Hotel Blaues Haus

I’d stay here again and recommend it to anyone looking for a place in the area. The outside apartments are spacious, clean, seem newly renovated, and have large flat-screen TVs. Breakfast is included and was enough for me, even at 6'3" and 300 pounds, though it’s the usual meat, cheese, and bread. I’ve tried the steak and pork medallions at the restaurant, and both were very good. The server is kind and speaks English well. Everything is very good, though not outstanding, and the price is a little high but still fairly reasonable.

We didn’t stay at the hotel, but had a lovely dinner there and will return next time we’re in Otterberg. The cream soups were hot and tasty. The Cordon Bleu was made in-house, with luncheon meat and cheese that gave it a likeable twist, rather than tasting like a frozen grocery-store meal. The Fish Platter was delicious, with three kinds of fish, two sauces, noodles, and shrimp. There was only one waiter, but he did a great job looking after everyone. Finding the place takes a little care; once you know where it is, parking in one of the larger public spaces and walking over is easier than circling the narrow streets for an open spot that isn’t reserved for residents.

The restaurant is now open under new management as the “Culinarium,” with a French, German, and Mediterranean mix. The food and attentive staff were very nice, and the look has been upgraded. It costs a bit more, but isn’t unreasonable. The roast beef steaks are especially good. It works well for a date night, with simpler pasta and flammkuchen options for kids or anyone watching their budget. The latest Blaues Haus closed in summer ‘19. I don’t know whether it will reopen, and if it does, it will probably be a completely new operation. Under the previous new management, the Italian dishes, which were good but not great, gave way to fresh, delicious German classics: schnitzel, pork medallions, fish, and beef steaks. You could hear someone pounding the schnitzel in the kitchen after you ordered. Meat dishes, pretty much everything, came with a salad bar where you could pick your toppings and avoid drowning the salad in dressing, as often happens with German salads. The young women serving spoke English, though you could try your German with them; they won’t bite. It was rarely more than a quarter full, so we went many times without a reservation. We first visited on the grand reopening night. The food was good, but they were overwhelmed and it took about three hours. They got things sorted out, and service improved a lot. After that, it became our go-to for bringing friends out for a good German meal in town.

My wife’s new favorite restaurant in Otterberg. The people were friendly and patient with us since we don’t speak German. The place was very clean, and the salad was great. The plate of food was unbelievable, with the biggest Chicken Cordon Bleu I’ve ever seen. Just look at the pictures I posted. My family and I will definitely be back soon.