Where to eat in Leipzig: 11 of the best cheap eats

I love Leipzig. I come here for its rich culture, buzzing nightlife that gives Berlin a run for its money, and a diverse food scene that is accessible and affordable. From the bohemian Karl-Heine-Strasse to the hip KarLi (Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse) in Südvorstadt, to the historic Markt square, I have compiled a list of my favourite places — from Georgian khachapuri stuffed with molten cheese inside a former factory complex, a vegan Vietnamese classic on the KarLi, delicious Moroccan tagines in Plagwitz to a classic student-friendly joint in an old castle in the city centre. This is my guide to the best cheap eats in Leipzig.

1. Salon Casablanca

Address: Karl-Heine-Straße 47, 04229 Leipzig

It is the perfect day for a hearty bowl of soup and I know just the place – a Moroccan eatery called Salon Casablanca. Lovely well-priced food, lots of vegetarian options, good portion sizes and refreshing mint tea, I love coming here to try their tagines and soups. 

2. Beard Brothers and Sisters

Address: Karl-Heine-Straße 69, 04229 Leipzig

Next stop is Beard Brothers and Sisters, a vintage hole in the wall bar that serves the most scrumptious hot dogs and drinks. I have always wanted to come here in the past based on positive reviews from friends and happily they did not disappoint. Great dog, perfect bun, good range of toppings and sauces, plus if you come in the evening, they have local musicians performing in a small balcony above the bar. The food and the fun does not stop there.

We next visit  Westwerk, a former factory complex that has become the heart of the local creative scene with ateliers for artists, musicians and also home to a wide variety of affordable places to eat

3. Kleiner Kaukasus

Address: Karl-Heine-Straße 93b, 04229 Leipzig

I try Georgian food for the first time at Kleiner Kaukasus and it was so good. Owner Malkhazi prepares the Khachapuri in front of us – warm, soft flatbreads stuffed with molten cheese with a delicious topping of beetroot and cream.This was heavenly, melt in your mouth kind of food.

4. Bamboo’s Streetfood

Address: Karl-Heine-Straße 87, 04229 Leipzig

Later in the trip we also popped into the next door Vietnamese diner, Bamboo’s Streetfood where on plastic tools you can sup on a bowl of Pho besides other specialities. Not the best pho but still, a very solid 8 out of 10 option if you are craving Asian flavours.

5. Naumann’s Gaststube

Address: Karl-Heine-Straße 32, 04229 Leipzig

I also have to mention Naumann’s Gaststube. Part of the Felsenkeller, a former ballroom turned live music and arts venue, it is worth visiting just to enjoy the grand interiors of this former neo-baroque building that dates back to 1890. Naumann’s Gaststube serves honest, working class people’s grub and I would highly recommend their schnitzel.

6. Brothers Café & Bakery

Eisenbahnstraße 85, 04315 Leipzig

Located on the hip Eisenbahnstraße The Brothers Café & Bakery in Leipzig is a popular spot in the hood thanks to its rich mix of Turkish, Arabic and Italian influences. Great spot for brunch, they also offer sandwiches, cakes, really good Pide, Manakish, Lahmacun and burgers too. 

7. Spizz

Address: Markt 9, 04109 Leipzig

If it is a nice sunny day in Leipzig, I highly recommend having a drink at Spizz on the historic ‘Markt’ square. A popular jazz and live music venue, Spizz also has a decent priced food menu serving everything from local Thuringer bratwurst and roasted potatoes to pasta dishes and sandwiches. Wash it down with a pint of the local Wernesgrüner beer and enjoy the views.

8. Café Madrid

Address: Klostergasse 3-5, 04109 Leipzig

Another place I love to visit when in Leipzig is Café Madrid (Klostergasse 3-5 ) , a tapas bar just a stone’s throw away from St Thomas’s Church.  I popped into watch the Champions League semi-final match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The free wifi was another major reason for entering. If you are visiting and looking for a nice place to watch the football, I recommend this place. The food is also very good. I ordered a 0.5l of Paulener Pils with some Olives, Green and Black followed by some Patatas Bravas with Salsa and Cordero al estilo Andaluz: Andalusian style lamb. Cafe Madrid is not the cheapest place to eat in town but the nice ambience, friendly staff and also free wifi made it perfect for me.

9. Café Maître and Pâtisserie

Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 62, 04275 Leipzig

For the best patisserie in town I head further down the road to Maitre on 62 Karl-Liebknecht Strasse which has been satisfying the sweet tooth of locals since 1904 . Here you can buy the best french baguettes in town, satisfy your sweet tooth with their excellent meringues, bonbons, cakes or chocolate ( wrapper designed by local illustrator Phillip Janta) Coffee is excellent. Cakes are fab too.

10. Moritzbastei

Address: Kurt-Masur-Platz 1, 04109 Leipzig

Moritzbastei (Universitätsstraße 9 ) on the citycentre University campus is a-bit-of-everything kind of place situated in an old castle where you can laze, drink beer in the sun, in the evenings dance as much or as little as you like to music ranging from blues to samba or dark wave , go to concerts or watch live football & films ( in German only) for free.

The food here is affordable, generous portions and caters to all budgets. You can choose from one of their delicious salads from just €3.30, their delicious Solyanka soup with sour cream and baguette ( Small portion €3.90/Large portion €6.90) , Hummus baguette from €4.90 or if you are looking for something more filling, try one of their dishes from the special menu which start around €9.80. Or you could have something like their Pasta with wild garlic pesto, roasted hazelnuts, carrot chips and Parmesan for €10.80.

11. Ān Chay Vegan Diner

Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 1, 04107 Leipzig

“Ān Chay” means “eating vegan” in Vietnamese, and this little spot on the popular KarLi (Karl-Liebknecht-Straße) Highlights on the menu include the Vegan Duck, the Pho and their summer rolls are fab too,

12. Mintastique

Address: Str. des 17. Juni 11, 04107 Leipzig

No cupcakes were harmed during this photoshoot.

I sadly didn’t get the chance to try them as I was almost diabetic with amount of Kaffee und Kuchen consumed travelling around Germany for a month. However, if you are visiting Leipzig do pop into the popular ‘mama made’ Mintastique ( Zentrum Sud, Straße des 17. Juni 11, 04107  ) where you can savour the best cupcakes in town. Pricey at around the €4 mark but if they taste as good as they look…

Checkout my cheap eats guide to Berlin