I'll start off by saying Essighaus has AMAZING ice tea!! I saw it on the daily menu and after…read morehaving too much to drink the night before, knew this would hit the spot. Definitely order it if you want something refreshing during a hot day (that isn't alcohol).
I went here to watch a WC game--they have a nice tent set up for viewers to watch with a big screen and benches (basically a bierzelt). I can imagine when Germany plays the place is filled! The food is typical German and good. I ordered fish fried with almonds that came with soup, salad and potatoes.
Although the atmosphere was excellent and the food great the service was quite poor. To start with, at the tent they had a separate menu for the football viewers. I understand that during the game with a packed crowd this is necessary as otherwise everyone would have to wait too long for food, it would be too complicated, etc. However, we were watching the Belgian game and were literally the only 2 viewers. Yet, we still had to order off of the separate menu. I would think they could make an exception (especially after I explained I'm vegetarian and all the options had meat) but that was not possible. Fine, I can get over it but they could be a bit more accommodating.
After the match was finished, went to eat at the normal restaurant outside and our waitress gave us one of the worst experiences of service ever. When i asked if i could have something instead of the soup, which had meat in it, she said no. I asked for just a bit more salad instead, which already came with the meal but this was not possible, even though I explained I was vegetarian. She was even blatantly rude to us in comparison to other guests. She would practically slam down the food on the table, took a lot longer to get our drinks than guests who ordered after us and never once talked to us or was pleasant in any way (when we was towards other customers).
Despite the fact that the food was pretty good and the biergarten atmosphere cool, I wouldn't recommend going here. Essighaus is not willing to be flexible and friendly, which is fine if they don't want to attract or keep customers. There are other places just as good to visit, which is a deep disappointment.
