Where can you eat the best mussels and fries in Brussels?

Our selection: Brasserie Auguste on the Grand-Place, La Roue d'Or (rue des Chapeliers 26), Le Pré Salé in the Sainte-Catherine district (rue de Flandre 20) and Big Mama chez Thierry, steps from the Grand-Place.

How much do mussels and fries cost in central Brussels?

Expect from €18.90 for mussels marinière at Brasserie Auguste up to €24 at Big Mama chez Thierry — the best value around the Grand-Place.

Which restaurant has a view of the Flower Carpet?

Brasserie Auguste sits directly on the Grand-Place, with a view of the 2026 Flower Carpet (13–17 August).

Do I need to book during the Flower Carpet?

Yes. Booking is strongly recommended over the 15 August weekend; each address in the article has a direct booking link.

Belgian Beer Weekend 2026 on the Grand-Place: dates, hours, beers

Some weekends, Brussels needs no special effects to shine. From Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, the Grand-Place — already a UNESCO World Heritage site — turns into the world’s biggest beer bar. The Belgian Beer Weekend is back, and entrance is completely free.

More than 50 breweries on the most beautiful square in the world

For three days, more than 50 breweries from across Belgium set up their stands between the guildhalls and the Town Hall. From legendary Trappist breweries to the most innovative microbreweries, hundreds of Belgian beers await visitors. The full beer list is available on the official website — perfect for planning your tasting like a pro.

It is no coincidence this happens here: Belgian beer culture has been on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2016. The weekend is part of the Belgian Beer Culture Days, celebrating Belgian beer from 4 to 13 September 2026 in Brussels and across the country.

Official opening hours, verified for you

Friday 4 September: opens 5.30 pm, pay desks close 9.30 pm, last serving 10.15 pm, site closes 10.30 pm.
Saturday 5 September: opens noon, pay desks close 9.30 pm, last serving 10.15 pm, site closes 10.30 pm.
Sunday 6 September: opens noon, with the brewers’ confraternities parade at 12.15 pm — the most photogenic moment of the weekend. Pay desks close 7 pm, last serving 7.45 pm, site closes 8 pm.

How does it work?

No ticket, no booking: just walk in. At the entrance you receive a payment card you top up via QR code (or at the info point). Unused tokens are refundable until 30 September.

⚠️ Good to know: organisers warn about scammers selling fake tickets. Entrance is free, so never buy a “ticket” for the Belgian Beer Weekend.

Why we love it

Because this weekend sums up everything Brussels does best: a UNESCO-listed setting, world-renowned brewing craftsmanship, a celebration that is free and open to everyone, and that typically Brussels conviviality that makes strangers from all over the world toast together. Bruxelles by Night approves, obviously.

When: Friday 4 → Sunday 6 September 2026
Where: Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels
Price: free entrance, tastings paid with a rechargeable card
Official website: belgianbeerweekend.be

Belgian Beer Weekend 2026: the Grand-Place turns into the world’s biggest Belgian beer bar