Heidelberg, part 2

November 27, 2024 Anna Sol

So, guys, today is the second part of my story about Heidelberg. You can check out the first part with detailed information about the city here. And today will be more photos and a bit less text. This section focuses on:
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Shopping
• Man’s best friends (dogs)
As always, I want to note that I choose all the places based on my personal taste. They might not match your preferences, but anyway I hope you find my review interesting and useful.

P.S. At the end of this post, I’ve provided links to all the places I mentioned in this article.

. Hotels

I genuinely love hotels. My parents in the past professional athletes—first volleyball players, then coaches—and in my distant past, I was also a professional volleyball player. My parents worked in different countries, and I played in different countries, which meant travel, flights, and, of course, hotels. So, from childhood, hotels have been a completely normal and fascinating part of my life. Even now, I have a bit of a nomadic spirit—I love movement and changing places. But I don’t see hotels just as temporary accommodations during travel. For me, hotels are microcosms, each with its own energy and atmosphere. I get immense pleasure from sitting in a lobby with a cup of coffee or working on my laptop, observing people arriving and leaving. It feels like traveling to other cities and countries without leaving town. But I’m very picky; I always notice small details and nuances, even if I don’t always show it. Style, the hotel team, cleanliness, and details are very important to me, and if something is off, the microcosm is disrupted.

There are, of course, many hotels in Heidelberg, but I’ll introduce you to the three that resonate with me the most in spirit—and by all the parameters I mentioned above.

Europäischer Hof

Europäischer Hof is a luxurious five-star hotel with a rich history. It was founded in 1865 and has been managed by the von Kretschmann family since 1906, making it one of the few large hotels in Germany that has remained in private hands for four generations—an impressive fact that truly fascinates me. The hotel is renowned for its elegant interior, blending tradition with modern technology, and its philosophy of “We love what we do”…and o lot of fresh flowers. My detailed story about the hotel, my warm emotions, and photos can be found here, and you can immerse yourself in its pre-Christmas atmosphere here (highly recommended).

The hotel offers 118 rooms, including suites and apartments. There’s also an excellent Panorama Spa Club with a sauna, pool, and rooftop terrace. Additionally, Europäischer Hof is a popular venue for events and conferences, featuring six halls, the largest of which can accommodate around 160 people.

The hotel boasts a MICHELIN Key recognition.

And you can read about the two hotel restaurants just below in the “Restaurants” section.

Heidelberg Suites

Heidelberg Suites is a very stylish boutique hotel located on the banks of the Neckar River. It combines two beautyful villas and offers luxurious apartments and suites with panoramic views of the Old Town and Heidelberg Castle. The hotel features many interesting interior details and works of art, giving it a unique charm unlike any other hotel.

Guests can enjoy a SPA area, fitness room, sun terrace and jacuzzi. The hotel also offers auto transfers and bike tours around the area.

The hotel holds a MICHELIN Key distinction.

And about the restaurant you can read below in the “Restaurants” section.

NH Collection

NH Collection Heidelberg— “dynamics, business, growth”. These are the words that come to my mind every time I enter this wonderful hotel. Conferences, business meetings, and tourists give this place endless forward-moving energy and i really love it.

The hotel is located in the Bergheim district, just a 10-minute walk in a straight line from the Old City. It occupies a former 18th-century brewery, combining historic charm with modern comfort and a partly loft-style design. The hotel has 168 rooms of various categories, including historical and modern wings. Guests can enjoy a restaurant and bar inspired by the building’s brewing past, as well as a fitness room, sauna, and spa area. With 16 halls, it is an excellent venue for various conferences.

. Restaurants

I love delicious food and fascinating restaurants. I believe that during both short trips and extended journeys, the gastronomic experience is just as important as the cultural one and, in a way, even part of that cultural exploration. I’ve already mentioned in the Hotels section what aspects matter most to me about hotels—well, the same goes for restaurants, with the addition of tasty food. So, I’ve curated a small selection of what I consider delicious and interesting places.

P.S. There’s one restaurant I can’t leave out ( it’s not on the list because I don’t have photos from there)—Oben. It holds one MICHELIN star and one GREEN MICHELIN star. Based on their website, it features a very cozy interior, an exquisite menu, and an excellent team. Friends who have been there were absolutely delighted, describing the evening not just as dinner but as a whole culinary journey.

Die Kurfürstenstube and Sommerrestaurant by Hotel Europäische Hof

Kurfürstenstube is an iconic fine-dining restaurant in Heidelberg, situated within the esteemed Hotel Europäischer Hof. Combining timeless charm with modern sophistication, the restaurant’s interior boasts elegant wood paneling and a cozy yet refined ambiance. Every detail, from the attentive service to the artful presentation of dishes, is designed to create an unparalleled dining experience. I simply love this place.

The menu offers an exquisite fusion of classic and contemporary European cuisine, emphasizing the finest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. You have also the option to choose from a 3-, 4-, or 5-course menu in addition to the à la carte offerings.

P.S. Mentioned in the MCHELIN Guide.

The Summer Restaurant (Sommerrestaurant) is an elegant and spacious venue, adorned in a pleasant light color palette. Its floor-to-ceiling windows open wide during warm weather, seamlessly blending the indoor dining area with the lush courtyard terrace. The soothing sound of a fountain and the songs of birds create an idyllic setting, perfect for enjoying a summer evening with exquisite cuisine and delightful company.

The menu at Sommerrestaurant is lighter compared to that of Kurfürstenstube, yet equally focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients. It offers creative and refined dishes inspired by both regional and international culinary traditions. The impeccable service, a hallmark of Europäischer Hof, extends to every corner of this dining experience. Open from late April to late September, the Summer Restaurant hands over its culinary reigns to Kurfürstenstube as the seasons change.

Weisser Bock

959 Heidelberg

Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg

Patria by Heidelberg Suites

Patria offers an excellent blend of culinary experience (Italian cuisine), magnificent views of Heidelberg Castle, the Old Town, the river, and sometimes even swans that swim by to check on the ship. Yes, you read that right—the restaurant is on a boat. It’s stylishly decorated, which is no surprise, as it’s belong to Heidelberg Suites (and moored nearby), whose exquisite interior you’ve already seen in the “Hotels” section.

Restaurants on the water hold a special place in my heart, so if you love enjoying delicious food with the sound of water lapping against the side, I highly recommend stopping by for dinner—or even just a cocktail, they also have a lovely, albeit compact, bar area. Occasionally, they host parties, so keep an eye on the schedule—or consider renting the space for your private event.

Zum roten Ochsen

Zum Roten Ochsen is undoubtedly a unique place. I believe it’s more than just a restaurant, it’s a small center of Heidelberg’s history. It’s one of the city’s oldest and most renowned establishments. The building dates back over 300 years: it was constructed in 1703, and in 1839, the Spengel family purchased it, opening Zum Roten Ochsen to guests. Located in the historic city center, it has deep ties to Heidelberg’s student traditions. Inside, you’ll find many old photographs, paintings, and relics reflecting the region’s cultural heritage and the student corporations that have frequented the venue for centuries.

The restaurant is famous for its traditional German cuisine and cozy atmosphere. Another delightful feature is the live piano performances in the evenings.

Notable guests have included Theodor Heuss, Mark Twain, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Mamie Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles, Rudolf Caracciola, Olivia de Havilland, Nelson Piquet, and many others. So, if you want to enjoy traditional German food and soak in Heidelberg’s historic spirit, this is definitely the place to go.

. Shopping

Sometimes, even on the shortest trips, we feel like doing some spontaneous shopping. Here, I’ve selected a few interesting stores located right on the pedestrian Hauptstraße, so you can easily drop by during your walk. Whether you start at one end or the other, you’ll definitely pass by them.

Henschel

Max & Co.

CB Parfumerie (Parfumerie Frosch)

If you love niche perfumes as much as I do, make sure to visit this small yet remarkable perfume boutique during your stroll. Brands like Memo, Creed, Xerjoff, Parfums de Marly, Birkholz and more will delight you. Additionally, you’ll find luxury decorative and skincare cosmetics. Almost every branch (including Heidelberg) features a beauty lounge where you can get facial treatments.

Wolkenseifen

Wolkenseifen is a paradise for natural cosmetics lovers, spread across two floors. The assortment is 80% Wolkenseifen and 20% other brands. I’ve bought so many things here, both for myself and as gifts for friends. I adore the retro-style packaging and the high quality of the products. The second floor features a barbershop for gentlemen—everything for shaving and grooming—as well as a section with decorative cosmetics and perfumes for ladies. This brand is local (produced near Heidelberg), so you can stop by and pick up a fragrant, foamy souvenir from Heidelberg.

Alte Brennerei

Alte Brennerei is a cozy store specializing in artisanal spirits, liqueurs, and delicacies. They use traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients sourced from local farmers. All Alte Brennerei products are made in their own distillery in Backnang. This includes not only spirits but also sauces, oils, and spices. The store offers tastings and personalized consultations, so don’t miss the chance to sample…perhaps the pistachio liqueur, for example. If you don’t consume alcohol, remember they also offer oils, sauces, various mustards, and spices. This is the perfect place for those seeking authentic souvenirs or unique gifts. We often buy small bottles of liqueurs as gifts and frequently pick up spices and mustard for ourselves.