Pleasures of the palate

Foodies have five of the very best eateries on offer in Dresden Elbland for nothing but the finest top-class gourmet cuisine – minus any pretensions. Master Chef Stefan Hermann of the legendary Bean & Beluga is known for his creative and harmonious cuisine. At Caroussel, an elegant Michelin-starred peer (plus a trio of Gault-Millaut chef’s hats), Benjamin Biedlingmaier focuses on what is arguably the finest of world cuisines: best-in-class French. In 2019, chef Marcel Kube was awarded a first Michelin star for his culinary creations, bringing Atelier Sansoucci into the Champions League. And then there is the Deli & Restaurant, a tastefully converted factory building in Dresden Neustadt, where star chef Stephan Miessner serves up novel cuisine full of unexpected delights. Genuss Atelier, also in Dresden Neustadt, combines a relaxed, casual atmosphere with star cuisine. With undiscovered treats a-plenty waiting – bon appétit!

Traditionally, a ‘Strausswirtschaft’ – or seasonal pop-up wine bar – is signalled by a braided bouquet attached to a fence or stake. They hark back to an ancient German winemaking tradition that the Dresden Elbland region has enthusiastically embraced. Patrons enjoy the vineyard owner’s selection of wines alongside unfussy finger food in the informal, intimate and friendliest of atmospheres. These spontaneous establishments are often open on weekends or when the weather beckons hikers. Discover a wealth of go-to gardens and courtyards, bathe in the sun and try out a typical Saxon summer!

The renowned Schwerter Privatbräu name stands for centuries of beer-brewing experience, using only the finest in local ingredients for discerning drinkers. And Privat Pils and St. Afra Dunkel are definitely beverages for beer-lovers in the know. Saxony’s oldest private brewery still draws on original recipes to this day: with 550 years of proud brewing tradition behind them, they only use hop varieties grown in the Elbe-Saale and Spalt regions, while the barley is supplied by farmers from around Meissen. Schwerter Privatbräu has a double passion – for traditional beer varieties and contemporary trends. For some time now, Schwerter Meissen has also been making a lager beer. Depending on the season, Bennator bock beer or the naturally cloudy Elbsommer are also available on tap. These local beers are well worth trying – we think you’ll soon be thirsty for more.

The history of the Meissner ‘Landschwein’ dates back to around 1850 when the first of these rare country pigs was bred at Lommatzscher Pflege farmland by crossing English pigs with the local variety. The latest incarnation – the extra-large Meissner Landschwein (Meissen country pig) – is a benchmark for respectful and humane breeding and regional purity: the animals must have been born and raised in the immediate surroundings of Meissen and most of their feed must come from the region. The fattening period is also longer than usual. Discover the Meissen meat and sausage specialities in selected butcher’s shops and restaurants around the region.

Lovers of regional game specialities will be delighted with the spread served up in Dresden Elbland. As will anyone who savours freshly caught fish for that matter. The numerous forests and ponds round these parts are the perfect habitat for game and fish, hunters and anglers need not travel far, and the craftsmanship behind the processing has survived and thrived in the region. Fresh from the forest, plucked from the pond – discover just how good it tastes when served on your table.