With a name that means 11th Commandment, and an interior crammed with more than 600 plaster saints and angels salvaged from old churches, this atmospheric café enjoys a prime location, tucked into a tiny street between the Grote Markt and the cathedral. The food and drink are straightforward but hearty, with a lunchtime menu that revolves around club sandwiches and croques (pricier full meals are served in the evenings), and you can sit on the terrace in the shadow of the cathedral.

A unique culinary pub with a spectacular interior, the history of Elfde Gebod dates back to 1425 when turf bearers lived in the same building. Dotted with angel and saint statues, pulpits and several (arguably sacrilegious) visual jokes, today the restaurant, whose name translates as “11th Commandment” in Dutch, is one of the city’s most popular dining establishments thanks to its eye-catchingly quirky design features combined with delicious local Flemish dishes and an enormous variety of famous beers.

Just off the Grote Markt, well positioned for when you’re in need of a sightseeing break, is Elfde Gebod – the eleventh commandment. The inside of this ancient and atmospheric bar is inundated with statues of the the Virgin Mary, Jesus, the disciples and a whole host of other Christian characters. Luckily for us atheists, the house beer is also a draw: choose from blond, brown, honey and even cinnamon beers brewed in-house, or many other Belgian beers that are also available on tap or by the bottle.

Mathew Missien, a fellow beer hiking enthusiast who publishes an excellent blog called itsabrewtifulworld met me for an afternoon at the festival and when the time came for dinner he introduced me to Elfde Gebod. Elfde Gebod is a charming street cafe and pub nudged right up against the walls of the 1300’s Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp. The pub picks up on the religious theme – inside, you are surrounded by angel & saint statues, pulpits, and some heavenly sacrilegious visual jokes as well.

The café Het Elfde Gebod (The 11th Commandment) can be found on the Northern side in the shadow of the Cathedral and is worth a short stop for a drink. It might look strange to include a café in the ‘best things to do in Antwerp’ list, but it’s such a special place that you really should check it out when in Antwerp. The 11th Commandment has a spectacular interior filled with saints, angels, saints, pulpits, etc. and has kept its authenticity for over 40 years.

Spotted by Locals recommends Bier Central, Beerlovers Bar, Billies Beer Bar and Het Elfde Gebod, among others. The European Beer Guide also has an eye for the Kulminator, ‘t Oud Arsenaal and Paters Vaetje. Wherever you end up, put your smartphone away, find a cosy place and observe the world around you, while slowly enjoying your beer.

Elfde Gebod in Antwerp is a delightful culinary haven, marrying historic charm with a modern dining experience. The ambiance, adorned with antique decorations and stained glass windows, exudes a timeless elegance. The menu offers a diverse range of Belgian and international delights, each dish a testament to culinary craftsmanship.

One place to try it is Het Elfde Gebod aka The Eleventh Commandment (Torfbrug 10), where shelves and shelves of plaster saints of all shapes and sizes look down on the drinkers. The beer list is moderate, but it’s worth a visit for a glass of Seef amid these saintly sights and a reminder of how blessed Antwerp is these days.

Elfde Gebod, a distinctive culinary pub steps away from the cathedral, is adorned with countless statues of angels and saints, offering a heavenly setting. Indulge in historic Flemish dishes and Belgium's finest beers, including the largest Trappist beer selection, complemented by live music from Wednesday to Sunday.

Right around the corner of the cathedral you will find the eleventh commandment, a bar/restaurant housed in one of Antwerp’s oldest buildings. The building is said to be from 1425 and at one point was part of the cathedral. It now is home to some of Belgian’s best beers and it’s my favorite stop for a pint or two.

Often, Antwerp hidden gems are in the most obvious of places, and Elfde Gebod is one such example. The most unusual bar in the city by far has got to be Het Elfde Gebod. Lying in the shadows of Antwerp’s Cathedral, the bar’s name is quite literally translated into English as the ’11th Commandment’.

I was also alerted by locals that the well-known Elfde Gebod (The Eleventh Commandment) next to the Cathedral is not as good as it once was and may be reserved just for a peek at the interior arrayed with religious artwork and a Trappist Westmalle dubbel beer.

The biggest showcase here is the interior which makes ‘t Elfde Gebod a well-known dining café. Everywhere, really everywhere, there are holy statues of angels, saints, and even pulpits. They serve local Belgian cuisine and have a big variety of famous beers.

Het Elfde Gebod (Twelve Commandments Cafe and Pub): For a more traditional bar experience, head to this cool pub. They serve up a long list of local and foreign beers and the inside is an eclectic experience filled with wooden carvings and tons of fun decor.

For a unique bar experience, head to Elfde Gebod, a bar that doubles as a religious relic museum. The interior is adorned with a stunning collection of religious artifacts, creating a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Sam was dying to check this place out!

Ideal for after-dinner drinks is Het Elfde Gebod (“The eleventh commandment”) (‪Torfbrug 10, 2000 Antwerpen). The religious décor of this bar is breathtaking and peaceful. Indulge with more specialty beers or their tasty fruit-flavored Jenevers.‬

In the shadow of the cathedral and among the holy Mary statues, you can enjoy, for example, a delicious stew De Koninck, the Antwerp beer. The dishes often get a biblical variant here, such as Adam’s Rib or Heavenly Cow. Torfbrug 10 | Antwerp

Als de Antwerpenaar een kreuske wilt slage, dan doet hij dat niét in Het Elfde Gebod. Je vindt de naam terug in de massa heilige beelden die het interieur rijk is. Hoewel het eigenlijk een eetcafé is, mocht het niet ontbreken in deze lijst.

Summary: Famous for its quirky interior filled with religious statues, Elfde Gebod is a fun spot offering classic Belgian dishes like mussels and frites. Distance: 600 meters (0.4 miles). Website: Elfde Gebod Antwerp

You can order via Thuisbezorgd.nl or via their own platform. If you send them a whatsapp with your order you’ll get a 10% discount. On the menu are dishes like burgers and chicken satay.

Paleisring 23 - Tilburg In hartje Tilburg vind je al 35 jaar lang ’T Elfde Gebod. Ken jij ze, de tien geboden?. Ze worden iedere zondag voorgelezen in de kerk.

In het Elfde Gebod vind je het Heiligenbeeldenmuseum, met meer dan 400 heiligenbeelden. De sfeer is er over het algemeen rustig.