Il Cardinale

Northeast Belgium


Facing Mechelen's cathedral and a contoured green space onto which a giant, bright yellow Op-Sinjoorke appears to have fallen, this big-windowed terrace restaurant specialises in gently sacrilegious gourmet burgers, which, for an extra €3, come with excellent chips.

The menu has helpful allergen warnings and for €1.50 extra you can choose gluten-free buns. Don't miss the onion rings.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northeast Belgium attractions

1. Op-Sinjoorke Statue

0.03 MILES

Landing on his back with limbs akimbo, the giant yellow character that you see in the grassy contoured space north of St-Romboutskathedraal is Op…

2. St-Romboutskathedraal

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This soaring, Gothic-vaulted cathedral features a 1723 monumental pulpit, a 1630 Van Dyck crucifixion scene in the south transept, and dozens more fine…

3. Het Zotte Kunstkabinet

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4. St-Janskerk

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5. Schepenhuis

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The Schepenhuis is a small castle fantasy dating back to 1288. It became the council parliament for the Burgundian Netherlands from 1473.

6. Stadhuis

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Balancing the massive bulk of St-Romboutskathedraal across Mechelen's splendid Grote Markt is the contrastingly poetic stadhuis in all its devil-may-care…

7. Tongerlo Refuge

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In medieval times, abbots from wealthy monasteries would often travel to Mechelen to consult the primate (archbishop) and thus required city residences…

8. De Wit Royal Manufacturers

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Established in 1889, this workshop is one of the few places in Belgium where you can see contemporary tapestries being woven and antique ones from all…