In this trendy district of Antwerp, Le Pristine is synonymous with Sergio Herman’s stylish trademark. The hip, laid-back café is open all day (with or without a booking) for casual snacks and nibbles such as mussels from Zeeland flavoured with lovage and savoury pecorino or a mini Mediterranean-style pizza on an aspic theme. The restaurant sports an upmarket, neo-industrial-loft vibe courtesy of a high ceiling, polished table service and a modish interior that mingles designer and vintage details. In the ubiquitous open-plan kitchen, Gianluca Vetrugno rolls out his manifold talents, blending Italian romanticism and seafood delights with great sensitivity. Balanced, fresh and acidic, even surprising at times, illustrated by a carpaccio of gambero rosso, jazzed up by bloody orange and pistachio. We recommend the spinach and ricotta cannelloni stuffed with Eastern Scheldt lobster and paired with a delicate mousseline sauce of champagne and fresh sea buckthorn. Purity and generosity go hand in hand at Le Pristine, which puts on a high-flying, world-class show every time.