Le Beau Rivage by Curtis

Verdict: Book This for a Special Occasion in Wallonia

Le Beau Rivage by Curtis earned its first Michelin star in 2025, moving up from a Michelin Plate the year before. That rapid recognition matters: it signals a kitchen operating with genuine ambition, not just local comfort. At the €€€ price tier, this is one of the more accessible entry points to Michelin-starred Modern French cuisine in Belgium. If you are planning a celebration dinner in the Namur region and want to book something that justifies the occasion, book here. Book early.

About Le Beau Rivage by Curtis

Seats at Le Beau Rivage by Curtis are finite and filling faster since the 2025 Michelin star announcement. The restaurant operates in Dave, a riverside commune just outside Namur, and that geography is part of the value proposition: the Meuse valley corridor has a tradition of sourcing from nearby farms, orchards, and waterways that shapes what Modern French cooking can mean in this corner of Wallonia. Chef Guillaume Besson works within that tradition, and what lands on the table reflects choices made well before service: which producers to work with, what grows locally, and how to frame those ingredients through a Modern French lens.

That sourcing orientation is central to understanding why the €€€ price point holds up. Modern French cuisine at this level in Belgium typically scales to €€€€ quickly once you add the full tasting menu, wine pairing, and service charge. Here, the price tier suggests a tasting menu format that remains within reach of a serious dinner out, rather than a full commitment weekend. For a first Michelin experience in Wallonia, or for anyone who knows the category well and wants to benchmark a newer kitchen, this is a sensible place to spend the money.

The Google rating sits at 4.7 across 211 reviews, which is a meaningful signal. A high rating across a volume that large points to consistency rather than a cluster of enthusiastic early visits. For a special occasion dinner, consistency matters more than a single showstopper review, because you are planning around an event and cannot afford a variable night. The data here supports confidence.

The 2024 Michelin Plate was a recognition of promise. The 2025 star is a recognition of delivery. That one-year progression is not common, and it places Le Beau Rivage by Curtis in the company of kitchens that move with purpose. For context, Belgium's Michelin-starred Modern French category includes L'air du Temps in Liernu and Bozar Restaurant in Brussels, both operating at higher price tiers. Le Beau Rivage by Curtis is currently the more practical choice for Wallonia specifically, both logistically and financially.

For a celebratory dinner with a partner or a small group marking something real, the riverine setting in Dave adds a layer of occasion that a city-centre room cannot replicate. You are not booking a central Brussels address with the infrastructure that comes with it. You are booking a destination, which requires planning. That planning is part of the commitment, and the commitment is part of why the evening lands differently.

If ingredient provenance and seasonal precision matter to you in how you read a menu, this kitchen rewards that attention. Modern French cuisine applied to local Wallonian produce is a different exercise than the same format applied to imported luxury ingredients. The discipline required to make regional sourcing feel refined, rather than rustic, is what separates a kitchen that has earned recognition from one that is still working toward it. The 2025 star is evidence that this gap has been crossed.

Ratings & Recognition

• Michelin 1 Star — 2025
• Michelin Plate — 2024
• Google Rating: 4.7 / 5 (211 reviews)

Booking

Booking difficulty here is Hard. The 2025 Michelin star has increased demand significantly. For a special occasion, book at minimum four to six weeks in advance. For peak weekends or public holidays in Belgium, eight weeks is safer. The booking method is not confirmed in our data, so check the restaurant's website directly or call the Rue du Rivage 8 address to confirm availability and reservation process.

Practical Details

For a broader view of dining options in the area, see our full Dave restaurants guide, our full Dave hotels guide, our full Dave bars guide, our full Dave wineries guide, and our full Dave experiences guide.

Belgium's wider starred Modern French landscape also includes Hof van Cleve in Kruishoutem, Boury in Roeselare, Zilte in Antwerp, Willem Hiele in Oudenburg, and Bartholomeus in Heist. For European context beyond Belgium, Sketch in London and Schanz in Piesport represent the Modern French format at different price levels and settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I order at Le Beau Rivage by Curtis? Specific menu details are not available in our data. Given the Michelin star and the kitchen's Modern French orientation with regional Wallonian sourcing, a tasting menu is almost certainly the right format. Ask the restaurant whether a seasonal tasting menu is available and whether there are optional wine pairings , both are standard at this recognition level and give you the fullest picture of what the kitchen is doing.
• Is Le Beau Rivage by Curtis good for a special occasion? Yes, this is a strong choice for a celebration dinner. The Michelin star, the riverside location in Dave, and the €€€ price tier combine to make it feel like an event without requiring the full financial commitment of a €€€€ address. The 4.7 Google rating across 211 reviews supports confidence in a consistent experience. For a birthday, anniversary, or milestone dinner in Wallonia, this is currently one of the clearest recommendations in the category.
• How far ahead should I book Le Beau Rivage by Curtis? Four to six weeks minimum for a standard weekend booking. Eight weeks for public holidays or peak periods. The 2025 Michelin star has accelerated demand considerably, and this is now a hard booking. Do not assume midweek is significantly easier without checking. The booking window is real and matters more than it did before the star.
• What should I wear to Le Beau Rivage by Curtis? No dress code is confirmed in our data. At €€€ price range with a Michelin star in the Modern French category in Belgium, smart casual is the safe minimum. For a special occasion dinner, smart dress will feel appropriate and will match the room. Avoid overly casual clothing. If in doubt, slightly overdressing is the right call at this level.
• Is the tasting menu worth it at Le Beau Rivage by Curtis? The data supports yes. A Michelin star earned in a single year from a Plate, combined with a 4.7 rating at volume, points to a kitchen delivering above its price tier. At €€€, you are getting starred Modern French cuisine at a price point that sits below most of its Belgian peers. If tasting menus are your format, the value case here is stronger than at several higher-priced regional alternatives.
• Is Le Beau Rivage by Curtis worth the price? At €€€ for a Michelin-starred Modern French kitchen, the price-to-recognition ratio is favourable by Belgian standards. Comparable kitchens like Castor in Beveren or Cuchara in Lommel operate at €€€€. If the sourcing-led, regionally grounded Modern French format appeals to you, the price is justified. The strongest case for booking is the combination of recent recognition, strong guest rating, and a price tier that has not yet fully caught up with the kitchen's current standing.
• What are alternatives to Le Beau Rivage by Curtis in Dave? Dave itself is a small commune, so the direct local competitive set is limited. In Wallonia more broadly, L'air du Temps in Liernu offers a higher-tier tasting experience but at greater cost and with a harder booking. d'Eugénie à Emilie in Baudour is another Wallonian option worth considering for a different price-point comparison. For those willing to travel further, De Jonkman in Sint-Kruis, Castor in Beveren, and Cuchara in Lommel represent the €€€€ Modern European and creative French tier if you want to benchmark against a higher spend.