Torschänke Brüggen — Restaurant in Brüggen

2506 2-Star Review: We’ve been visiting the Torschänke in Brüggen for years, drawn by its scenic location right by the old mill and river. It’s a historic, atmospheric place with thick walls that block phone reception inside — charming if you want to disconnect, but worth knowing in advance. Outdoors, it’s beautifully shaded and cooler in midsummer, though humid and buggy, especially on hot days.

Unfortunately, prices have risen steeply in recent years to near big-city levels — €16 for a simple salad or €20 for a standard burger served with just about ten fries in a little basket (and having to ask for mayonnaise). Drinks are also on the expensive side, while food portions are modest.

While the staff is friendly and parking is easy, the price-value ratio just isn’t justified anymore. The food is solid, but nothing special to warrant such pricing in a rather rustic, laid-back setting. Sadly, although we have good memories here, I don’t see myself returning.

230516 4 Star Review: Despite the beer prices being very high, the food and great service as well as the ambiance make up for that. Have a Schnitzel for example with some tasty mushrooms and enjoy a warm summer night by the river. Really recommended. Dog friendly.

My 2 Star 2019 Review: Might be a great place during summer with the garden ambience - the food though was a disappointment. I actually had deep-frozen veggies in my entree. Meat was way too well done... Service not too attentive. Would not recommend if...

I will not go there again.

Service: really rather poor, slow, disorganized, we had to order the same thing several times before someone was bothered to actually serve it. There was like 3 people serving all of the tables at the same time so no wonder they couldn't really get a grip. Food : very plain, far from good quality as well. I ordered weiner-art schnitzel which when it finally arrived was as though as a brick. It was served as 2 small pieces on a large empty plate with two thin lemon slices - that was all. 15 min later arrived a bowl of chips which (lol) was meant to share with a friend of mine who has had a fish served very much alike the schnitzel - just a small piece of fish on a large empty plate, absolute joke this. Lastly when we asked for it, the salad arrived just after we have finished eating.

Ambiance : Saturday afternoon, lovely spot with a great view and comfy sitting arrangement and then there is this bunch of youngsters sitting in the corner taking a piss out of each and every one of the guests screaming and listening to techno with volume turned up to the max. The service were not even tiny bit bothered about that so when we kindly asked a young men from service to ask the group to turn the music a bit down he responded : 'this is not my fault they listen it so loud'.

I will just leave it here right with an honest recommendation : don't be tempted by the nice surroundings and instead go to the Italian restaurant next door - is million...

Ate here 2 nights in a row. 1st night everything was good: friendly and reasonably fast service, good food and nice cold beers. The second night couldn't be more different. A good 10 minute wait until finally someone came to our table who clearly didn't want to be there. Our beers already took a long time, but the wait time for 2 simple schnitzels was just more than ridiculous: close to an hour! The waitress was no help either, all she said was "it's busy but it's coming". We were just about to leave until the food finally arrived. No apologies whatsoever and the food was bland and dry. Probably won't be back...