Traditional Saarbrücken restaurant closes: New hope in Erfweiler-Ehlingen!

Traditional Saarbrücken restaurant closes: New hope in Erfweiler-Ehlingen!

The Brockenhaus restaurant in Saarbrücken is closing after 15 years and will open its doors for the last time on July 7, 2025. Run by Valdete Peci and Hadi Delija, the restaurant has made a name for itself especially for company and Christmas parties. Despite the popularity of Mediterranean cuisine, the operators now want to take on a new challenge. They plan to run their own restaurant since they were only tenants in the Brockenhaus. The location, which proved unattractive in the spring and summer, forced the operators to look for a new location.

The future of the two operators looks promising: They have bought the restaurant “Zum Römerturm” in Erfweiler-Ehlingen, about 20 minutes from Saarbrücken. This location, which was previously empty, is picturesquely located in the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve, near the Church of St. Mauritius. The new location is scheduled to open on September 5, 2025, and Mediterranean classics such as pizza, pasta and scaloppina will continue to be on the menu. The new restaurant has already been renovated and has a terrace, which makes it particularly attractive for guests.

Charm and sense of tradition

The Brockenhaus has a long history, which is reflected in its stylish, rustic furnishings. The combination of traditional elements and modern accents makes the restaurant unique. It is designed to be family-friendly and offers both a play area and barrier-free access. Dogs are welcome, and the separate smoking room provides additional comfort.

With great service, WiFi, air-conditioned rooms and a cozy outdoor terrace, the Brockenhaus has not only attracted locals, but also a wide target group. The location near the Saarbrücken Zoo and ancient remains of a Roman fort has made the restaurant a popular excursion destination. Anyone who wanted to reserve a table was given the opportunity to combine tables and have special cocktails prepared.

Gastronomy is changing

The catering industry is a significant economic factor in Germany and will have generated over 100 billion euros in 2022. These impressive figures show how important eating out is in Germans' leisure activities. Around 60 percent of couples, young adults and families eat out regularly, which shows the high demand for hospitality offerings. There are over 61,500 restaurants in Germany, which shows the diversity of the culinary landscape.

But it's not just the number of restaurants that is impressive, the trends are also constantly changing. More and more people are attaching importance to sustainability and are increasingly avoiding meat. Digitalization also plays a major role, for example through contactless payment and online delivery services. The Brockenhaus has recognized the signs of the times and has always strived to offer its guests an appealing service - now the operators are eagerly awaiting the opening of their new restaurant “Zum Römerturm”.

As the Brockenhaus counts its final days, the hope remains that the concept lives on in a new environment. It is currently unclear whether and how the restaurant in Saarbrücken will continue to exist, but the Peci/Delija family's plans are not entirely clear. So the culinary future remains exciting.