By Europe Contributor, Maria Lucena Gomez. Maria is a dear friend and fellow foodie who lives in Belgium. We bonded in Brussels through our love of food and travel. She's a Venezuelan lawyer who has been living in Belgium for almost 15 years and working for an American multinational that takes her to the heartland quite often.

Pictured: The amazing city photographs and pretty candles sold at Jeff, my favorite affordable luxury concept store (Volkstraat 9, 2000, Antwerpen)

Start your day by arriving at the beautiful Antwerp Central Station (it was recently selected as The Most Beautiful Station In The World) and hit the streets right behind the commercial and popular Meir! You will be easily distracted by the sweet vanilla smell of Belgian waffles. No smell distinguishes more this tiny country than the smell of freshly-made yummy waffles. Heaven!
Walk through the South (Het Zuid), feel the breeze of the Schelde River and visit the Castle (Het Steen – Steenplein 1, 2000 Antwerpen) for a little bit of history. When you are hungry, go for one of the below, you will not be disappointed!

Where to eat in Antwerpen:

At Vis Bistro Mojo

Belgian classics: A wonderful Bouillabaisse at Vis Bistro Mojo (Kasteelpleinstraat 54, 2000 Antwerpen). Johan & Nuria run this bistro and food shop and they do so with a lot of passion for fresh products from the sea. You will find the freshest seafood in Belgium in this tiny bistro. You do need to reserve as it can get pretty crowded!
A gift of the sea: “vispannetje” (fish & seafood stew with yummy tiny North sea shrimps) at De Markt. You can shop at the market during the early hours then end up having a wonderful lunch at their terrace.
A classic “Stoofvlees” (beef & beer stew with hand peeled Belgian fries) at Home Brewery ‘T Pakhuis (Vlaamsekaai 76, 2000 Antwerpen). This dish is best eaten on a typical Belgian rainy wintery night!


Edgy:  This is certainly the prettiest hamburger I have ever eaten and it was oh so tasty! Te Kook (Vrijdagmarkt 7, 2000 Antwerpen) is a very innovative restaurant of French and Belgian cuisine with a modern twist. Pricey but absolutely worth it! Honest and innovative Matty (Brederodestraat 23, 2000 Antwerpen) and his wife Katrien offer light, creative 5 star cuisine at affordable prices. My favorite dish is the parmesan and fresh truffle risotto. To die for.

Josephine's Antwerp

Romantic Eats: I have never been disappointed by Josephine’s (Gentplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen). You can have the most amazing cocktails (I always want to be creative but boringly end up ordering their 5-star Mojito) rightly served by the best barman of this country. Their duck dish is so perfectly executed and presented! The decor is soft, candle-y and romantic, and they do have live Jazz most nights and a charming piano in the middle. What else could you ask for?
On a budget: 100 grams of garlicky black olives, a tiny pot of fresh humous, a couple of slices of freshly sliced Belgian ham and a warm Moroccan bread at one of the amazing market stalls at the Exotische Markt (Oudevaartplaats, Theatherplein en omgeving) on Saturdays from 07h00 until 15h00). This will cost you 7 Euro and if it is sunny I guarantee you an amazing meal and people watching!

The Jane, Antwerp

Decadence all the way: Splurge with the 4 -dishes menu at The Jane. Chef Sergio Hermann (my favorite Chef ever!) and Nick Bril are true artists of food making. Their dishes are locally sourced, pretty, harmonic and they scream creativity, passion for the job and flavor! Everything is out-of-this-world good but my favorite are the desserts (and their zesty foie gras and granny smith jus!). Look at this pretty strawberry creation! Mindblowing.

Maria with Chef Sergio Hermann

Drink: Have a cold Kwak beer at Pelgrom (Pelgrimstraat 15, 2000 Antwerpen). This middle age cellar is utterly amazing and off the beaten path. Go there for a romantic drink or for a fun beer night with friends! Ideal for after-dinner drinks is Het Elfde Gebod ("The eleventh commandment") (‪Torfbrug 10, 2000 Antwerpen). The religious décor of this bar is breathtaking and peaceful. Indulge with more specialty beers or their tasty fruit-flavored Jenevers.‬

At Comptoir

SEE/EXPERIENCE/SHOP If you are travelling with kids do not miss Antwerp’s Zoo (Koningin Astridplein 26, 2018 Antwerpen). It is in the middle of the city right next to the train station, a perfect combination for every member of the family. If you love art the Place To be is The MAS (Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen) Museum aan de Stroom (a landmark building between the city and the port). The current Display of Power exhibition about the world of prestige and symbols is captivating. For the fashionistas out there, do not miss the shops on the Schuttershofstraat for Wouters&Hendrix, my ultimate “affordable luxury” Antwerp jewelry designers. This city is beautiful for its diversity. I very much hope you can include it on your next Belgian stop. Enjoy the vibe of Antwerp, be curious, keep on traveleating!

Maria and I celebrating in Brussels, 2011

Thanks Maria for all the tips! It brought back some great memories of Belgium!
What's your favorite city in Belgium?

One of the best ways to discover a new destination is through its food.  A shot of soju at a restaurant in Seoul allows you to peek into Korean culture.  Whether it is biting into an Oliebol (Dutch doughnut) or indulging in Okinawan Yakisoba you get to explore deeper into your destination.  That being said, here are my tips on maximizing your experience (and your taste buds).



Oliebollen in Rotterdam at the Markthal

1.  Find out what's good before your fly:  Most destinations have a signature dish.  If you go to Brussels, you must eat the famous frites. My tip: Maison Antoine in Brussels. If you head to Annapolis you must have Maryland Crab. My tip: Cantler's, it’s quite busy in the summer (be prepared to wait an hour) but worth the visit!  Find out which culinary treasures your destination known for via the tourist board websites and local blogs. I still wonder who goes to Paris and eats at McDonald’s!

2.  Step away from the tourist hot spots:  It's easy to eat near the main squares where there are rows of restaurants and hostesses eager to get you into their eateries.  Some of the best restaurants I've found have been tucked away in an alley or a side street, such as L'Ange Gardien in the 20th arrondissment in Paris. The restaurant wine list specializes in small cellars across the South of France and has the best rice pudding I've ever had! Sometimes I've found the best restaurants just from walking around a random neighborhood.

Lunch at Mossel and Gin in Amsterdam

3.  Ask your hotel staff:  Many travelers automatically head to the concierge for foodie tips. I've received great recommendations from other staff members of hotels, from the front desk to the hotel manager. One of my most memorable meals of 2014 took place at a restaurant called Mossel & Gin in Amsterdam at the recommendation of WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam manager, Patrick. 

4.  Step away from your comfort zone:   Order items you don't have the time (or the skill) to make at home (like homemade pasta at Lupo Verde DC) or things that you usually don't eat. I've never been a fan of venison however, I decided to order it in Stockholm and it changed my opinion about the meat forever.  Tip: if you take the plunge and don't like the meal, most restaurants are understanding enough to exchange your order.

Caviar Topped Deviled Eggs at Maze by Gordon Ramsay at The London Hotel in NYC

5.  Do not underestimate the hotel restaurant:  Years ago, it seemed like a hotel restaurant was filled with lonely business travelers and mediocre meals.  Many hotels have hired top chefs to either consult on their menus or be executive chefs. For example, The London NYC Hotel has Maze by Gordon Ramsay which has an exquisite bar menu. Check out the hotel restaurant reviews on Yelp. Also, do not underestimate a hotel bar. The Hotel La Concha in San Juan has some of the best dancing on the weekends in Puerto Rico.

6.  Do not get turned off by a menu in a different language:  I actually get a warm and fuzzy when I see menus not published in English.  Usually it’s pretty indicative of a local spot. Most servers have working knowledge of English to guide you through a menu or if you are in a place off the radar, try Google Translate which also has a picture translate option. The photo part of the app is not 100% reliable but at least it translates key words. (Again, refer to tip #4)

Mixing with the locals: learning the Oktoberfest songs in German!

7.  Research tipping:  In the US, we're accustomed to tipping at a restaurant from 18-20% whereas in Europe a service charge is included in your meal and you can round up the bill or leave small bills. In Japan tipping is considered rude (I was once chased by a bartender at a club who returned my tip).  Tip: a handy resource: great tipping guide from Frommer's. 

8.  Research customs:  Are you dining with business associates or prospective clients? Research the local dining culture.  In Korea, it is common to order for a whole table and share the meal among your colleagues.  In Japan slurping your noodles is common and expected.  In the Western world, it is common to order individual meals.  In Belgium a waiter will ask you if the food was good and they expect a sincere response. 

Tacos in Mexico at the recommendation of a local blogger

9.  Explore Markets and Street Food:  Not only do farmer markets, food halls, and street food are a great way to explore the culture of your destination, but it’s usually an affordable dining option. One of my favorite places to head for street food in Puerto Rico is Pinones, less than a 10 minute drive from San Juan airport. The beach area is lined with food stands making delicious cod fritters, crab empanadas, and fresh coconut juice. You can have a meal for two for $10.  Some people are afraid of street food.  I have a strong stomach and never had problems eating at the markets in Thailand.  Unfortunately, my husband does not but he prepares for it. Tip:  If you are feeling adventurous, always make sure to pack Imodium in your toiletry bag!

10. Find foodie inspiration online:  Us foodie/travel bloggers do the homework for you, use us!  I discovered a great restaurant in Barcelona called Little Italy BCN via Instagram.  A friend of mine surprised his wife with a beautiful birthday brunch based on a review I wrote for Lavagna in Washington, DC.  In Europe, good Mexican restaurants are hard to come by. I had the best tacos in Mexico at Tacos Rigo thanks to the recommendation of Marginal Boundaries blog. On twitter, I found Primo 135 in New York City West Village. Not only was the food delicious, we loved the quaint neighborhood feel of the restaurant in such a large city. Tip: reach out to your favorite travel or food blogger via social media and ask them for recommendations. They usually respond!

Spicy Village NYC: A recommendation from a friend in NYC

11. Reviews: During my recent trip to Vienna, we wanted to have a traditional Wiener Schnitzel away from the tourist crowds (see tip #2).  Decided to test out Yelp in Austria and found a restaurant 10 minutes away from the hotel.  We knew we hit the jackpot when all the reviews were in German (use Google Translate app or in my case a German speaking husband). Also, Open Table allows you not only to make dinner reservations (they are currently expanding their international options) but you can also see reviews of the restaurant before you reserve.

12. Ask a Local:  If you are traveling for Business, ask your colleagues what’s the best café or restaurant.  I recall having the best mofongo (mashed fried plantains) in Santo Domingo at the recommendation of one of my local colleagues. Tip:  talk about your trip with your friends, they may have a friend or a family member would love to share their favorite spots.

Eating coconut in Ghana at a business dinner

13.  Enjoy:  To me, travel is about opening my eyes and palate to new things. It's to return from a trip and have lasting memories of a memorable meal whether it is cheese and champagne along the Seine or eating Korean street food in Seoul for dinner on my way home from work.  It is to go home to my parents in Western NY and cook mussels in white wine sauce from a recipe I learned in Brussels.  What are your Dining Traveler tips?  Tweet them to me via @diningtraveler for a chance to get mailed some culinary goodies! (Exp Mar 15^th)

  

Budapest is a city that I have been meaning to travel to for a while. A few years ago I actually had purchased a plane ticket to go there. The night before I was supposed to go, I fell terribly ill. I'm thinking the universe wanted me to go with someone truly special.  On our way to Austria, the Dutchman and I decided to take a short 48 hour trip to Budapest. Too short of a time to discover everything of this classically gorgeous city but enough time to leave a great impression.

View from our room at Hilton Budapest