Au Vieux Port

The story

Au Vieux Port, French Fine Dining at the Antwerp Marina

Au Vieux Port is a French restaurant at Napelsstraat 130 in Antwerp, on the Eilandje by the marina, and Gault&Millau scored it 14.5 in 2026. It has been open since 2007 and sticks to classic French cooking, with several dishes finished in the dining room.

A Parisian bistro by the marina

Gault&Millau calls it an elegant, chic brasserie with the atmosphere of a Parisian bistro, and some of the decor really did come from Paris. The restaurant bills itself as Antwerp's Frenchiest, and the old-school menu backs that up.

Classics, some finished at the table

Chef Stijn Havermans has spent years cooking the French canon properly. The Canard à la Rouennaisse is partly prepared at your table by Maître Tom Schoonbaert on an authentic duck press, and it is best ordered ahead. Seasonal plates include pheasant 'Fine Champagne' and hare saddle 'Arlequin'. Eel in green herbs and black-legged chicken from the Landes appear through the year, along with a Tarte au Boudin Basque. Dessert might be crêpes Suzette or a Dame Blanche.

A cellar led by Bordeaux and Burgundy

Owner and Wine Director Serge Verboven put the wine list together. Bordeaux and Burgundy form its core, and Italy and Spain are well represented. The sommelier pours several wines by the glass and helps with choices. Wine Spectator gave the list its Award of Excellence in 2022 and upgraded it to Best of Award of Excellence in 2023.