Restaurant Essenz

Dinner here felt like a quiet escape from the bustle of the city. The candlelit tables and soft jazz playing in the background made the place feel intimate and calm. I began with a tomato and burrata salad — the cheese fresh, the tomatoes bursting with flavor. The main course, slow-cooked pork cheek in beer sauce, was outstanding. Each bite was rich and tender, paired with buttery mashed potatoes that complemented the sauce beautifully. Service was discreet but always attentive, and the staff seemed genuinely passionate about their work. Dessert was a crème brûlée with a perfect caramel crust. Simple, elegant, unforgettable.

Truly a hidden gem, unbelievable how only a couple of people can master all aspects of the fine dining. A unique experience that majority of michelin starred restaurants fail to provide.

Essenz offers a cozy and intimate dining setting with a simple, minimalist ambiance. The welcome was warm and attentive, and the service throughout the evening was thoughtful and professional. One of the highlights of the experience was the wine pairing, which was curated with care and complemented the courses beautifully. For this visit, I tried the spring menu, which featured seasonal specialties, including hopscheuten —a delicacy well-regarded in the region. While I appreciated the creative approach and presentation, the dishes didn’t fully resonate with my personal tastes on this occasion. The tuna tartare, though it was beautifully plated, felt a little subdued; I found myself missing a touch of freshness or a stronger flavor component to really bring the dish to life. Similarly, the red mullet course came across as quite straightforward in execution. While it was well-cooked, it lacked a distinctive element that might have set it apart from similar dishes found elsewhere. That said, the mango dessert served as a refreshing and satisfying finale—a lovely touch that rounded off the meal on a high note. I remain curious about what other seasons might bring and would definitely consider returning to explore a different menu!

Fine dining experience at Essenz. In fact, they deserve a star. With the quality and good quantity they serve is just perfect. The lady who served us was so kind and explained things in detail and looked after us very well. If you're in the neighbourhood of South Antwerp, it's definitely worth trying.

Wonderful! We enjoyed a fantastic 5 course meal here. Extremely friendly service and fantastic dishes, this restaurant came highly recommended and still surpassed our expectations!

Essenz offers a cozy and intimate dining setting with a simple, minimalist ambiance. The welcome was warm and attentive, and the service throughout the evening was thoughtful and professional. One of the highlights of the experience was the wine pairing, which was curated with care and complemented the courses beautifully. For this visit, I tried the spring menu, which featured seasonal specialties, including hopscheuten —a delicacy well-regarded in the region. While I appreciated the creative approach and presentation, the dishes didn’t fully resonate with my personal tastes on this occasion. The tuna tartare, though it was beautifully plated, felt a little subdued; I found myself missing a touch of freshness or a stronger flavor component to really bring the dish to life. Similarly, the red mullet course came across as quite straightforward in execution. While it was well-cooked, it lacked a distinctive element that might have set it apart from similar dishes found elsewhere. That said, the mango dessert served as a refreshing and satisfying finale—a lovely touch that rounded off the meal on a high note. I remain curious about what other seasons might bring and would definitely consider returning to explore a different menu!