La Roue d'Or

La Roue d'Or is a traditional Belgian brasserie at Rue des Chapeliers 26, a short walk from the Grand Place in central Brussels, Belgium. It is known for its interior, which is decorated with murals in the style of the Belgian surrealist René Magritte, and for a menu of classic Belgian brasserie dishes. It is aimed at visitors and locals who want recognisable regional cooking in a distinctive setting, and does not carry any Michelin context or a chef-driven concept.

The signature dishes include lapin à la bière, rabbit braised in Belgian beer; carbonade flamande, the beef and beer stew that is a national staple; and croquettes aux crevettes, the fried shrimp croquettes found across Brussels brasseries. The menu follows the usual brasserie format with starters, mains and desserts, and prices for mains are roughly €20-30, placing it in the middle of the market for the Grand Place district.

The dining room is warm and busy, with painted walls, wooden furniture and a relaxed, informal mood. There is no dress code. Noise is moderate to high at peak times, and the room suits couples, families and small groups. Its location, on a quiet side street near the main square, gives it a slightly calmer feel than the busiest tourist streets nearby.

The drinks list focuses on Belgian beers, both draught and bottled, supported by a standard selection of wines, which is typical of a brasserie of this kind.

Reservations are recommended, particularly for dinner and at weekends, since the restaurant is small enough to fill quickly. Booking a day or two ahead is usually enough for weeknights, and longer for Saturdays. Lunch and dinner are served, but some days of the week are closed, so visitors should verify opening days before travelling. It combines well with a visit to the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis and the nearby Galeries Royales.