Restaurant Fra Bartolo — Restaurant in Unkel

We arrived in Berlin on a Friday and for three days unremarkably dined our way through Berlin and numerous villages like Rothenburg and Bacharach, then followed the Rhine north to a small community of Rheinbreitbach on the east side of the river, just South of Bonn. We had avoided the American fast food invasion of McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King, only by succumbing to ill-prepared pizza and enduring the abundant but dreaded currywurst.

Seeking culinary redemption that did not involve the Germanic cliche of processed, pre-frozen schnitzel (at times smothered in what can be considered a questionable gravy/sauce) and fries (pomme frittes), we searched Google and Yelp for alternatives. That search produced limited choices, yet we found a glimmer of hope in an establishment called “Frau Bartolo’s”.

Walking down the classic Bavarian cobblestone path, moistened by fresh rain and autumn’s fallen leaves, we entered the warm small, intimate atmosphere of Frau Bartolo’s and were greeted by a charming hostess, with strains of German music softly playing in the background.

A hand written menu provided the hope of authentic and unique cuisine, which was followed by an apology that it was only in German. We assured our hostess we were up for the challenge. The small room glowed with candlelight, the murmurs of other diners did not overwhelm the grandfather clock in the corner announcing the passing of time. What followed was a delightful evening of pleasing dishes, complete with an thickly accented narrative provided by our lovely and helpful hostess.

Each course was freshly prepared, from the three different home-baked breads made that morning and compound olive oils, to the artfully crafted salads, and the meats which rivaled the best establishments of any of our European tours. The meal was a leisurely repose from our busy travel schedule, and it was a welcome respite.

After the meal, still entranced in this dining experience, we said our goodbyes and inquired, “Who is Frau Bartolo?” Quite surprisingly, we discovered it was our helpful and unassuming hostess!

If you happen to be passing through the Rhine River Valley between Bonn and Koblenz, do not deny yourself the pleasure of a meal and the charm of...

What a great place! We came here to celebrate what would have been our wedding weekend if it weren't for coronavirus. It was a beautiful spot with a lovely back garden for dining. The food was truly incredible -- from three kinds of homemade bread and olive oils, to the delicious wild boar and local fish, to the cake, and even the schnapps from oma to conclude the meal. Aside from the food, the family that runs the restaurant is very kind and very friendly. Frau Bartolo herself was the server and she showed us such kindness by offering a small gift in honor of our would-have-been wedding. Thank you for a...

Fra Bartolo is a quaint restaurant with a cozy unique atmosphere. All of the food is delicious. It's impossible to go wrong from fresh made bread to appetizers to entrees to dessert. We have had great service. If you're ever unsure what is good or what you should try simply ask and they will find something you will love. You can also swing by and simply grab some ice cream for take away. The chili dark chocolate is a great choice to get...