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, that geography is part of the value proposition: the Meuse valley corridor has a tradition of sourcing from nearby farms, orchards, waterways that shapes what Modern French cooking can mean in this corner of Wallonia. Chef Guillaume Besson works within that tradition, what lands on the table reflects choices made well before service: which producers to work, what grows locally, 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, 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.

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, 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, 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

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.