Ernst Aben recently opened a relaxed spot in the heart of Antwerp where you can drop in for a glass of wine, a Tornado 67 beer or some tapas.
It occupies a forgotten building from 1845 where the bishopric archives were once kept.
The stunning industrial interior on four floors has a beautiful cast iron spiral staircase, ancient iron stove and original metal shelves.
You can buy bread from local Jewish bakery Aldo on the ground floor, then head up the metal staircase to the atmospheric wine bar on two levels. Open Friday to Sunday.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
