Esplanade

ESPLANADE is a boutique hotel and restaurant housed in a listed Gründerzeit building (circa 1890) on Max-Ophüls-Platz at the entrance to Saarbrücken’s Nauwieser quarter. Tanja Zimmer’s mid-century–inspired, minimalistic interior pairs timeless comfort with refined design details. Dining rooms reflect minimalistic elegance and mid-century styling with large, light-filled windows, dark wooden tables and velvet-upholstered chairs, creating a calm, refined and intimate atmosphere. The kitchen presents a modern interpretation of classical French haute cuisine infused with Mediterranean and Japanese influences, executed with extreme precision and a product-first philosophy. It bases sourcing on regional and biodynamically produced ingredients from Hof am Weiher (a Demeter/Bioland community in which ESPLANADE is invested), the nearby Stadtbauernhof Saarbrücken and other close partners, has adopted a bee colony for honey at breakfast, and pairs dishes with an extensive wine selection from Burgundy and German top producers; menus range from à la carte to composed tasting menus including Menu Racine and a weekly Plat du Jour. Silio Del Fabro is chef de cuisine; he trains with Helmut Thieltges, works with Heinz Winkler and spends many years at Klaus Erfort’s Gästehaus before he becomes chef de cuisine in 2017 and earns the restaurant its first Michelin star in 2018 and a second in 2021. Specialties include crispy-skinned sea char with Bouchot heart and tube mussels, poached veal fillet with truffle jus, tagliolini with poached cod and Chablis cream, the weekly Plat du Jour (Menu 72) at lunch and Menu Signature tasting menus.