Mosel Valley / Restaurant Guides

Best Places to Eat & Drink in the Moselle Valley

July 24, 2023
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Nestled amidst picturesque rolling hills and serpentine river bends, the Moselle Valley is a hidden culinary gem waiting to be explored. I was shocked the first time I came to the Mosel in 2019 – it has so much to offer a foodie like me! With its lush vineyards, charming riverside villages, and a rich history steeped in winemaking traditions, this region offers a delightful gastronomic journey like no other I’ve experienced Germany. Can you tell I am obsessed with the Mosel?  

Each time I visit the Moselle, I stay in different towns, which has gotten me familiar with many of the quaint family-owned wineries and cozy bistros between Cochem and Trier. In this blog post, I will unveil the best places to eat and drink in the Moselle Valley.

As can be expected, most of the food is hearty, German cuisine. But you might be surprised by the refinement and creativity at some of the spots on this list! Plus, I will end with my favorite wineries that have some of the best Rieslings you’ll ever drink. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey through this enchanting corner of Germany, where every meal and glass of wine is an invitation to savor the flavors of the valley.

Best Places to Eat & Drink in the Moselle Valley

Breakfast

Cochemer Kaffeerösterei

Offering one of the few boutique coffee experiences in the Mosel, Cochemer Kaffeerosterei has high-quality single origin coffee from India, Mexico, Tanzania and more. Sustainability is in their ethos, which is why they only source coffee beans from direct partners to guarantee quality, fairness and environmental friendliness. Plus, their cafe is located in the heart of Cochem with a fantastic view of the main square. 

perfect long weekend itinerary for the Mosel Valley

Cafe K

For the best cakes in the Mosel, you’ve got to stop by Cake K in Bernkastel-Kues. Baking is their passion, offering a rotating selection of seasonal cakes, baked fresh daily. You’ll see them proud on display right when you walk in. You can also get brunch if you need something savory before sweet. Personally, I think their fruit cakes are the best, especially if you happen to be in the Mosel during stone fruit season (i.e. plums, peach, etc). I had one of the best plum cream cakes ever! 

Lunch

Weinstube & Cafe Aacher Hof

Sitting directly on the banks of the Mosel River, I think the patio at Cafe Aacher Hof has got to be one of the prettiest in the region. It is wrapped in grape vines under the arches of a historic building. The vintage vibe continues with their glassware and mismatching plates. It’s just a cute spot. Order the Zwiebelkuchen & Federweißer if you’re there in August or September. I featured both of these things on my “Best of the Mosel” list because they are super unique seasonal products. Cafe Aacher does them especially well!

Pizzeria Castello

Hardy portions of delicious Italian food await you at Pizzeria Castello. A lot of the restaurants in Cochem are touristy (i.e. not great quality), but if you get off the main street, you’ll find hidden gems – like Pizzeria Castello! Homecooked pizza, pasta and Italian mains are the specialty, served in a rustic and casual spot. Ask to sit in the covered terrace upstairs if the weather is good. 

Zenthauskeller

Of all the places on this list, Zenthauskeller is my favorite. I come here every single time I am in the Mosel. Enjoy the ambiance in a barrel-vaulted wine cellar dating back to 1574. I’ve mentioned Zenthauskeller in several of my Mosel blog posts because they make THE BEST flammkuchen I have ever had. The crust is perfectly crisp with a good balance of topping and sauce, all of which are oozing with flavor. Plus, I think they have the best Sekt, or sparkling white wine, in the Mosel. 

In case you aren’t familiar, Flammkuchen is a German flatbread. The most traditional Flammkuchen is a crispy thin crust topped with bacon, creme fraîche and white onion. You will sometimes find other toppings, such as a vegetarian version or with seasonal ingredients, but the creme fraîche is almost always the sauce. It is cooked at a very high temperature for only a couple of minutes until the creme fraîche melts slightly and the crust browns. You’ll often see it shared among friends as a starter or snack, but it can easily be ordered as a main dinner. 

Dinner

Burgine Landshut

For a romantic dinner, there is no better spot in the Moselle than Burgine Landshut. Situated inside the ruins of a 13th-century castle 60 meters above the river, Burgruine Landshut is a nice restaurant serving elevated German cuisine. There is an indoor dining room as well as a rooftop outdoor dining room, both of which offer stunning views of the Mosel river. It is open for both lunch and dinner. I think the best time to go is around sunset. The Moselle region looks absolutely gorgeous awash in those golden hour colors! This place is fairly well-known, so you should make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you are traveling in the Mosel during the grape harvest.

Alte Zunftscheune 

Perhaps the most charming spot for dinner on this Moselle Valley restaurant list is Alte Zunftscheune. Family-owned and operated since 1970, this building first served as a butcher shop before converting into a full-blown restaurant in the 1990s. The charm comes from the family’s passion for collecting antiques, especially wine equipment and tools, all of which now adorn the walls of the restaurant. It feels like dining in a museum! Plus, the restaurant has expanded over the years into the cellar, the barn, and front house, so it is a bit of a maze to get to your table. The food is regional German cuisine prepared in traditional, homestyle ways that are rich and truly delicious. 

8 Adorable Towns to Explore in the Moselle Valley

Turmblick Zell

Dining alfresco takes on a whole new meaning when you’re sitting on a massive patio looking at the Round Tower on the opposite side of the Mosel River. As the sun sets, the town lights up and it is really romantic. Turmblick is a great spot for a nice dinner and a view. The traditional German food is approachable and delicious, prepared with care and some modern touches. The vibe is… quirky. Quirky might even be an understatement for the design at Turmblick – there are vintage bathtubs filled with plants, painted mannequins and cottage-core porcelain decor. 

Die Graifen

I love the way that this restaurant plays with old and new. The building dates back to the 19th century but a beautiful glass-roof was added in the 2000s, giving Die Graifen an atmospheric feeling inside the restaurant. There is a feeling of casual sophistication that I absolutely love. The decor aesthetically mixes modern boho touches with vintage furniture and art. I feel like I could live in this restaurant! The menu is focused on refined French & Mediterranean dishes. Fresh and seasonal ingredients are the focus, paired with simple and classic techniques. The price point is slightly higher than other spots on this list, but I think it is worth the splurge. 

Wineries

Vino Forum

If you are brand new to German Riesling wine, then Vino Forum is a great place to start your journey in the Mosel. Offering a curated selection of wine from around the region, this place features wines from different vineyards and different styles. You’ll learn a lot about what flavors you like (and don’t like) with their personalized wine tastings. You can choose up to 6 different wines in a tasting. The friendly, knowledgeable (and English-speaking) staff will tell you all about the various wines and their characteristics. Plus, they’ve got a large patio and a beautifully styled dining room.

Weingut Dr. Loosen

Family-owned for over 200 years, this elegant stone estate houses a winery & tasting rooms overlooking the winery’s steep sloped vineyards. The patio is genuinely gorgeous! Even though it sits directly next to the busy main road, the stone walls and thick vegetation make it feel like you’re in a private oasis. Since 1993, the winery has been a member of the VDP (Association of German Quality Wineries) which gives their wine the prestigious ‘6 grapes inside an eagle’ symbol. Ask about it at your tasting if you aren’t familiar with the certification process. The proud staff will be happy to explain it to you, as you sample their delicious wines.

Just a small personal story about this place. I brought my mother-in-law, who had never been to Europe prior to visiting us in 2022, to Weingut Dr Loosen. As we walked up she said “omg Megan, this is my favorite Riesling! How did you know?”. That was such a proud moment for me, because it was totally accidental. I just went to a place that offered English wine tastings with a reservation that also had a nice aesthetic and good website. Turns out, my instincts were good!  

Historischer Gewölbekeller Weingut Walter J. Oster

More of wine shop and wine club, Walter J. Oster is one of the most recognizable names in the Moselle Valley. Exceptionally skilled at branding and marketing, there is a good chance you might be familiar with their wines before even arriving in the Mosel. Housed in a historic wine vault, the shop in St. Aldegund is beautiful and offers a massive selection of wine and pairing food, such as crackers, jams, spreads and olives. 

Trossen Winery

This isn’t one of the most well-known wineries in the Moselle, but I find it is always friendly and quite approachable. The Trossen family has been running this winery for 3 generations. During our tasting, we had the pleasure of getting to know the youngest son who will soon be taking over the business. You can really sense – and taste! – the care they put into wine production. There is a lot of craftsmanship in their Rieslings. Plus, their location offers a beautiful view over Traben-Trarbach. 

Have thoughts or questions about where to eat and drink in the Mosel? Comment below!

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