Antwerp's Bookshop Charm

So, you’ve somehow found yourself in Antwerp. You’re not entirely sure why or how. Maybe you planned it six months ago, color-coded Google Maps and all. Maybe you woke up, grabbed a random train, and poof, Antwerp happened to you. Either way, if you’re a true book lover, your legs will develop a mind of their own and march you straight toward the city’s cutest, quirkiest, “oh-my-god-I-need-to-take-a-picture-of-this” bookshops.

To get you ready here’s a giggle-worthy guide to the bookish gems you’ll want to visit in this charming Belgian city.

1. Bookz & Booze

Yes. You read that right. Belgians are very serious about their books… and their booze. So someone, somewhere, with a spark of divine wisdom, decided to combine them. And honestly? Bless them.

This tiny but adorable bookshop pairs every book with a matching drink. Somebody has actually read every book and chosen the booze that goes with its vibe. Imagine sitting in a cozy corner, wrapped in a plaid blanket, fireplace glowing, sipping a gin & tonic that was specifically chosen for the emotional journey of the book in your hands. It’s basically a lifestyle aesthetic begging for its own Instagram filter.

As for the selection? They’ve got everything, from dad jokes collections to architecture books so beautiful you’ll wonder why you ever bothered saving for furniture. Truly an impressive collection of both books and ... booze.

2. Stad Leest

Okay. Time to get serious. Probably the biggest indie bookshop in Antwerp, Stad Leest is the holy temple of fiction - modern, classic, and everything in between. They don’t serve drinks (tragic, I know), but they do have a vinyl collection that will make you feel far more cultured than you actually are.

Oh, and their cards? The most stunning range you will ever find. Grab one and send it to someone you love. Or to someone you tolerate. Or to your cat. No judgment.

Bonus delight: if you’re a stationery addict (we see you), they have a separate shop nearby that is essentially paradise disguised as pens and notebooks. Go. Immediately.

3. Cosimo

Next on the list is this tiny, wildly charming bookstore meets coffee heaven located just far enough from the tourist buzz to make you feel like a local intellectual. It’s worth the walk alone if you love discovering the quieter, authentic neighborhoods of the city. And the coffee? It might just convince you that life’s purpose is espresso.

But fair warning: Cosimo is not for groups. Not for noisy families. And definitely not for conference calls or loud recaps of reality TV. This is a “solo autumn walk, scarf flowing, Audrey Hepburn hat angled dramatically” kind of place. Go alone. Take a book. Pretend you’re in a French movie even though you’re in Belgium. It works.

4. Chonopio

Another bookshop and sitting-area hybrid, Chonopio is slightly larger than Cosimo both in tables and book selection, but still cozy enough to feel like a secret. You can bring a friend… but just one. More than that and you risk breaking the vibe.

It’s perfect for morning dates, slow coffees, or late-afternoon drinks where you discuss feminist literature, the latest archaeological discoveries, or how you’ve suddenly developed opinions on 17th-century printing techniques. They also have a healthy dose of fiction if you prefer stories to big debates.

So… go!

Whether you’re wandering alone with dreamy thoughts, strolling with a friend, or dragging along an entire group of book-curious humans - Antwerp has bookstores that make the trip worth it.

Mark these names on your map. Wander from one to the next. Collect books, coffee smells, vinyl temptations, and maybe a buzz from a perfectly paired drink.

Antwerp’s bookstores aren’t just shops - they’re mini-adventures. And you?

You’re the main character in every single one...