Restaurants in Saxony
-
A
Sol y Mar
The soft lighting, ambient sounds and lush interior (including padded pods for noshing in recline) make this a relaxing place to dine. There's lots of choice for noncarnivores and prices are sensible.
reviewed
-
B
PlanWirtschaft
Only fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local butchers and farmers make it into the international potpourri of dishes at this long-time favourite. There's a romantic courtyard for balmy days.
reviewed
-
C
Hansestube/Boom
Widely regarded as Braunschweig's leading restaurants, these sister establishments in a renovated half-timbered house serve a seasonally changing menu of modern international cuisine. Enjoy Braunschweiger Mummebraten (€13.50) , a roast stuffed with mincemeat and served in a sauce based on Mumme , a local nonalcoholic malt extract. Rooms in the comfortable hotel cost €90 and €110 for singles and doubles, respectively.
reviewed
-
D
Auerbachs Keller
Founded in 1525, Auerbachs Keller is one of Germany's best-known restaurants. It's cosy and touristy, but the food's actually quite good and the setting memorable. In Goethe's Faust - Part I, Mephistopheles and Faust carouse here with some students before they ride off on a barrel. The scene is depicted on a carved tree trunk in what is now the Goethe Room (where the great writer allegedly came for 'inspiration').
reviewed
-
Café Zieger
The 150-year-old Café Zieger, by the foot of the Rote Stufen, is sole stockist of a peculiar local patisserie known as the Meissner Fummel. Resembling an ostrich egg made of very delicate pastry, legend has it the Fummel was invented in 1710 as a test to stop the royal courier from drinking between deliveries - great care is required if you want to get it home in one piece.
reviewed
-
Wenzel's Prager Bierstuben
If you've a big hole to fill, head for this tavern with faux Gothic interiors, old Prague street signs and, most importantly, monster portions of Slavic stodge. Start with some echt Carlsbad Becherovka (herbal digestif), followed by a Bohemian belly-stretcher such as beef goulash with dumplings. Swab the decks with a Prague-brewed Staropramen.
reviewed
-
E
Raskolnikoff
This bohemian cafe behind an extremely tatty facade was one of the Neustadt's first post- Wende (postcommunist) pubs. The menu is sorted by compass direction (borscht to quiche Lorraine to smoked fish), there's a sweet little beer garden out the back, and a gallery and basic guest rooms can be found upstairs (singles and doubles €40 to €55).
reviewed
-
F
Rondo
A great find on the top floor of the Staatstheater 'Kleines Haus' building, Rondo has a modern bistro-style room decorated with dramatic photos of opera diva Maria Callas, plus a roof terrace offering city views. The food is plain and simple at lunch, but steps up a notch at dinner. Coffee and cake can be had when the kitchen closes from 3pm to 6pm.
reviewed
-
Bjesada
With warm colours, contemporary design and backlit figures from Sorb fairy-tales, the Sorb Cultural Centre restaurant is perhaps not what you'd expect from an eatery celebrating traditional culture. However, the bilingual menu is laden with typical dishes involving herring and beef, with a few token vegie choices thrown in for good measure.
reviewed
-
G
Wjelbik
You can't help but be charmed by your host here, Veronika Mahling, who will greet you, Sorbian style, with a little bread and salt and a hearty Witajće k nam! (Welcome!). Enjoy the most Sorbian of dishes, 'Sorbian Wedding' (braised beef with horseradish sauce) in the dining room that manages modern and traditional in one go.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Mutter Habenicht
This 'Mother Hubbard' sure doesn't have a bare cupboard, as she dishes up filling portions of schnitzels, potatoes, steaks, spare ribs and the occasional Balkan dish. Seasonal specialities like Spargel (white asparagus) are also served in the dimly lit, bric-a-brac-filled front room, or in the small beer garden out the back.
reviewed
-
Weinschänke Vincenz Richter
The romance factor is high at this top-flight restaurant, despite the rather martial decor (historic guns and armour) and the decidedly unromantic torture chamber (unless you're into S&M, that is). Expect attentive service, expertly prepared regional cuisine and wines from their own estate.
reviewed
-
Zest
Virtually Leipzig's only vegetarian restaurant is buried deep in the southern suburbs. The perfectly crafted seasonal menu of vegan fare is complimented by carefully selected wines. Alternatively just pop in for a strawberry and basil smoothie. Take tram 10 or 11 south to Pfeffingerstrasse.
reviewed
-
Schloss Taverne
Take a seat on the bench-lined and arcaded inner courtyard, surely Meissen's most atmospheric place to eat, to enjoy goulash, pork chops or Saxon beef joint with dumplings and sauerkraut. Then take it slow with a bottle or two of the region's wine, accompanied by locals on the accordion.
reviewed
-
I
BrennNessel
Housed in Dresden's half-timbered Environmental Centre, this superb vegetarian place with a woodsy interior and leafy cobbled courtyard beer garden is possibly the city's best. It's a favourite hang-out for off-duty Semperoper musicians, whom you can often hear practising nearby.
reviewed
-
J
Stechinelli's Kartoffel-Keller & Gewandhaus
In the basement of the Rathaus, these adjacent restaurants are touristy but ever-popular. You can indulge in potatoes over three courses in casual Stechinelli's, from potato soup to potato waffles for dessert. Gewandhaus has an identical menu but closes from 2pm to 6pm.
reviewed
-
K
India Gate
Go subcontinental on the 1st floor of the Strohsackpassage, where a smiley welcome awaits curry-aholics at Leipzig's best Indian. Pink tablecloths and a scale model of the Taj Mahal teleport diners to spicier climbs (or perhaps just a British high street).
reviewed
-
L
Restaurant Brodocz
This Braunschweig institution specialises in salads and vegetarian soups and mains, augmented by piscine delights, with everything from English-style fish and chips to dorade, perch and salmon. The evening menu offers a smaller selection of dishes.
reviewed
-
M
Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum
Hosting six different eateries, Leipzig's oldest inn is as stuffy as your grandma's attic, but the cakes and meals are excellent and there's a free coffee museum to boot. Composer Robert Schumann used to come here for his daily caffeine fix.
reviewed
-
N
Café Kandler
This café's antiquated ambience is a fine place to enjoy the delicious local sweets called Bachtaler (essentially a giant chocolate truffle) and Leipziger Lerchen (cake filled with marzipan and jam). It has an excellent tea selection.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
O
Villandry
The folks in the kitchen here sure know how to coax maximum flavour out of even the simplest ingredients, and to turn them into super-tasty Mediterranean treats for eyes and palate. Meals are best enjoyed in the lovely courtyard.
reviewed
-
P
Ladencafé Aha
At this warm and cheerful smoke- and stress-free zone above a one-world store, you can sip delicious coffee, pick from the international menu, leaf through the many magazines or watch your kiddies play with the provided toys.
reviewed
-
Q
Sophienkeller
The tourist-oriented 1730s theme with waitresses trussed up in period garb may be a bit overcooked, but the local specialities certainly are not. The highlight of the drinks menu here is the dark Bohemian Krušovice on tap.
reviewed
-
Drei Schwäne
Food fanciers will want to make the trip out to this tip-top place, where the cuisine is inspired by the robust flavours of Provence, Tuscany and the Alsace. Excellent wines and welcoming hosts ensure a memorable evening.
reviewed
-
Sky Lounge
Take the lift to this top-floor hipster haunt where you'll find a lounge, a restaurant and two terraces to catch the morning and afternoon sun. Good for your first and last cup of coffee or breakfast any time of the day.
reviewed
