Idar Oberstein

When you exit our village there is a big sign ... Idar Oberstein (left) and Kaiserlsautern (right). You can't help but be naturally curious "what the heck is Idar Oberstein?" when you see the name every day when you leave your village! Of course we know Kaiserslautern (aka Ktown) so my instincts told me I need to figure out the other direction! A coworker in Japan had told me about places she loved when she lived in German years ago and this name was one of them!

My buddy Emily and I hit the road after work on Saturday to check out this charming place. 

We read up on it quickly before we decided to go and thought the rock church sounded awesome (literally a church built into a rock) as well as the Schloss (castle). Once we arrived and hiked up what felt like two hundred stairs we were staring at a locked gate! The rock church was closed for the winter! We managed to sneak through a crack for a few photos but we didn't get very far! 

Unfortunately as we wandered up another windy path to the castle we noticed that was closed too! Our plans were a bust but you know what? We didn't let that ruin our day! The sun was peaking out and it was a beautiful view of the city from up top. We snapped a few photos and met a very interesting cat on our wander back down. 

The city center had a cute Eis Cafe (closed in winter also) and a good amount of restaurants. I am certain this place would be busy and full of seated outdoor beer drinkers and spectators in the warmer months. This particular day it was quiet and deserted. 

We had a specific restaurant we wanted to eat at per my research. It was well known for the Spiessbraten which is what Idar Oberstein is known for. 

This particular type of meat/cooking is well known for the style of cooking in a specific wood burning oven and it's also known for being delicious! This restaurant did NOT dissapoint! 

The meat and potatoes are cooked in this oven/stove and it's taste was worth the drive! Prices were reasonable and it was hands down the best meal I've had in Deutschland! We forgot about the closed attractions after our first bite!

The service was excellent, staff spoke English, and were very friendly. There are several different levels and areas to this restaurant, we sat in the back upper level but it was quiet and nice. There was an oven in our dining area and it was used to cook with also. 

Overall I can't wait to go back but take Antonio the next time! The meal was to die for and Im partly drooling just writing about it now. I'd take visiting family and friends there most definitely when they come out this way!