Leipzig restaurants are much closer to historical tourist attractions than just simple eateries. Here you’ll find the former hangouts of such illustrious German personages as Goethe, Wagner and of course, Bach.
But don’t forget to taste all the delicious Saxon cuisine as you follow in the footsteps of these Leipzig celebrities.
Leipzig Dishes
Saxon cuisine is what’s on the menu in Leipzig. You can sample some of the traditional favorites like roast pork, schnitzel and dumplings.
Leipzig residents are also very serious about their coffee and visitors can sample this morning brew at the bevy of coffeehouses scattered throughout the city.
Leipzig Restaurants
Auerbachs Keller (Grimmaische Straße 2-4)
Auerbachs Keller is undoubtedly the most famous of Leipzig restaurants that first opened in 1525 during medieval times, and is considered the oldest operating pub in Germany. It was not only a frequent haunt of the beloved and world-famous German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe when he was a student here, but also an important setting in “Faust.”
If you visit the cellar of this restaurant, you will be at the site of that fateful meeting between Dr. Faust and none other than the devil himself, Mephistopheles.
As such a tourist attraction in itself, don’t forget to try the fresh Saxon food that they serve here!
Ratskeller (Lotterstraße 1)
Another historic Leipzig restaurant is the Ratskeller. Housed in the basement of the New Town Hall, this eatery is one of the city’s largest. Stop by and sample the delicious, traditional German and Saxon dishes on offer here.
Some of the tables even host mannequins dressed in period costumes (!), giving the place a customary Saxon experience. ;-)
Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum (Kleine Fleischergasse 4)
Billed as one of the continent’s oldest coffeehouses, the Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum has seen its share of famous faces. From Goethe (again!) to Richard Wagner and of course the hometown hero Johannes Sebastian Bach, this coffeehouse is another cafe-cum-tourist-attraction.
Apels Garten (Kolonnadenstraße 2)
If you want a cozy, comfortable place to enjoy typical Saxon meals, then look no further than the Apels Garden. With its hearty dishes, pleasant ambiance and lovely outdoor terrace, you’re certain to have a memorable experience here.
Other Eatery Regions/Streets
The main eatery region is around Fleischergasse, a small side street running northwest from Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus).
Next, the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) has an enormous promenade loaded with eateries and a terrific shopping experience.
And what about the Barfußgässchen, a small street with a lot of pubs and bars. Once there, you can easily find a pub selling Gose, which is the world’s most obscure beer!
