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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ernest Bistro
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Features
CUISINES
Belgian, Seafood, European
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Digital Payments
Free Wifi
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Contribute
4.7
359 reviews
Excellent
267
Very good
76
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1
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Richard H
Maastricht41 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
Still able to reserve a spot at this nice and well-regarded restaurant in Antwerp on Saturday evening. A little further away than where the masses of people (and tourists) are, but close within walking distance of the Cathedral in Antwerp.
First of all, we received a nice and hospitable welcome upon arrival and then a nice table upstairs for two to sit down. We noticed that there is a nice atmosphere, all the staff do their work with a genuine smile and are attentive.
Good help in choosing food and drinks and even conjured up a wine that was not on the menu but was a perfect match with the mussels.
The food was tasty and more than sufficient and here too the staff is attentive and pays attention to the small details such as replacing a bowl of mussel shells that is almost full, offering any extras that were almost empty, etc.
Price/quality ratio is excellent and definitely recommended if you want to eat something in Antwerp. We will definitely go back there if we visit Antwerp again.
Thanks Ernesto and staff!
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DamianoNCL
Newcastle upon Tyne9 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
There is something lovely about not planning every detail of a trip so that every now and then you find a place that, by chance, despite the ‘Fully Booked’ note on the door, you still ask the front of house team if they can fit you in. I’m very pleased we did at Ernest; this place is excellent.
If you enjoy warm, sincere and friendly service, you’ll find it in abundance here. The team is competent and knowledgeable about not only the food on the menu but the local area and provenance of what in on the menu. The locally brewed beer recommendation was excellent.
The menu is concise and the food clearly very fresh. Mussels were exceptionally flavourful prepared with a ‘signature’ sauce. Lamb fillet cooked perfectly. The kitchen team here knows what it is doing and it shows on the plate.
Thank you again for a wonderful meal and experience.
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal11981786263
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • couples
Definitely recommended. Were unexpectedly looking for a brasserie. Made a reservation via “the fork” and was very pleasantly surprised. We took the suggestions (fish and skrei waterzooi) Super tasty and worth the price👌
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buckaroo52
New York City163 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
The space is a bit quirky (the tall waiters were constantly ducking under the low beams in the upstairs portion. I really liked the whole experience here. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was quiet with a large local component, the service very friendly and attentive, and it was not too pricey.
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert L
Breda830 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
What a pleasant surprise.
A place where you're really welcome.
Very welcoming staff.
Leuke ambiance. Really good food for a fair price.
We took a pâté duo that is really too much for one person. Good venison and boar pâté. Followed by pheasant for my wife and stew for me. Both very tasty and well prepared. The red house wine, Cabernet Savignon , good temperature and good quality.
Nice place in a historic building.
Absolutely recommended for those who want to eat well for a reasonable price.
Both for locals, tourists and business people.
Feel free to eat, you will be surprised
Automatically translated
Written 5 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate F
London331 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
What a lovely restaurant! Great food and great staff. There was no English translation on the menu but fortunately staff were wonderful at explaining everything. I had cheese balls as a starter (later discovering that these are a popular dish around here) then mussels, which I love and which were some of the best I've had for ages. Husband had oysters, which he also loves, followed by grilled fish. A really excellent meal.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephanie13008
22 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
Just perfect. We have been warmly welcomed by someone who also took the time to explain the menu in Engligh and to answer to our questions. If you are looking to taste traditional Belgian food in a cosy place for a very good price then do not hesitate
Written 4 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duck4360
Whitstable192 contributions
May 2022 • none
Arriving late on Friday night, we found many places close early but this bistro accepted a reservation for 8:45pm which we really appreciated. As others have said, the atmosphere is welcoming and the host has a wonderful banter that is infectious. The food is all expertly cooked ranging from the Belgian classics (for those wishing to go down memory lane) and up to date, modern concoctions with market-fresh ingredients. The house wine is excellent.
There was plenty on the menu that we did not get a chance to sample, but we're looking for an excuse to come back.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natacha H
Villepinte73 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
Friendly welcome but unfortunately not in French. The server was still very nice.
The atmosphere is pleasant in an old building in Antwerp.
Few tables so be careful when booking.
The "Ernest" mussels were very tasty and we discovered the Antwerp Triple, which was not insignificant :)
A good address to remember.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swedish14
West Molesey41 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
We spent our first evening in Antwerp at this fabulous little restaurant. The food, ambience and very friendly service were exceptional. I can highly recommend the beef tartare with truffle and the bisque, in fact everything tasted wonderful. It’s definitely the best place that we ate, out of the several restaurants we enjoyed.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IloveBBW
London36 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Really lovely bistro in central Antwerp not far from the Cathedral and Grote Markt. The food was outstanding with recommendations and advice from the helpful and friendly team on both the food and beer choices. It also has a nice atmosphere and is definitely somewhere I will return to on my next visit. Highly recommended.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles R
London123 contributions
May 2022 • none
What a great place. Lovely food given an extra lift by quite exceptional cheerful, informative service, translating explaining and recommending. Seasonal white asparagus with chopped egg, Flemish beef stew, rich and creamy rice pudding all enjoyable. Sorry we were not in Antwerp long enough to visit again.
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xenia S
Old Windsor16 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
After reading some other reviews we have booked a table in this small restaraunt for the dinner on our one night in Antwerp.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the meal. We had Brie croquettes starters, which was the best croquette I’ve ever had, then followed by a fish main course for me and meat main course for my husband - both dishes were on the current specials list and were really tasty, portions were good size too! There is good selection of local beers as well as wines.
The staff are very attentive and happy to explain any menu details in English , and give good and genuine recommendations.
Thank you for your hospitality! Will definitely be back next time we’re in Antwerp!!
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ed5978
Chatou132 contributions
Mar 2024 • solo
I had a great time in this restaurant. The very pleasant waiters explain the menu of the day to you. I enjoyed a starter of scallops and black pudding, original and very good, and a perfectly cooked fish waterzoï!
It was perfect, I recommend.
Written 22 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alain v
Zwalm39 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Stumbled upon this restaurant by chance, there are still 2 places available on Saturday evening!
What friendly service and detailed explanation of the menu.
And a delicious meal too!
Despite the touristy area, it is still highly recommended.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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