2060 Antwerpen · Walk-in
Chocolate museumCentral Station€€All ages
A Belgian chocolate experience next to Central Station with 15 themed rooms and ten kinds of chocolate to taste, open every day and now with evening openings too. Playful, sweet and easy to talk through.
Koningin Astridplein 7, 2018 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
Music houseOld town (near the cathedral)€€40+
An intimate house for music, art, literature and food next to the cathedral, with small piano concerts and curated afternoons where snacks and a drink are often included. A cultured date with a personal touch.
Lijnwaadmarkt 3, 2000 Antwerpen · Takes bookings
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Pedestrian tunnelSint-Jansvliet and Linkeroever€All ages
A 572-metre pedestrian tunnel from the 1930s, more than 30 metres under the Scheldt, reached by original wooden escalators. Walk under the river to the left bank for the best view of the city skyline, then walk back.
Sint-Jansvliet, 2000 Antwerpen · Walk-in
Architecture walkZurenborg€All ages
A street of extravagant houses from around 1900, mixing Art Nouveau, neoclassical and other styles side by side. A free and surprising walk that ends nicely with a drink on the Dageraadplaats nearby.
Cogels-Osylei, 2600 Berchem · Walk-in
Popular places to meet people in Antwerp include Antwerp Language Exchange: Dutch Speaking Club at Peperfabriek (language exchange), Wolf Sharing Food Market Antwerp (food hall), and Stadsbrouwerij De Koninck (city brewery and events). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Grand Café Horta or RAS (Restaurant Aan de Stroom). Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Antwerp is number 104 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 3.3 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Antwerp is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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