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.

Leipzig is already known as a foodie destination, what with its many culinary specialties such as the Leipziger Lerche, Leipziger Allerlei and the city’s coffee tradition. Even more so, the city’s restaurant scene has long been crowned by the only 2-star Michelin restaurant in East Germany outside Berlin: FALCO, towering over the city on the 27^th floor of the Westin Leipzig. Now FALCO’s chef, Peter Maria Schnurr, was awarded “Chef of the Year 2016” as well as 19 of 20 points by the prestigious “Gault Millau” restaurant guide. It is the highest award in the German catering business. In addition to the changing fresh seasonal dishes prepared by Schnurr and his team, FALCO boasts an extraordinarily broad culinary range of some 60 different cheeses und 1,200 types of wine. www.falco-leipzig.de

With the launch of the renowned „Guide Michelin“ for 2017, the East-German city of Leipzig was awarded another Michelin star: For the “Residenz im Herrenhaus Möckern”. After chef Peter Niemann left late in 2016, however, the concept of Herrenhaus Möckern was changed and it can now be booked as an event location. The former kitchen team of Herrenhaus Möckern has entirely moved to wine bar Chateau 9. http://chateau9.de/leipzig

Adding to Leipzig’s international flair and another hot candidate for culinary accolades is the Australian chef Paul Berry, owner of “The B10”, which opened early in 2015 and is located – guess where – Beethovenstraße 10, in the heart of Leipzig’s music district and near the impressive University Library. Berry, who has cooked for many a star, tycoon and moneymaker in the past, certainly knows how to spoil the discerning guest. His modern restaurant offers a small eclectic menu that changes constantly, as well as great wines, coffee and outdoor seating on the terrace. www.the-b10.com

For casual fine dining in the heart of the city, Planerts, opening up just outside the beautifully restored Oelssners Hof passageway, has proven to be an instant hit. Inspired by many trips to Asia, host Stefan Planert opted for a light, healthy and intelligible menu carried by Far Eastern influences. http://planerts.com

Since mid-October 2015, Leipzig is home to the new French restaurant “C’est la vie”. Owner Inga Connolly-Dahse’s and her partner Deborah Connolly’s mission is clear: “I cannot live without champagne. In victory, you deserve it. In defeat, you need it.” Fittingly, Napoleon Bonaparte, who lost in the Battle of Leipzig 1813, is referred to in the restaurant’s motto. Not only are there two French chefs, but an entire service team was recruited from Paris. www.cest-la-vie.restaurant

The gourmet restaurant “Villers” and the Vinothek “1770” of the 5-star superior hotel Fürstenhof Leipzig also create unique sensations of taste for their guests. Chef de cuisine Hannes Schlegel regales the city with exceptional creations, based on French cuisine combined with local produce and exotic ingredients. He learned his craft from scratch at another Michelin-starred Leipzig Restaurant: “Stadtpfeiffer”, situated next to the Gewandhaus in the city centre. The “Stadtpfeiffer” has claimed its title for many years now. www.restaurant-villers.de , www.stadtpfeiffer.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 legendary “Zest” in Connewitz, "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: Foodshot