The state of Saxony in Germany is celebrating its commitment to food. Here are the top restaurants to visit in Leipzig and Dresden.
In downtown Leipzig, chef Peter Schnurr creates tops dishes at the Gourmet Restaurant FALCO. We suggest visiting here for both the cuisine and the view. (It is at the top of the Westin Hotel in downtown Leipzig.) After dinner, head to Auerbach Keller in the Madler Passage, which is a popular wine cellar. Legend has it that this is where Goethe’s Dr. Faust made a deal to sell his soul to the devil in return for limitless knowledge. Just looking for a cup of coffee? In the center of town, guests will find the Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum. This is the second oldest coffee house in Europe, it is also known for its cake (yum).
In Dresden, Restaurant Caroussel has one Michelin star. The top eatery is located in the young and lively part of town, just across the river from the royal palace. For the place to be seen and to see celebrities, we suggest dining at Palais Bistro in the five-star Hotel Taschenbergpalais Dresden. And Alte Meister is a perfect place to stop during a day of sightseeing. The classic café is in the main square, attached to the Zwinger Palace. We suggest sitting outside on nice days for a 360-degree view of the Zwinger Museums, the royal palace and the opera and Elbe River.
Visiting during the weekend? Sunday brunch is served at the contemporary Restaurant Lesage. Best part? It is inside Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory, where guests can watch the production of the Phaetons. To complete the experience, visitors should climb a hill to Fortress Konigstein for a celebratory dinner -- it's like stepping back in time.
Travelers can get to Saxony by boarding a train from Frankfurt or Berlin, year round.