Location: Jena
Top Restaurants in Jena
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Where to Eat in Jena: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Jena (German pronunciation: [ˈjeːna] ( listen)) is a German university city and the second largest city in Thuringia. Together with the nearby cities of Erfurt and Weimar, it forms the central metropolitan area of Thuringia with approximately 500,000 inhabitants, while the city itself has a population of about 110,000. Jena is a centre of education and research; the Friedrich Schiller University was founded in 1558 and has 21,000 students today and the Ernst-Abbe-Fachhochschule Jena counts another 5,000 students. Furthermore, there are many institutes of the leading German research societies.
Things to do in Jena
1. Stilbruch
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By markthespark65 - Yelvertoft, United Kingdom
Street was being dug up so little hard to find, but very popular, good beer and quite a wide range of food - traditional German, Italian even French style - which was good quality and not too expensive, good service but as with many small German towns only take cash for payments - worth a visit
2. Alt Jena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By CintiKidCincinnati - cincinnati
Right on the Marketplace in the center of town. We had to wait wellover 30 minutes for the daily special and finally obtained it after several appeals. It was outstanding, but the delay spoiled our experience (at noon on Sunday)
3. Zur Noll Hotel & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa H
or 'hausmannskost', classical german dishes, very good beer in a 'gemuetliche' atmosphere. the place is usually crowded and full of locals, you will enjoy the small 'beer garden style' courtyard and the relaxed 'feierabend' atmosphere.
4. Wartburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By yomintyfresh - Passau, Germany
I never experienced life in the German Democratic Republic, but some friends told me to check out the Wartburg, because to them, it was like stepping back in time.
Almost everything (I say "almost" because the beer pull taps are pretty modern : ) ) is from the 1970s and 1980s, from the furniture and tablecloths to the food that lands on your plate. By the way, there is no real menu - just a sign on the wall listing that day's offerings and their current price (general range: €5-7, and is essentially limited to East German classics - if I am in the mood for hearty German food, I come here). There are tons of regulars who love to sit around drinking and playing cards.
Why I gave this place four stars instead of five: Unless you're a Jenenser with some sort of "in," I get the feeling that you are merely tolerated here. In addition, service is generally pretty slow and grumpy and the kitchen can't seem to even get two dishes out at the same time. These idiosyncracies can be frustrating at times, but at other times, makes the place seem even more interesting.
5. Die Taverne Inh.Thanas Kumi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By yomintyfresh - Passau, Germany
I recently met up with two friends for dinner here, as well as the infant daughter of one of my friends. It was my first visit.
Staff was friendly and prompt. They made sure we had a table where my friend could park her stroller without getting in the way. Later, when it rained, they made sure that my friend's daughter stayed dry (there is a large outdoor Seating area covered by a tent but it was quite windy that night). The staff was also friendly and patient with other kids.
The menu focuses on Greek and Italian food. I had one of the Greek platters, which came with three types of meat, rice, veggies, tzatziki, and an additional red sauce. Everything on my plate was OK to excellent (I especially enjoyed the pork skewer) and the plate of food was something like 12€. There are cheaper dishes on the menu, though, like pizzas and pasta.
I would gladly come here more often but it isn't easy to reach this place on foot. If you're coming from the city center, your options are to walk along the major road, drive and park in the restaurant's parking lot, or take a bus to the dermatology clinic and then walk. There are sidewalks along the major road, but not so many pedestrians in this part of town. The next time I am in the area looking for something to eat, I will recommend this, though.
6. Scala - Turm Restaurant im Intershoptower
Overall Ratings
4 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By seeking_direction - Irmo, SC
Went to dinner with business colleagues. I was glad someone else knew how to get there - the switch in elevators, then up and down stairs was quite confusing. It was a weeknight so there weren't many diners. The weather wasn't perfect but even in the dark I could tell the view could be well worth the climb. The food was good - not spectacular but good...and the price seemed better correlated with the view than the quality of food. The service was good. The view gets 4 or 5 stars the food three so I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could...
7. Kartoffelhaus Nr.1 Inh. R. Hoffman
Overall Ratings
4 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Meghanizer - Andover, New Jersey
This is my favorite restaurant in Jena. Sometimes it was hard to get into as it can get crowded. They have additional Seating upstairs. Every meal we had there was delicious. Not a single bad one. My favorite was the Wiener Schnitzel.
The atmosphere is very German with all the wood paneling. It is relaxing and you don't feel crowded in.
8. Weintanne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Moonface101 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Lovely traditional food served by a really friendly bar lady! Lots of choice (including some vegetarian dishes). They have a half price offer on some dishes between 6 - 9pm, as well as a student price menu (need student ID).
Nice selection of German and international wines.
Recommend the Thueringia Pfanne and the Baked Camembert (as a snack).
9. Fritz Mitte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By CarlosSoaresDeSousa - Porto, Portugal
Very nice small place with friendly staff and the best fries in Jena! :-) The sausages and the dips were also very tasty... And really affordable!
10. Fuchsturm-Berggaststatte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Francesco N
We had lunch in this very nice place and suggestive environment. The food is typical German food and it is tasting. One more star because of the place.
