lechua photography

This cozy Belgian eatery tucked away in an alley in Covent Garden still doesn’t fail to fascinate me after several years, with its unique setting and ambience. It is still apparent that this place remains immensely popular amongst Londoners for its mussels and beer.

“Beat the Clock!”

In spite of not being a huge fan of mussels, I have never hesitated to have a meal at Belgo whenever this venue is being suggested. I recall during college days when we’d attempt to ‘beat the clock’ by arriving as early as possible in the evening before 6.30pm – as the price you pay depends exactly on the time you order your food (so ordering at 5.45pm would mean paying £5.45 for your meal). You’ll then see nearly everyone seated enjoying their individual pot of mussels. There are of course other options on the menu for folks like myself who may not choose to have a whole pot of mussels for dinner.

dining on benches

Belgo’s infamous pot of traditional mussels

my salmon set lunch

This time round we went for lunch and I was glad to see that the place was how I remembered it to be. As usual I was the odd one out having the salmon lunch set while everyone else on the table had the pot of mussels lunch set. The waiters are dressed in Belgian monk outfits – supposedly a tradition from the old days whereby monks brewed beer in monasteries in Belgium.

in Belgian monk attire

beer bottles …&… chefs at work