Zuem Strissel: Strasbourg's oldest winstub, and a debate
A sixteenth century monument facing the Ancienne Douane, and a Google rating of 3.8. Our position: go for the room, and aim for a quiet service.
The verdict
Let us be straight, that is the principle of these listings: Zuem Strissel is a monument, one of the oldest winstubs in Strasbourg (the Alsatian tavern format) in a sixteenth century house, but its Google rating of 3.8, from more than 1,100 reviews, sits behind the other institutions in this selection. Recent reviews are unanimous in praising the setting, and point to cooking that has become uneven when the tourist rush is on. Our position: you go for the place, which genuinely is worth the trip, and you aim for the quiet services.
What you will find
The setting, precisely: carved wooden columns, old stained glass, long tables under the beams, the atmosphere of a historic headquarters described by the critic Gilles Pudlowski. The menu runs through the full Alsatian repertoire, choucroute (sauerkraut with cured pork) first, at prices that stay contained for a spot facing the Ancienne Douane.
Visiting tip
Aim for a weekday lunch outside the school holidays, when the kitchen works at its own pace: that is when the gap between the five star setting and the plate closes best. And even if you do not eat here, step through the door to look at the room. It tells four centuries of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zuem Strissel worth it?
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Camille Roth
Born in Schiltigheim, Camille spent ten years working in Strasbourg kitchens before swapping the apron for a notebook. She writes about winstubs, the city's newer tables and Alsatian produce. Her rule: never recommend an address she would not send her own parents to.
