Restaurant Marcel

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Historic Building with a French Soul

Restaurant Marcel has been part of Antwerp's dining scene since 2011, occupying a striking 1912 building on Van Schoonbekeplein in the Eilandje district — steps from the Museum aan de Stroom and the city's yacht harbour. What was once a sailors' church now houses a French restaurant where pure, seasonal ingredients drive every plate, and a carefully curated wine cellar draws serious attention from wine lovers.

That cellar earned Restaurant Marcel a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2019 — recognition that reflects the genuine depth of the wine programme. What was formerly the church altar now serves as a walk-in wine display, stocked with white wines and champagnes. Regular tasting evenings bring the selection to life throughout the year.

The Restaurant and Bar Marcel

The ground floor delivers classic French cuisine in an atmosphere shaped by the building's architectural character — high ceilings, historical bones, and an elegance that feels earned rather than staged. The kitchen works in step with the seasons, letting quality ingredients speak without unnecessary complexity.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the first floor transforms into Bar Marcel: a more relaxed, jazz-tinged space offering an extensive wine selection, creative cocktails, and bar snacks. The menu mirrors the restaurant's, but the mood shifts toward something looser and more convivial — ideal for an aperitif or a long conversation after dinner.

Private Dining Across Two Distinctive Spaces

For private events, Marcel offers two very different settings. The Private Dinner Room accommodates up to 14 guests at a single table, surrounded by an impressive wine cabinet and artwork by Jan Vranken. It is quiet, discreet, and equipped with meeting facilities including a 65" monitor and Bose video conferencing — making it equally suited to an intimate celebration or a business dinner.

The Upper Room, the former nave of the sailors' church, takes groups of up to 48. The cosmopolitan design honours the building's past while giving events a sense of occasion that is genuinely hard to replicate. It is available Monday through Friday lunchtime for private hire.

Together, the two spaces make Marcel one of the more versatile addresses in Antwerp for anyone seeking French cuisine in a setting with real character.