These best local restaurants in Leipzig let you sample traditional German cuisine and get a glimpse of the local dining scene. They also often allow you to enjoy tasty meals and great German beers without breaking the bank.
Often referred to as “the new Berlin”, Leipzig has much to offer visitors. Aside from historical sites and cultural experiences, culinary delights from different regions in Germany and the whole world await you in this city in Saxony. Eat as the locals do at places offering homemade food and unique gastronomic creations. Here are our top picks on where you can find Leipzig’s best local food scenes.
- 1
Ratskeller
A go-to place for Lotteraner beer, German cuisine, and Leipzig history
- Essen
Ratskeller der Stadt Leipzig GmbH is a restaurant situated in a historic location, which makes special dining occasions even more spectacular. The restaurant features 7 different lounges with domed ceilings and vintage decor, providing an ideal setting for quiet dinners, celebrations, and huge parties.
Ratskeller serves Lotteraner beer from their own brewery. Their menu features traditional German dishes such as sauerkraut, potato dumplings, sous vide duck, beef roulade, pork schnitzels, veal, and salmon fillet. Beyond food, you can even book one of their guided tours if you want to discover more about life in Leipzig.
Lage: Lotterstraße 1, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm
Telefon: +49 (0)341 1234567
KarteFoto von Appaloosa (CC BY-SA 3.0) bearbeitet
- 2
Mein Leipzig
A hidden gem for cosy lunches
- Essen
Mein Leipzig is a local restaurant in Leipzig that turns lunch into an elegant affair. This family-run restaurant has a warm and welcoming ambience that reminds you of meals shared with the family at home.
Their menu is primarily German cuisine with a contemporary touch, but some dishes are a fusion of international cuisines. They also have a menu specifically for kids, so the entire family has something to enjoy. Apart from their usual homemade dishes, they have seasonal fares and themed menus. The restaurant opens only for lunch, but they accept bookings for private events beyond restaurant hours.
Lage: Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße 71, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 2.30 pm (closed Saturday–Sunday)
Telefon: +49 (0)341 2155944
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Bayerischer Bahnhof
Craft beers straight from the brewery room
- Essen
At Bayerischer Bahnhof, beers don’t get any fresher. With their own brewery, they can serve freshly brewed Gose beer with its full aroma and taste profile intact. They also homebrew Schaffner (conductor), Heizer (stoker), and other Leipzig beer specialities. Enjoy your choice of craft beer with local dishes from Bavaria and Saxony. Their schnitzel and pork knuckles are to die for, so make sure you try them.
This place is quite popular with locals and visitors – it's best to book a table in advance. If you have time, sign up for their 2-hour brewing seminar to learn more about Gose and bring home treats from the brewery.
Lage: Bayrischer Pl. 1, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Friday from noon to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm
Telefon: +49 (0)341 1245760
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Hans Im Glück - Leipzig Augustusplatz
A burger place for the chill crowd
- Essen
Hans Im Glück - Leipzig Augustusplatz is a go-to place for delicious hamburgers in Leipzig. They serve different variants of burger patties, including all-beef, chicken, and vegan alternatives. The hamburgers here are served with sides such as crisp potato chips and fresh salads. Their bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine that complement the juicy burgers. Cap off your meal with scrumptious desserts like susse fritten (sweet fritters), ice cream sandwiches, and seasonal vegan cakes.
Both the classy menu and modern interiors attract a fairly young crowd of university students and young professionals. This gives the place a good ambience for light-hearted chats over meals or snacks.
Lage: Augustuspl. 14, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 1 am
Telefon: +49 (0)341 44293066
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Wenzel Leipzig
Traditional Czech cuisine in a family-friendly nook
- Essen
Wenzel Leipzig is the place to go in Leipzig if you want to treat the entire family to Czech food and beer. Their kitchen serves awesome Babička and other traditional dishes. They source their ingredients and meat only from German suppliers to ensure freshness and quality at all times.
As you enjoy your Czech beer, let the kids have a blast at the castle of Little Wenzel, a cute play space dedicated to young children. Cap off your visit with homemade ice cream and grab a few homemade goodies to enjoy at home.
Lage: Kleine Fleischergasse 8, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Sunday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 11 pm
Telefon: +49 (0)341 99998918
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Gosenschenke Ohne Bedenken Inh. Jens Gröger
A rustic tavern with a rich history of Leipzig and Gose beer
- Essen
Gosenschenke Ohne Bedenken Inh. Jens Gröger boasts of being the only Gosenchenke in the world situated in a historical location. The rustic ambience in the cosy garden of this 1899 tavern definitely adds charm to drinking Gose beer.
Jens Gröger and his staff serve the famous Edelgose, Märzen Bier, and other freshly brewed beer from Leipzig straight from the tap. Their beer is best enjoyed with traditional eastern German dishes whipped up in the kitchen garden.
Lage: Menckestraße 5, 04155 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Wednesday–Friday from 4 pm to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, Sunday from noon to 11 pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)
Telefon: +49 (0)341 5662360
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Bagel Brothers
Elevating bagels from breakfast fare to an all-day menu
- Essen
Bagel Brothers in Leipzig takes bagels beyond the breakfast menu and turns them into an all-day fare. With that being said, you can have bagels with fresh salads for lunch or dinner or enjoy them as quick snacks any time during the day.
Choose from over 10 types of bread and a wide variety of fillings. Cream cheese comes in a handful of flavours and can be bought in small jars. Make your bagel more filling with turkey, tuna, chicken, Parma ham, and other meats. Get healthier versions by choosing from their vegan menu. End your bagel meal with freshly baked brownies, cookies, doughnuts, or other sweet treats. Aside from their famous Nikolai nook, you can also get your bagel fix from a branch at KarLi (Karl-Liebknecht-Straße). Ask for a stamp card if you’re planning on becoming a regular.
Lage: Nikolaistraße 42, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Friday from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm, Saturday from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefon: +49 (0)341 9803330
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Zur Pleißenburg
A laidback place for beer, schnitzel, and German hospitality
- Essen
Zur Pleißenburg combines great Kneipe (German pub) service with fabulous German specialities from around the Leipzig region. It's styled with traditional German pub interiors and is a good place to experience typical German meals and beer.
Fill up with schnitzel and bratkartoffelen (German fries) after a whole day of sightseeing. Have a filling dinner of beef goulash. Relax after a tiring workday with a refreshing glass of cold beer. Catch the locals hanging out for some late-night snacks and chats. This German pub may look old-fashioned, but it is a good place for hearty meals and mingling with the locals in Leipzig.
Lage: Ratsfreischulstraße 2, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Daily from 11 am to 5 am
Telefon: +49 (0)341 9602653
Karte - 9
Thüringer Hof
A taste of Thuringia in the middle of Leipzig
- Essen
Thüringer Hof brings the flavours of Thuringia right to the heart of Leipzig. There’s no need for you to travel far to enjoy Thuringian sausages, wild meat, and sauerkraut. Make sure to try their rostbratwurst, rostbrätel, sauerbraten, and schäufele. Pair them with traditional sauerkraut, homemade fried potatoes, apple and red cabbage, and other sides.
Of course, no German meal is complete without beer and wine. Order kristallweizen, schwarzbier, or pilsner from their house breweries in Wernesgrüner, Köstritzer, and Würzburger Hofbräu. Sip some of the finest wines from Freyburg, Meissen, Franconia, and other popular wine regions. Before you head out, grab a jar or 2 of Thuringian sausages to enjoy at home.
Lage: Burgstraße 19, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Sunday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 10 pm
Telefon: +49 (0)341 9944999
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Phố Việt
A taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Leipzig
- Essen
Phố Việt is a local restaurant in Leipzig that's known for its freshly prepared Pho noodles and authentic Vietnamese dishes. With the Asian decor and wood-lined interiors, it transports you to Asia as soon as you step inside.
Aside from Vietnamese classics, they also offer a wide variety of meat and vegetarian dishes inspired by other Asian cuisines. Some of the most popular dishes on their menu are papaya salad, crab chips, and pan-fried noodles with vegetables. They also have their own take on sushi and hotpot. Make sure to try their coffee – it’s brewed and served the Vietnamese way.
Lage: Katharinenstraße 15, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Friday from 11.30 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 11.30 am to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefon: +49 (0)341 99391747
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