Auerbachs Keller (Auerback's Celler), Leipzig

Auerbach’s Celler, nestled beneath the Mädlerpassage in Leipzig’s historic district, stands as the second oldest restaurant in the city and one of its most storied landmarks. Originally established as a wine bar in 1525 by Dr. Heinrich Stromer, a physician and professor at the University of Leipzig, the cellar quickly gained renown. The establishment owes its name to Stromer’s hometown of Auerbach and became a celebrated gathering spot, immortalized in literature thanks to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

By the 16th century, Auerbach’s Celler had already earned its place as a prominent wine bar in Leipzig. Its fame soared after Goethe, who frequented the cellar during his university years from 1765 to 1768, featured it in his iconic play Faust. The cellar appears in a key scene where Mephistopheles introduces Faust to the allure of earthly pleasures, making Auerbach’s Celler synonymous with both literary and cultural history.

The original structure was significantly remodeled in 1528 when Stromer expanded it to include several themed rooms, such as the Large Cellar (Grosser Keller), Cask Cellar (Fasskeller), Old Leipzig (Alt-Leipzig), Luther Room (Lutherzimmer), and Goethe Room (Goethezimmer). Above these historical rooms, the Mephisto Bar offers a contemporary space for drinks, bridging the past with the present.

In the early 20th century, during the construction of the Mädlerpassage between 1912 and 1914, Auerbach’s Celler underwent further expansion and reconstruction. This modern arcade replaced much of the medieval structure above the cellar, and the restaurant reopened on February 22, 1913, adorned with sculptures of Mephisto and Faust and Bewitched Students at its entrance, celebrating the enduring legacy of Goethe’s work.

Today, Auerbach’s Celler continues to welcome visitors, offering them a taste of Leipzig’s rich history and literary heritage within its five historic dining rooms. This iconic venue remains a testament to the city's vibrant cultural tapestry, serving as both a dining destination and a living monument to the legends that shaped it.