The generous people on this site have made some fantastic recommendations so far, so I'm looking for 2 more. Can anyone recommend some great, hidden gems for restaurants/beer/wine halls in either Bamberg or Rothenberg? It would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>

There is a resturaunt called the "haufbrau Haus" (Not related to, or anything like the beer hall of the same name in Munich.)<BR> The food was great and they had "rauch beer" which is literally translated as smoke beer. It is a locally made beer that has a smoky flavor. There is nothing like it in the world.<BR><BR> Enjoy!<BR>

The Goldene Rose in Rothenburg has pretty good restaurant - stayed in the hotel a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed both the stay and the restaurant.

I second Jedi's recommendation of the Hofbraeuhaus in Bamberg. The Rauchbier is delicious. I just couldn't get enough. The food there is great too. Try the Kesselfleisch or Linseeintopf. There is another swanky looking cafe in Bamberg which has great coffee. Can't remember the name though. Sorry!

Karen<BR>In Rothenburg, there is a restaurant down the street from the criminal museum, don't remember the name, but it has the devil hanging outside. Very small but tons of atmosphere.

Outside of the Roder Tor is a cafe I think it was called the Cafe Roder Tor. It is a Kartoffelstuberl or a potato restaurant. It was very good food. Most of the dishes were centered around potatoes. I had a potato pizza that had sauce, slices of potato, salami and cheese. Very yummy.<BR><BR>We walked there for lunch, after checking into the Hotel Hornburg. The restaurant has a small beer garden outside, but all the tables were full so we went inside. As we entered and went over to a table to seat ourselves, there was the guy who is the night watchman, sitting at a table having a beer. We said "Hi" as we passed.

Rothenburg Only Recommendations:<BR><BR>Jill above mentioned the restaurant down from the criminal museum with a devil hanging outside. The name of this restaurant is easy: HELL. True. We ate there in December and enjoyed it as it is different. It is in an old blacksmith shop and has small rooms. Not too expensive, but reservations are needed because of the size. If you have a group ask for the table in the downstairs room.<BR><BR>The REICHS KUCHENMEISTER HOTEL also has a very nice restaurant. I always try to get my schnitzel there. In the summer they also have an outside patio. This hotel is located next to St Jacobs Church...the largest in town. The hotel also has a separate Wine Stube in the back. Small and out of the way.<BR><BR>For a fancy, expensive meal: EISENHUT HOTEL.<BR><BR>For a pretty setting: BAUERMEISTERHAUS on the main street near the Rathaus.