Must-see restaurants in Central Germany

  • Gretchen's Cafe & Restaurant

    Weimar

    Located on the ground floor of the Familienhotel, and thus family-friendly, this passionately locavore cafe offers great alternatives to the Thuringian…

  • Landgrafen Jena

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    High in the hills with stunning views over Jena, this smart multipurpose restaurant serves genuinely interesting food such as potato-wasabi soup with …

  • Renthof

    Fairy-Tale Road

    The classy in-house restaurant of the stylish Renthof hotel (single/double €7/115) manages the balancing act of satisfying both those seeking something…

  • Ginkgo

    Erfurt

    Behind an unassuming storefront down a side street off Domplatz, you'll find this purveyor of authentic Japanese sushi, run by the engaging Mr and Mrs…

  • Zum Wenigemarkt 13

    Erfurt

    This upbeat restaurant in a delightful spot serves traditional and updated takes on Thuringian cuisine, starring regionally hunted and gathered…

  • Weinrestaurant Turmschänke

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    Going strong since 1910 – when the hotelier of the Kaiserhof connected his premises to the 11th-century defensive tower next door – and persisting through…

  • Pho Vang

    Fairy-Tale Road

    Spotless Pho Vang is a great alternative to heavy German fare, delivering authentic Vietnamese pho (noodle soup) and other traditional dishes that aren't…

  • Schnitzelwirtin

    Central Germany

    If you're a fan of the breaded cutlets you must hurry to this fabulous schnitzel-haus which fries up more versions of the humble schnitzel than you can…

  • Braunschweiger Hof

    Harz Mountains

    You'll find Bad Harzburg's fanciest feed in the Braunschweiger Hof hotel. A diverse menu of beautifully presented German and modern European cuisine and…

  • Kornhaus

    Central Germany

    This striking Bauhaus riverside beer-and-dance hall was designed by Carl Flieger, an assistant to the school's founder, Walter Gropius. Apart from being a…

  • Restaurant AnnA

    Weimar

    Inside the Hotel Elephant Weimar, this highly acclaimed gourmet act is one for those who appreciate a true fine-dining experience. Dress to impress,…

  • Café Barfuss

    Fairy-Tale Road

    A local institution, humble Barfuss is a no-fuss, offbeat place with walls covered in coffee sacks and an eclectic clientele of students, elderly couples…

  • Immergrün

    Central Germany

    Clever, creatively prepared seasonal fish, poultry and meat dishes are served from a small menu that changes monthly and usually features a 'green' theme…

  • Qilin

    Central Germany

    Magdeburg’s culinary scene won’t blow you out of the Elbe, but this small, sleek pan-Asian eatery is excellent – it serves soups, sushi variations, fried…

  • Rattenfängerhaus

    Fairy-Tale Road

    One of Hamelin's finest ornamental Weser Renaissance–style buildings, the Rattenfängerhaus (Pied Piper House) has a facade dating to 1602, with older…

  • Faustfood

    Erfurt

    Despite its casual, student-y vibe, this rambunctious grill house is a great place for traditional Thuringian grills (Rostbrätel and bratwurst), plus more…

  • Zum Goldenen Schwan

    Erfurt

    This authentic inn serves all the usual Thuringian classics, but if you’re up to mounting your own Man vs Food challenge, try something called…

  • Wirtshaus Schwarzer Hahn

    Fairy-Tale Road

    The walls of 'Black Hen Tavern' are plastered with photographs of local and family history and ring to the chatter of happy locals; it's a great spot to…

  • El Erni

    Fairy-Tale Road

    Satisfying the locals' cravings for quality modern Spanish cuisine in an upmarket setting since 1994, this refined restaurant forces you to choose between…

  • Anno 1900

    Weimar

    Actually receiving guests since 1890, this elegant art-nouveau pavilion isn't just pretty – there's also talent in the kitchen. Fish is a highlight –…

  • Cron & Lanz

    Fairy-Tale Road

    This ornate Viennese-style cafe is Göttingen’s dignified haunt for connoisseurs of Sahnetorten (cream cakes), Obsttorten (fruit tarts) and other calorie…

  • Mexcal

    Fairy-Tale Road

    You don't expect to find delicious Tex-Mex food in a cellar on Hamelin's historic Osterstrasse, but this bustling brick-vaulted restaurant is a winner…

  • Tara Indian Dhaba

    Weimar

    Vegetarians rejoice! In the heart of meat-loving Thuringia, vegetarians (and even vegans) can choose from a decent and delicious selection at this…

  • Fuchsturm Berggaststätte

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    Beneath the ancient Fuchsturm, the solitary tower that is all that remains intact of the levelled Schloss Kirchberg, you'll find this atmospheric dining…

  • San

    Weimar

    If you find yourself inconveniently craving kimchi in Thuringia, this cosy little Korean has you covered. The bibimbap comes in hot stoneware, with sesame…

  • Residenz-Café

    Weimar

    The locally adored and perfectly situated ‘Resi’ is a Viennese-style coffeehouse that always has something to offer, no matter where the hand's on the…

  • Villa Antik Rinascita

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    A little removed from the Old Town action, this free-standing villa on the road to the Wartburg shows some serious Italian flair in the kitchen…

  • Kleiner Ratskeller

    Fairy-Tale Road

    The bulging, uneven walls and weathered half-timbering of this historic inn signal its venerable status, even before you learn that it's been serving food…

  • Bückingsgarten

    Fairy-Tale Road

    Choose from two separate menus at this venerable restaurant, opened by G Dietrich Bücking in 1807 and now offering German standards alongside lesser…

  • Zum Weissen Schwan

    Weimar

    At the White Swan, a venerable inn dating to the 16th century and numbering Cranach and Goethe among its erstwhile clientele, you can fill your boots with…

  • Osteria da Salvatore

    Central Germany

    This osteria on the corner of Bergstrasse is the local favourite among the several Italian places along the Kleine Ulrichstrasse main restaurant strip…

  • Stilbruch

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    The competition is great on Wagnergasse, Jena’s pub mile, but this multilevel contender is a worthy stop for drinks, with a menu that has something for…

  • Zur Sonne

    Fairy-Tale Road

    In the heart of the Markt you'll find 'To the Sun', a delightful restaurant that feels as though it's been serving meals to scholars and students since…

  • Dachsbau

    Fairy-Tale Road

    As atmospheric as it is welcoming, this upmarket and historic restaurant in Fulda's Altstadt also doesn't disappoint in the kitchen. Among the traditional…

  • Restaurant Weisser Hirsch

    Harz Mountains

    Crisp white tablecloths, glistening cutlery and wild hare on the menu underscore the traditional but enticing culinary approach at the ‘White Stag’. Four-…

  • Zum Szultenburger

    Fairy-Tale Road

    This traditional German pub does things to the humble schnitzel that will make your mouth water, while the Rindergulasch mit Spätzle (beef goulash with…

  • 36 Pho Co

    Weimar

    When you just can't face another Thüringer Kloss (potato dumpling), this slick two-floored modern Vietnamese feels like a godsend. Get your hit of fresh…

  • Die Butterhanne

    Harz Mountains

    The fare is traditional, the outdoor seating is nice and on the first Saturday of the month the tables are cleared and the place morphs into a throbbing…

  • Drogerie Bistro

    Erfurt

    If atmosphere is high on your list of priorities, you'll love this cosy little bistro in the Wenigemarkt, with its antique cash register, brass scales and…

  • Zucker + Zimt

    Thuringian Forest & the Saale Valley

    'Sugar and Cinammon' is both cake shop and cafe, offering coffee, breakfast, salads, sandwiches, crêpes and homemade cakes alongside praline, chocolate…