Zum Goldenen Schwan in Erfurt

After many years, we returned to the Golden Swan and were not disappointed. Currently, we're enjoying the roulade with dumplings and red cabbage whenever possible, and this was by far the best we've had so far – 5 stars! The roulade and dumplings were perfectly paired before they even arrived, which is sadly not always the case. The children had schnitzel with fresh peas and fish fingers with a salad, each served with fries, and these dishes were also excellent and delicious. This will definitely be a regular stop for us when we're looking for good food in the city, away from the well-established large Italian restaurants.

If you like a slightly dim atmosphere, this is the place for you. The service was quick, friendly, and helpful. The menu was easy to navigate, the food was delicious, and the beer (Christmas beer) is highly recommended.

A lovely, slightly rustic restaurant. The restrooms were also clean. We reserved a table in the conservatory, which was cozy and bright. The staff was very friendly and relaxed, despite it being Boxing Day. They even put the cutlery on the table while wearing gloves. Wonderful! We'll be back next Christmas.

The food unfortunately wasn't as good as it looked. Goose legs for that price were really not good.

We were lucky enough to get a table for three at short notice on Christmas Day. We received a very friendly welcome from a waitress who showed us to our table. Although the restaurant was very busy, we received our drinks and food very quickly. The food was excellent. The waitress was attentive and very friendly. The restaurant made a very clean and welcoming impression on us. It was a wonderful visit to this historic restaurant. I can wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant. Thank you very much and keep up the good work!

Previously positive visits were significantly marred by our last experience. The restaurant was supposed to remain open until 11:00 PM according to their own policy. Around 10:00 PM, a server, acting on behalf of the "owner," asked us to leave, as we were the only remaining customers. While paying the bill in the dining area, a snotty man sitting at the bar, clearly also one of the "owners," verbally abused us as we left, hurling insults and almost profanities. This was definitely the last visit for us and our family and friends. The restaurant staff should remember that when things get too good at something and you lose touch with reality, a fall is always a possibility. Besides, there are plenty of other restaurants in Erfurt that surely still value their customers and their money and look forward to welcoming them.

Good service, nice atmosphere, food good but unfortunately cold due to the long distances.

Child-friendly and incredibly friendly service. Thank you so much.

The food and service were excellent. Good value for money. We sat upstairs, all tables were occupied, so the acoustics were a bit noisy. Therefore, 4 stars for ambiance. Overall, highly recommended!

We dined at the Golden Swan on December 14, 2024, during our visit to Erfurt. It was a culinary journey through classic Thuringian cuisine. From the appetizer to the main course and dessert, it was simply indescribable. I must especially commend the service. Our server was incredibly friendly, efficient, and made our visit a truly memorable experience. Reserving a table is highly recommended, especially during the Christmas season. Update 2025: Reserving a table is absolutely essential. We were lucky enough to secure a reservation for the second time. We ordered the same menu as in 2024. There is absolutely nothing to complain about. The quality of the food is undeniable and remained unchanged from the previous year. The service was also excellent and completely satisfactory! In conclusion: Maintaining this level of quality in both service and food for two consecutive years is outstanding and unparalleled.

Great food, great service, Christoph was very competent and very friendly! We'd love to come back.

We went to the Christmas market and found a great restaurant. The service was super friendly. The menu had something for everyone. We wanted local food and that's exactly what we were looking for. Absolutely delicious 😋 🤤.

Very friendly and attentive service. Delicious food. Reasonable price.

Had lunch there and the food and beer were good but not great. The food and beer both were kinda bland. We had the schnitzel and mushroom soup.

During our weekend trip to Erfurt, we stumbled upon this restaurant by chance. We were lucky enough to get a table on Saturday afternoon without a reservation, which wasn't possible at the neighboring establishments. Regarding the service: The somewhat older lady with glasses downstairs was very unfriendly; perhaps she was having a bad day. In contrast, the young waiter upstairs was incredibly friendly and attentive. The venison ragout was delicious, but the pork steak was unfortunately cooked to the point of being shoe leather. The oyster mushrooms were also disappointing. The restaurant's ambiance was unique. The same goes for the locally brewed beer, which we thoroughly enjoyed. All in all, we give it 4 stars.

Super friendly. Great service. And super delicious food...we'll gladly come again.

Delicious. It can get noisy during peak hours, as the dining area is relatively large. Excellent service.

A rustic restaurant serving hearty, traditional German cuisine. The food was delicious and the locally brewed beer was very tasty.

Our favorite restaurant when we're in Erfurt. Everything about it is just perfect.

Good food, Thuringian roulade is recommended.

Solid food and an averagely pleasant atmosphere, which feels a bit cold. The price is perfectly reasonable.

Super delicious and great service. I'd gladly come again.

We went there spontaneously yesterday. The service was nice and friendly. The interior was nicely decorated.

Great service, fast and absolutely delicious food... oh yes, and the beer!!!

The food was good. The atmosphere probably depends on where you sit. Overall... I would definitely eat there again.

We had lunch at this wonderful inn today to celebrate our engagement. The ambiance is exactly what we love. We started with a wild mushroom soup, which was very tasty and beautifully presented. For the main course, we had venison roast with Thuringian dumplings and Brussels sprouts—absolutely delicious. The wine was recommended to us by the very friendly and knowledgeable waiter and was a perfect match. All in all, a wonderful meal at this highly recommended restaurant. Thank you so much!

A wonderful experience in the evening with my friends at the St. Martin's Day goose dinner on November 10th!

Extremely friendly. Excellent food. Great value for money.

Excellent location in the old town, and the food was good too.

Excellent food and generous portions – the service is very courteous and attentive. It's a pleasure to eat typical Thuringian food there.

Very comfortably furnished, traditional food of a high standard.

Everything was great – we'll definitely come back. It's rare to find such a fast and friendly waiter. Even with the tattoos 😅

We held our annual meeting on October 25, 2025, at the Golden Swan in the beautiful city of Erfurt. The food was excellent, and the service for 75 people was consistently reliable, attentive, and very friendly. A big thank you to the entire team. We'd love to come back again.

Very tasty German food, no frills. Very friendly and witty service. We'll be happy to come back next time we're in Erfurt.

Very good food. Excellent value for money. Excellent service. I highly recommend it.

We arrived on Friday at 4:30 p.m. without a reservation after being turned away at other restaurants. The very friendly waiter told us we could have a table at least until 5:30/6:00 p.m. and also have something to eat. We decided to just have a drink. They brew their own beers here, and you can really tell that they're making good, handcrafted beers. The three of us each had a wheat beer. One person found it too strong, while another was absolutely thrilled. The ambiance is lovely, and the service is truly world-class. We'll gladly return for a beer, as we really appreciate such local breweries.

We came here for an early dinner at 4 p.m. and were very satisfied. The food was delicious, and the server was very friendly and attentive. We've never experienced such friendly service before.

Very good food. Friendly, attentive service and a lovely atmosphere – thank you!

Cozy and rustic dining room Friendly service Delicious home-brewed beer A varied menu with classic Thuringian dishes I had the steak with spiced meat It was delicious

Nice restaurant in the old town, lovely ambiance, attentive staff, good food selection, the summer beer was great—drinkable, cold—and that's the verdict from someone who isn't a beer lover, so highly recommended!

Delicious food, very friendly service!!! Great place...

We were here for lunch today on our wedding anniversary. It was perfectly prepared, the food was excellent, and the service was on point, very sensitive to the wedding guests. All in all, perfect!

Anyone who goes to the trouble of brewing their own beer won't serve bad food. With that in mind, I wouldn't be disappointed. The roast beef was excellent, the beer delicious, and the service very friendly.

We sat comfortably under umbrellas in the backyard. The waiter was very friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed the food immensely. All in all, I highly recommend the Golden Swan.

Good food at a reasonable price. Very good service.

We were here for lunch today. Incredibly delicious 🤤 The duck leg was crispy yet super tender and juicy. The broad bean dish was very filling, well-seasoned, and also very tasty. The service was very friendly and attentive. We felt very comfortable. The food was also delivered very quickly, and the fresh flowers on the table were the icing on the cake. Highly recommended all around 🫶🏽

A very good restaurant serving Thuringian cuisine. The homemade beer is excellent. Lovers of Thuringian wine will also find plenty to enjoy here. The staff was super friendly and attentive. A visit to Erfurt is a must.

Unfortunately, on Friday evenings, there were long waiting times and the taste was only okay.

This restaurant lured us with its home-brewed beer -> very tasty! The food is outstanding: very tasty and visually appealing. The service was excellent!

Great service and quick processing

Great restaurant and delicious food and very nice staff

Super nice and attentive service

Very tasty food, friendly service, very well attended...also with a beer garden

A bit more expensive. Limited vegetarian options. All the dishes on the menu are rather heavy (duck, roulades, etc.); something summery would have been nice, hence the point deduction. The quality of the food is top-notch. Service is very good.

You can't go out for dinner any better

Unfortunately, my meal, pork loin steak, wasn't particularly good: tough, the onions were overcooked, and the salad had no dressing. My wife's meal was so-so, fried asparagus. The waitress was friendly to us, but when she turned away from other guests, she pulled a face. Not particularly enthusiastic. It took 15 minutes for the bill to arrive. We would recommend other restaurants.

Just stopped by for an after-work beer. Excellent service, a nice atmosphere on the courtyard terrace. I'll be back.

The food was abysmal and unloving. The service was very nice. I wouldn't eat here again.

I can't recommend it. The Thuringian sausage wasn't good. Probably because it's a limited liability company, the employees aren't that motivated. The other dishes from the other restaurants weren't good either. We won't be back.

Very nice restaurant with very good food and friendly staff

My recommendation! There's a large beer garden behind the house.

The "Zum Goldenen Schwan" restaurant is located in Erfurt's historic Old Town. Built in the 12th century, the "Golden Swan" is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Erfurt. In keeping with the tradition of a pub brewery, several types of home-brewed beers are served, including Pilsner, dark beer, and wheat beer. The menu features typical German and Thuringian dishes. The Golden Swan has five dining rooms on two floors, and the beer garden, located next to the Kulturhof zum Güldenen Krönbacken (Culture Courtyard), is a wonderful place to enjoy Erfurt's historic Old Town in peace and quiet.

Beautiful brewery restaurant with good food and friendly service. The beer was also delicious (Maibock). I'd be happy to go again.

We were here with a group and had reserved tables. We received good and quick service. Among other things, we ate potsushi. This delicacy was described as being made from wild boar. That was probably a bit of an exaggeration. It didn't taste like game, and it was only lightly seasoned. Otherwise, the food was good. With a little more attention, we might have drunk a few more beers.

In any case!!! Hospitality, ambience and service great!

We had asparagus with parsley potatoes - four spears of asparagus were al dente and the potatoes could have used a little salt, but ok. Hollandaise sauce was tasty, but not enough. We also had the schnitzel with fries. Schnitzel was okay, but fries were very dry, hard and unseasoned. Unfortunately, the waitress forgot about us a few times, but the colleague checked on us and was very nice. For the price, the quality of the food wasn't good enough for me on the one hand and it wasn't good enough on the other.

Everyone has to decide for themselves, mine wasn't

Nice atmosphere and a very good menu with regional specialists. I can highly recommend the roulade.

Visited the restaurant based on a recommendation. We were lucky and got a table without booking in advance. But the food wasn't good. There were schnitzels that appeared to be frozen because they were evenly thin and from the deep fryer because they were evenly brown. The schnitzel was totally dry. Fried potatoes without taste, five spears of asparagus. Price: asparagus, schnitzel potatoes €26.50. Schnitzel “Viennese style” €17.90. You can do it better at home. The service tried to be friendly. The house is very beautiful. But we won't visit this restaurant again.

Very good food. Be sure to reserve.

Very nice staff, the seats in the courtyard are comfortable. Food was very good.

Good food at fair prices. Very friendly employee.

If you want to experience original Thuringian cuisine and home-brewed beer, this is the right place for you. A very cozy restaurant with friendly staff and very tasty food. A recommendation if you are in Erfurt. Be sure to try the beer, it's really good.

The atmosphere is very cozy and inviting. The service was very nice and friendly. The food came very quickly and almost at the same time for everyone at the table. Only the prices are excessive for the “normal” dishes. For example, we thought tagliatelle with chicken for over €21 was exaggerated. All in all, we would recommend the restaurant.

Food tastes good. Goes quickly. Service friendly. But apparently industrially pre-prepared ingredients.

Classic Thuringian cuisine with very attentive service

Ate there for the 3rd time and it was tasty again. Nice service and nice, cozy atmosphere.

Unfortunately not worth another visit. The ambience was great but the waiter was unfriendly, had completely forgotten our food order and only when we asked did it come after a wait of over 45 minutes. Dumplings were still almost raw and cold inside. Very annoying and not even an apology for forgetting the order.

Good service, excellent food, gladly again!

Great gastronomy, great food and homemade potato dumplings... highly recommended!!!

The service is very friendly. You don't have to wait long for food and drink. I feel very comfortable in the restaurant. Everything is very clean.

Overall, most were happy with their food. We were 30 people. Including 4 people who had vegan food. With bulgur. It tasted very tasty. But we were all still hungry. Because the portion wasn't exactly big. I also think the price is overpriced in relation to the meat dishes. Because bulgur costs much less compared to meat. The other ingredients in the dish don't cost the earth either. I just think it's a shame to overprice the dish just because it's vegan. I cook a lot with these ingredients myself and know that it is not an expensive dish.

Good beers, friendly staff and delicious Thuringian cuisine

Erfurter Bratwurst schmeckte wie vom Discounter, unterdurchschnittlich und könnte besser durchgebraten sein als Verbesserungsvorschlag, das Sauerkraut war mit Kartoffellbrei oder ähnlicher undefinierbarer Substanz durchmischt, die Bratkartoffeln angeblich mit Speck, kam mir aber vor wie mit in Würfeln geschnittene Kasslerstücken vom Vorgast. Räumlichkeiten und Bedienpersonal waren in Ordnung.

Open space loud, otherwise pleasant

Meal after advance reservation. Food very good.

Yesterday we were at the Golden Swan with almost 100 people. Ambience... A matter of taste. Eat…. Good middle class (a few colleagues had something to complain about, I didn't ;)) Here we would actually be at 3-4 out of 5 stars. I really give it 5 stars for the really strong staff. Fast, extremely friendly and happy to fulfill small requests for changes (you can try it here in Cologne 😂). I also admire the kitchen staff, who “delivered” like a pearl necklace. Thank you very much, that was really an impressive achievement.

Everything was good. Drinks and food were tasty.

Very welcoming environment. Equally courteous staff. Fast service and well-made typical dishes. Reasonable prices.

Very good restaurant in the heart of the old town of Erfurt. Good German cuisine and good beer. Suitable for small to large groups or celebrations. Service very friendly and competent. We would love to come back.

great service, nice staff, delicious food, clear recommendation

Restaurant with traditional Thuringian dishes such as beef roulades with dumplings or crackers with kale. But there are also good vegetarian dishes. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasted good. Of course you also have to mention the home-brewed beers. There are also seasonal beers such as Winterbier or Maibock. We had the black beer and the winter beer with 6% ABV. Both were very tasty. The prices are more than ok for the size of the portions. Our service was very friendly and attentive.

Das Ambiente und die Einrichtung sind im Stil einer alten Brauerei. Sehr schön. Das Personal war freundlich und versucht jeden Wunsch zu erfüllen. Die Gerichte sind zwar schön angerichtet aber vom Geschmack her nichts besonderes. Deswegen sind die Preise völlig übertrieben. Zum Beispiel ein Schweineschnitzel für 24,60€. Für uns leider kein zweites mal.

Fabulously friendly service and the beer brewed in-house is highly recommended.

A tip not just for family celebrations: just try the roast pork in black beer sauce with Thuringian dumplings and... yes... savoy cabbage vegetables (new menu 2025). That was so delicious. Next time I would jet from Leipzig to Erfurt just because of this dish...

Large restaurant with different seating areas in the style of a brewery. Nice and fast staff with a relaxed attitude. Great central location

In addition to the delicious and rich food, It was the friendliness of the staff that was particularly positive. The food is traditional with a seasonal menu. The mushrooms come from our own cultivation. Home-brewed beer was on top.

The food is always delicious, the waitresses often ask if everything is OK and are always willing to answer any questions. Is only recommended.

Very nice atmosphere, very friendly and fast service. Good, plentiful food and a good selection

No matter what you order, it will be delicious.