STUTTGART, Germany — There are places where one can sigh happily and think, “It doesn’t get any more German than this.”, Gastaette zum Paulaner is such a place, but with the added appeal of being tourist-friendly. Yes, Amerikaners, that means you.
Located in the heart of bustling Stuttgart (pop. 600,000), the nice folks at Gastaette zum Paulaner are good at rolling out the wilkommen mat for visitors from around the world.
In the warmer weather, the Paulaner has an expanse of tables outside, and under the trees and umbrellas, it’s a lovely place to sit, eat, drink or just chill.
Inside, the Paulaner is all about big wooden tables and booths, and waiters hustling about carrying trays with food piled high.
Picture meaty pork shoulders or roast beef swimming in sauce with sauerkraut and knoedels. How about towering salads and steaming bowls of soup with hunks of bread? There are vegetarian offerings as well, plus appetizers and other smaller items.
Don’t forget about glasses of beer — dark, light, wheat — and other beverages.
If by some miracle one has room for dessert after dinner, then the apple strudel might beckon.
Speaking of miracles, there is even a nonsmoking section upstairs. (Some German restaurants are finally getting with the program.)
Because the Paulaner is an absolutely excellent place to chow and drink, it is often crowded. Tables are usually available, but not always.
The good news is that Gastaette zum Paulaner is located in a prime dining area of Stuttgart.
If there’s no room at the Paulaner, then one can simply walk around the corner and down Calwer Strasse, a pedestrian street that is lined by restaurants — Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Spanish. There is also Calwer Eck, another restaurant that provides equally fulfilling German food and drink.
Across the street, along Eberhard Strasse, one will find Mexican and Persian, not to mention the ubiquitous döner stands.
Gastaette zum Paulaner is located close to prime areas for clubbing and shopping. The entire area is a great place to spend a day or night, or both. No matter what one is looking for after hours, a trip to the Gastaette zum Paulaner is a good place to start. Or finish.
Click here for previous After Hours reviews.
Gastaette zum Paulaner
Prices: Appetizers and main courses range from 2 euros up to 18 euros. Drinks are 6 euros and less. Figure 10 to 20 euro for dinner per person, including a drink or two. Does NOT accept most credit cards.
Specialties: Bavarian. We’re talking meat and potatoes, soups, Bavarian beers.
English menu: Yes. Just ask.
Dress: Casual, but don’t dress like a slob. It’s Europe, after all. They don’t do shorts and muscle shirts here. Jeans are fine.
Clientele: Mixed. A lot of German folks who’ve been coming for years, but the place is also welcoming to foreign visitors.
Location: 45 Calwer Strasse, in downtown Stuttgart. The Koenigstrasse is the city’s main pedestrian shopping drag. At one end is the main train station (Hauptbahnhof); at the other end is Calwer Passage, where the restaurant is located. The nearest U-bahn (train) stops are Rotebuhl Platz and Schlossplatz.
Web site:www.brunnergastronomie.de (German). Reservations can be made here.
