Food Trucks in Antwerp | BBQ Cro-Magnon

When I go to a restaurant I always try to find a seat where I can look into the kitchen. I love seeing other people cook and especially the food I'm about to eat. That is what I love most about food markets, there is nothing to hide. Every truck has a restricted menu with its specialities, so chances are very high that you end up ordering something delicious. I have this strategy where I wander around for an hour or so to try out all the samples and then go back to the food truck that I fancied the most. I know that as a foodie I should try out more than one food truck and give you guys a review of the entire market, but I get fat too you know... So let's just break it up in a few visits.

diMANGE is a food market that I had been eyeing up for a while, but I never seemed to make it. After a few editions I finally decided to give it a try. I have to admit that it was quiet disappointing, but you can't expect every food market to be like London's Borough Market, right? It was quiet small and there were a few stands that didn't appeal to me. They incorporated bigger brands such as Hellofresh. I hate it when people come up to you and try to sell you things, it makes me so uncomfortable. It took away some of the character and coziness. However, there were other food trucks that I did like and I am very happy with my delicious pulled pork sandwich.

The food truck I picked out is called BBQ Cro-Magnon, and I think they only had three sandwiches on their menu. One with beef, one with pork and a vegetarian option. I rarely have pulled pork, but I love it and was more than happy to give theirs a try. Behind the food truck stood a giant bbq where they prepare your meat. The owners were very kind which makes their food taste even better. They served the pulled pork in a sandwich that we call "een tijgerpistoleeke" with some coleslaw and a delicious sweet sauce. As you can tell by the pictures, I have truly enjoyed this messy meal. 

Although I was kind of disappointed with the market, I will definitely go back to diMANGE to give it another chance and try out that pizza food truck that caught my eye. 

Thank you to my lovely sister for taking all the beautiful pictures while my hands were frozen and covered in sauce. Check out her instagram page HERE .

BBG Cro-Magnon: http://www.cro-magnon.be/

diMANGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1056838297709435/

Lunch in Antwerp | Mokkakapot

Mokkakapot might be one of the most colourful places in Antwerp. Although it's quite near to where I live, I had only been there a few times before.

I got bored of the having lunch at home. Although I think of myself as the master of hummus-making, I decided it was time to go and eat someone else's hummus elsewhere. I hopped on my bike and headed over to Mokkakapot. 

About the interior... 
As I said before, VERY colourful. It's a challenge to pick a table, because they're all so cute. You can sit at a large wooden table together with other people or at one of the vintage-school desks. 

About the food...
I had a very hard time ordering only one thing of the menu. And this time it wasn't because I couldn't decide whether I was going to pick something healthy or not. I couldn't decide between one healthy thing and another healthy thing. There's a first time for everything they say... In the end I decided to go for the sandwich with hummus, beetroot, mint leaves, sesame seeds and honey. Hmmm... I'm craving one right now!

About the drinks...
I'm trying to drink less milk so I went with a regular coffee, which I normally find boring and a little too strong, but I have to say that I truly enjoyed this one! And it was not only due the pretty glass it came in...

I highly recommend you to go to Mokkakapot. You're missing out if you don't!

x Jeanneke

Coffee in Antwerp | Normo

I felt kind of stupid asking the people from Normo if I could write about them on my blog. Most of the time I write about places that are not that known. Normo is very popular and I doubt that my little blog with its few readers will make them even more successful, but I thought "what the heck". It's so damn good, cool and cosy that I felt like writing about it. The people who work there are so nice and the coffee is so good that I just couldn't risk any tourist to miss out just because I was too shy to ask them if I could take some pictures.

Normo is very well located. It's near the city center and close to the university and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts which makes it very tempting to stop by and grab a coffee after a long day of shopping or a long day at uni. I had a delicious latté and my friend went with a flat white. They also have their own brand, so if you're lazy and don't feel like going out for a coffee everyday you can simply purchase a bag of their delicious Normo coffee and do it yourself at home. 

Apart from the location, coffee and people that work there, I also love the interior. If you love the cofeebars in London and New York, but can't afford to go there every weekend, you should definitely try out Normo. There are many ways to sip your coffee at Normo; you can sit on one of the benches outside and enjoy the sun, do some work on the large wooden table, sit on a high chair staring out of the window, have a talk with your friend at a marble table or enjoy a good book in one of their sofas. 

I haven't tried their cakes and pies yet, but I'll do that once I've lost that extra christmas weight.

Let me know if you are planning on visiting Normo, or if you've already been... Let me know what you think.

X Jeanneke

NORMO
Minderbroedersrui 30, 2000 Antwerp
http://www.normocoffee.be/

Breakfast in Antwerp | Koek & Zopie

Before I went to university, I used to pass by Koek & Zopie twice a day on my way to school and back. So that means I've passed this lovely cafe a billion times without going inside. If only I knew back then what I was missing. I'm talking beautiful interior, great menu, pleasant staff, and delicious breakfasts!

I could've gone for the yoghourt and granola, but I thought I'd go all the way and order me some french toast with clotted cream, mint and berries. When my plate arrived it almost screamed "made-with-love"! I loved how the thick slices of bread seemed to be of a very good quality with beautiful poppy seeds on the crust. I always try to get a little piece of every single ingredient on my fork, so that all the flavours unite and my tastebuds can have a little party. First a berry, then a piece of french toast topped with a spoonful of clotted cream and lastly a bit of mint which gives you that fresh taste. 

I ordered a cappuccino to warm me up a little, and it came on this wooden tray which made my cappuccino taste even better. I'm not that person that thinks you eat with your eyes and presentation is everything, but I have to admit that everything looks better on a wooden chopping bord, tray or table. I can't wait to go back and try something else, because literally everything on their menu screamed my name. 

Breakfast in Antwerp | Coffeelabs

I don't really dare to say that I'm creating a little guide about breakfast in Antwerp, because as soon as I try to commit to something I give up. But I have to admit that I love writing these articles! 
I feel like tourists always seem to get lost without even knowing they're lost. I mean that they think they've seen Antwerp, but in fact they haven't seen anything. You won't find treasures "op de Meir" or "rond de Grote Markt". Don't get me wrong; I do love our waffles, chocolate and fries, but the real good and cozy places are a little bit hidden. Tourists or maybe even people who live in Antwerp probably have been only 20 meters away from Coffeelabs without even knowing it's there. 

Coffeelabs is a place where you can go for breakfast, lunch, sweets or drinks. They're mostly known for a place to go when you feel like taking things out of the office. You'll see many laptops and Iphones there, but also people reading books (like me) or friends getting together. 

They've got a pretty big breakfast menu and I can't wait to try everything out! This time however, I asked the lady, who very kindly served me, what the best thing on the menu was, to make sure that it'd be worth telling you guys about. She told me that the cappuccino and the avocado on toast were the best selling breakfasts. I obviously ordered what she recommended and even though I have a major sweet tooth in the morning, I really enjoyed this healthy breakfast. She even served my cappuccino together with my toast, so that I could take pictures without my cappuccino getting cold! 
The next time I go there I will probably try something else (sweeter) like their granola, vegan scones or french toast!

In summer, Coffeelabs is located on the top floor with a rooftop terrace. Now that it's getting colder they've moved downstairs and I have to say that I like this location better. It's so cosy!

So if you ever find yourself with a hungry stomach on the Meir, think about the little side streets!

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeelabsAntwerp/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/coffeelabs_antwerp/

Breakfast in Antwerp | Loes & Krikke Express

As I told you in my previous post; many nice restaurants and coffeeshops have recently opened their doors in Borgerhout. I love how I can go for a nice breakfast only five minutes away from me. Today my friend and I went to Loes & Krikke Express. I've been there quite a few times for a coffee, but I was always drooling over the granola they served. Today I finally decided to go and try one. We set ourselves by the window and enjoyed our granola, hot chocolate (with real melted chocolate), flat white and not to forget that little piece of brownie that comes with your drink. It's even worth just going there for that little piece of brownie you get. It's the best ever! The people who work there are very nice, and it's fun to watch all the people who sit there with their children before dropping them of to school or after picking them up. 

Everything is also very reasonable priced! I paid €7,50 for my sweet hot chocolate and big and beautifully served granola. 

They also serve spelt sandwiches, salads, brownies and other sweet goodness. There's also a small range of chocolate, coffee, postcards and little notebooks for sale. I really love this place and I think you should definitely pay a visit even if you're not in the neighborhood. 

Some of the pictures were taken by me, but the best ones are Renée's work. Check out her website here: http://reneevanzadelhoffphotography.tumblr.com/

    

Lunch in Antwerp | Perruche

Friends are those who ask you over brunch if you're willing to have dinner with them. Friends are those who photograph your food because you're too awkward to do it yourself. A friend is Oona. Check out her website for more of her lovely work!

Let's talk about Perruche, one of the many places you'll find me sipping coffee.
Perruche might be one of the most popular bars in Antwerp for sandwiches, coffee and homemade lemonades. On saturdays their terrace is crowded with people who just finished shopping at the 'Vogeltjesmarkt' down the street. 
Oona and I both went for a sandwich with goat cheese, beetroot and homemade chutney. It was de-li-ci-ous. 

Another thing to love about Perruche is that it isn't only a coffeebar, but they also serve wine, cava and other lovely drinks. In fact, after I graduated I want straight to Perruche for a glass of cava. We leant our backs against their window, closed our eyes and enjoyed the sun. 

So why Perruche?

Sandwiches, coffee, lemonades, wine, cava, sun, flowers and most of all very friendly waitresses!