brasseries

Brasserie is a type of restaurant that originated in French-speaking countries and specializes in beer and casual, hearty meals. Historically, a brasserie was a brewery or beer hall; many early brasseries were attached to production facilities. In English, the term has been adopted to describe beer-focused restaurants with a French influence, found in many countries.

Typical brasseries have a spacious dining room and a prominent bar, long hours, and a broad menu featuring dishes such as soups, salads, mussels, steak frites, and other simple preparations. Beer—often a house brew or a curated list of regional beers—is central to the offering, and many places also provide fixed-price lunch options known as a formule.

Service is usually table service rather than counter service, though some brasseries mix quick-service elements. Brasseries are generally more informal and affordable than high-end brasseries or gourmet restaurants, while remaining larger and more restaurant-like than a café. The exact concept varies by country and region, but the emphasis remains on convivial dining with beer.

Regional variations include the French sense of a large, all-day establishment; in Belgium and other Francophone areas, a brasserie may also denote a brewery with a pub. In North America, the term is used by some establishments to evoke French beer culture, even without a direct link to a brewery.