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.

Things to do in Brussels August 2026: a flowery walk

Brussels has decided to blossom well beyond its Grand-Place. For its 6th edition, Flowering Shops (Commerces en Fleurs) is transforming the city centre’s shopping streets into a botanical walk, from 13 to 30 August 2026. This year’s theme: the Seventies, Flower Power, bold colours and XXL flowers.

In total, expect 22 floral and green installations, a walk of about 90 minutes around Place Saint-Jean, and fifty shop windows dressed in 70s style, with special offers at several shops throughout the event.

A 💙 initiative from Didier Wauters, our Alderman for Commerce and Economic Affairs for the City of Brussels, in collaboration with Enjoy BXL (entreprendre Bruxelles – Local.guide).

🗺️ The Official Route Map

Official map of the Flowering Shops 2026 trail in Brussels

Official map © Enjoy BXL / City of Brussels — download the A3 map (PDF)

🌻 The Complete Trail, Point by Point

Courtyard of the City Hall — Apple Disco by Do Flowers
Grand-Place — the [Flower Carpet](/evenements/tapis-de-fleurs "Flower Carpet 2026 — dates, times and Grand-Place access") (13 → 16.08)
Bourse — the mini Flower Carpet (13 → 16.08)
Rue de la Fourche — Hanging Gardens by Castros
Rue de l’Écuyer — Brussels in Facets by Pollen
Rue des Dominicains — Out of the Frame by Castros
Rue des Bouchers — Hanging Gardens by Castros
Rue de la Montagne — Pop Art Sunflower by Ilvris
Place Agora — Bloom by Moments Subtils
Rue des Éperonniers — Wisteria Lane by Moments Subtils
Rue Marché aux Fromages — Street Party by Sarah Bruford & Kapai
Rue des Brasseurs — Flowered Spheres by Pact Solutions
Hôtel Amigo — Peace & Love by Pact Solutions
Rue de la Violette — From her Hands by Sarah Bruford & Kapai
Rue du Lombard — The Green Arches by Castros
Rue de l’Étuve — Floral Gaze by Ilvris
Manneken-Pis — Field of Flowers by Pollen (costume + 3D installation)
Rue du Chêne — Flower Rain by Castros
Rue de la Vieille Halle aux Blés — Peacesssss by Pact Solutions
Place Saint-Jean — Groovy by Do Flowers
Rue Saint-Jean — Summer Knots by Max Hurtaud
Rue Duquesnoy — Freedom by Max Hurtaud
Rue de l’Homme Chrétien — The Vinyls by Max Hurtaud

Two points on the trail are temporary: the Grand-Place and the Bourse, which will host the two flower carpets only from 13 to 16 August. The rest of the trail remains visible until 30 August.

🚶 How to Do the Walk

Suggested starting point: Place Saint-Jean (point 20), then head up towards the Grand-Place — saving the best for last.
Duration: About 1h30 without stopping; allow 2h30 with terrace breaks.
When: On a weekday before 11 am or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds of the 15 August weekend.
Free, outdoors, and accessible at any time of day.
Metro: Bourse / De Brouckère / Central Station; everything is within walking distance in the Pentagon.

🪟 Fifty Shop Windows in 70s Style

Beyond the installations, the shopkeepers themselves are getting involved: around 50 shop windows will be decorated in a Seventies theme, with special promotions at several of them throughout the event. It’s a very tangible way to support city-centre businesses during the summer.

Flowering Shops 2026: Didier Wauters leads initiative to beautify Brussels 💙🌸