Restaurants in the Imperial Spas – what really ends up on the table on Usedom

When you think of a holiday on the Baltic Sea, you think of fish sandwiches first. Not wrong. But if you stay in the Imperial Spas, you quickly realise: that is not all. Between your first walk on the beach and dinner on the terrace lies a remarkably dense culinary scene – across three seaside resorts that were already drawing Europe’s capitals a hundred years ago. From Michelin-starred restaurants to rustic fish shacks, there is something here for every taste.

We are out and about here every day. What follows are our personal recommendations. Not compilations from review portals, but genuine favourite places – from the people who live and work on Usedom.

Your holiday day begins in your apartment – whenever you like, and without the crowds at the buffet. The kitchen is ready, with a coffee machine (filter or capsule). If you set off early to buy bread and rolls, we recommend a detour to Holzofenbäckerei Böder in Ahlbeck (pre-order required; it tastes like it used to, because the family still bakes in a wood-fired oven), to Bäckerei Blunck, to Ahlbäcker, or to the new Genusswerk in Ahlbeck. The Junge bakeries (Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck) are also popular with guests on Usedom. No matter which of our apartments you stay in: a bakery is never more than a 2-minute walk away. If you like to treat yourself to delicatessen, filled rolls, croissants and coffee from a portafilter machine, you can also eat easily at bagged coffee & market in Heringsdorf.

Still warm. Still before the promenade gets busy.

For anyone staying in Ahlbeck: Café Röntgen on Rathenaustraße is a calm way to start. No big concept, no hustle – just coffee and the morning.

Some places do not need a concept. Das kleine Restaurant in Heringsdorf (Seestraße 10) is one of them. No big stage – but a kitchen that slows you down after two courses.

In Ahlbeck, Uwes Fischerhütte and Uwes alte Fischhalle on the beach promenade offer exactly this quality: fresh fish for generations, and seating right in the dunes.

At the hotel and restaurant Meereswelle you can sit comfortably in the restaurant or outside in the sun by the fountain and enjoy delicious dishes while watching the bustle on Seestraße. And for cake afterwards, head next door to Café & Konditorei Wenisch for delicious tray bakes and ice cream.

If you do not mind a short trip: Fischpalast Neppermin is one of those places on Usedom you will not find without local knowledge – and will not want to leave once you have it. Fresh fish, right on the Achterwasser Lagoon. The warm, welcoming team greets you at a fresh fish counter and prepares everything to perfection. This is one of our favourite places, because you can watch a breathtaking sunset over the Achterwasser Lagoon. Bonus: easy self-service, a lawn for sunbathing, a bathing beach and a children’s playground adjoin the beautiful terrace and invite you to linger.

In the small village of Neppermin you will also find the Feininger Hof inn. The special feature is the elevated terrace with an unobstructed view far across the Achterwasser Lagoon. With a good meal and a fine glass of wine, you can enjoy this panorama in complete peace. If you sit up here in the evening, you quickly understand why the artist Lyonel Feininger was so captivated by this landscape.

The Waterblick Fisch- & Grillrestaurant in Loddin is an excursion worth the detour – fresh fish, an open, relaxed atmosphere, water in view and, in summer, a breathtaking sunset.

Right on the Achterwasser Lagoon in Ückeritz, Café Knatter welcomes you with its lovingly furnished parlour. In the afternoon there is coffee, cake and ice cream for the little ones; in the evening, freshly prepared fish, meat and pasta dishes, plated with great care. Through the wide window front, you can enjoy one of Usedom’s most beautiful sunsets – and quickly lose track of time.

The Restaurant Giardino & Belvedere at Strandidyll Heringsdorf (Delbrückstraße 10) is one of the island’s most consistently excellent addresses. Great cooking, a well-curated menu. Regular themed evenings such as BBQ or a garden buffet.

Lutter & Wegner at Kulmstraße 3 comes from Berlin – and has lost none of its character on Usedom. For wine lovers and for anyone who sees dining as part of the holiday, not just a break between two beach walks. Be sure to try the Kaiserschmarren.

The Kulmeck by Tom Wickboldt (Kulmstraße 17) is a very exclusive spot for casual fine dining with a Michelin star. Exceptionally refined cuisine with culinary highlights and wine pairing. (Reservation recommended)

Marco Polo at Hotel ONE in Heringsdorf impresses with a genuinely strong dinner and lunch menu in the relaxed One restaurant – or, for a special occasion, with fine dining in the O-Room. Two facets, one house, depending on what you feel like.

And BRACA in Ahlbeck (Rathenaustraße 3): Nordic, Mediterranean, handmade right on the promenade – with a sense of what it means to cook on an island with modern ambition. From interesting fish dishes and meat to truly delicious pizza. Tip: In late summer and autumn, the outdoor area is especially cosy with fire bowls and heat lamps.

Restaurant at Strandhotel Ostende: Here, indulgence and a true taste experience meet stylish design and comfort. Creative culinary highlights, imaginative and delicate desserts.

There are hours on Usedom when you simply want to sit. With a glass in hand. And watch as the Baltic Sea or the Achterwasser Lagoon changes colour.

The Alex Strandbar in Heringsdorf (Liehrstraße 11), right by the beach access at the Steigenberger Hotel, is made for exactly this moment. No dress code, no big story – just the right place at the right hour. Regular island guests, insiders and locals meet here and celebrate in summer with great drinks, a live DJ (every Wednesday in summer) and rotating culinary highlights such as BBQ or sushi.

If you prefer it quieter: Weinander – Feine Weine at Friedensstraße 13 in Heringsdorf is one of those small shops that define an island in the best sense. A fine selection, a pleasant calm – no tourist bustle.

Weinzimmer in Ahlbeck: Especially popular with locals – with antipasti, cheese boards and matching wine. A cosy terrace overlooking the promenade. A true favourite spot.

Right on the beach promenade in Heringsdorf, just next to the Ferris wheel, you will find the Dünen-Oase. This lovingly designed open-air bar is exactly the right place to enjoy the sea air under the open sky. At the counter you will find everything that makes a beach day perfect, from a refreshing cocktail to a cold beer. With the adjoining mini-golf course, the whole family gets their money’s worth: the little ones play a round of mini golf while the grown-ups enjoy a drink in complete relaxation. The real highlight, however, is the owners themselves. If you value hospitality, you are in exactly the right place – few welcome their guests as warmly as the Dünen-Oase team.

Usedom is not just the promenade. If you drive into the centre of the island, you will discover a different mood – quieter, more authentic, closer to everyday island life.

Bobzin’s Bauernstube in the Mellenthin district of Morgenitz serves fresh fish in a way that has nothing to do with tourist bustle. Straightforward, regional.

Café vergiss mein nicht in Dargen and Café Seelchen in Neuendorf are places for an afternoon with no agenda. Homemade cake in the garden. Enjoy coffee and something refreshing, and experience the island from a different angle.

Kiki’s in Loddin is an idyllic spot. Hearty cooking, a beautiful garden with a water view and a lookout tower. Optional: hire a pedal boat.

The Fischräucherei Klönsnack in Kamminke and the Alte Fischräucherei in Rankwitz are for anyone who wants to understand what it means that Usedom was originally a fishing island – not just a seaside resort.

If you have time and feel like an afternoon with true island atmosphere: the café garden in Benz is well worth a visit, even outside the high season.

And if you prefer to cook for yourself in peace, you will be perfectly at home in our apartments. The fully equipped kitchens invite you to cook together and then enjoy your meal at the generous dining table or, depending on the apartment, on the terrace or balcony.