Antwerp’s gastronomy loving crowd will once again gather during the Ascension weekend of 2026, when Antwerpen Proeft (Antwerp Tastes) returns to Waagnatie Expo & Events from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 May 2026. 

Following a record-breaking edition in 2025, marked by packed halls, sold-out signature dishes and an exceptional chef line-up, the festival now unveils the first 25 of the 45 restaurants and top culinary specialists set to appear next year, the newsletter says.

The selection includes talented newcomers alongside names featured in Michelin, Gault&Millau and Fooding.

Fine dining, international talent and a strong Antwerp presence define this first wave of names. Michelin-starred Nathan by Nathan Van Echelpoel returns, combining modern French fine dining with three Gault&Millau toques, while Arrikiiati by Giorgio Longo brings a refined Italian-Sicilian style, also praised in Gault&Millau and Fooding. Cannolo will showcase authentic Sicilian desserts and street food, and Tratt., another new entrant, pays tribute to Sicilian cooking.

Mediterranean and European influences are well represented with In de Balans by Gennaro Miccio, Restaurant Bar Riga by Daniele Russomanno, and Bacchus by Michiel Daeseleire – new to the festival and known for Belgian-French dishes and a Taste of the World presence at Tomorrowland. 

Da Costa, led by David da Costa, offers fine-dining fusion with Indonesian roots, while Bast from Bornem blends French and Belgian cuisine in a food-sharing concept.

Wagyu

Wagyu plays a key role this year as well: MEY by Timothy Tynes, a wagyu steakhouse inspired by South American and Persian flavours, joins the list with two Gault&Millau toques. His previous restaurant, Atelier Maple, received both a Michelin mention and three toques. 

Wagyu District, run by master butchers, also makes an appearance. Nakazu by Ayt Ems — new to Antwerpen Proeft — enters with Franco-Japanese fine dining, following past Michelin recognition for the chef’s earlier restaurant, Blanc.

Global

Global flavours broaden the culinary spectrum further. J’Ami introduces Georgian cuisine with a food-sharing concept, while Dabba King brings Southeast-Indian flavours and arrives at the festival for the first time, already known to the city’s food lovers through its owners’ popular seafood restaurants Fiskebar and Fiskeskur. 

Beni Falafel represents Middle-Eastern tradition with roots stretching back to 1968, while De Arme Duivel and De Mezzanine celebrate Flemish heritage cooking. C’est Moi from Van der Valk Park Lane Antwerp enters as a newcomer with creative French dishes under young chef Dylan Sevenans.

International newcomers

International newcomers continue with Vicenza, serving Italian cuisine inspired by Angelo and Carol Conticello, and Aromas de los Andes by Sara Carrillo from Kalmthout, showcasing Peruvian, chifa and nikkei creations. 

Casa La Qia brings Spanish creativity, Gursha introduces Ethiopian specialties, and Si Bon presents Lebanese cuisine with a Tomorrowland connection. 

Among the pastry greats, DelRey returns, joined by Patisserie Willem Verlooy from Antwerp and Oevel.

Online ticket sales

Online ticket sales for Antwerpen Proeft 2026 begin on Saturday 29 November 2025 at 12:00. 

Tickets are priced at €12 until 15 January. Visitors gain access to the full line-up of 45 restaurants as well as cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and tastings at the ATAG Live Stage. Weber will host BBQ workshops, guests may win one of twenty-five free dinners for two, and each visitor receives a complimentary Bru drink on arrival.

Charity partner

Child Focus will again serve as the official charity partner in 2026. Those purchasing tickets online are invited to donate an amount of their choice – starting at just €1 – to support the organisation. 

As Child Focus receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on public contributions, Antwerpen Proeft encourages visitors to donate during checkout or visit the Child Focus stand during the event. 

Every contribution matters — and every contribution helps.

Restaurant and dining reviews

• ROME | Afternoon tea at Hotel Hassler Roma on top of the Spanish Steps.
• REVIEW | Restaurante Matiz, Málaga.
• REVIEW | Le Monument restaurant in Porto.
• VANCOUVER | St. Lawrence Restaurant.
• REVIEW | Michelin-star restaurant Hytra in Athens.
• MONTREAL | Dining solo at Monarque felt like being part of a tv show.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Fred in Rotterdam.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Kuzina in Athens.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Neon in Lier.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Le Train Blue at Paris-Gare-de-Lyon in 2022.
• PARIS | Restaurant Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyo in 2023.
• MANCHESTER | Afternoon Tea at Richmond Tea Rooms near Canal Street.
• RIDE & DINE | Brussels Tram Experience.
• STUTTGART | Restaurant Plenum, in Baden-Württemberg’s State Parliament.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Ritzi in Stuttgart.
• VIENNA | Restaurant Steirereck.
• REVIEW | Restaurant Ventrus avec vue, La Villette, Paris.
• REVIEW | Restaurant De Godevaart in Antwerp.
• REVIEW | Restaurant SELSation in Hemiksem.
• REVIEW | Breakfast at the 5-star superior Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp.
• REVIEW | Dinner at DINS Santi Taura in Palma de Mallorca.
• REVIEW | Restaurant 273 in Utrecht.
• REVIEW | Restauracja Ritz in Gdańsk.
• REVIEW | Carlton President Hotel Utrecht Maarssen ft. Restaurant One24.
• REVIEW | Restaurant La Grange aux Canards in Paris.
• RIDE & DINE | Orient Dining Express by Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo.
• Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason in London.
• The German Gymnasium, Kings Cross / St Pancras, London.
• Hoftrammm, the tram dining experience.