Discover Patisserie Lints, an Antwerp Favourite

Have you heard of Patisserie Lints? This warm, artisanal bakery and tearoom has been serving up delicious bread, chocolate and pastries for two generations. Time to go and try it for yourself!

Anyone looking for a good bakery in Antwerp has probably heard of Patisserie Lints. For 34 years, the Lints family has been a familiar name in the city. What started as a warm, artisanal bakery founded by Eddy and Kathleen has grown into a thriving family business, with the second generation now also at the helm.

We stopped by Patisserie Lints to taste some of their sweet and savoury creations.

A True Antwerp Family Business

Patisserie Lints was founded 34 years ago by Eddy and Kathleen. Today, their son Geoffrey and daughters Axelle and Celine are also involved in the business. Lints has therefore grown into a true second-generation family business. And Eddy? He is still actively involved, working with the same enthusiasm as ever.

That family spirit is easy to feel in the shop, too. A large team works every day on bread, pastries and chocolate, while customers come and go throughout the day. The result is a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with something interesting always happening around you.

From Bakery to Tearoom

If you think Lints is simply a bakery where you can get a loaf of bread or a pastry, think again. Around 13 years ago, the bakery added a tearoom, where you can now stop by for coffee, breakfast, lunch or dessert. Fancy an afternoon treat? At Lints, you can enjoy their delicious creations all day long. Take a seat and order something from the extensive menu or simply choose something delicious from the counter. Whichever you pick, it will be brought straight to your table.

Choosing, however, is easier said than done. The counter is packed with sandwiches, macarons, pastries, and desserts. There are also plenty of options for those who prefer to eat sugar-free, lactose-free or gluten-free.

Artisanal Craftmanship with a Creative Twist

One of the things that makes Lint so interesting is that its artisanal craftmanship is still very much part of the experience. Axelle, the daughter of Eddy and Kathleen, is a chocolatier and makes the chocolate herself. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of her at work through the window.

The family has certainly shown that they aren’t afraid to get creative with chocolate and pastry. In 2009, Eddy created a life-sized chocolate elephant to celebrate the birth of Kai-Mook at Antwerp Zoo. In 2023, Eddy and Axelle also collaborated on De Intrige, an artwork inspired by James Ensor. For the project, they used no fewer than 19,000 éclairs!

Lunch at Lints

Of course, we didn’t only visit Lints for the sweet treats. Our table was soon filled with a delicious Caesar salad made with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, Parmesan, garlic croutons and Parma ham crisps. We also tried the Croque Lints, made with cooked ham and young cheese.

Two fairly classic lunch choices, but always a good idea. The Caesar salad pleasantly surprised us: fresh, light and full of flavour. It’s the perfect way to start your lunch before moving on to something sweet. Because the pastries are still sitting there looking at you.

From Raspberry Pie to a Fresh Plum Tart

And then comes the most difficult part: deciding what to have for dessert. Among other things, we tried the raspberry pie, a classic pastry made with fresh raspberries, whipped cream and crème pâtissière. A fruity and creamy dessert where the fresh ingredients really shine through.

We also tasted the pistachio and raspberry clafoutis and the tart with fresh plums. Simple, flavourful, and wonderfully sweet. The latter also comes with a great story. Lints works with local vendors who can no longer sell their fruit, because, for example, it doesn’t look quite perfect. Rather than letting that fruit go to waste, the patisserie turns it into pastries and jams. So even a slightly imperfect plum gets a second chance.

Limoncello Tart, but with a Twist

One of the most eye-catching pastries is the limoncello tart. And no, there is no alcohol in it.

We can already hear you asking: “So how do they get that flavour?”. The answer may not be what you expect. To give the pastry its tangy, limoncello-like flavour, they use Limoncello tea, which is also served in the tearoom. They turn the tea into a syrup, which is then incorporated into the dessert. Regular sugar doesn’t make an appearance either: instead, they use Zùsto, a sweetener made from natural fibres.

The result is a fresh, summery pastry that is a little different from the classic cakes and pastries you’d normally expect to find at a bakery.

Patisserie Lints: A Hotspot for Your Instagram Feed

You know the feeling: you take one look at the counter and suddenly want to try everything. The pastries are colourful, the interior has a modern feel, and the counter is packed with treats that immediately catch your eye. From macarons and cakes to chocolate creations, you’ll probably have taken a photo before you’ve even had your first bite.

Whether you’re stopping by for lunch with friends, grabbing a coffee or simply craving something sweet, Lints has everything you need for a great stop and a couple of extra likes on your feed. So go and check out this Antwerp favourite before it goes completely viral!