Welcome to In De Balans

“ An unexpected culinary gem in the heart of Antwerp We came to Antwerp for a spontaneous pre-Christmas trip, and restaurant planning unfortunately fell by the wayside. On St. Nicholas evening, every Michelin-listed place was either booked solid or closed, and even the non-starred restaurants showed no availability. After a very average dinner elsewhere, we wandered through the city hoping for a last-minute miracle – without success. Then we stumbled upon In de Balans. Not listed in the Guide, Italian influences on the menu, and yet something about it felt promising. Out of options, we booked the very last table for the next evening – and what a blessing that turned out to be. From the moment you step inside, you sense that this restaurant is different: calmer, more refined, more intentional. The beautifully restored former paint merchant’s shop provides an elegant backdrop for a modern culinary concept that blends tradition, style, and contemporary finesse. The tasting menu was a revelation. A delicate mushroom composition to start, followed by a brilliant reinterpretation of Vitello Tonnato, a minimalist yet mesmerizing octopus dish, and a “Pasta alla Nonna” that managed to be both deeply simple and wonderfully sophisticated. Each course was paired with exciting wines that elevated every bite, leading into a flawless game dish and finishing with a mascarpone dessert harmonizing perfectly with an aged sherry – pure bliss. Every plate felt thoughtful and precise, seasonal and soulful – the essence of winter warmth captured in fine dining form. The open kitchen behind glass is a highlight in itself. Watching the team work with such calm professionalism and passion gives the meal an additional layer of authenticity. This is honest, handcrafted cooking at a very high level. The wine pairing was outstanding—balanced, intelligent, and beautifully curated. The sommelier clearly knows her craft. Service was warm, attentive, charming, and never intrusive. We felt welcome from the first moment. I could hardly believe our luck: a creative kitchen with Italian roots, heartfelt service, a wine pairing that fits the meal like a perfectly worn-in pair of jeans, and an atmosphere full of warmth and sincerity. Thank you, Michelin, for keeping this gem a secret. And thank you, In de Balans, for an unforgettable evening. We will be back. ”

“ We recently dined in this restaurant for my birthday experience although at first it was pretty confusing with us wanted to order a la carte and them saying we were only allowed to go for the three or four five of course menus in the end they did allow us to order a starter and the main which it was presented very nicely the steak was tender and beautiful the past that was beautiful definitely Italian feeling vibe and in the end we got a complimentary homemade limoncello which was nice ”

“ I recently dined here and overall, it was an enjoyable experience. The food was good. (However, a few of the dishes had a somewhat "prefab" feel, which may have been due to the fact that there was only one person in the kitchen .) Surprisingly, despite the restaurant's name, the cuisine leans more towards Italian influences ????????, which wasn’t what I expected at first but was a welcome discovery. One noticeable downside was that we didn’t receive a menu , making it difficult to anticipate the dishes and flavors that were still to come. The wine-pairing was good, with wines that complemented the meal nicely. However, the prices were on the expensive side an average of €12/(small), and €20 for a Gin Mare felt steep for a pre-dinner drink . One thing to note is the portion sizes—definitely not too large. You won’t leave the table feeling overly full, which is a contrast to similar restaurant concepts where portions can sometimes be overwhelming . Another (major) downside was that the food was served on cold plates . At this level of dining, this is a definite no-go, as it detracts from the overall quality and enjoyment of the meal. All in all, it's a great spot for a tasty meal, though there’s room for improvement in terms of the dining experience’s overall refinement. ”

“ Great food and ambience although service was a bit slow. So plan to take your time. ”

“ Amazing dinner place. Beautiful design. Great food and wine. ”

“ Restaurant had a real gourmandise feel. Nice friendly relaxed service. Really well executed food - super lekker!!!. Would definitely recommend. ”

“ Fine dining. Great service and quality. The dish to wine combination was just right. Will come again for sure. ”

“ Gennaro, the chef, will definitely surprise you: perfect equation between simplicity and innovation. The greeting lady, the sommelier and the manager are all TOP. Very nice dinner. Will always come back. ”