De Markt

Wonderful place, perfectly located for a brunch, lunch, drink, tea or dinner with friends and family, just in front of MAS.
In Antwerp, on a Sunday, everything seems to be pretty much closed. But De Markt is open and full of life.
It’s nice to be able to walk around in the shop, check out the different counters and then, pick a table and eat.
It was maybe a bit noisy and the system for ordering was a bit complicated. But the staff was helpful and we managed to get our beers/​tea/​hot chocolate and cake all right. Special mention for the lemon-​meringue cake. Really Yummi!
Check out the entrance inside the port building (and the sister — fancier — restaurant just in front): nice renovation work and nice ambiance. Antwerp at its best.

Ok this one is going down in ENglish because I want everybody to be able to read it.
De Markt is GREAT. This is my one moment of the week that actually takes all my stress away and I just LOVE being here on a Sunday.
Firstly, it’s big yet cosy. They have a CARAVAN inside with colouring books and toys so you can just put your kids in there to play so the adults can finally talk to each other. Personally, I like meeting my friends with kids here, and we sit at a big table with all the parents. We give our kids a little something to eat and they can bugger off to the caravan.
THEN: I am a big coffee fan and I like my coffee top quality. So what did you think of NORMO coffee beans, roasted by my Saturday fav place Normo. At De Markt, you can drink it as french press, filter or if you’re not into slow coffee: espresso.
And oh my god the juices are fresh and full of vitamins, I prefer the one with carrots apple and ginger.
What I find very useful is that you can just walk over to the counter, order your food and pay in advance. When your order is done, they’ll call your name. When you’re done eating or your kids get annoying, you can just get up and leave. Since the place got busier they got each table a buzzer too.
Staff here is just a delight to be around.
Did I mention I love coming to this place?
Just don’t touch the table between the coffee bar and the counter on a Sunday, that is mine ;-)