Heilig-Geist-Spital - Nürnberg

Very good price-quality over here. Traditional dishes, for a good price, with a great taste. Friendly service. Just try it yourself!

The last time I visited the Heilg Geist Spital was 61 years ago when I was a US Army soldier stationed in Nuernberg. I was a long way from home, newly married and 2017 was somewhere in a future I couldn't imagine.I never forgot the place and even remembered a favorite meal I had there. My first wife and much time passed away and even my present marriage is on its 26th anniversary. To celebrate it, Adriana and I decided to take a Viking riverboat cruise on the Danube, starting in Nuernberg (of all places) and terminating in Budapest. We went a couple of days early so we could "relive" some of my past together and visit with German friends and relatives--and have my favorite dinner at the Heilig Geist Spital, if it was still there. It dated back to something like the early 1500s and endured centuries of war and the almost total destruction of Nuernberg by bombers in WWII. It was in fact still intact in its unique ancient building built over the Pegnitz River like a bridge. Adriana and I went there with a long time German friend, a widow, and her businessman son. It was like coming home. The classic renaissance-era interior was dim as I remembered and tables set and waiting in pools of light cast by crystal chandeliers. We sat and I opened the menu.Sixty-plus years ago I had ordered and loved their wiener schnitzel. It was on the menu. So was the apple strudel that I once ate served in an ornate silver dish on a pool of sweetened whipping cream. Delicious beyond belief. And I once again ordered wonderful coffee. Years ago it had been the first filter coffee that I had ever tasted, several years before Melitta filters and real rich drip coffee had ever been heard of the US where Maxwell House and percolators still reigned. The German meal of my dreams? It didn't quite turn out that way. The Wiener Schnitzel was not particularly fresh or full-flavored and not as tender as my memory reminded me it should have been. The apple strudel came on a plain restaurant ware white plate, glopped with some whipping cream that was little different than CoolWhip. The strudel was nothing in particular. The coffee was not bad, but not great either.The writer, Thomas Wolfe, wrote, "You can't go home again" and I think that's true.Still it was a beautiful evening and I was with friends I love and my wife who shares my life. The lights on the Pegnitz illuminating the beauty of this classic shimmered like diamonds and I was immensely happy to be there. The strudel and schnitzel and filter coffee are back in the back shelf of my memory where they will probably gather dust. Have I told you about the amazing Negroni cocktail I had a couple of years ago in Lecce, Italy?

Shoulder of pork is the best option here as reasonable and a good hunk of slow roasted pork. Limited menu but just stick to the basics and you'll be fine. Gets busy then service slows down so go early.

A great place to eat local food the prices were really good and the portions were also good and it was very reasonably priced. A nice courtyard to eat in. All in all very good.

This is definitely one of our favourite restaurants in Nuremberg. We are English and living here now and we bring everyone who visits here. The interior is traditional themed and the staff also in traditional dress. The food is fantastic we have tried most things and always enjoyed our meals, the pork shoulder (Schaufele) is really excellent. It may be a little touristy but it feels authentic. The staff are attentive and starting to recognise us now. Definitely recommend this restaurant. We went with a family member recently who is gluten free and the staff were able to accomodate his needs and provided us with a gluten free menu. We also have been with friends who are vegetarian and they have enjoyed the meals here also.