Aal & Krabbe in Varel

We got a table upstairs at short notice; it's a bit louder and not as cozy as the rest of the restaurant, it's also cooler up there, and you always have to use the stairs to get to the buffet. The service is mainly provided by young people, the buffet is in a separate area, and the food includes a wide selection of fresh fish, deli salads and mixed salads, two soups, and dessert (currently they have kale with sausage and ribs). The house-brewed beer is highly recommended.

Beautifully located. Good value for money. We had a delicious meal here.

I ate a roll with a fishcake there; the fishcake was homemade and very tasty, highly recommended.

We've often moored our boat in front of the restaurant – one reason why we keep coming back to Varel (the other reasons are the atmosphere in the harbor and especially around the lock/gate). The view of the Wadden Sea is unique! I also regularly drive 1.5 hours to enjoy the fish buffet there... preferably not during peak hours...

Delicious seafood buffet; lunch with panoramic views of the harbor; good service.

Really good fish dishes. You get a good portion and it was really delicious.

Delicious fish sandwiches at a fair price

We went to the buffet at Aal und Krabbe (Eel and Crab). It was very plentiful, and even non-fish eaters will find something to their liking. We were somewhat disappointed with the quality; the food wasn't properly heated, even though we arrived relatively early. Some of the fish had been overcooked and was simply overcooked. The food was bland and practically "seasonless." It didn't really matter whether you had sea bass, halibut, or redfish on your plate; it all tasted the same, thickly breaded and with nothing in it. It was better than too much, and salt and pepper were available on the table. You could salvage it somewhat with the sauces. The fried potatoes were similarly tasteless. The smoked fish (small section) was tasty, the staff was very friendly, and our dog was no problem. The food wasn't terrible, but in our opinion, it wasn't good either!

We hadn't been there for the last few years, and it was usually great. This time was quite disappointing; everything from the fries to the fried eel wasn't the same quality as before. A shame.

The evening buffet is cafeteria-quality and the waiters aren't very friendly. We wouldn't recommend it. It's not good value for money. The location overlooking the harbor is nice.

Today I "only" went to the galley. A very friendly employee served me there. I ate a divine fried fish sandwich.

Top recommendation, simply great, price-performance ratio is right

The food was a bit bland! The display cases could be cleaned more!

We went to the evening buffet. I expected much more. The food was cold, except for the soup. There was a doner kebab skewer, but it was cold when we arrived and also had many raw spots. Over the course of the evening, we noticed that it had been forgotten to be turned on. It's sad that you have to pay €48 for two people for a cold buffet. I absolutely do not recommend it.

Very nice place the Vareler harbor, great walk and the best fish

We ate there with eight people and it was very pleasant. The buffet was extensive, with everything from starters to dessert. Attentive staff. Unfortunately, there wasn't much choice for vegans. But we would happily return in any case; the view was very nice.

I'm truly at a loss for words. I've NEVER been treated like this in a restaurant. An apology from the owner would be the least I could do! The food from the buffet was cold and hard; I didn't like the taste, and the fish tasted very strong. We politely brought it up with the waiter and asked if we could reschedule the buffet. He then made confused statements about complaints and reschedule. In the end, nothing worked. We wanted to find a good and fair solution for both sides, but that was unfortunately impossible. What shocked me most, though, was that he then walked through the entire restaurant, loudly mocking us "gentlemen" to other guests. However, we could hear other people also saying that the buffet was lukewarm at best. Nothing was said about that. From that point on, we were completely ignored and no longer served, and at one point we even had to go to the counter ourselves to pay. We asked if they would at least give us a discount on the price, since we couldn't eat anything. Of course not; they charged full price for everything. In the end, the bill was even wrong! It was corrected upon request. They didn't say goodbye to us either, even though we said so. Wow! 😀 A little tip: Definitely train the staff on how to take criticism and be more professional, then maybe the negative reviews here will be fewer. If we had read them beforehand, we would have given this place a wide berth. It's clear here that we're not the first to strongly criticize the food and the temperature.

The restaurant is located right on the harbor in Varel and looked quite inviting. The waiter was also very friendly from the start. We arrived at lunchtime about an hour before the buffet ended and, on the waiter's recommendation, decided on that promptly. After the first few bites, we were quickly disappointed. Unfortunately, almost all of the dishes were cold or lukewarm at best. Since the taste wasn't that great, we asked about the temperature of the food. Unfortunately, this wasn't well received, and we were told that this might be the case if you arrive late at the buffet. After consulting the kitchen, however, everything was warm and you are welcome to have it reheated. I doubt that this would have improved the already partially dry fish. The surrounding guests were also asked whether the food was too cold, which is perfectly fine. Opinions on this varied. However, the guests who thought the food was warm enough were loudly humiliated. Unfortunately, they didn't accommodate us with the price either. The waiter emphasized that he was just an employee and unfortunately couldn't do anything about it. When paying, the price of the dinner buffet (€28) should have been charged first, instead of the lunch buffet (€20). However, after I pointed this out, this was corrected. All in all, it was unfortunately a very bad experience. Of course, things can go wrong, but the way we as guests were treated after our complaint was not acceptable.

Unfortunately, the food from the buffet was ice cold. The service was completely unresponsive to our criticism, which made our stay very unpleasant. There was a mistake on the bill at the end. I can't recommend it.

Sat outside in the beautiful weather, received friendly service, and enjoyed a good cappuccino and latte macchiato. View of the harbor and boats... highly recommended...

The fish buffet was okay. So was the price. The service staff was clearly untrained. At 8:15 p.m., it wasn't possible to order an espresso because the machine was already being cleaned, even though the restaurant closes at 10 p.m. That's unacceptable.

A fantastic buffet, truly fresh and delicious! It's worth the trip!

Our visit to A&K today was quite nice...the quality of the food, especially at the buffet, was rather average. Fresh fish simply wasn't suitable for keeping warm. The service staff seemed rather insecure to us, as if they didn't like being spoken to. What a shame! The ambiance is fantastic, but the overall offerings unfortunately didn't quite impress us...

The plaice fillet had no flavor. Only by ordering more tartar sauce and overusing it did it taste like tartar sauce. In my opinion, it was way overpriced for that. A lot of staff were present who didn't attend to the guests at any time during or after the meal. Modern decor, clean, and well-maintained.

The staff was very friendly, but the buffet was the worst. Cold food, mussels dry inside, heavily breaded, and the fish dry. I've rarely had such bad food.

So I guess I can't write a review without a star 😤 Well, I've been coming to Varel for over 10 years, and I haven't been to Aal ubd Krabbe for over three years because it's gotten worse over the years. After today's visit, it was definitely the last time! The staff and the restaurant are all very well, but you go to a restaurant for the food! It's now the worst restaurant in Varel. The price-performance ratio and quality are completely out of proportion to the price! How you get such positive reviews for what you get on your plate is incomprehensible!!!! Yes, the portions are large, from what I've seen, but the buffet is disgraceful! Sorry for the harsh words, but many of the locals feel the same way—that's why there's a review at all.

Super delicious buffet. Fish, meat, soup, desserts, salad – something for everyone. The dishes on the menu are also very good. And let's not forget the Tide beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I do like to let the fish swim in Tide beer. The staff are very friendly and always in a good mood. A visit here is definitely recommended. We've eaten here several times, traveling from Berlin, and were always satisfied. However, today, celebrating my father's 90th birthday, we didn't enjoy it so much. Wi-Fi problems are certainly bad, but you don't have to communicate loudly with each other at a substandard level, for example, with "Shit" and "I'm fed up." Do the guests really have to hear that? After I mentioned it at the counter, the staff apologized to us. With some, but not all, we had the impression that they were just starting their training and didn't yet know how to handle such situations. Too bad—we're not used to this kind of eel and crab. Nevertheless, we'll definitely be back, hoping this was a one-time slip-up.

We were very enthusiastic about it back then, but today we were truly disappointed. The fish at the buffet had a strong smell, whether it was redfish, pollock, or wolffish. Some of the breading was as thick as the fish itself. The ribs were okay, as were the dessert, salad bar, and pickled fish dishes. The potatoes were mushy and not fresh, and the rice was very hard. The waitress was a young lady with shoulder-length blonde hair, who served very friendly, distinguished, and attentively. All in all, it wasn't what it used to be. It's a shame.

Unfortunately, it has decreased

Unfortunately, today we had to wait 15 minutes for someone to take our order, but they told us that we couldn't order anything from the menu (at 7:40 p.m.) and the buffet was only open until 8:30 p.m. So we had to leave today without eating. 3 weeks later, we did get something to eat, but currently there's only a laminated menu. The buffet was also a bit scaled down, and the staff seemed a bit tired from the season. While there were a few people milling around, occasionally glancing at the next table, I unfortunately didn't get a chance to order something else to drink until 15 minutes later.

Great place, a restaurant with its own brewery. Very friendly and accommodating. Good food.

Fish sandwich in your hand and onward. Very tasty.

Unfortunately, it's just a mass-processing service for tourists. I can't imagine anyone would voluntarily return for a second meal. Everything at the buffet was overcooked and lukewarm. The two à la carte meals were also lukewarm and arrived at the table faster than the drinks. We definitely won't be back.

Definitely a great restaurant 👍

Good restaurant, the fish buffet is highly recommended. Good value for money. Beautifully located by the Varel harbor.

Expensive and pointless. I do not recommend it.

We went to the lunch buffet for €29. There was something for everyone: hot and cold, salads, soups, and, of course, fish. And to finish, ice cream, pudding, and fruit. Tip: Make a reservation in advance... highly recommended.

Good restaurant and a nice snack bar next door with reasonable prices.

We were there on August 18, 2025, for the lunch buffet. 20 euros per adult...children up to 13 years old 1.50 euros per age (absolutely fair!!!). The buffet was more than sufficient. Huge salad buffet, antipasti, 5 types of fish, meat with various sauces, fruit salad, red fruit compote, rice pudding, pudding, ice cream, and so on.... Does it feel like a cafeteria? You can see it that way if you want...but hello BUFFET!!! The fish buffet wasn't full to the brim, but it was always refilled...so no dried-out fish. Greasy? Sure!! Partly! Cod needs fat...fish has to swim...as it should be, so if you prefer something lower in fat, just get a different kind. Some fish are plain, some are baked. Truly delicious. And...hello...20 euros. That's a bargain!!! Staff were absolutely friendly and attentive. If we are ever here again, we would love to come back!

Delicious fish dishes, large portions, and excellent value for money. Very friendly, attentive staff. The regional Tide beer and Tide schnapps are a must-try. We were very satisfied 😊

Unfortunately, there's practically nothing for vegetarians. If you're ordering for a large group, make sure there are no vegetarians with you, otherwise they won't be happy. Either they pay €25 for a buffet where you can only eat side dishes because there isn't a single vegetarian main course. Or... oh yeah, there's no alternative at lunch! In the evening, there's a mixed salad with no information about the ingredients. 😅 The wait staff are usually untrained students. The ambiance is fine, but hygiene isn't particularly important; see the glimpse into the kitchen.

The fish sandwiches are very good, but a 50-minute wait is way too long. Why don't they hire more staff?

Wow, super friendly guys in service, and that these days with so many disrespectful/unfriendly people. Hats off to you for putting yourself through this. As for the food, what a fantastic fish dish. Unfortunately, I pounced on it too quickly and forgot to take a picture. The kids were also full with their schnitzel. I can only recommend it. TOP! 👍🌟

We ate there on a short vacation. It was truly excellent. The price/performance ratio is definitely good. The restaurant can't be blamed for some of the guests and their behavior. Tourists, after all. I especially recommend eating there in the evening, watching the sun set. Truly fantastic.

Beautifully located by Varel harbor. The food was delicious, and the service was friendly and attentive. I would go back in a heartbeat.

It was a nice place to sit by the harbor, but the service was very inattentive and the food was tasteless and unbalanced. Finally, the bill was unfortunately incorrect, but it was corrected without any problems.

Highly recommended, and we'll definitely be back. Attentive and friendly service. The food was fantastic.

Unfriendly staff. You're greeted at the door with the sentence "The kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m." Despite everything, we decided to eat there. They handed us a DIN A4 sheet with a few dishes on it, nothing like the advertised menu outside in the display case. When we asked if there was a large menu, we were snippily told that there weren't any more because there were no staff. We didn't stay and went to another restaurant, which was much better. So, we visited here and definitely wouldn't recommend this restaurant.

Super good food! You have to be patient until the food arrives!

The lunch buffet was plentiful, but not hot enough for us. The fish was a bit dry, but the ribs were very tasty. Plenty of selection.

On a Wednesday with a table reservation: a massive decline in quality. Cold fish as an appetizer was immediately obvious, either from a bucket or swimming in fat. Additionally, the food wasn't refilled or there were leftovers, which isn't really standard when you arrive at 7:30 p.m. Hot dishes were the same: empty plates with only the fat floating around, or completely empty, let alone properly presented. 2-3 years ago, every visit was a culinary experience... Now it's not worth the visit or the money.

We got there early and had the buffet. Crab dishes were only available for the first few minutes; the fish was delicious, but as time went on, the whole place felt like a battle, and the idea of a tourist rip-off surfaced. The location by the harbor is great.

GOOD, expensive & greasy! 🤭 The food was very tasty and the portions were quite large! But it's also extremely greasy... The food was served quickly, as it was already prepared from the buffet. The atmosphere is nice and quiet, and the service is also very friendly!

We were last there about three years ago and, unfortunately, almost didn't recognize the restaurant. We were there on a Sunday afternoon and ate à la carte. The staff was young, loud, and clearly overwhelmed. Everything was only served upon request. They were out of fried potatoes, so we had French fries with our fish. Shortly after we had our meal, the fries were gone. The food was a bit greasy but still okay. The portions were rather "considerate." The entire experience was accompanied by loud arguments among the staff and the loud loading and unloading of the dishwasher. Even the best location doesn't help.

During our six-day stay on the Jade Bay, we ate at the Aal & Krabbe restaurant twice. We were absolutely thrilled both times. The fish was delicious, the salad buffet was plentiful and super fresh, and the service was very friendly and engaging. Absolutely recommended – and when the weather's nice, the ambiance is fantastic, right on Varel Harbor. 👍🏻

A very friendly welcome, good service, and delicious food. We returned after eight years and were once again very satisfied.

Three of us were there every Sunday over the course of two weeks around 4:30 p.m. and sat on the terrace. It wasn't busy, yet the staff skillfully ignored us. We called out, and a waiter came and took our drink orders. When the drinks finally arrived, we asked for the menu. In the meantime, we had gotten ourselves an ashtray, which the waiter apparently missed, even though everyone was smoking. We ordered the Captain's Plate twice, among other things. The potatoes were hard, and the fish on both plates was partly raw. After I complained, we were asked to pay two euros less per plate. We won't be using this place again; as residents of Varel, we are very disappointed.

The buffet is very tasty. There's enough choice even for people who don't like fish.

We were disappointed. The fish was bland and sometimes too dry. Some dishes weren't refilled. The restaurant was recommended to us, but it didn't suit our taste. We won't go back.

Restaurant by the harbor. Short wait. Fresh beer, thanks to the brewery nearby. Food is warm and delicious, even down to the last fish. Always happy to come back!! Regina

We spontaneously stopped in for dinner and received a very friendly welcome. Unfortunately, the entire restaurant smelled of "dishcloth"/wet laundry. Very unpleasant. Since we "only" arrived at 8:00 p.m., it was too late for the buffet, which is open until 8:30 p.m. So we opted for the à la carte menu. At first glance, it seemed like a good decision, as the buffet didn't look very inviting. However, we can't comment on it since we didn't choose it. The burger we chose was very bland and greasy, as was the schnitzel (probably taken from the buffet and reheated in the deep fryer). The hunter's sauce was over-seasoned and salty. We wouldn't eat there again, at most we'd have a drink on the terrace with the beautiful view of the harbor... It's a shame, because it's actually a great location...

The service is excellent. Unfortunately, the food wasn't so great. The schnitzel (lukewarm) and fried potatoes (mushy) must have come from a chafing dish.

We enjoyed a delicious fish platter, a juicy beef burger, a perfect kids' schnitzel, and a fresh crab salad, accompanied by a great beer selection. Everything was incredibly delicious, the atmosphere relaxed, and the service fast, friendly, and attentive. An all-around successful evening! We will definitely be back and highly recommend the restaurant. Thank you!

A very good restaurant. It was recommended to us by a friend, and we have to say, we were not disappointed. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The food was truly delicious and the portions were more than adequate. It was also great that we were allowed to bring our dog. Where else can you find something like this? The value for money was good. If you're nearby and looking for something delicious to eat, I can wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant. If I'm in the area again, I'll be happy to eat there again. Excellent.

We're from the area and have been here before for the evening buffet. It was great. Today we spontaneously went for lunch, also a buffet, and it wasn't so good. The kitchen was so slow and disorganized that we had to wait 10 minutes without the buffet plates being refilled. When we asked, we were told: the chef is working. The selection was... okay, BUT the quality of the fish was wildly inconsistent. One piece of plaice was super tender and deliciously seasoned, the other was dry and bland. Unfortunately, it was like that all the time. The service was a bit inattentive. The restroom was unfortunately dirty. Dear "Aal & Krabbe Team," you can do much better than that 😊

Beautiful view of the harbor, good service, and excellent fish dishes. I highly recommend this restaurant.

I went to Eel & Crab with my wife for dinner; I haven't had such a bad meal in a long time. The fish was completely tasteless and dry, and the side dishes were cold and also flavorless.

We went here for dinner and opted for the buffet (which was the wrong decision). Unfortunately, the food was poorly labeled. The sauces weren't perfectly seasoned. I felt like they were all processed foods. This also applies to the fish.

Really great restaurant with great service, amazing food and dogs are welcome too.

Ordered the buffet on Sunday evening for 28 euros. Strangely, the containers were already completely empty by 5:30 p.m. (when the evening buffet started), even though it wasn't busy, and they were only sparsely refilled or not at all after that. There was still some gyro skewer left from lunch, but you could hardly cut any off it. The absolute disappointment was the ice cream in the freezer. Various ice cream flavors that already had traces of the neighboring ice cream in the containers. Very unappetizing. They could have seen and at least cleaned the individual containers of the ice cream from the neighboring container. The service was friendly, but we didn't have too much contact with the buffet. For 28 euros I am really disappointed. We were always impressed the last few times. Now the price-performance ratio is no longer right at all.

The food was a disaster. We were there for a birthday celebration. We arrived at 12:30 and received very friendly service. The buffet was already very empty, and they were barely refilling anything. I had to ask several times, and that made the meal very tiring. Everything that was left was only lukewarm. I knew it from before, but there's nothing left of it. We won't be coming back.

Well-kept restaurant with a beautiful view; the food was delicious and the staff attentive.

Four of us were there on a Wednesday and got a table without a reservation. The staff was friendly (although the waiter at our table had a very loud voice), but it could have been quieter and more relaxed. We felt like he needed to stand out a bit in front of the other staff (if something needs to be addressed, it can be done quietly and not in front of the guests). The food was excellent; the fried eel and redfish were delicious. Unfortunately, the online prices no longer match the current prices (fried eel €23 instead of €18.50). Still, it was worth the price. The location by the harbor is also nice; we will definitely be back.

We were here last Saturday. The service was extremely fast, attentive, and friendly. The food also arrived quickly and was very good. The only criticism might be: the portions were rather large. The plaice fillet was two plaice fillets, plus crab and side dishes. One would have been enough for me. But better more than enough :-) I found the prices very reasonable, by the way.

A definite recommendation. Beautiful view of the harbor, indoor and outdoor play areas for children. The food is very good quality and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back on our next vacation.

Our visit was rather disappointing; the fish was dry and the service was mediocre. We won't be going there again.

The food was very good. A la carte. The €28 menu is good, but wasn't an option for us yesterday.

As for the ambiance, the view of the harbor alone is beautiful. However, the service is trying hard but not very friendly.

Another visit to Aal & Krabbe, and once again we received a friendly welcome. This time we opted for the buffet, and I have to say, it wasn't bad. While it can't be compared to ordering from the menu, the value for money is good. It's all-you-can-eat, and that's perfect for those with a big appetite. There was a good selection of dishes, with plenty of fish, meat, salad, vegetables, and dessert. For a buffet, it was a good mix, and I have no complaints. I can highly recommend it, too.

We had the buffet: It's very varied, with something for everyone: pickled, smoked, and fried fish, various salads and sauces (dips), boiled and fried potatoes, gratin and salad, fries..., two kinds of soup, schnitzel, spare ribs, a doner kebab, and dessert. We really enjoyed it, and the food kept coming back.

My husband and I went there with my parents today, July 8, 2025, to eat at the fish buffet. My mother actually had a piece of chewed gum in her salad that was already pretty much chewed up. It was disgusting, and the waiter was very rude when we asked him about it. We would never go there again. Stay away.

Very good value for money. The food was very good. We'd be happy to come back.

A very nice restaurant right on the harbor, with friendly staff and delicious food. We ate from the extensive buffet with five people, including fish and meat dishes, antipasti, soups, plenty of side dishes, and various desserts. There was something for every taste. The value for money was excellent. We'd be happy to come back.

Everything was very tasty, especially the fish

Simply a good place to eat delicious food! 😌

The ladies' restrooms left something to be desired, but otherwise, as always, they were nice. Reservations via the website and by phone didn't work, but there was still a table available.

The food is complemented by the friendly service. Highly recommended. 😊

Great buffet, delicious food, friendly service and reasonably priced.

The home-brewed beer is delicious. The buffet is very good and should be preferred to the à la carte menu.

The evening buffet was extremely disappointing; a year ago, it was much better. There was a limited selection of fish, and the fish that was available was overcooked and dry, even though it had only just opened at 6:00 PM. The cold buffet had dried-out edges on the salmon, and the cold dips had skin on them, etc. There were a few ants crawling everywhere, on the tables and on the buffet. The staff, however, were very friendly.

Very friendly staff. Really good food. I'll eat here whenever I'm in the area.

We tried the fish buffet and were satisfied.

We had a delicious meal, and the fish sandwiches first. And then we sat outside on the bench and watched the hustle and bustle in the harbor.

The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The view was great. We were given a very friendly welcome with our dog, and even though there was a barking chorus from three different dogs, none of them were disturbed. The food was excellent, the portions were very generous for the price and incredibly tasty. We'd be happy to come back.

It was delicious, and the service was super friendly. We just didn't like the kids whizzing around the restaurant in Bobby Cars, especially since there's a play area for kids.

We went there at short notice and opted for the lunch buffet. It was the best decision. The waitresses were very friendly and extremely customer-focused. The buffet was truly fantastic. Freshly prepared herring, excellent. A wide variety of fish, excellent fried potatoes with bacon, various salads, and desserts. We'll definitely be back.

Here you can still get delicious fish sandwiches at reasonable prices. The crab sandwich was really well-filled and "only" cost €8.50. In other places, the price was between €10 and €12! Who can afford that anymore?

I've been to this place several times now. So, whenever I'm up there with you. I think the place is great. The food is good. The staff is friendly. It's more of a cafeteria-style place, but that doesn't bother me. There are definitely worse places out there. I recently reserved a table for 9 people online without any problems. The service was good too. Greetings from the Ruhr area

The food is super delicious; the buffet is also highly recommended and the prices are unbeatable. The service is excellent, courteous, and very helpful. There's a huge range of activities for children, including the most extensive play area I've ever seen in a restaurant.

I'm sorry, but it couldn't be worse. A chef's apprentice would cook better than this chef, if you can even call him that.