Schlenkerla Rauchbierbrauerei

At the foot of the cathedral, Schlenkerla brings together a brewery, tavern and a history documented from 1405, when the house was known as “Zum blauen Löwen”. The Trum family runs the business in its sixth generation, and beer is still drawn from a wooden cask in the tavern. Bamberg Rauchbier is not an ordinary beer with a smoky note added at the end: the malt is dried over smoke, an old technique that became uncommon as modern drying methods spread. The result has an intense aroma reminiscent of wood and fire; some people love it from the first sip, while others find it unusual. The house also offers other beers and non-alcoholic drinks, so a visit does not require choosing its strongest speciality.

Franconian cooking turns the stop into a full meal. Dishes published on the menu include Bamberg onion stuffed with minced meat and served in Rauchbier sauce, roast pork knuckle, Schäuferla—crispy roast shoulder—sausages made with smoked malt, and beef with horseradish. Vegetarian choices, salads and seasonal dishes also appear. The kitchen prepares food daily, and the tavern warns that some dishes may sell out before the kitchen closes. Online comments often praise the historic room, beer drawn from the cask and hearty cooking; at the same time, its popularity means shared tables and busy spells, and some visitors describe uneven service or a meal that did not live up to the atmosphere.

The brewery is open daily from 09:30 to 23:30, with the kitchen serving from 11:00 to 22:00, according to its official website. The courtyard of the former Dominican complex opens in good weather from Easter to early October; for a same-day table, the venue asks guests to call +49 951 56050. From the cathedral, walk down through the old town streets; the tavern is also a short walk from the Regnitz and the Old Town Hall. For another view of Bamberg, Spezial-Keller sits on a hillside with a terrace and a broad city outlook. Its draw is the scenery and beer-garden experience, while Schlenkerla offers a direct encounter with Rauchbier tradition. Smoked beer has a pronounced flavour: ordering a small pour first or choosing a milder alternative makes the experience easier for anyone new to the style.