Shopping in Antwerp
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Stadsfeestzaal
The 19th-century neoclassical architecture of this former city festival hall is jaw-dropping, particularly when viewed from the champagne-glass-shaped platform rising beneath its glass roof. It contains a shopping mall, but the building is the real star.
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International Magazine Store
The place for foreign and local newspapers and top-selling magazines.
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Diamond District
Immediately southwest of Centraal Station is the Diamond District. The first things most people see of this quarter are the gold and diamond shops newly located inside Centraal Station. Here you'll find people from all over the world, including plenty of newly engaged Brits (prices here average 30% lower than in UK High Sts) browsing the bright lights and gleaming displays.
But outside, it's a vastly different world. Orthodox Jewish men clad in distinctive black coats and hats shuffle around the lacklustre quarter, traders with briefcases handcuffed to their wrists hurry into diamond exchanges and armed guards keep watch over the little huddle of streets where multimillio…
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De Vagant Slijterij
After settling on your favourite flavour of jenever in the bar of the same name, head across the street to this slijterij (liquor shop) stocking more than 200 varieties. Its line-up of bottles of all shapes, colours and sizes resemble an old-fashioned pharmacy, reflecting jenever's original medicinal purpose.
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Het Modepaleis
Dries Van Noten is Belgium's commercial fashion leader. His colourful bohemian clothes are sold in more than 500 shops around the world, but buyers love his Antwerp flagship, Het Modepaleis. This headquarters and shop of Dries Van Noten is located in a distinct, 19th-century, domed building in the heart of St Andries.
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Verso
Fantastic location - an old bank building with a gorgeous stained-glass cupola - for this large boutique, which specialises in Italian designers, although there are also a few French names and one Belgian (Dirk Bikkembergs). Women's and men's collections, cosmetics and accessories, plus a hip café.
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Vrijdagmarkt
The city's oldest antique flea market has been operating on this square every Friday morning since the 16th century. Everything is sold by auction, with sales going down in fast guttural Flemish. Feel free to throw in an English bid if you see an irresistible antique - the dealers will readily accept it.
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Del Rey
A top-rate chocolate shop, located on the edge of the diamond district near Centraal Station. A mouth-watering assortment of pralines (filled chocolates), exquisite pastries and biscuits beckon from sumptuous displays. Sampling is done at the neighbouring degustation salon.
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Véronique Branquinho
Branquinho's classic tailoring for men and women has confirmed her reputation as one of the new generations of fashion academy graduates to pick up the baton and run with it. Black features heavily in her collections, with splashes of silver and gold.
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Burie
Famous artisan chocolaterie. For years this little shop has been known for the intricate marzipan and chocolate sculptures displayed in the window. Those after diamond-shaped chocolates or Antwerpse handjes will find them here.
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Huis A Boon
Staff at this 1884-established shop still slide forest-green leather boxes out from the oak shelves lining the walls, lifting the lid and unwrapping the tissue paper to show you the soft leather, kid and other delicate gloves nestled inside.
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Coccodrillo
No-frills shoe boutique that's an institution in Antwerp. Stocks big-name internationals as well as all the local designers, including Branquinho and Van Noten. A word of warning: Saturday afternoon's crowds make browsing hard.
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Walter
Antwerp Sixer Van Beirendonck now heads-up the fashion department at his alma mater around the corner, while displaying his outrageous menswear collections in this stark, gallery-like converted garage.
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Ann Demeulemeester
Demeulemeester's shop in 't Zuid stocks her complete line of men's and women's clothing. Despite occasional bursts of colour, her collections are usually monochrome based.
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Louis
Great introduction to various Belgian players, with collections by Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela, Jurgi Persoons, Véronique Branquinho and Raf Simons.
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Labels Inc
End-of-line designer wear - including pieces by Belgium's big names - are sold in this famous little backstreet boutique at prices that won't send you bankrupt.
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Copyright
Adjacent to the fashion museum, MoMu, this specialist bookshop stocks fashion, art and architecture tomes in a minimalist whitewashed space.
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Philip's Biscuits
Exclusive biscuit shop specialising in speculoos (cinnamon-flavoured biscuits) and peperkoek (honey cake).
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Vogelmarkt
Antwerp's principal food market takes over the huge square behind Het Paleis theatre every weekend. Saturday is the big day.
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Mekanik Strip
This superb comic-strip shop has a little art gallery upstairs, and has initiated Antwerp's own Comic Mural Route.
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FNAC
On 1st floor of the Grand Bazar shopping centre. All-round bookshop with a strong travel section.
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Rommelmarkt
Many a Sunday in Antwerp is spent trawling through the brocante Rommelmarkt, near the river.
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Brocante (Bric-a-Brac) Traders
Brocante (Bric-a-Brac) Traders have taken over Kloosterstraat and Oever.
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