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Delicious Leipzig – Traditional Cuisine

Anyone looking for a traditional meal in Leipzig will find countless quaint and cosy restaurants tucked away in the corners and side streets of Leipzig and serving typical German, Saxon, Bavarian and/or Bohemian cuisine. It's precisely this wide variety (which we love!) that makes it so hard to decide where to go. This is why we have put together an article for you highlighting some of the excellent restaurants in Leipzig serving traditional dishes. You will be able to see at a glance where to take your family and friends.

Auerbachs Keller Restaurant

In the famous Mädler Arcade, Auerbachs Keller offers you a warm welcome. It is the second oldest and most famous restaurant in Leipzig and its claim to fame is due largely (but not entirely) to one person, namely Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The restaurant has attracted visitors since 1530 and according to some studies, it is one of the five most famous restaurants in the world. The cellar rooms are divided into two sections. The first contains four historical wine rooms called the Barrel Cellar, the Luther Room, the Goethe Room and the Old Leipzig Room. Across from these is the "Große Keller" (Large Cellar), which was constructed in 1912 together with the Mädler Arcade Messehaus which used to be an exhibition hall. Anyone visiting the historic cellar adorned with bronze figures of Mephisto and Faust at its entrance should prepare to enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal. The soups, salads, pan-fried and Saxon classics, schnitzel, steaks, and even vegan and vegetarian dishes are exceptionally tasty. Auerbachs Keller serves food you often won't find time to cook at home. As early as the 16th century Auerbachs Keller was among the city's most popular wine bars. Come and try it for yourself!

In the Mädler Arcade above the cellar, you can visit the Mephisto Bar where coffee specialities and baked goods are served during the day and you can enjoy cocktails and live music in the evenings.

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Barthels Hof Restaurant

At Barthels Hof, you can taste and enjoy classic specialities and delicious seasonal dishes. The restaurant is owned and operated by the Grahl family and places particular emphasis on high-quality food with exceptional hospitality. What's more, it is open 365 days a year!

The restaurant has now been serving Saxon cuisine for over 500 years. The ingredients for preparing traditional dishes as well as regular newly-created seasonal recipes are supplied by carefully selected partners in the local area. Are you hoping to try some  Leipzig culinary delicacies while you are in town? No problem! Barthels Hof serves Leipzig rolled beef, traditional "Leipziger Lerche" pastries and top-fermented Gose beer.

The location of the Baroque Barthels Hof , right on the edge of Leipzig Market Square, can't be beaten. The restaurant itself is located right in one of the city's most popular streetside courtyards and is also just a few minutes walk from St. Thomas Church, Brühl boulevard and Barfußgässchen which is the main street of the Drallewatsch pub district in the city centre. In the spring and summer, we recommend you spend some time sitting at the outdoor tables where you can enjoy the sunshine, the historic atmosphere and a glass of homemade punch. Even in autumn and winter, the sheltered courtyard provides protection from any rain or snow.

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Weinstock

The Weinstock Restaurant in the heart of Leipzig is situated right on the Market Square and close to Barthels Hof. With indoor seating for 90 guests and an exclusive wine cellar including additional seating options as well as a lovely summer terrace, there is always a pleasant atmosphere. The carefully chosen furnishings, stylish table decor and attentive service  ensure you will have a pleasant stay.

At midday, we recommend a hearty business lunch or a meal from the menu of the day. In the evening, you can enjoy a creamy plate of soup, fillet of beef, Leipziger Allerlei (a vegetable dish consisting of peas, carrots, asparagus and morels) or tarte flambée while listening to some live piano music. A constantly changing menu keeps this dining experience fresh even for Leipzig locals. And what is the best thing to complement a meal at the Weinstock? The exquisite selection of fine wines, of course.

With its excellent service, quality, and unbeatable location, the  Weinstock is one of the city's best places to eat out.

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Ratskeller

Like the other restaurants listed here, the Ratskeller also boasts a long and proud history. It was built in 1904 on the foundations of the old Pleißenburg castle and was opened as part of the New Town Hall. Originally a wine cellar for the town council, the Ratsweinkeller has seven rooms with a total of 700 seats. Despite the enormous size of the Ratskeller vault, the atmosphere for guests is very cosy. The tables are perfectly set and the service is attentive, friendly and professional.

 Traditional Saxon cuisine has been served here since the late 1990s. Seasonal local ingredients form the basis for both national and international dishes. As we all know, a good meal should always be a feast for the eyes and the food at the Ratskeller is beautifully presented. Alongside the familiar classics, there are special dishes with names like "Hand to Mouth", "Mum's Meals", and "Pots and Pans" that offer everything your heart desires. If you are wondering what exactly these entail, then come and find out for yourself! ;-) 

An additional advantage is that the Ratskeller also offers plenty of meat-free options. It is also worth checking out the numerous specials, which can be viewed in advance on the website.

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Bayerischer Bahnhof

The Bayerischer Bahnhof houses various venues from a restaurant with a beer garden to an event location offering unforgettable food and amazing culinary experiences as well as a brewery that is home  to a Leipzig original speciality beer called  Gose. The Bayerischer Bahnhof provides a wonderful setting for every occasion and is bursting with individuality. The locality itself is beautiful to look at and the individual rooms in the interior of the world's oldest railway terminus are also charmingly unique. Each guest room is distinctively decorated and invites you on a journey to explore the eventful history of this building.

The Bayerischer Bahnhof's culinary appeal lies in its traditional, varied and seasonal delicacies. The German cuisine with Saxon and Bavarian features is guaranteed to spark a healthy appetite. From soups and roast suckling pig to tasty potato bread and a raspberry cheesecake on warm cherry ragout, the menu has plenty to offer.

Are you wondering what else to try? You must certainly taste the top-fermented Gose beer. It is even rich in vitamins! The state-of-the-art craft brewery in the Bayerischer Bahnhof has brought this classic brew back to Leipzig.

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Other Recommendations

Alongside the selected restaurants described above, there are numerous other excellent places to eat in Leipzig that we strongly recommend trying: Apels Gartenpub, Wagners Restaurant & Weinwirtschaft, the only Gose pub in the world, the GDR-inspired Kollektiv restaurant, and the traditional  Kartoffelhaus N°1. There are no limits to eating out in Leipzig!

Are you also looking for a good beer pub? Then take a look at our blog post on the Leipzig beer scene and find out everything there is to know about the liquid gold and the best places to enjoy it.

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If you have any more questions, please get in touch with us!

Leipzig Tourism and Marketing GmbH
Augustusplatz 9
04109 Leipzig
Tel.: +49 (0)341 7104-340
www.leipzig.travel
social.media@ltm-leipzig.de

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