Untere Sandstrasse 45
96049 Bamberg
Tel. 09 51 603 410
www.pelikan-bamberg.de
Bamberg station 2 km
Opening hours:
Daily from 17:00-24:00
Closed Wednesday
Der Pelikan is an eclectic pub with a cozy low-lit pub overseen by their pelican mascot. Its leafy garden courtyard is perfect for summer mingling. They serve a variety of Asian dishes leaning in the Thai direction but what sets them apart is their beer selection.
images from the Pelikan
Beers on tap
The tap selection has varied over time but on my visit, they had two very special ones: Heckel-Bier and Zehendner Export. These are beers you’re not going to see much of anywhere outside of their small areas and to find both of them on tap in one pub is pretty amazing. We didn’t get a chance to eat but will make a point of dong so soon.
two lovely beers on tap
Tasty food
We returned a few weeks later but without a reservation, it was impossible to get a spot in their charming little Biergarten in the courtyard. Thankfully, the bartender took pity on us and let us sit inside next to the bar. The food was eclectic and excellent. We both had wok inspired meals with glass noodles and Chanterelle mushrooms, one with beef and the other with chicken. I’m sure we’ll return again soon but we’ll be sure to reserve a table outside well in advance.
good wok dishes & cute Biergarten
Best of Bock 2023
We finally made it to their Best of Bock event in 2023 and it will definitely be a staple in the future. There were 8 Bocks all poured gravity dispense. We tried the Schroll Bock, Ulrich Martini Martini Bock, Griess Bock, Huppendorfer Kathrein Bock, Knoblach Bock and Müller Bock from nearby Debring. Sadly, no photos or notes from the last two. I guess I had a few too many Bocks!
Best of Bock 2023
Since getting an apartment in Bamberg, we’ve been back to Der Pelikan to eat a few times. The go to beer is generally Heckel when it’s on. Recently it had been replaced with Keesmann Gold Export, a beer I’d never seen. It was quite good. We drank quite a few while watching Germany lose to Spain in the European Championships. One interesting snack is their fried wantons filled with Blutwurst. It sounds awful but actually quite tasty.
Keesmann Gold & fried wantons
Best of Bock 2024
We made it back to their Best of Bock once again in 2024. We stopped in briefly on the opening Friday and scored a reserved table inside for Saturday evening. I enjoyed the Hölzlein Bock perhaps best of all and also tried the Gänstaller Bock the first evening.
always a great line-up of gravity dispensed Bocks
They don’t serve their “Wok Essen” for the event. They sometimes offer more upscale dishes but this year opted for more rustic fare. I was quite happy with my Linsen mit Rauchfleisch. I also sampled Müller of Debring Bock as well as the one from Brandholz. The venue is atmospherically low-lit so taking notes is nearly impossible, especially when you’re in the thick of it but I try.
nice to have a table at the Best of Bock
I think it’s safe to say that the Pelikan will remain a favorite eatery of ours and we’ll be regulars at the Best of Bock too. We recently were disappointed to hear Heckel wan’t available but happy to hear its replacement that night was the new-ish Griess Hellseher. Recently, we tried one of their desserts, Tartufo. We washed it down our usual meal with Brandholz Underground Green, a green hopped Pils.
always a nice surprise at Der Pelikan
Beers: Zehendner Export & Huppendorfer Vollbier on tap plus a guest beer, generally Heckel-Bier when available but have had Keesmann Gold Export, Brandholz Underground Green and Griess Hellseher.
Back to Bamberg.