Chain cafes and restaurants in Dresden. Beer question or in Dresden - drink! Exotics in assortment

There are a lot of Russian tourists in Dresden. On every corner in the center you hear Russian speech. I remember one evening in May my friends and I were walking past the Frauenkirche, looking for a bar where we could drink beer and watch football. And one of us throws thoughtfully into the distance: “Well, can’t Rousseau tourist anywhere...” And before our friend had time to finish his sentence, the answer came from the darkness: “The face of morality!”
In short, there are many of our tourists abroad, and they want not only to watch, but also to eat. If possible, tasty, varied and not necessarily expensive. German cuisine is good, but if you wash it all down with beer...

It is for this very pleasure that people go to the most iconic restaurant in Dresden - Sofienkeller. It is located near the Taschenberg Palace, where another famous restaurant is located - Pulferturm, which translates as “powder tower”. Both Sofienkeller and Pulferturm are very similar. It has the same menu, the same prices and is owned by the same person. Only the chefs there are different. To be honest, the food in Pulferturm is better, and, sadly, Russian tourists are to blame for this. This restaurant has become so focused on our brother that the Germans are not as willing to visit it as before, and the owner has stopped trying.

The Germans can be understood: they come here on the eve of Christmas to taste a pig on a spit, and at the entrance there is a poster in Russian: “Welcome!” And a note: “We have a week of Russian cuisine, the menu includes borscht and dumplings!” I haven’t tried the dumplings, but the borscht is delicious. The menu in the restaurant is in Russian, German and English; moreover, all waiters are required to study Russian, this is a necessary condition when hiring. It's even better if the waiter already owns the great and mighty.
Today is the week of regular German cuisine in Sophienkeller, and no one plays the balalaikas. Let's go anyway.

There are countless corridors and nooks and crannies here.

The room is huge and consists of several halls. The interior of each room is reproduced in detail, everything is as it was before. The building, in the basement of which the restaurant is located, was completely destroyed during the war and was restored only in 1996. If I hadn't read about it, I would never have believed it. By the way, “keller” is translated as “basement”, “Sofia’s basement, in general.

I don’t know why, but the chains were removed from this carousel. Maybe someone crashed and the carousel is now being restored? On my last visit, the top circle had seats suspended from chains and the carousel was spinning. Previously, they not only dined on the carousel, but also did all sorts of unworthy things. A young fraulein was hiding under a long tablecloth. Or maybe not very young, what difference does it make, you still can’t see her. I won’t tell you why she was sitting there, otherwise I’ll have to set an age limit.

Everywhere there are attributes of times gone by: knightly armor, cannons... They even use cannonballs instead of candlesticks.

For many tourists, gastronomic experiences are one of the most important components of a good vacation, along with “everything that they planned, they managed to see.” Dresden has all the conditions for this! After walking around the historical center, a trip on a tourist paddle steamer, visiting museums and castles in the vicinity of Dresden, of course, you will finally want to sit down, relax and have a tasty meal. But where? How to choose?

Saxon restaurants

In the tourist center of Dresden, two large restaurants stand out where you can get acquainted with Saxon cuisine - these are "Pulverturm" Pullverturm next to the Frauenkirche church and "Sophienkeller" Sophienkeller not far from the Zwinger and the residence palace. Both are located in medieval cellars with low vaults and are decorated according to the era - wooden tables, torches on the walls, wine barrels in the corners, and their own small oven for baking fresh bread.

Traditional Saxon dishes are very simple and hearty - potato salad, potato soup with smoked sausages and, of course, meat in various versions, for example pork knee with stewed sauerkraut with apples, potato dumplings, kessler, smoked ribs, meat marinated in beer , cold cuts (ham, meat, game, venison - all on one plate).
You can also have a tasty meal near the center in Restaurant "Hunting House" Schiesshaus, 5 min walk from Zwinger.

Restaurants at breweries

Want to feel the local flavor? Come to the restaurant at the Brauhaus brewery or the biergarten.
There are three restaurants at the brewery in Dresden - "Watzke" Watzke with a dance hall (there are two small branches in the center of Dresden), "Feld-schlösschen" Feldschlösschen, "Waldschlösschen" Waldschlösschen. Each brewery produces its own types of beer in small quantities, for example “Watzke light”, “Watzke dark”, “Watzke - beer of the month”.
There is also a restaurant at the plant in Radeberger, but Radeberger beer can be bought in any supermarket in Dresden.
All breweries will pour you a classic large mug from a barrel, but there are also mini-sets - all varieties are “to try”, and you can also buy a keg (3-5 l).
For those interested, excursions “to the production” are organized.

Fish restaurants

The undoubted leader - restaurant "Fischhaus Alberthaven" Fischhaus Alberthaven, it is indeed located in the former harbor. Always the freshest fish, as if just in the morning from the Baltic or Mediterranean Sea. The dishes are simple, the portions are large, for seafood we recommend scallop salad, fresh oysters and shrimp soup.
For those who save money but care about the quality of food - there are no options, Nordsee chain restaurants Nordsee, the closest to tourist spots are on the lower level of the Altmarkt shopping center and on the pedestrian street Hauptstrasse in the Neustadt district.

But if you don’t have time to look for fish restaurants, then in any case Fish dishes are on the menu of every restaurant.

Snack on the run

For those who are in a hurry and willing to grab a bite to eat on the run just to see more sights, the best option is bakeries and pastry shops; in the tourist center they are found at every step. All have a wide selection of sandwiches of various sizes with ham, cheese, vegetables, as well as takeaway coffee, tea and chocolate.

The most budget option - but this does not mean that it is not tasty - is a cafe on the lower floor of the Altmarkt shopping center, there are many of them there, for every taste.
Don't forget the traditional German grilled sausages in a bun (wurst-brötchen). Of course, they are not sold near the Semper Opera, but you can find them in the Altmarkt shopping center, at fairs or in the nearest biergarten on the banks of the Elbe.

Those who come for Christmas will be especially lucky - at the Strietzelmarkt fair, which runs for almost a month on the main square of Dresden, your eyes will run wild from the abundance of goodies. There, on the Altmarkt square, autumn and spring fairs are held.

For vegetarians

Contrary to our expectations, Germans do not drink beer or eat sausages every day; they increasingly prefer a vegetarian diet, vegetables and fruits. For vegetarian tourists there is a large selection of Indian, Thai, Vietnamese restaurants (mainly in the Neustadt area, but there are also in Altstadt, for example, Kihn Do on Weissegasse street).
You can eat and relax away from the noisy center in the small cozy restaurant “Nettle” Brennesel, a 10-minute walk from the center - landmark Higher Music School named after. Weber.
But in general, even in the meat restaurant “Hunting Lodge” an entire page of the menu is devoted to vegetarian dishes.

For those with a sweet tooth

For those with a sweet tooth, Dresden is a paradise! Saxon Kuchen cakes are, in our opinion, the most delicious. Each confectionery shop has at least 20 types of them, and they are always fresh. Traditional Saxon kuchen - with cottage cheese "quarkkuchen", with fruit, sprinkled with sweet crumbs "streusel", puff pastry with egg pudding and cottage cheese "eierschecke". If you see the names Quarkkeulchen, Keiserschmarrn, Kaiser-schmarrn on a restaurant menu, don’t ignore them, these pastries are also very tasty, usually served with apple mousse and whipped cream.

Eat while enjoying the beautiful view

If you want to eat in an unusual interior, go to the Dresden 1905 restaurant with a real tram inside.

Stop by the opulent Baroque Cosel Palace to dine among paintings, porcelain vases and lamps overlooking the Frauenkirche church. In my opinion, there are the most delicious and fresh pastries and pies, as well as numerous varieties of coffee, chocolate, and tea.

In cafes and restaurants on Neumarkt Square, sit at a table by the window - you are guaranteed a view of the beautiful Frauenkirche.

At Christmas, the best views of the bright and colorful Striezelmarkt fair are from the windows of cafes and restaurants located on the Altmarkt square.

The restaurant on the roof of “Yenidze”, a former tobacco factory disguised as a mosque, will allow you to enjoy views of the entire city and surrounding area.

Dresden is a city where nature and gastronomic pleasures form a wonderful union, and true masterpieces can be found not only in museums, but also in restaurants. Author's delights and grandmother's recipes. Breweries and wineries. What to try, where to book a table, what upcoming holidays not to miss and what to bring as a souvenir.

Traditional gastronomy

German cuisine has evolved over centuries and has absorbed, among other things, many traditions of its neighbors. At the same time, each region within the country brings its own unique characteristics to the national cuisine.
Icebein- baked pork knuckle is a 100% German hit. Each region, and what’s more, every cook and every respectable lady, has its own secrets of preparing it. The correct icebein is not the one made according to the canonical recipe, but tender, spicy, crispy and literally melting in your mouth. And you can find it in almost any restaurant serving German cuisine. According to northern tradition, the knuckle is first boiled, and the meat should be salted or well marinated, and then sent to the oven. The dish itself in Dresden is more often called Haxe.

A little history

The dish is called “Eisbein”, that is, “ice leg”. What does ice have to do with it? There are several popular explanations for this. Firstly, the hearty knuckle is often eaten in cold weather, secondly, its fatty baked crust shines like ice, and thirdly - and this is the most beautiful version - in the old days, blades for skates were made from strong, sharpened pork bones.

Although the Germans say “Der Appetit kommt beim Essen” (that is, “Appetite comes with eating”), not everyone can eat a whole leg. It’s good to order this dish “for the table”, so you can think of it for at least three people. The owners of the establishments, on the one hand, warn daredevils: do not try to overcome icebein alone; on the other hand, whoever eats it automatically receives the title of guest of honor. As a side dish, stewed sauerkraut (in Saxony often red cabbage), pea puree or potatoes are served with the knuckle. All this should be washed down with an unlimited amount of beer.

Among other specialties that can replace a whole lunch, the famous Saxon potato soup with sausages and thick, rich eintopf- a German variety of mixed meat hodgepodge.

Where to try

If you want to taste local, Saxon versions of hits and specialties, look for signs Schenke, Gaststätte, Wirtshaus, that is tavern, dining room, tavern. Among them there are outstanding representatives of the genre!

Haute cuisine and its habitats

For lovers of sophisticated and sophisticated gastronomic experiences, we recommend visiting one of Dresden's many fine dining restaurants. In recent years, Germany has taken second place after France in the number of star restaurants, and Dresden also has something to surprise gourmets.

Trend: new gastronomic tolerance

Almost all restaurants in Saxony have either a separate vegetarian menu or just a few dishes on the menu for those who do not eat meat, fish or any animal food at all. In addition, it is now customary to accompany the menu with a detailed list of food additives used and ingredients that can cause allergies (from nuts and eggs to lactose).

Exotics in assortment

If you are tired of pork and want to diversify your menu, you should pay attention to ethnic restaurants, of which there are also many in Dresden. As a rule, they are kept by real Africans (Mama Africa), Turks (Sofra), Indians (Little India), so you definitely don’t have to worry about the authenticity of the dishes. There is even an Australian restaurant (Ayers Rock), which serves crocodile, kangaroo and ostrich steaks. And as a fast food, there is an excellent alternative to German sausages - a delicious döner kebab.

For dessert

Dresden pastries provide worthy competition to the abundance of meat. Saxony is famous for its desserts, which can be enjoyed in any pastry shop or coffee shop. By the way, the Saxons love coffee - black, strong and sweet, which is why they are jokingly called Kaffeesachsen. Cheese pancakes included in the compulsory program Quarkkäulchen(you will be surprised, but they add potatoes), the so-called Saxon cheesecake Eierscheck, which is actually a tender and juicy cottage cheese cake with egg filling, reminiscent of cheesecake, strudels(in addition to traditional apples, they contain pears, cherries and the same cottage cheese with raisins) and, of course, streusel with fruit and berry filling and crispy crumbs.

Christmas stollen

The famous Dresden Christmas cake stollen You won't be able to try it during your summer vacation. But from the end of November - please - it will be offered whole and portioned in all cafes, restaurants and shops. We recommend stocking up (stollen keeps well) at one of the dozen Dresden Christmas markets, for example, Striezelmarkt, which opens on November 28 at Altmarkt Square.

Beer calendar

In Dresden they say “beer” - they mean “Radeberger”. This is the pride of Saxony, and at least 0.5 golden pilsner in a steamed glass is a mandatory item on the tourist program - just like watching the Sistine Madonna. They will pour everywhere, but the most central point is Radeberger Spezialausschank on the embankment near Bruhl's terrace.

The Radeberger brewery itself is located in the town of the same name near Dresden, and you can go there on an excursion: get acquainted with the production process (followed by tasting), ride around the city on a beer truck, visit the local inn and Biertheater.

On the streets of Neustadt's fashionable districts there are many cozy craft microbreweries, as well as the Hopfenkult shop with more than 300 varieties of craft beer, where tastings of a rich assortment are held on Friday and Saturday evenings. On the same bank of the Elbe there is also a fairly young but very popular Watzke beer house. Ball- und Brauhaus Watzke- the brewery itself, located in an old house, - with a dance hall and a garden overlooking the river, as well as two other gastropubs of the chain - Watzke am Goldenen Reiter in Neustadt and Watzke am Ring in the Old Town - they offer visitors to wash down Saxon specialties with the “beer of the month”, checking the “beer calendar” in force in the establishments.

If you are lucky enough to get to Dresden during Oktoberfest, there is a chance not only to try dozens of beers in one place, but also to listen to concerts, dance and have fun. This year the holiday is planned to be large-scale: from September 27 to October 13.

Guests can enjoy tastings at breweries all year round. This is a very educational pleasure that can be experienced both in Dresden and on trips around its beautiful surroundings.

For a snack

As a snack at the same Meissner Schwerter, be sure to try a new product - the branded bread “Hopfen-Kruste” (“ hop bark"): Its starter uses Meissner Lager Rubin, which makes the bread taste spicy and slightly sweet.

German beer's best friends - sausages all different varieties: pork, beef, veal, thin, thick, long, short, boiled, fried, grilled. Of course, this is the most obvious choice in a brasserie. But don’t deny yourself the flavorful sausage as a street snack. Any kind - Berlin currywurst, Thuringian with cumin, compact Nuremberg or white Munich - can be taken away, for example, on the way from Neumarkt to the Brühl terrace and eaten with appetite on a bench in the garden or on the embankment.

A little phraseology

Bratwursts and sausages are so popular in Germany that the German expression “Das ist mir Wurst,” which literally translates to “This sausage is for me,” actually means “I don’t care.” And this is not accidental, because since time immemorial, when cutting a carcass, premium pieces were isolated, and the butcher, roughly speaking, did not care about the leftovers - they were used for sausage.

Wine map

“Beer is the creation of human hands, but wine is the creation of God!” - Martin Luther once remarked. In Saxony this is easy to believe.

The Elbe Valley is a famous wine-growing region in Germany with a long history. Despite the fact that there is no hot southern sun, the mild climate, special landscape and mineral-rich soil allow the cultivation of about 40 varieties of grapes, and some of them are considered extremely rare. A real pearl of northern wines is Goldriesling, which is produced exclusively in Saxony.

Most of the wines presented on the menus of local restaurants are not just German, but also local. But it’s especially interesting to try them in wine cellars, where the sommelier will tell you about the merits of each drink.

Winery tours

On August 25 and 26, almost all wineries organize open days: they do not charge money for entry, and in some places (for example, in Hoflesnitz) they also organize free excursions, treat you to their wine and entertain with live music.

Attractions on the map

Restaurants and cafes in Dresden

Visiting best restaurants in Dresden, tourists can taste dishes from a variety of cuisines. For example, Turo Turo serves Filipino cuisine. Such restaurants in Dresden, both Prinzenkeller and Barococo offer fine French and German dishes respectively. Medici, as you might guess from the name, serves Italian cuisine. In addition, there is also restaurants in Dresden: for example, Annam Imperial, where there are always fresh ingredients and delicious dishes.

As for traditional cuisine, in such establishments you can try roast beef with spices, potato soup, local beer and sausages. A special treat is served Dresden restaurants, menu which contains national dishes is Quarkkäulchen. These are delicious curds, they are usually served for dessert. Local residents love this dish very much, so it can be found in many restaurants and Dresden cafe.

If you come to the city for the Christmas holidays, you should definitely try the local gingerbread. This dish is called Dresden Christstollen, and you can buy it everywhere, fortunately prices in cafes in Dresden quite acceptable even on holidays. The rest of the time, the average check in establishments varies from 30 to 50 euros and more. Prices in Dresden restaurants depend on the location of the establishment and its level. However, the quality of the cuisine almost always remains high.

Dresden in the state of Saxony is one of the richest cities in Germany in Baroque masterpieces, art collections and cultural institutions. The city reached its peak in the 18th century during the reign of the Saxon king Augustus the Strong. It was during this period that the most significant and remarkable buildings of Dresden were erected. At that time the city was known as "Northern Florence".

Few settlements in Europe can boast such a stunning cityscape and a fabulously magical Old Town as Dresden. A huge number of world-famous artists came here to capture the beautiful views and outlines of this amazing city on their canvases.

Despite the devastating bombing of Dresden in 1945, the city managed to survive, and its architecture was completely restored. Today, numerous tourists have an excellent opportunity to admire this amazing ancient city, walk along its lively cobbled streets, attend various cultural events and numerous art exhibitions.

Dresden is attractive in terms of tourism and cultural recreation at any time of the year. It is better to come here for a few days to get acquainted with all its outstanding architectural sights, immerse yourself in the local culture, and visit the lively streets with numerous pubs, shops and restaurants. Holidays in Dresden for tourists and city guests will be a truly unforgettable event!

What to see in Dresden?

The main attractions of Dresden are concentrated in the very beautiful Old Town (Altstadt), located on the southern bank of the Elbe. Among them:

Church of Our Lady or Frauenkirche(Frauenkirche), which is the tallest church in Germany (91 m). During the bombing in 1945 it was completely destroyed. The church was restored, and as a reminder of the past, fragments left over from the burnt ancient temple were added to the façade of the building. Today the Frauenkirche looks particularly impressive with its light-colored façade interspersed with black bricks. The main value of the temple is its magnificent altar, which was restored from more than 2 thousand fragments.
Church of Our Lady or Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany (Photo © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)
Dresden Castle Residence(Dresdner Schloss), built in the Renaissance style and externally resembling a powerful fortification. For many centuries the castle was the residence of Saxon rulers. Today, within its walls there are 4 collections of precious stones, among which is the world's largest green diamond, weighing 41 carats. Ticket price for adults is 10 euros, for students – 7.50 euros.
Dresden Castle Residence in Germany (Photo © Jorge Royan / commons.wikimedia.org / License CC BY-SA 3.0)
Zwinger(Zwinger) is one of the most beautiful and grandiose Baroque buildings in Germany. This is a magnificent palace, which was originally built for the purpose of luxuriously entertaining royalty. Today, within the walls of the Zwinger there are museums and various exhibitions. Ticket price for adults is 10 euros, for students – 7.50 euros.
Zwinger building in Dresden, Germany (Photo © AugustusTours / www.flickr.com / License CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Albertinium(Albertinum) is a former military arsenal, built in the Renaissance style. Today it is open within its walls Gallery of new masters with a rich collection of works of art from the Romantic era to the present.
Semper's Opera(Semperoper) is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. The cost of the excursion for adults is 8 euros, for students – 4 euros.
Semperoper in Dresden, Germany (Photo © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)
Catholic Cathedral Hofkirche(Hofkirche), built in the Baroque style in the 18th century. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen and one of the most impressive buildings in the city.
Hofkirche Catholic Cathedral in Dresden, Germany (Photo © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

Not only the Old Town, but also the rest of Dresden is rich in beautiful architecture and interesting objects. Tourists should definitely visit:

Volkswagen Glass Factory(Gläserne Manufaktur) is a majestic building erected from durable and transparent glass. The building is located on the territory of a city park.
Pfund Brothers Milk Shop(Pfunds Molkerei), decorated with magnificent mosaics and hand-painted paintings. It was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most beautiful dairy shop on the globe.
Blue miracle(Blaues Wunder) is a bridge connecting the areas of Loschwitz and Blasewitz. It got its name because of its unusual design and rare blue color.
Saxon State Library(Sächsische Landesbibliothek), located on the territory of the Technical University of Dresden. This is one of the largest such establishments in Germany. The pride of the library is the German photo library.
Yenidtse(Yenidze) is a huge ancient building that looks like an impressive mosque. It was built as a tobacco factory. Today, within the walls of Jenidce there are offices, a restaurant and a beer garden.
Church of the Three Magi(Dreikoenigskirche), built according to the design of the famous architect Pöppelmann, who is the creator of the grandiose Zwinger Palace. Among the most notable objects of the church are the Baroque altar and the sandstone relief of the Dance of Death. Ticket price for adults is 1.50 euros, for students - 1 euro.

Most of Dresden (63%) is occupied by parks and forests. The most notable and largest of them is the Great Garden (Grosser Garten), located in the very center of the city. This is a favorite vacation spot for locals. On its territory there is the Dresden Zoo, the Botanical Garden (admission is free) and the Volkswagen Glassworks.

Statue in front of the Church of Our Lady or Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany (Photo © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

Cultural institutions and museums

Dresden is famous for its world-class museums and galleries. Among them:

What to do in Dresden: top 10 interesting things to do and do

First of all, you should look at the panorama of the Old Town at night. At this time, the old part of Dresden is illuminated with rich illumination. Among the modern architecture of Dresden, the Old Town looks like a magical island that seems to be torn from a favorite fairy tale. You should definitely take a good camera with you, which will allow you to capture this amazing place and refresh your memories after the trip.

What else you need to do while in the Saxon capital:

Take a walk along the picturesque Elbe embankment, which stretches from the Augustus Bridge to the Carola Bridge. Capture on video or photo the stunning view of the historical part of Dresden from the so-called “Balcony of Europe”.
Climb the dome of the Frauenkirche, from the height of which you can view the banks of the Elbe and the entire territory of the Old Town. Ticket price for adults is 8 euros, for students – 5 euros.
Visit one of the cultural programs that are regularly held on the grounds of the Frauenkirche. Current programs can be found at the designated visitor center located in the church building.
Take a tour of Dresden's museums and galleries. Look at the “Sistine Madonna”, which is one of the most expensive paintings in the world.
Visit one of the nightlife spots in Oysere-Neustadt.
Take a ride along the Elbe on an ancient paddle steamer belonging to the White Fleet.
Take a tour of the magnificent palaces of the Elbe Valley
Stroll along the paths of the Great Garden, enjoy the beauty of nature in the local Botanical Garden and visit the zoo located in the park. The price of a ticket to the zoo for adults is 10 euros, for children – 4 euros.
Ride a miniature train on the Dresden Park Railway. The cost of travel for 1 stop for adults is 1 euro, for children – 0.50 euros.
Take part in the NightWalk Dresden walking tour through the city at night. The cost of the excursion is 13 euros.

Where and what to eat and drink in Dresden

In addition to architectural masterpieces and cultural attractions, Dresden is also rich in gastronomic establishments. Numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs and cafeterias offer guests a wide selection of delicious dishes from various cuisines of the world. There is everything here that can please true gourmets and connoisseurs of good food. In addition, there are establishments for vegetarians and vegans, lovers of exotic dishes and delicious desserts.

The following gastronomic establishments in Dresden are very popular among tourists:

Ladencafe Aha(Kreuzstrasse 7) – a café in the Old Town that serves international cuisine. The cost of one dish is from 6 euros.
BrennNessel(Schuetzengasse 18) – a vegetarian restaurant located in the Old Town. There is a separate menu for vegans. The restaurant has its own beer garden - a favorite relaxation spot for the musicians of the Semper Opera. The cost of main courses is from 10 euros.
La Casina Rosa(Alaunstrasse 93) – Italian restaurant located in Neustadt. It is recommended to order the “Little Carpi” pizza with arugula, zucchini and shrimp. The average check is 11 euros.

The main pubs and nightlife are located in the youth quarter of Oysere Neustadt (Die Äußere Neustadt). Tourists can relax, drink and have a good time in:

Lebowski Bar(Goerlitzer Strasse 5) – a popular pub open until the early morning.
Loisengarten(Loisenstrasse 43) - a beer garden imbued with a special bohemian atmosphere.