Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller Guide is a comprehensive list of Bierkellers in Franconia. These are conveniently rated numerically. Before delving into the list, it’s good to have an understanding of what one actually is.
What’s the difference between a Bierkeller and Biergarten?
So, what’s the difference between a Bierkeller and a Biergarten? A few acquaintances from Middle Franconia explained it all came down to the Bierkeller Equator. It seems if it is located above this imaginary line, it is called a Bierkeller. This is analogous to the more renowned Weisswurst Equator in the food world with Franks eating Bratwurst and Bavarians their white sausages. We were enjoying a beer in the Wettelsheimer Keller, evidently in Bierkeller territory just outside Teuchtlingen. According to them, Biergartens are something in the Munich area and points south.
the very practical & atmospheric beer cellar
What makes a Franconian Bierkeller unique? What is the history of Bierkellers?
As with most things, it’s not really that simple. There were certainly Bavarian Bierkellers. The earliest ones in Munich like the Augustiner Keller and Hofbräukeller used Keller since they were in fact, beer cellars. These were used to keep beer cool in times before refrigeration. In the early 1800s, they became popular outlets to drink beer due to a variety of factors. But mostly it was the discovery that the beer just tasted better than the less ideally stored and quite possibly spoiled beer in town. For the purposes of this ranking though, the Bierkeller Equator works just fine. All listed places are in Franconia.
What does “auf dem Keller” mean?
I live primarily in Munich so I enjoy the Biergartens there. That said, I am drawn to the simpler ones in Franconia, where we have a second home. You really get the feeling of an informal gathering. The cellars are often still very much on display. At the best, they’re still actually used. It should be noted that the area used by visitors at Bierkellers is on top of the storage cellar, not in them. Hence, the phrase, auf dem Keller (on the celler) is how locals refer to the experience.
smaller is often better
When is the best time to visit a Bierkeller?
It should be noted that Bierkellers are generally only open from mid-May until the end of the September. Some have a bigger window but if you’re planning your trip on a more general level, try to come during those months. Also, they are not open if the weather isn’t good. If it’s raining or cool, especially during the week, there’s a good chance they won’t be open. Another important thing to remember is Bierkellers open in the late afternoon for the most part. Some make an exception for the weekends but Sunday is one of the few days you can count on them possibly being open early. Locals can only go after work and on weekends, after their chores. A bonus is watching a sunset from a Bierkeller, something you’ll not soon forget. Please consult individual guides below for opening times of individual Bierkellers.
sunsets are memorable at Bierkellers
How to get to the Bierkeller?
Franconian Bierkellers almost always have parking lots. Many locals go by car with a designated driver. Cycling is also a very popular way to reach them. Cycling and hiking trails are abundant. Public transportation is great in Franconia so by using it and sometimes a little walking/biking, you can reach most Bierkellers on the list.
take a train or bus to be safe
Food at the Franconian Bierkeller
Franconian Bierkellers are unusual in that they allow visitors to bring their own food. So, if you can’t bring your own, it’s not really a true Bierkeller. Obviously, beverages of all kinds must be purchased onsite. I have included a few places which were historically important as Bierkellers but who do not currently do this. Spezialkeller is one of Bamberg’s originals but it truly only a restaurant with a great view. That said, Bierkellers generally serve simple rustic fare for purchase. Some offer simple hot food like Bratwurst, even full meals like Schäuferla, but cold Brotzeit items are more typical.
typical Bierkeller hot meals
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that the simple cold Brotzeit is small. These are filling portions that we often share. Look for Kalterbraten (cold pork), Zwetchgenbames (smoked beef) or Kellerplatte (mixed meat places). For non-meat eaters, there are cheese options like Ziebeleskäs. There are few things that go better with beer than these Franconian specialties.
As a small note and since food is a criteria in judging, I’ve put an * next to the few where I did not eat. I assigned a score of 7* as it was the lowest any of the other Kellers attained. I agree it’s not fair but rather than not include them, it seemed my only option until I can return to rectify this detail.
What kind of beers are served at Franconian Bierkellers?
Franconian Bierkellers tend to serve only one beer, often called Kellerbier. These are unfiltered and presented appropriately in ceramic mugs called Steinkrug. This has two purposes. It hides the unsightly appearance of the unfiltered beer and more importantly, it keeps the beer cooler. Whereas liter mugs are typical in Munich, almost everyone drinks half liters or Seidla in Franconia. In an ever more complex world, some Kellers have a few beers on tap. There are some alcohol free options but typically only from bottles.
some fine Kellerbiers
What’s the best Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller?
One last note before explaining the rating criteria. To be in the Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller Guide, it has to be an actual Bierkeller with at least the remnants of the beer cellar. Some of these are just fantastic to see and to me, add so much to the whole experience. While researching this, I visited some breweries with great outdoor seating areas with playgrounds for kids, self-service food and some excellent beer but they just weren’t Bierkellers. The latter are often on the outskirts of the town or village and distinct from the brewery itself. Please note that the ratings are solely my opinion and that the list is relegated to Bierkellers I have personally been to.
I update this list yearly. I unfortunately only got to three new-for-me Bierkellers in 2025 (Schrauder Keller, Diller Keller and Herzog Keller). Even so, I returned to many favorites and was able to eat at two I’d previously not; which raised them slightly in the ranking. Rather than put the individual ranking criteria numbers below each Keller, I’m adding a link to a PDF overall table. This hopefully will make it more friendly to those viewing on their phones.
Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller Guide ranking criteria: rated on scale of 1 to 10
Beer: quality, range, 10 points only if beer is gravity dispensed. Perhaps unfair but it was once the only way these places did it. It is sadly becoming increasingly rare. My hat’s off to those still keeping the tradition alive.
Food: quality, range, general availability of hot food is a real bonus.
Setting: trees, view, remoteness, top marks for being in the forest with a view.
Atmosphere/Facilities: toilets, playgrounds, seating, shelters, branded mugs.
If interested, have a look at the Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller ranking 2026.
Please note that the link above the photos will open a tab for a more complete review of that particular Keller, including location and opening hours.
Fraconian Bierkeller rankings
1 (tie) Wettelsheimer Keller
2 (tie) Roppelts Keller
2 (tie) Lieberth Dorfkeller
3 (tie) Pretzfelder Keller
4 (tie) Roppelts Bierkeller (Trossenfurt)
4 (tie) Löwenbräu Felsenkeller (Neuhaus)
4 (tie) Felsenkeller Senftenberg
6 (tie) Rossdorfer Felsenkeller
10 (tie) Häschaadä (Hirschaider) Keller
10 (tie) Schrauder Keller 
11 (tie) Höhnskeller
14 (tie) Rittmayer Keller am Kreuzberg
14 (tie) Rittmayer Gartenkeller
15 (tie) Löwenbräu Keller (Buttenheim)
Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller Guide ranking summation
The Franconian & Bamberg Bierkeller Guide is a useful too but all of the Bierkellers are worth a visit. Some are quite special. I don’t think you’ll find anything quite like it anywhere else. It should be noted that more and more Bierkellers are closing each year. So, please try to get to a few soon. They need your support and may not be there forever.
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If you’ve found my Bierkeller round-up useful, please consider buying me a beer 🍺
Is there a Map of Franconian Bierkellers? There sure is:
Heading to Bamberg? Don’t leave home without The Pocket Guide to Bamberg’s Best Beer.
Want to know more about beer styles in Franconia? Enjoy ABeerC.
Search for Franconian breweries is a great tool for finding the best.
In Franconia, the food is as good as the beer: The ABCs of Franconian Food.
Prefer a guided beer experience in Bamberg.
A great post, Rich, and certainly a validation of the title “Beerwanderer.” And your rating system was well thought out and logical. Every fan of beer should tip their hat to you.
Thanks, Don. Wish I could get to these places more often to give them all closer looks. Oddly, some which are not at the very top are the ones I long to return to most. Hope you get to experience a few one day. They’re a dying breed due to their seasonal nature.