Our Favourites of Antwerpen Proeft 2026
Discover Antwerpen Proeft, a culinary party with something for everyone!
From lobster with preserved lemon to Peruvian ceviche and Brussels waffles topped with whipped cream, the long Ascension weekend once again revolved entirely around great food at Antwerpen Proeft (Antwerp Tastes). From Thursday 14 May through Sunday 17 May, chefs, food lovers and some of the country’s top culinary names gathered at Waagnatie for the 18th edition of the food festival. Naturally, Eat in Antwerp made its way to Eilandje to sample as much as possible, and trust us, we left with full stomachs and a long list of new favourites.
Two Filled Halls
What once started as a small-scale food festival has grown into a staple of Antwerp’s culinary scene. This year, Antwerpen Proeft raised the bar yet again, filling two halls with restaurants, gourmet producers, Michelin-starred chefs and emerging talent. In total, 48 exhibitors took part, with half of them joining the festival for the very first time. From refined fine dining to street food and comforting classics, there was something new to discover around every corner.
Some of Belgium’s biggest culinary names were also present. Visitors once again had the chance to taste creations by Wout Bru, Thomas Diepersloot and Nathan Van Echelpoel. Extra special: Het Gebaar, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant by Roger van Damme, made a special one-time comeback exclusively for the festival, nearly a year after its permanent closure.
Our Favourite Flavours
We made our way from stand to stand, tasting as much as we could along the way. One of the undeniable highlights came from L’Air du Temps. Chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre served an elegant combination of lobster, meadowsweet yoghurt mousse, satay and preserved lemon. Fresh, unexpected and beautifully balanced, it was the kind of dish you immediately want a second serving of.
The Peruvian flavours at Aromas de los Andes also left a lasting impression. Their nikkei ceviche paired fresh tuna with an Asian-inspired leche de tigre, avocado, cucumber, crispy nori and salmon roe. Colourful, vibrant and packed with fresh flavours, it captured the festival atmosphere perfectly.
North Sea Fish, Wagyu and Truffle
Fish lovers were definitely in the right place at Antwerpen Proeft. At Studio Hiel, we enjoyed a tasty brioche bun with North Sea plaice, kimchi mayonnaise and a fresh salad. Their bouillabaisse with turbot and weever fish was another favourite.
Prefer meat instead? Then the wagyu carpaccio from Wagyu District was a perfect choice. Combined with homemade truffle mayonnaise and Grana Padano, it was pure comfort on a plate.
De Sonne knew how to impress as well, with a sophisticated combination of scallop, pork belly, vichyssoise, preserved leek and fresh truffle. Comfort food on a gastronomic level.
Sweet Finish
No food festival is complete without dessert, of course. For a sweet ending, we headed to Atelier Roger van Damme. Their Brussels waffle with whipped cream was wonderfully light, perfectly golden and exactly what you would expect from master pastry chef Roger van Damme. Simple, classic and absolutely delicious.
With full stomachs, plenty of new favourites and already looking forward to next year, we left Waagnatie completely satisfied. One thing is certain: Antwerpen Proeft remains the perfect place to take a culinary trip around the world in just one weekend, without ever leaving the city. We’re already counting down to the next edition!
