Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [284]
Hotel Residence ( 535 46; www.wuerzburg-hotel.de; Juliuspromenade 1; s €67-78, d €88-110; ) With comely dormer windows and royal-hued interiors, this charming hotel, replete with all the trimmings, is a short walk from the river, congress centre and the city’s main sights.
Hotel Rebstock ( 309 30; www.rebstock.com; Neubaustrasse 7; s €83-119, d €133-169; ) Class, hospitality and a touch of nostalgia are the characteristics of this elegant hotel, one of Würzburg’s best snooze temples. Meticulously restored, this rococo mansion has superbly furnished rooms and amenities galore.
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Eating
For a town of its size, Würzburg has a bewildering array of enticing pubs, beer gardens, cafes and restaurants, with plenty of student hang-outs among them.
Starback (Kaiserstrasse 33; snacks from €0.69) No German-language skills are required to put together a budget breakfast or lunch at this brilliant self-service bakery. Other branches are found at Spiegelstrasse 1 and Augustinerstrasse 1.
Natur-Feinkostladen (Sanderstrasse 2a; dishes from €3) Come here for wholesome snacks and healthy fare, such as grain burgers; this place also runs the adjacent specialist grocery.
Uni-Café ( 156 72; Neubaustrasse 2; snacks €3-8) This is a hugely popular student hang-out on the lively Neubaustrasse strip. It has two floors of chilled-out clientele who come for the cheap snacks, cool music and – most of all – some fun.
Bürgerspital Weinstuben ( 352 880; Theaterstrasse 19; mains €5-10) The cosy nooks of this labyrinthine medieval place are among Würzburg’s most popular eating and drinking spots. Choose from a broad selection of Franconian wines and wonderful regional dishes, including Mostsuppe, a tasty wine soup.
Alte Mainmühle ( 167 77; Mainkai 1; mains €6-25) Accessed straight from the old bridge, tourists and locals alike cram onto the double-decker terrace suspended above the Main River to savour modern twists on old Franconian favourites. Summer alfresco dining is accompanied by pretty views of the Festung Marienberg; in winter retreat to the snug timber dining room.
Backöfele ( 590 59; Ursulinergasse 2; mains €7-20) For romantic atmosphere, it’s hard to beat this rustic restaurant set around a pretty courtyard. The menu features innovative twists on traditional game, steak and fish dishes. Marbled slabs of meat are grilled over the wood oven.
Juliusspital ( 540 80; Juliuspromenade 19; mains €10-23) This attractive Weinstube (traditional wine bar) features fabulous Franconian delicacies. The Juliusspital was first founded as a hospital in 1576 by Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, whose name pops up everywhere in Würzburg. The basement has a cavelike bakery with a clutch of tables.
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Drinking & Entertainment
For more options, grab a copy of the monthly listing magazine Frizz (in German).
Kult ( 531 43; Landwehrstrasse 10; 9am-late Mon-Fri, 10am-late Sat & Sun) Enjoy a tailor-made breakfast, munch on cheap lunch or party to the wee hours at Würzburg’s hippest cafe. The unpretentious interior with its salvaged tables and old beige benches hosts regular fancy-dress parties, table-football tournaments and other off-beat events. DJs take over at weekends.
Schützenhof beer garden ( 724 22; Mainleitenweg 48) For a drink with sun and a bucolic view, head for this delightful beer garden about 500m south of the Käppele chapel on the east bank of the Main. The main ingredients are ultra-fresh – listen for the farmyard animals protesting to the rear – and the beer (try the Balthasar Neumann) is served with a donkey-shaped Brezel (pretzel).
Pleicher Hof ( 465 2510; Pleichertorstrasse 30; cafe 5pm-1am Tue-Sat, 6pm-1am Sun, bar 9.30pm-4am Wed, Fri & Sat) This cool cafe spreads Med-style vibes during the evening, with light meals and coffees being the favoured