Gastätte am Holztor, Mainz

Mainz is a charming city sat on the Rhine River, with a pretty old town and some great restaurants.

One of the best known is Am Holztor, a traditional restaurant serving classic German dishes, as well as wine from local vineyards.

The atmosphere was great on a Saturday night, with around 30 people in attendance. However, the service was efficient and friendly, with a sense that the team is well-drilled and thoroughly enjoy their work.

A classic schnitzel with potatoes was probably big enough for two people to share, but on a cold evening we ordered one each for fuel. The local Riesling white wine went down a treat too.

The restaurant is a little bit removed from the center, but well worth the 10-minute walk. When we arrived it was incredibly busy, with the only seats available at the bar. With that in mind, book ahead if you want to eat on the weekend.

The bill came to $60 for two people with a good bottle of local wine, which felt like great value. You can definitely get a sit-down meal for less money in Mainz, but you would struggle to find somewhere as charming as Am Holztor to eat it.