Whether French, exotic or regional products, gourmet cuisine or plain, traditional food – several stylish restaurants and cafés have conquered Leipzig’s restaurant scene over the last few months, enhancing the city’s culinary offerings.

In December 2014, Hannes Schlegel was appointed new chef de cuisine of the gourmet restaurant “Villers” and the Vinothek “1770” of the 5-star superior hotel Fürstenhof Leipzig, and has since been creating unique sensations of taste for his guests. Leipzig is not new to the 37-year-old chef: Before exploring the international gourmet cuisine in Switzerland, Finland and the United States, he learned his craft from scratch at Restaurant “Stadtpfeiffer”, situated next to the Gewandhaus in the city centre. “Stadtpfeiffer” is one of the Michelin-starred restaurants of Leipzig, claiming its title for many years now. Today, Schlegel regales the city again with his exceptional creations, based on French cuisine combined with local produce and exotic ingredients. www.restaurant-villers.de

Since the beginning of the year, guests can enjoy a delicious meal at a former mansion, Herrenhaus Möckern, set in the floodplain of the White Elster River. The manor from 1317 has undergone some extensive renovations over the last years and is now home to two new restaurants under the direction of the Leipzig top chef Peter Niemann. While "Die Brennerei" (Distillery) offers traditional home cooking, "Die Residenz" (Residence) attracts guests with upscale delights. Its atmospheric setting with stucco ceilings, the historic barrel-vault and two terraces for the summer months makes a visit completely distinctive. www.herrenhaus-leipzig.de

Transferred to a French world is the emerging feeling when entering the “petit Paris – Café Bistro Champagne”. The Bistro opened in September 2014 in the flourishing east of Leipzig, close to the city centre. And it is no surprise – the manager of the bistro, Pierre Croizeau is French and “Monsieur Pierre’s daily specials” make the daily lunch a treat for the palate. Quiche Lorraine, Tarte Tartin or a glass of cider – the “petit Paris” leaves nothing to be desired. The bistro’s name also bears a link to Goethe, who called Leipzig 'Little Paris' because he was impressed by the city’s stylishness at that time. www.petit-paris-leipzig.de

The fact that Leipzig also has a lot to offer for friends of the vegan movement was recently credited by the animal rights organization PETA, honouring Leipzig as the most vegan-friendly city. The vegan supermarket “Veganz”, newly opened in the city centre in November 2014 with its own café, the restaurant "S-Kultur" in Lindenau or the "Deli" in the Südvorstadt district are just a few examples for vegan gastronomy in Leipzig.

Information, travel offers, room reservations:
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Tourist-Information, Katharinenstr. 8, 04109 Leipzig, Tel.: +49 341 7104-260, info@ltm-leipzig.de, www.leipzig.travel

Photo: Skyline von Leipzig, Michael Bader, via LTM GmbH