Gaststätte Alter Simpl in Erlangen

We visited this restaurant with friends on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the service spoiled the experience. The elderly waiter was extremely unfriendly and hostile. We had to wait a long time for our drinks, and there were problems with our orders. When we ordered steak tartare, he was outraged that three people ordered the same dish and refused to bring extra cutlery. Perhaps he was annoyed that we didn't order much food, but other tables had people just drinking beer and not ordering anything else, and everything was fine there. We were shocked by this treatment. Even though the food and drinks were delicious, we don't want to return for this reason. I hope management takes this issue seriously.

Nice, quaint pub. Delicious food.

I really enjoyed the restaurant and the overall vibe! You definitely have to try their Schäufele(a german dish). It’s not the most unique dish, but it’s absolutely worth tasting. Their schnitzels are also excellent. Plus, the waiters were genuinely friendly. Highly recommend!

Good food at reasonable prices. Nice ambiance in the city

If you're looking for something to do with typical regional cuisine, this is the place to be. Upstairs, you'll find an old dormitory. The service is a bit rough, but all the more warm and authentic 😉. The food is delicious, cooked with love and plenty of experience. Delicious best describes it – for anyone who enjoys local, meaty cuisine. We'd be happy to return!

Ni e traditional restaurant where they also serve sausages from the charcoal grill. Service was okay. The service person seemed to be a bit grumpy, but food was tasty. We had to go inside to pay as they didn't really took care of the guests sitting outside. Overall though a very good place to eat and drink.

20250530 Good hearty food Unfortunately, Leberkäse is only available from 6 p.m. Very good fried potatoes and perfect sauerkraut 😍 Nice outdoor area: You can sit quietly away from the hustle and bustle Winkler Bräu Radler was also great

On May 30, 2025, we celebrated a big class reunion here (58th high school graduation). Almost everyone traveled from far away. Everyone was thrilled with the excellent food, the friendly and fast service, and the quaint atmosphere. Everyone wants to come back. Thank you for such a successful evening.

...good atmosphere, good service. Delicious.

Rustic atmosphere, super nice service, very good food and reasonable prices.

We've been coming back for almost 15 years. We're mainly summer guests and are always greeted warmly and served courteously (and, of course, deliciously).

Great food, superb service, and a lovely atmosphere. We'll be back again and again.

Quaint Franconian restaurant with simple but delicious food and good beer

Excellent place! Very good food.

We went there for lunch this week. The staff was great, as was the food 👍🥰; The only downside: it was quite busy that day, but that speaks volumes about the staff and the quality 😅; We'd go back anytime 👍😘😁!!

Went with my Wife and Child and one other guest and as the waiter was seating us handing us Menus I told him it wouldn't be necessary as we were only going to have some drinks. The waiter then Told us "we couldn't have drinks there and we should go find another location". This waiter in particular may have been Bipolar. But it wasn't very good customer service.

Absolutely. Bavarian, rustic service with Bavarian dishes

Their Stadtwurst was quite good. And they grilled it on the wooden grill right before me, which was cool. (But yes, the sausage was most likely boiled before being grilled, otherwise cooking would've taken forever)

A very nice, quaint restaurant. Nice service. The food was delicious. It was well attended and we were lucky to get a spot. There is no children's menu. And it is sometimes cooked with caraway seeds (if you don't like that, it's typically Bavarian)

Very rude waiter Quality food and good but not exceptional Other traditional restaurants in Erlangen (Franconian and Bavarian) are of much better quality

The food tasted very good, unfortunately the staff was very unfriendly and overwhelmed. We had reserved the table a day in advance and when we arrived we didn't have a free choice. We were told to sit in the corner, which was then wrong and we were supposed to take a table next to it. The floor is crooked, you sit on the slope and you have to pay for your box for the food you want to take with you or get a strip of aluminum foil instead.😂 Well, if you need it 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

What an amazing restaurant! We arrived at the restaurant with no booking and hoped that they may have a table for us. The staff were very accommodating and found us a place upstairs. It was lovely and warm and the staff were very considerate and offered us an English menu. We chose our meals and we were not disappointed! The service was exceptional and the meals were the best we have had since arriving in Erlangen a week ago. Thank you so much for making one of our last nights in this beautiful town so memorable for our family.

Beautifully located old inn. Some portions are very large, others a little smaller. Service courteous

Très bonne cuisson de la viande au barbecue, les petites saucisses sont délicieuses. Accompagnement "simple", spaetzles un poil petites par contre. Ambiance très agréable, pittoresque.

Great food and atmosphere, but service is a disappointment. During payment the waiter was pressuring me to give a tip, when I did the waiter made it very clear that the tip was not enough! The brutality! Last time I visited this restaurant.

Great food and atmosphere, but service is a disappointment. During payment the waiter was pressuring me to give a tip, when I did the waiter made it very clear that the tip was not enough! The brutality! Last time I visited this restaurant.

It was a spontaneous dinner, they managed to find a place. It's no coincidence that it's popular, so reservations are recommended.

It was a pleasant surprise. Tasty German food and friendly atmosphere. We loved this experience. Planning for more visit and bringing friends also.

The restaurant is a must-visit when you are in Erlangen. Nice, rustic atmosphere and delicious food, for everyone. The price-performance ratio is also good...

Nice, small and rustic restaurant. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The food tastes good and the prices are ok.

Everything was great. I've been here before and had the beef fillet, which was already very good. This time we both had the Wiener Schnitzel with fried potatoes. We've rarely had such a good schnitzel! The service was also very good and attentive. We'd love to come back!

Great place for gathering with friends and enjoying authentic food!

Yes, rustic Franconian food with friendly service and good home cooking. Also very busy at lunchtime

We always enjoy having lunch here. Very tasty food and great service.

Very unfriendly waiter. From the beginning we were not welcome, even though we made reservations on the phone and mentioned 2 children. My 8 month old granddaughter caught the gravy boat that the waiter had placed right in front of her. Then the mishap happened and everything was on the table. We let you know immediately. Instead of bringing a wet rag, the waiter smeared everything with the napkins and asked us for more napkins. On the way out, he stopped me in the hallway in front of other guests who were coming in. He claimed it took him 20 minutes to clean the table. What's that supposed to mean? Everything would have been taken care of with a damp cloth. I think the man is simply overwhelmed with the service. When children sit at the table, something can happen. It's clear to me that we won't be coming back. Addendum on 02/25/25: How expensive are your cheese spaetzle if you are recommended the small portion of a large portion. Then you save €30.00? Your arguments are simply not correct! Nice attempt to badmouth former guests.

Fantastic atmosphere, food and service. Worth a visit!

Authentic Franconian cuisine and great service! The food was fresh and very tasty. The cozy atmosphere and the attentive staff make the visit perfect.

Great tasting Franconian food in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The service was top! Schäufele is a must try.

Beautiful, rustic Franconian restaurant - definitely worth a visit.

Typical food and traditional environment. Service could be improved

50 year old shop... Great food with regional specialties... Very nice atmosphere.

Great food, great friendly service. The next time we are in Erlangen again, we will definitely come, lately there are few German restaurants.

Unfortunately I have to give 2 stars because of the service, I was told by the waiter that I should tip which was rude to me because we live in a free country and it should be my decision whether I want to tip or not , I thought we lived in a free country. The food was delicious, minus for such rude service.

Traditional, old restaurant with Franconian Bavarian cuisine.

I was there in the summer with some friends. The food was great, service was great. We'd love to come back!

Mega rustic ambience, friendly service and down-to-earth, good food.

Very nice rustic restaurant with very good food at reasonable prices

I booked for two people on the venue's official website. The reservation was confirmed twice by email. As soon as we entered the restaurant, the gentleman who received the customers told us in a very rude tone that they did not have an email address and that our reservation name existed. We asked if there was room for two but he told us to leave. I have never seen such rude and unprofessional behavior.

Ich habe auf der offiziellen Seite des Veranstaltungsortes für zwei Personen gebucht. Die Reservierung wurde zweimal per E-Mail bestätigt. Sobald wir das Restaurant betraten, teilte uns der Herr, der die Kunden empfing, in sehr unhöflichem Ton mit, dass sie keine E-Mail-Adresse hätten und dass unser Reservierungsname existiere. Wir fragten, ob Platz für zwei wäre, aber er sagte uns, wir sollten gehen. Noch nie habe ich so unhöfliches und unprofessionelles Verhalten gesehen.

A fabulous family owned restaurant for over 50 years. Food was delicious, atmosphere was cozy, staff is a delight. So very pleased we stopped here for lunch.

Nowhere else in Germany will you find such a delicious Schäufele at such an affordable price! The portions are generous, and the service is outstanding. The shop also offers daily menus, so be sure to check their website for the best deals!

A very quaint restaurant with local specialties.

It was very tasty.. The beers are quite small but still good 🤣🫣 (was specially ordered that way)

Bestes Wirtshaus in Erlangen. Wirtsleute und Personal super nett, toll Gäste, bombiges Essen. Ein Muss in Erlangen. Besser kann man es nicht machen.

Great, friendly service, cozy surroundings and very good, tasty food (some from the open grill). Gladly again. Absolutely recommended. Thank you

I recently visited Restaurant Alter Simpl and had a great experience overall. The food was excellent—tasty, well-prepared, and satisfying. It truly stood out, and I can definitely say it was worth the visit. The atmosphere was very much what you’d expect from a traditional Gaststätte. It had that cozy, rustic vibe that felt welcoming and authentic. The only slight downside was the friendliness of the staff. While they were polite, I feel that a bit more warmth and attentiveness could have enhanced the experience. However, I understand that not everyone has their best day, and it's easy to overlook on a busy day. After all, kindness doesn’t cost anything and goes a long way. All in all, I’d still recommend Alter Simpl for the great food and its charming atmosphere.

Rustic, typically Franconian... and a voucher for food.

Very rustic inn, typical Franconian cuisine. Highly recommended

Super ...really nice place ...food and beer

Ambient very nice. Food was good, unfortunately the meat (lamb on a spit) was slightly burnt. However, it was delicious. Very nice service

Very tasty food and good service. The beef fillet 150g was a bit torn but good. The lamb was very good. The rösti were extremely crispy and delicious

Very pleasant staff, good price-performance ratio. Tasty dishes.

Quaint, cozy restaurant with very attentive staff 👍🏻

Delicious The staff was super friendly Outstanding ambience Can only be recommended

They were full. Even so communicative service. She knew how to give advice and was quick. I recommend. Thank you.

Great restaurant, rustic atmosphere and friendly staff. When you enter, you feel as if you are transported back in time or somewhere on the mountain pasture. There are a few places where the immersion is broken, but that doesn't matter after the first mug of freshly tapped beer. Food was great, price/performance was also right.

Can't complain, everything was great ✌️

Delicious food, rustic atmosphere, friendly staff

Local Franconian cuisine - beer from Munich. Here you can taste the region - and that the dishes are fresh and prepared by expert hands. We recommend the aromatic potato salad together with original grilled sausages. Very nice outdoor seating in front of the restaurant, fireplace inside. Good, friendly service. Unfortunately, digital payment is a bit complicated. All in all, a recommendable address.

One of the best traditional German restaurant in Erlangen.

Alter Simpl is truly a Franconian institution! Rustic and very tasty. Absolutely recommended.

We had food, but the sauerkraut was like porridge and cold. The bratwursts needed a little more browning, otherwise it was fine.

Very good food and super nice, attentive service

Very sociable atmosphere and delicious food. However, restaurant was very busy when we arrived.

Very nice atmosphere. Some cooking/grilling is done on an old wooden grill that was installed as a heater in 1750. Very courteous service staff. Food and drinks are freshly prepared and tasted excellent. Blackcurrant schnapps is recommended for digestion

Very tasty food and friendly staff in a typical Franconian restaurant!

I can’t agree more with one of the comment of yours which you show a disrespectful attitude to certain race groups. I also experienced exact situation where there’s a lot of empty tables but the guy rejected to receive me with a very bad manner. Looking at your responses to all the negative yet sincere comments, it’s not hard to picture the attitude you showed to me. Why bother to open the ‘Review’ if you can’t take any feedback nor reflect?

Nice rustic restaurant. Food is good. Portions are very large and the price is completely ok. If you want good home-style food, you'll definitely find something here.

I can’t comment on the food since the restaurant refused to take me, telling me its full while there’s a lot of empty tables. I will jump to a hasty conclusion and say its racism.

Cozy German stube. Good food. Real German cuisine

The food was delicious. I waited around 30 mins for the main course (lunchtime 12:30 rush hour might be the issue of it). But over all very good!

We were only here once. The food was really good, but the waiter was rude and constantly made us feel like we were a bother. That was the reason we never went back.

The food was good and came to the table quickly and hot. Service was friendly. However, what we didn't like at all was the dishonesty towards the guests. Prices listed on the outdoor menu are lower than the regular menu that is brought to the table. Attached are also the photos. I don't think that's okay. Therefore 2 stars.

A very cozy, warm and rustic guesthouse. Very friendly service and large portions at a good price. Absolute recommendation if you want to eat a hearty Franconian meal. I had brawn with fried potatoes and was thrilled.

Very tasty food. Especially the food from the beech wood grill. Staff very attentive and friendly. Can be recommended. Definitely come back.

Went there for dinner with a small group. The staff was very friendly, the food was tasty and plentiful.

Quaint restaurant with great food and fair prices

Unfriendly waiter who pretended not to understand our requests (simple change: salad offered in the accompaniments rather than cooked cabbage...) to finally understand them and make us pay for them (discovery made on the bill!!) Error also on the number of beers ordered (to our disadvantage of course!!) We were moved twice before we could place our order. The food is good and authentic. In short: good food but bad atmosphere…

Sehr gutes typisch Deutsches Essen. Immer gut besucht, Trotz 30 Grad im Schatten haben wir innen gegessen! Es gibt leider immer weniger typische Deutsche Traditionsrestaurants

Gaststätte an sich wirklich einzigartig, ABER der (ziemlich) dunkle, eher untersetzte, von den beiden Servicekräften KANN extrem unfreundlich sein; nicht zu jedem, aber irgendwie waren wir ihm nicht sympathisch ... nicht mal für's -eher großzügig bemessende- Trinkgeld entkam ihm eine Regung, einfach nur "als Spontangäste mit Verachtung abgestraft".

Super nice inn in the heart of the city. Nice service, very tasty food and fair prices.

Rustic inn with homemade, very tasty bratwursts. The food comes at the same time, the service is friendly but a bit rustic.

Ristorante di stile bavarese situato in una piazza di una chiesa quindi location molto tranquilla Mangiare classico tedesco, io ho preso lonza di maiale molto tenera mentre mio marito ha optato per un classico wurstel tipico accompagnato da crauti e patate, anche quello buono. Birra ottima, di una famosissima birreria bavarese ma la nota dolente è che il menù è senza prezzi quindi non si sa il costo dei vari piatti. Il prezzo è comunque nella media

The food was okay. The service was very relaxed in dealing with the guests, but a bit planned when allocating the seats. The ambience was impeccable and there was a pleasant outdoor area.

Excellent typical restaurant. We ate very well and were welcomed with our two young daughters Fair prices and I recommend the grills.

I was with you at the time of opening. I was told off very harshly that I hadn't set up yet and food wasn't available until 11 a.m. anyway. I just wanted something to drink. After 10 minutes you deigned to ask what you wanted. No complaints about the food, the Franke says “it’s fine”.

Very nice atmosphere and service

Very bad service. The waiters have to be asked several times to come to the guest's table! If you ask a passing waiter for something, you as a guest are ignored and he just keeps walking.

Originally Franconian, absolutely authentic restaurant in the heart of the city. Classic, old-fashioned Franconian furnishings (in the best sense of the word). Something like this is rare, especially in cities. The waitresses also reflect this charm. I've been here twice so far for the white sausage breakfast and can give a very clear recommendation! I haven't tried any other dishes yet, but I'm confident that these are also great.

cozy beer garden, delicious food, huge portions, super friendly service!