The Parlour’s latte macchiato-style coffee, infused with creme brulee syrup and white chocolate. The Landstuhl, Germany, restaurant offers a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks and teas. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
When my wife first sent me a link to The Parlour, I thought she was sharing plans for her next haircut.
It turns out that the new breakfast- and lunch-focused restaurant in downtown Landstuhl actually was a barber shop that once belonged to owner Jessica Berberich’s father-in-law.
"It was important for us to leave a bit of his legacy in this space," Berberich said. "But (cooking and baking) is what I know how to do best."
The interior of The Parlour in Landstuhl, Germany, offers comfortable charm with clean decor and plush chairs. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
She also has an eye for presentation. The Parlour’s interior features a fashionable color palette of beige and grey along with plush, wool-like chairs that beckon guests to settle in.
On a sunny Friday afternoon, I arrived for a late brunch and promptly was seated by the open window off Jacob-Weber-Platz.
The Parlour breakfast boutique in Landstuhl, Germany, opened its doors earlier this spring, offering a menu that has quickly garnered praise from guests, including the military community. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
The menu’s offerings include some clever wordplay and pop culture references, with choices like "Breaking Bread" and "Everyday I'm Waffeling.” My personal favorite was the section titled "The Yellow from the Egg," a playful twist on a popular German phrase that roughly translates to "the greatest thing since sliced bread."
The Veggie Lover bagel with a fried egg, tomatoes, spinach, avocado and gouda, served with a side of arugula and parmesan cheese at The Parlour in Landstuhl, Germany. The restaurant's signature version also comes with bacon. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
I opted for the Veggie Lover bagel, which came stacked with a fried egg, tomatoes, baby spinach, avocado, gouda and cream cheese, along with a side of arugula topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic dressing. While the bagel had more of a German kaiser roll texture than the denser, chewy New York style, the sandwich definitely hit the spot. The restaurant also offers its namesake bagel with the same ingredients, plus bacon.
To accompany my bagel, I indulged in a Parlour Café, a large, latte macchiato-style coffee infused with creme brulee syrup and white chocolate. It was a creamy and smooth delight that easily could stand alone as a dessert.
A generous portion of grilled chicken salad topped with fresh vegetables and creamy Caesar dressing, a healthy and flavorful choice at The Parlour breakfast boutique in Landstuhl, Germany. The owner’s family motto, “It is OK to eat cake for breakfast,” adorns the wall. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
My wife decided to go for a healthier option. She ordered the large grilled chicken salad, topped with fresh vegetables and a creamy Caesar dressing. The portion size was so generous that she couldn't finish it all, and the well-seared chicken left her very happy.
My next dish offered a vacation vibe. The Ocean Smoothie bowl has a vibrant blue hue achieved by blending frozen pineapple, banana and coconut with healthy spirulina algae.
An ocean smoothie bowl at The Parlour in Landstuhl, Germany, comes adorned with coconut shavings, blueberries, granola and spirulina, topped with homemade granola and passion fruit. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Topped with homemade granola, puffed quinoa, fruits, coconut chips, mint and almond sauce, it was a refreshing and satisfying combo.
To top things off, I couldn't resist testing The Parlour's claim of offering the "Best I ever had" waffle.
The "Best I ever had" waffle at The Parlour in Landstuhl, Germany, is served with homemade brownies, fresh strawberries and a drizzle of dark and white chocolate. The restaurant also serves a decadent version with Rafaello and Kinder Bueno chocolate bites. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
I certainly can vouch for its ability to rival the famous Belgian waffles located a few hours away. The delightful combination of homemade brownies, strawberries and the rich drizzle of dark and white chocolate is a delight for any dessert aficionado.
Regrettably, I later discovered that I had missed out on a tantalizing treat called "What Dreams Are Made Of." This takes the already delicious waffle and enhances it with popular Ferrero sweets like Raffaello and Kinder Bueno — childhood favorites that surely would ignite nostalgia if you grew up around here.
Desserts play a prominent role at The Parlour, not only on the menu but also in the glass showcase full of fresh cupcakes and pastries that greet visitors upon arrival.
Fresh fruit cupcakes are on display at The Parlour breakfast boutique in Landstuhl, Germany, June 16, 2023. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Berberich, the owner, says she learned from her mother Gaby that it’s perfectly fine to eat a slice of cake for breakfast once in a while.
She opened The Parlour with her husband earlier this spring, a move she said some considered bold considering the lingering effects of the pandemic. When asked about her decision to invest in a restaurant during such uncertain times, she responded with unwavering belief and passion.
"We love what we do and we wanted to seize the opportunity without any regrets," she said.
The Parlour, a new breakfast eatery in Landstuhl, Germany, is located right off Jacob-Weber-Platz, which offers convenient parking in the busy downtown area. Large front windows give the restaurant an open and sunny feeling despite its roadside location. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
The Parlour
Address: Schulstrasse 4, 66849 Landstuhl
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Prices: Breakfast dishes start at 3.20 euros for a Nutella croissant. A German breakfast platter is 14.90 euros. Soft drinks are 3.90 euros, coffee drinks start at 2.90 euros.
Menu: Full dual-language German-English menu available online.
Information: Online: parlour-cakes.com and on Facebook at tinemail at contact@parlour-cakes.com.
