Belgian beer is the obvious draw, and Mechelen plays a strong hand: it is the home of Het Anker and Gouden Carolus, both available everywhere, alongside the usual Flemish suspects (Westmalle, Duvel, Rochefort, Westvleteren if you are lucky). Best brown café atmosphere is on the Vismarkt, where most of the bars have terraces along the river. The cafés around the Grote Markt are more touristy but pleasant in the sun, with the cathedral as the view.