Graspoort

The story

Graspoort, French and Fusion Restaurant in Mechelen | Gault&Millau 13

Graspoort is a French and fusion restaurant at Begijnenstraat 28 in Mechelen, rated 13 in the Gault&Millau guide for 2026. It sits in a dead-end street between the Fish Market and St. Rumbold's Cathedral.

Thibault in the kitchen

Head chef Thibault worked as sous-chef to Yves Mattagne at Sea Grill and later in the kitchen at Melchior in Tienen. Graspoort is his own project, run with business partner Steffi, who grew up in Mechelen and managed Goe Gedacht in Haacht for nine years. The menu is described as new world cuisine built on local, seasonal products. Michelin lists the restaurant as Recommended for 2026.

On the menu

Dinner is a set menu of four courses at €73 or five at €85, and it changes from time to time. Irish oysters come as single bites, dressed with shiso, dashi and kohlrabi or with ponzu, daikon and jalapeño. Hamachi with sesame, cucumber and avocado is a fixed course. The main is Iberico pork with kimchi and mash, or dorade with dashi, pak choi and smoked eel. Dessert is white chocolate with pistachio and dates, and a Van Tricht cheese plate is available for an €8 supplement.

The room and the wine

A brightly coloured tree stands in the middle of the dining room, which gives the space a warm, close feel. The wine list runs through Alsace, the Loire, Austria and Slovenia, with a short orange wine section and a few bottles from Canada.