Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Cafe Stanny, Antwerp

I had passed by Cafe Stanny on the train as I travelled to and from Brussels city, and I have slid by it via the Number 8 tram so many times but I had never quite managed to step off and visit its red and welcoming friendliness.

Today, I had no destination in mind, I was simply escaping a really bad day and so there was nothing to lose as I climbed off Tram 8 with my small travelling laptop.

Cafe Stanny's lunch menu is diverse enough to offer something for everyone, with soups, breads with a range of fillings and things I can't quite remember. I chose a most divine bacon and onion omlette for lunch and it came with a soft brown heavily-grained bread that was delicious.

The music indicates good taste (an important criteria when wandering, laptop in hand), the atmosphere, now that it is summer, is open door with benches both inside and out. The staff were friendly and the decor lovely - appealing and a tug on the strings of memory for this kiwi so far from home. A deep blue bar/counter with stools, and stools along the high tables at the two large windows in the front.

Back in winter, I remember being attracted to the warmth of Cafe Stanny's red exterior and the promise of its fogged up windows, clients bicycles piled up outside calling to me in but I was rushing, always rushing through that stretch of the city between here and there, I never made time to detour a little.

Cafe Stanny's is lovely, a new favourite of mine but come see for yourself.

It's at Stanleystraat 1, 2018 Antwerpen, located on the Tram 8 line and close to Berchem Railway Station ... seen from the train on the left side as you pull into the station (I think).
You can't miss the red.

4 comments:

Korie said...

Ooh! I worked at a call center in Berchem for a few months last year and early this year. I'm not sure if I've seen the cafe but it sounds lekker.

Di Mackey said...

Heel lekker!

Aren't we just the cutest dutch-speaking foreigners then :)

Unknown said...

After work today I got lost on my bike, just wanted to feel the fresh air, and I rode past Stanny and thought, that place looks really inviting. I came home and searched for some review and here is yours, so fresh, just one day old! thanks!

Paul

Di Mackey said...

No worries, Paul. I really liked the food and the atmosphere and felt compelled to write it up immediately. I hope to make it a regular get-away place, it's 'that' nice, or so says I.