I’ll be the first to admit that outside the big cities, good food in Germany can be a little hard to come by. But if you find yourself in Schwerin, the state capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, you can find some really high-quality restaurants for a real foodie experience. In this list you’ll find the best restaurants in Schwerin, tried and tested by me. Plus, a few restaurants with promising menus that are still on my to-visit list. So sit back, read on, and try not to get too hungry.
Table of Contents
La Bouche
This chic and cosy restaurant is right in the middle of Schwerin, serving up modern European food. It’s by no means the cheapest restaurant on this list, but for the quality, the slightly higher prices are absolutely worth it. Some of the current menu highlights include French staple beef bourguignon fresh pasta in a cream and mushroom sauce with truffle, and cod with a lemon buerre blanc, cripsy prawns, roasted hazelnuts and potato puree with nut butter.
Me and my fiance visited La Bouche the first day of their reopening in January, which happened to be a Wednesday. Every table was full, which is unusual for a January, but especially mid-week, which should give you an indication of just how good the food is! I opted for the boullabaise as a main course (it’s also available as a starter), while my fiance had the beef bourguignon. Both were absolutely divine, with just-right portions and flavour in every bite.
I turned down a dessert, but soon wished I hadn’t when the caramel tart arrived at the table. Needless to say, I won’t be making that mistake again. La Bouche is definitely worth a return visit, and a good option for anyone spending an evening in Schwerin
Restaurant Lukas
The only fish restaurant in Schwerin, Restaurant Lukas doesn’t disappoint with a varied menu of North German classics and light, seasonal seafood dishes. If you’re not so keen on fish, you’ll still find plenty to choose from, and there are a solid couple of choices for vegetarians too. The interior of Restaurant Lukas is bright and inviting, with great service that tops off the entire experience. Top tip: Don’t forget to try Hennings, an unfiltered beer made by a local brewery.
I’ve been twice to Restaurant Lukas and both times all of us had very generous portions, so even though the prices are little on the steep side, you definitely get good value for money. The one minor downside is the lack of very exciting desserts, unless you happen to be mad about ice cream. This is a common problem in restaurants in Germany, however, so I won’t hold it against them. Restaurant Lukas is incredibly popular, so if you’re planning on stopping by, be sure to make a reservation.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Schwerin? Check out my post: The 5 best hotels in Schwerin
Friedrich’s
Right on the banks of Pfaffenteich lake, Freidrich’s is another Schwerin restaurant that can be hard to get a seat in. Judging by the building alone, this is one of the most elegant restaurants in town, with a beautiful outdoor terrace that is always packed during the warm summer months. Luckily, the delicious food lives up to the surroundings, with sophisticated European classics cooked with a modern flair.
The menu at Friendrich’s changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to try. I’ve had a pasta dish with a lobster sauce and a ‘coastal’ burger, which were both excellent, and everyone else’s plates have always looked delicious too. As for the current menu, unfortunately I can’t tell you. Their website has suddenly disappeared from the web, which I hope isn’t a sign of things to come.
Asia Town
Easily my most-visited restaurant in Schwerin, Asia Town is the perfect antidote for anyone getting a little bored of European food. Well, or anyone for that matter. Every single dish I’ve had at Asia Town has been absolutely delicious, from the gorgeous noodles to the enticing sushi platters. The restaurant has a great location right in the centre of town, and the interior references Asian culture while not being too over the top.
Another plus for Asia Town is also the inventive cocktail menu, which makes for a welcome change from the standard beers and wines you get on offer in many places. It’s also a great choice if you’re after a more casual dinner, as it feels a bit more laidback than the other restaurants on this list. As a regular customer, my go-to is the ‘Tofufo’: fried tofu and vegetables with homemade ramen noodles, with a generous helping of a moreish peanut sauce.
De Fischjung
This tiny fish bar may not technically classify as a restaurant, but it’s definitely somewhere that should be on your radar. Since moving to Northern Germany, I can’t tell you how many fish rolls I’ve eaten, but I can tell you that the one from De Fischjung is the best I’ve had.
The chefs at De Fischjung like to put a spin on the classics while also offering up novelties like a wells catfish hotdog and ‘coastal kebab’. Every week there is a different lunch menu, meaning there’s always something new to try. Some recent highlights include fish bolognese (sounds mad, looks delicious), Fischjung paella, and fish falafel with salad, hummus, and mint yoghurt.
There are only a couple of tables outside De Fischjung, but most of their standard menu is easy enough to grab and go. Foodies can also pick up some fun souvenirs from inside, with beautiful tinned fish made by artisans in Portugal, Spain and France. Don’t miss it!
Looking for other activities for your trip to Schwerin? Check out my post: ‘The best things to do in Schwerin’
Café Prag
Full disclosure: with so many other amazing restaurants in town I wouldn’t necessarily come here for lunch. But if you fancy a cup of coffee and a slice and cake then you should pay Cafe Prag a visit. This family-run cafe has been run by its current owners for more than thirty years, and has a gorgeous traditional setting that invites you to linger and relax. The buildng itself has been around since the 18th century, and is absolutely full of history and charm.
Though I’m yet to try it, it’s one of the few places in Schwerin you can sit and have a nice breakfast, with light and continental options as well as scrambled or fried eggs. But for me, the fresh cakes are always the star of the show. So take a seat, enjoy the good service, and indulge yourself. You won’t regret the calories.
Still to visit…
I don’t make it into Schwerin for food quite as often as I’d like, and there are still a few restaurants I’d like to try. High on my list are:
- Weinhaus Wöhler – You can’t help but notice this beautiful building as you walk through Schwerin’s old town. I’ve enjoyed good wine out in the leafy courtyard before, but am yet to venture in for food. A little on the pricy side, but the menu looks divine.
- Weinhaus Uhle – Next time I have something special to celebrate, I’m going here! This award-winning restaurant is definitely a ‘special occasions only’ type of place, and even offers 300 fine wines to choose from.
- Restaurant & Café Ruderhaus – With outdoor seating on a small jetty literally right on top of the ‘Schweriner See’, this restaurant easily gives you the best view in town of the magnificent Schwerin Castle. Plus, with unusual flavours like a romanesco and lemongrass cream soup on offer, I’m definitely curious to try it
- Cube by Mika – As far as ‘cool’ restaurants in Schwerin go, this one tops the list. I’m an absolute sucker for Asian fusion, and the photos of the food online look absolutely delicious. I’m a little worried that I might leave feeling hungry, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
