A culinary journey through the city centre
Fine dining, historic venues, coffee culture and Leipzig-brewed beers
Leipzig’s city centre is vibrant at any time of day. Whether on foot or by Segway, daytime is perfect for exploring the sights independently or on a guided tour. In the evening, restaurants and bars turn the streets into lively promenades. Leipzig’s unique spirit is palpable at every turn – and when it comes to food, you’re spoilt for choice. Looking for creative fine dining? Head to Stadtpfeiffer for its modern take on classic French cuisine. At Planerts, an open kitchen and urban industrial style set the scene. Max Enk serves international classics made with regional ingredients in an elegant setting. For traditional Saxon dishes and a real sense of history, visit Auerbachs Keller – where wine was first served in 1525 and Goethe’s mention of the restaurant in Faust made it world-famous. At Barthels Hof, one of Leipzig’s oldest restaurants, Saxon specialities have been served for more than 500 years. Restaurant Weinstock pairs seasonal dishes with fine wines, while Macis offers refined organic cuisine. Café Madrid serves Spanish tapas, and Shiki offers upscale Asian cuisine – just two of the many international dining options that make Leipzig a destination for global flavours.
If you want to enjoy great food in a lively urban setting, Barfußgässchen is the place to be. This charming alleyway is lined with impressive historic buildings and a vibrant mix of bars and pubs. Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious cocktail or a beer at an Irish pub, you’ll find one outdoor terrace after another – from Spizz and Barfusz to Kildare City Pub and HUWA. Here, and in most of the cafés across the city centre, the culinary journey begins with a leisurely breakfast – the perfect way to start the day before heading off to explore.
How about enjoying speciality coffee in a historic setting? Zum Coffe Baum is one of the oldest coffeehouses in Europe, serving coffee since 1711. Café Kandler, next to St Thomas’ Church and built in 1882, also invites you on a journey through time – perhaps with a “Bach coffee” in hand? The entrance to Kaffeehaus Riquet, marked by two life-sized copper elephant heads, leads you into a haven of classic coffeehouse tradition. For a devilishly cosy atmosphere, try the Mephisto Bar, the above-ground part of Auerbachs Keller in the Mädler-Passage. Modern creations await at Bohemian Kids Café next to the University of Leipzig’s city-centre campus – from pink lattes with beetroot to black lattes with activated charcoal and coconut, these drinks are as striking to look at as they are to taste. And for a true taste of Leipzig flair, head to Café Stein on the market square next to the Old Town Hall.
Fancy a beer tasting instead? Try a glass of Lotteraner, a local brew, at the Ratskeller Leipzig. On a Braumanufak-Tour, you can watch the brewmaster at work and learn more about pale and dark Kellerbier. At the Bayerischer Bahnhof, you’ll be served Gose – a traditional sour beer and true Leipzig speciality – from the in-house brewery. Cliff’s, Leipzig’s first microbrewery, offers beer seminars and even brewing courses. And for a best-of selection of Saxon and local beers, Katter Elf is the perfect place to discover new flavours.
Above the rooftops of Leipzig: Bars with a view
Unique views and a fresh perspective
Looking to take in the views over Leipzig as evening sets in? In the city’s rooftop bars, culinary indulgence meets striking panoramas. At Bar Cabana, perched atop Innside by Meliá, you can enjoy a whole new perspective on the majestic St Thomas’ Church. The rooftop terrace at Felix offers front-row views of Augustusplatz, the Gewandhaus, and Leipzig Opera. At Panorama Tower – Plate of Art, you’ll gaze out across the city from the 29th floor. And above all, the FALCO The! Heavenly Bar on the 27th floor of The Westin Leipzig lives up to its name – especially after nightfall, when the city lights sparkle below. If you’re an event organiser who likes to take things to new heights, Leipzig also offers a range of meeting venues with rooftop terraces – a perfect chance to offer your participants a change of perspective.
Sounds good: Music in Leipzig
Opera, St Thomas Boys’ Choir, concerts and clubbing
In the mood for music? As a city of music, Leipzig offers an enticing mix of variety and quality. Leipzig Opera and the Gewandhaus are internationally renowned venues – it’s well worth checking their programmes in advance. You can hear the St Thomas Boys’ Choir, or Thomanerchor, perform motets on Fridays and Saturdays at St Thomas’ Church. The Moritzbastei is a popular venue for rock concerts – and worth a visit for its unique atmosphere alone, set within the centuries-old walls of the former city fortifications. Live music is also regularly featured at the Kupfersaal. Spizz is a popular jazz and music club, while Tonelli’s offers live music every night, often outdoors depending on the weather.
Leipzig’s city centre has even more cultural highlights to discover. Step into the dazzling world of variety entertainment at the Krystallpalast Varieté. Leipzig’s long-standing cabaret tradition lives on in ensembles such as Kabarett Sanftwut, Academixer, Kabarett Pfeffermühle and Central Kabarett. Mainstage theatre, along with music, dance and performance, awaits you at Schauspiel Leipzig.
Museums in central Leipzig
City history, applied arts and composers’ homes
Leipzig’s diverse museum landscape is just as impressive. The Old Town Hall, part of the Museum of City History Leipzig, is a remarkable exhibit in itself. From the old prison cells in the basement to the tower’s gilded orb, it brings the city’s past to life. The Museum of Fine Arts is worth a visit for its striking modern architecture alone – and it houses masterpieces from the 15th to the 21st century. The GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts ranks among Europe’s top institutions for design and applied art, presenting 3,000 years of art and cultural history. The GRASSI Museum of Musical Instruments, run by the University of Leipzig, features one of the largest collections of its kind in the world. More musical history comes alive at original sites such as the Mendelssohn House, the Grieg Memorial and Social Centre, the Schumann-Haus and the Bach Museum. The GRASSI Museum of Ethnography holds one of Germany’s most extensive ethnographic collections. The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig explores life in divided Germany and the post-reunification era. At the “Runde Ecke” Museum, the story of Leipzig’s Peaceful Revolution comes to life.
Shopping in the city centre
From shopping centres to one-of-a-kind finds
Fancy doing some serious shopping? In Leipzig’s city centre, you’ll find major fashion retailers and internationally known brands alongside true Leipzig originals. What makes a shopping trip here so special is the city’s unique architecture. The historic passages and arcades are home to exclusive luxury stores, boutiques and artisan workshops. Two must-sees: the magnificent Mädler-Passage and Speck’s Hof. Beneath the arcades of the Old Town Hall, you’ll find souvenirs, art and antiques in period interiors. A more modern shopping experience awaits at Höfe am Brühl, with its striking contemporary architecture. The Promenaden make the main station a hotspot for shopping and dining – all within the impressive setting of Europe’s largest railway terminus. In Petersbogen, Handmade Design Leipzig offers unique pieces crafted by Leipzig’s creative artisans. And if you have a bit more time, there are even more local workshops and regional products to discover.
Relax and recharge: Wellness and urban greenery
Hotel spas in Leipzig and parks around the city centre
Many hotels in central Leipzig impress not only with exclusive conference facilities and stylish accommodation, but also with well-equipped fitness areas and spa and wellness options for their guests. The wellness area at The Westin Leipzig includes saunas, infrared cabins, and the largest hotel pool in the city. At the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof, the Spa World Premium stretches across two floors and invites you to unwind with saunas, a steam bath, massages, and a range of beauty treatments. The Leipzig Marriott Hotel offers a pool and whirlpool for relaxing moments, while the Seaside Park Hotel provides a tranquil zone with sauna, whirlpool, and a spa menu for ultimate relaxation.
Prefer to relax in nature? In Leipzig, you’re never far from the next park. Just a short walk from the city centre, Clara Zetkin Park offers plenty of space to unwind. And did you know that Leipzig is a city of waterways? A boat tour from the city harbour takes you through the city’s extensive canal network. If you have a bit more time, the New Lakeland Region just outside Leipzig is well worth a visit.
Wild encounters: Zoo Leipzig
Immersive worlds and dining with a view
A truly exotic experience in the heart of the city: as one of the most modern zoos in the world, Zoo Leipzig stands out for its conservation work, naturalistic enclosures and sustainable approach. Spread across six themed worlds, the zoo invites you to explore fascinating habitats from every corner of the globe. Two highlights: the unique tropical hall of Gondwanaland, and Pongoland, home to all four great ape species under one roof. Your animal encounters – from elephants and big cats to flamingos and more – are complemented by a wide range of food and drink options, perfect for leisurely breaks in a unique setting. Coffee with a view of giraffes and zebras? The Kiwara Lodge makes it possible. And don’t forget: event organisers will also find a selection of unique venues at Zoo Leipzig – complete with extraordinary supporting programme.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of great ideas for how to spend your time in and around conferences and congresses in Leipzig. So many, in fact, that it’s well worth staying longer – or coming back again, don’t you think? Because the journey of discovery continues beyond the city centre, not to mention our insider tips for your visit to Leipzig. For event organisers, Leipzig offers the perfect all-round package: the right venue for your event and valuable inspiration for your programme from the centre of science and its forward-looking industries, reliable partners to support you from planning to implementation, sustainable mobility options, and a wide range of ideas for supporting programmes. At IMEX 2025, the Leipzig Convention Network will whet your appetite for Leipzig even further. Stop by stand G160 for a personal chat and a coffee. We look forward to welcoming you – at IMEX and in Leipzig.
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