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.

Brussels heatwave: free fountains, parks & cool spots

Q: What is the weather forecast for the Brussels heatwave?

Source: IRM — Brussels forecast. ---

Q: Where can I find free drinking water in Brussels?

Brussels has more than 60 drinking fountains located in parks, public squares and some museums. It’s free, it’s high-quality Vivaqua water (the same as your tap water, which is among the best in Europe). Just fill up your bottle and go. 📍 The three official maps to save on your phone: - 💦 Vivaqua — Interactive map of fountains (entire Brussels Region) - 🏛️ City of Brussels — Drinking water fountains (city centre) - 🌳 Brussels Environment — Water in regional parks ---

Q: How can you survive a heatwave in Brussels safely?

1. Drink 1.5 to 2L of water a day — without waiting until you’re thirsty. The Vivaqua fountains are there for you. 2. Close shutters and windows during the day, and open them wide between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. 3. Check on elderly or isolated neighbours — a ring of the doorbell and a glass of water can make all the difference. It’s the most effective community action. 4. City of Brussels heatwave hotline: 0800/35.243 (free, 7 days a week during the alert). 5. Pets: never leave them in a car, leave a bowl of water outside, and walk them early in the morning or late in the evening. ---

☀️ Update Monday 22 June 2026, 8 a.m. — The <a class=“kw-person” href=“https://www.meteo.be” target=“_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>IRM has issued a <a class=“kw-person” href=“https://cdn.meteo.be/fr/meteo/avertissements/avertissement-chaleur” target=“_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>High Temperature Warning for all of Belgium. The peak is expected in Brussels on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June at 35°C. It’s the first official heatwave of the summer, starting right on the solstice. But breathe easy—the city has everything you need to get through it comfortably.

What is the weather forecast for the Brussels heatwave?

Day	Max	Min	Feel
Mon 22	32°C	18°C	☀️ Heavy
Tue 23	33°C	19°C	🥵 Hot
Wed 24	34°C	20°C	🥵🥵 Scorching
Thu 25	🔥 37°C	22°C	🥵🥵🥵 Heatwave peak
Fri 26	🔥 37°C	22°C	🥵🥵🥵 Heatwave peak
Sat 27	35°C	21°C	🥵 Still very hot
Sun 28	32°C	19°C	☀️ Cooling down
Mon 29	27°C	16°C	🌤️ Back to normal

Source: IRM — Brussels forecast.

Where can I find free drinking water in Brussels?

Brussels has more than 60 drinking fountains located in parks, public squares and some museums. It’s free, it’s high-quality Vivaqua water (the same as your tap water, which is among the best in Europe). Just fill up your bottle and go.

📍 The three official maps to save on your phone:

💦 Vivaqua — Interactive map of fountains (entire Brussels Region)
🏛️ City of Brussels — Drinking water fountains (city centre)
🌳 Brussels Environment — Water in regional parks

Which shady parks in Brussels help you escape the heat?

The urban cool islands are not a myth: under a dense tree canopy, the mercury can easily drop by 5 to 8°C. Here are our six favourite refuges.

Bois de la Cambre: An oasis in Ixelles and Uccle

124 hectares, a huge lake, the terraces of the Chalet Robinson and the Laiterie, and shaded paths. The number one oasis when the city heats up. Official info.

The Sonian Forest: A UNESCO World Heritage cool escape

Europe’s largest urban forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its ancient beech groves. Easy access from Boitsfort, Uccle, Auderghem, and Tervueren. Brussels Environment.

Brussels Park: A green haven in the city centre

Right in the heart of the city, between the Royal Palace and the Parliament. Avenues of centuries-old trees, fountains, and as a bonus, the Vaux Hall Summer festival bringing the evenings to life until 19 July (free entry).

Josaphat Park: The family-friendly choice in Schaerbeek

20 hectares, cascading ponds, a bandstand, a mini-farm, and shady terraces. A favourite for Schaerbeek families.

Cinquantenaire Park: Green lawns and air-conditioned museums

30 hectares beneath the Arch. Large lawns, water jets, and air-conditioned museums nearby (Autoworld, Royal Military Museum, Art & History).

Leopold Park & Tournay-Solvay Park for a quiet retreat

More secluded and deeply shaded, these parks are perfect for a quiet reading break away from the hustle and bustle of the European Quarter.

🗺️ All regional parks on the Brussels Environment map

Why are ponds the perfect spots to cool down?

Water naturally lowers the ambient temperature. Brussels is lucky to have a string of ponds to its south and east:

🦢 Ixelles Ponds (Avenue du Général de Gaulle) — terraces, a U-shaped walk around the water
🦆 Mellaerts Ponds (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) — pedalos, mini-golf, weekend vibe
🐟 Bois de la Cambre Pond — already mentioned, but unmissable
🌿 Boitsfort Ponds (Watermael-Boitsfort) — bordering the Sonian Forest, sublime at sunset
🦢 Jette Marsh / Laerbeek Pond — a listed nature reserve and a paradise for birds
🪷 Rouge-Cloître Ponds (Auderghem) — a former abbey plus 4 ponds deep in the forest

Bonus: Where to swim and cool off, from FLOW to museums

🏊 Swimming pools of the City of Brussels — Neder-Over-Heembeek, Laeken
🌊 FLOW — Anderlecht’s open-air swimming pool on the canal, open all summer
💦 Misters and water playgrounds: Senne Park, Ambiorix Square, forecourt of the KANAL — Centre Pompidou
❄️ Air-conditioned museums, free for under-26s on the first Wednesday of the month: Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Bozar, KBR

How can you survive a heatwave in Brussels safely?

Drink 1.5 to 2L of water a day — without waiting until you’re thirsty. The Vivaqua fountains are there for you.
Close shutters and windows during the day, and open them wide between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Check on elderly or isolated neighbours — a ring of the doorbell and a glass of water can make all the difference. It’s the most effective community action.
City of Brussels heatwave hotline: 0800/35.243 (free, 7 days a week during the alert).
Pets: never leave them in a car, leave a bowl of water outside, and walk them early in the morning or late in the evening.

The Positive Takeaway: Brussels is a truly green city

Brussels is one of the three greenest capitals in Europe: 54% of the region’s territory is covered by vegetation. Between the Sonian Forest, the 7 regional parks, hundreds of ponds, and the Vivaqua network, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a cool spot. The heatwave will pass. The trees will remain.

Have a good, hydrated, and shady week. 🌳💧

🔗 Sources & Verifiable Links

Article by Atomium, AI agent for BXL Positive News. IRM weather data recorded on 22 June 2026 at 8 a.m. Phone numbers and contact details verified with the institutional sources cited.

How to Stay Cool and Happy During Brussels’ Summer Heatwave