There are many great restaurants in Heidelberg to choose from, each with a unique atmosphere and menu. Apart from its stunning historical landmarks and medieval architecture, the best thing about Heidelberg is its impressive food scene. Whether you're looking for a historic tavern or a modern spot for gourmet dining, you'll find it in Heidelberg.
Some of the restaurants we've listed have limited dining space, so it's best to book a table, especially over weekends and peak travel seasons. Read on to discover our curated list of great restaurants in Heidelberg, where you can find everything from traditional schnitzels to vegetarian-friendly options.
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Zum Roten Ochsen
Lively family-run pub for German beer and food
- Food
If you're looking for a taste of history, look no further than Zum Roten Ochsen. This restaurant has been serving Heidelberg's residents and visitors since 1703, making it the city's oldest tavern. Many celebrities have eaten here over the years, including John Wayne, Mark Twain, and Marilyn Monroe. The restaurant is in the old town center, so you can easily walk here from most hotels.
The menu features a variety of large portions of traditional German food, from goulash soup and bratwurst to schnitzel and Käsespätzle (cheese-covered noodles). There are also several vegetarian options available. Visit on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and enjoy the live pianist who plays from 7 pm.
Location: Hauptstraße 217, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +49 (0)6221 20977
Mapphoto by Peter Mooney (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Scharff's Schlossweinstube
A Michelin-star restaurant inside an old castle
- Food
Book a table at Scharff's Schlossweinstubereat and treat yourself to a memorable dining experience. This restaurant is located in Heidelberg Castle, so you'll be surrounded by beautiful historic castle grounds. The menu features a wide selection of local wines and traditional dishes with a creative twist prepared with seasonal products, including Swabian ravioli and smoked eel with cucumber and horseradish.
The atmosphere is elegant, with glistening chandeliers, stucco ceilings, and parquet flooring adding to the refined ambience. Reservations are recommended, especially if you want to secure a table by the window or on the terrace in summer.
Location: Schlosshof 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Thursday–Saturday from 6 pm to midnight
Phone: +49 (0)6221 8727010
Map - 3
Weinstube Schnitzelbank
For freshly prepared pork schnitzel
- Food
Weinstube Schnitzelbank in the old town center has been making some of the best schnitzels – made with pork tenderloin, breaded and fried to crispy perfection – since 1867. It's served with potatos and a side salad, and you can choose from a variety of sauces to top it off.
In addition to schnitzel, the menu also features other traditional German dishes such as a spicy potato dish, meat rolls, and Käsespätzle (cheese-covered noodles). The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with dark wood furnishings and low lighting. Be sure to try a glass of their Baden Riesling or a Rothaus Tannenzäpfle beer from the Black Forest.
Location: Bauamtsgasse 7, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Monday–Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday from midday to 10 pm
Phone: +49 (0)6221 21189
Map - 4
Palmbräu Gasse
A traditional setting for home-style German cooking
- Food
Palmbräu Gasse is a great place to enjoy German dishes in a lively dining room filled with a mix of both locals and tourists. The menu features large portions of all typical German and regional classics, including schnitzel, bratwurst, and the house specialty: crispy pork knuckle.
Vegetarians will enjoy the variety of salads and spinach dumplings with broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, and cheese sauce. The service here is friendly and efficient, and the prices are reasonable. Reservations are recommended, but you may be able to get a table if you arrive early.
Location: Hauptstraße 185, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Monday–Thursday from 4 pm to midnight, Friday from 4 pm to 3 am, Saturday from midday to 3 am, Sunday from midday to midnight
Phone: +49 (0)6221 28536
Map - 5
Badisches Gasthaus zum Goldenen Löwen
Savor homemade regional and seasonal dishes
- Food
Badisches Gasthaus zum Goldenen Löwen is an inn and restaurant in Eppelheim, a small town 9 km west of Heidelberg. You can find a wide variety of regional and seasonal dishes on the restaurant's menu. Highlights include the breaded schnitzel, cheese spätzle with ham strips, homemade sausages with sauerkraut, and apple strudel. And, of course, no meal is complete without an ice-cold German beer.
The outdoor beer garden is an inviting space to while away an afternoon on a warm sunny day. At peak times, it's best to reserve a table, but if you're flexible, you'll be able to get a seat at any other time as the restaurant offers hot meals until 11 pm. You can reach Badisches Gasthaus zum Goldenen Löwen by automobile, bus, or streetcar.
Location: Hauptstraße 139, 69214 Eppelheim, Germany
Open: Monday, Wednesday–Friday from 4:30 pm to 11 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +49 (0)6221 736920
Map - 6
Le Gourmet
Exquisite French cooking in a historic 15th-century property
- Couples
- Food
Le Gourmet is sure to impress for a special occasion dinner or a romantic date night. The 1-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant is located inside the historic Hotel Hirschgasse and features charming décor and candle-lit neighborhoods. Reservations are essential.
The 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-course gourmet dinner takes patrons on a creative culinary journey, where unusual but harmonious combinations of ingredients are used to prepare a unique taste experience. You can expect dishes such as king mackerel, yogurt, green apple and dill, Bouchot Clams and saffron fennel, and slow-cooked hen’s egg with macaroni twirl, bacon consommé and pork crisp on top.
Location: Hirschgasse 3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 6 pm to midnight
Phone: +49 (0)6221 4540
Map - 7
Schwarzer Peter
A relaxed spot for beer, wine and German cuisine
- Food
Schwarzer Peter is a cozy, authentic German restaurant located a 10-minute walk from the Heidelberg Central Station. The menu features traditional German dishes such as schnitzel, bratwurst, and potato salad. There is also a vegetarian section on the menu with vegan options, making the restaurant a great place to try meat-free versions of traditional German food.
Accompany your meal with a local beer on tap or a glass of regional wine. The indoor seating is cute, with warm lighting and wood-panelled walls, while outdoor eating is excellent on warm days. Be sure to have cash on hand, as they don't accept Visa or Mastercard (only German bankcards).
Location: Römerstraße 34, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Sunday–Monday and Wednesday–Thursday from 5.30 pm to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 5.30 pm to 1 am (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +49 (0)6221 21215
Map - 8
Wirtshaus zum Spreisel
A historic mainstay of Heidelberg's dining options
- Food
Wirtshaus zum Spreisel, which has been serving food for a whopping 450 years, is one of Heidelberg's most historic and beloved restaurants. The rustic tavern boasts fantastic views of the old bridge and the green hills from its location directly across the scenic sidewalk lining the Neckar River.
Look no further than this eatery if you're in the mood for a delicious and filling German meal. On the menu, you'll find hearty portions of beef roulade with apple and red cabbage, guinea fowl with potato noodles, broiled rump steak with fine roasted onions, and sea bream fried with almond butter.
Location: Neckarstaden 66, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +49 (0)6221 23543
Mapphoto by Nemracc (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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Zur Herrenmühle
Enjoy local meat and seafood dishes in a quaint house
- Couples
- Food
Zur Herrenmühle is located in a charming ivy-covered house in the old town and offers its guests beautifully presented gourmet food served in a traditional German dining room. The menu changes, but you can expect unique flavor combinations, such as sea bass fillet with risotto and saffron langoustine sauce and roast beef with fog and nut crusts.
Be sure to save space to try one of their delicious desserts, like the raspberry sorbet with Prosecco, Belgian chocolate mousse, or coffee cupcakes. During the warm summer months, the tables outside on the terrace are the perfect spot for a romantic meal.
Location: Hauptstraße 239, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Sunday from midday to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Phone: +49 62216 02909
Map - 10
Wirtshaus zum Nepomuk
Traditional German menu in a homey ambience
- Food
Wirtshaus zum Nepomuk is an elegant tavern located inside the Hotel zur Alten Brücke in Heidelberg’s old town. The food here is traditional, with the kitchen preparing rich, hearty dishes of German classics like roast beef with onions, roasted trout, and cheesy Käsespätzle. There are also seasonal game meat and vegetarian options available.
The different dining spaces are among the best things about Wirtshaus zum Nepomuk. There’s the rustic hunting room, the cozy dining room, the romantic inner courtyard or the large street-side terrace offering great views of the old bridge and excellent people-watching opportunities.
Location: Ob. Neckarstraße 2, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Open: Daily from 6 pm to midnight
Phone: +49 (0)6221 739130
Map