Today I have something for everyone who likes a slightly spooky arrival: the Wörnbrunn Forest Lodge. Anyone without a car, or the option of getting a ride, will unfortunately miss out on the Bavarian delicacies of the lodge and the creepy path leading to the restaurant. The approach involves two rather dark and relatively easy-to-miss smaller roads, which are pitch black and completely unlit. Only at the very end of the narrower path did my companion and I catch a glimpse of the dim light, which, upon closer inspection, revealed itself to be the forest lodge with a huge terrace and outdoor seating area. Of course, this is only true at night, so if you arrive during the day, the spooky path is out of the question. 🙂
After parking, we found ourselves in another dark parking lot and initially thought it was closed, as there were no lights on inside either. Luckily, we then heard laughter in the distance and found the restaurant's main entrance – well-lit, with the green lettering "Forsthaus Wörnbrunn" above the door and cozy lighting on the terrace. So, the drive there isn't for the faint of heart. 😉 But once you walk across the terrace towards the entrance and are greeted by a friendly waiter as soon as you step inside, any apprehension will vanish and joy will set in. (Perhaps I exaggerated a little… ;-)…)
The friendly waitress in her Bavarian dirndl noticed us immediately and helped us find the right table in the huge building. The restaurant is divided into several rooms, or rather, smaller rooms, and since we hadn't made a reservation, it took a while to find the perfect table for us. We finally sat in a cozy, red-themed room with about 30-35 tables, dark wooden beamed ceilings, and red upholstered benches and chairs. The tables were covered with white tablecloths, and overall, the room had a very cozy and warm atmosphere – thanks in part to the pictures on the walls, the small table with a floral arrangement in the center, and the carefully chosen details throughout. Later that evening, when I went to the restroom, I took a look around and checked out the other rooms with their numerous tables, a comfortable lounge area with a bar, and separate seating areas. Overall, I really liked everything; each room had its own unique charm. The premises can certainly be offered for private events such as birthdays, parties or weddings, and a pleasant evening can be spent with friends and colleagues in a good Bavarian atmosphere.
During our visit to the Wörnbrunn Forest Lodge, we took a seat at a cozy table for four by the window. After a few minutes, I got up and fetched the double-sided menu from the small table in the middle of the room; I'm sure someone would have come soon enough. The A3-sized menu is printed to a very high standard and is obviously redesigned daily, as it displayed the day's menu. I had a hard time deciding, as there were several vegetarian options. Whether it was hearty, typical Bavarian Käsespätzle (for €11.50) – which my companion ultimately chose after some deliberation, vegetable and feta-filled pancakes (for €14.50) – which I then ordered, or goat cheese, delicious soup, and much more. The menu offers numerous Bavarian delicacies. Of course, the Forsthaus Wörnbrunn also offers a variety of fish dishes (salmon fillet with vegetables and potatoes for €19.90 or char fillet with spinach and mashed potatoes for €19.90), various meat dishes, and typical Bavarian classics like schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn, and the like. For example, a family was sitting nearby, and everyone from the grandfather to the little boy ordered goose with dumplings. It looked so delicious, and I would have loved to sneak a dumpling. My companion and I had the delicious pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed oil as a starter for €4.50. It arrived quickly, was a good portion, and not as thick as one might expect pumpkin soup to be. Served with bread, it was a great way to begin.
Our main courses were served simultaneously by a friendly waitress – also in a dirndl. I had imagined my pancake differently. I was expecting two or three small individual rolls with a little filling – but it arrived in a very deep plate of vegetables nestled inside a large pancake. I'm not a fan of Mediterranean vegetables myself; I prefer them with a bit of crunch, using the vegetables as a side dish or a subtle filling. However, the pancake itself was tasty, and after about half of it, I simply swapped plates with my companion. 😉 That's how I know the Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle) were excellent. My companion didn't enjoy them as much, but I'm a true Bavarian here 😉 and so I can only tell you: outstanding! Not too cheesy, not just spaetzle sprinkled with cheese, but simply delicious. The cheese flavor wasn't overpowering, and I devoured the entire rest in no time. I can highly recommend it. If you are vegetarian – you should probably eat the sparrows.
Otherwise, the service was good and the prices were reasonable. We ordered two glasses of Lugana white wine with our meal for a total of €13.50, which isn't exactly cheap. Afterwards, I couldn't resist the nut bundt cake for €3.20 (two fairly normal-sized slices) and practically rolled back to the parking lot. The espresso I ordered for €2.10 was also delicious.
We ended up paying €52 including tip. This included two glasses of wine, a starter, two main courses, a dessert, and an espresso. Certainly not a cheap evening, but considering the truly cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and good, authentic food, it was quite reasonable.
I can definitely recommend a visit to the Wörnbrunn forest lodge. It's also worthwhile for a special occasion if the participants enjoy Bavarian food, or for a family meal with grandparents or the whole family – but you'll have to pick them up from home – otherwise they might get lost in the eerie woods. 😉
I'll be back: Yes. Even though the journey there is really scary – you'll be satisfied once you enter.
Place visited: Wörnbrunn Forestry House
Address: Wörnbrunn 1, 82031 Grünwald
Website
Service: 8 out of 10
Ambiance: 9 out of 10
Eat: 8 out of 10
Price/performance ratio: 8 out of 10
Evaluation: 33 out of 40
Pictures:
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