Let me take you back all the way to 1865. You’re standing amid the vibrant soul of London King’s Cross St. Pancras, a historical, rich tapestry of time. Before you stands a 57 foot high building of grandeur, which is today German Gymnasium. You watch as it touches the empty sky’s soft hue, inviting you to step closer and experience the charm of England’s gymnasiums’ birthplace. Passion runs around the atmosphere while Olympic athletes begin to train for triumph. You are ever-present, witnessing iconic moments while immersing yourself into a cloud of majestic history.
Lighting the Torch
As you step through the grand doors of German Gymnasium today, you’re immediately submerged into an ambiance of contemporary elegance and warmth, sprinkled with a dash of sophistication. A striking tall flower arrangement sits at the centre, radiating the Olympic rings’ vibrant colours. Paintings dedicated to the past hang above the grand staircases spanning two floors. As you sit under the white marble arcs where conquests and world-renowned victories took place, those historic feats become your own memorable feasts.
Sprint to Satisfaction
To begin the dance of flavour, your menu treats you to a selection of delectable dishes inspired by a fusion of German and Mittel-European cuisine. 3, 2, 1 – or in this case 1, 2, 3 – different menus are available for choosing.
Maybe you’d like to bask on the outside terrace, feasting while watching the different lives Londoners have throughout the streets. Enjoy succulent sweet potatoes with an unmatched crisp washed down by a traditional German beer quenching your thirst. You should also try the Leberkäse Burger, made of German meatloaf, sauerkraut, crispy bacon, and mustard. Another excellent choice is the Classic Hot Dog with Marjoram spices pork sausages served in a Bezel brioche roll, and filled with crispy onions.
Perhaps you’d prefer to remain inside, surrounded by a different type of glory. The downstairs cafe menu offers a delicious range of breakfast dishes: Avocado & Poached Eggs on freshly baked sunflower seed bread, or the German Gymnasium Breakfast – honouring German heritage with options like Grilled Nürnberger Sausages and more.
For lunch and dinner, enjoy sandwiches, salads, and schnitzels catered to all —meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans. The Chickpea & Lentil Burger with vegan cheddar, house sauce, and crispy onions will definitely leave you fueled up to boast. If that’s not enough to win that medal, head to the restaurant upstairs and bite into their house-cured salmon with beetroot cream and crunchy pumpernickel croutons — fresh, silky, delicious! Other options include the Swabian Ravioli stuffed with black pudding and apple — the unique blend of taste really hits the spot but also surprises you. Even the Terrone vom Huhn, a dish of Chicken Terrine and Black Forest Ham accompanied by baby leeks and tomato chutney, is a delectable choice. You should complement it with a classic Wiener Schnitzel, a two-breaded veal sirloin served with a warm potato salad, cucumber salad, and juicy lingonberry compote; you can literally taste tradition hurdling over your tastebuds!
And finally, for the closing, tempt yourself with their fluffy cakes, chocolate delights, and pastries such as strudels with apple, cinnamon, and a warm vanilla sauce. There’s also the hazelnut mousse, a mouthful of velvet that melts onto your tongue in a fluffy manoeuvre of enthusiasm. Executive Chef Alexander Thiel excels in blending tradition with innovation — he’s simply outdone himself with this delicious menu.
The Final Lap
To quench your thirst and help the champion’s meal go down with stamina and grace, the new cocktail menu provides a relay of themed drinks to tantalise your taste buds. Recently activated in the spirit of the Paris Olympic Games, Anna Gaglione, the mastermind behind the new cocktail menu and bar manager of German Gymnasium, has reached new heights with her variety of cocktails, showcasing her top-notch mixology skills to deliver a decathlon of excellence.
Lightweight and sharp-tipped, ‘The Broadsword’ is a standing ovation-worthy concoction of lime, cucumber, Campari, strawberry, and rosemary cordial with a base of El Jimador Tequila. The drink soars like a javelin to the roof of your mouth, finishing with succulence. Sometimes, less is more, ‘The Acrobat’ allows the flavours of Sauvelle Vodka, Lemon Balm Wine, Vetiver, and Suze to tumble around your palate with agility, a smooth ending with the right balance.
As you delicately sip ’The Olympian’ with saffron-infused Tanqueray Gin, Italicus jasmine syrup and lemon, the taste roars in your mouth, rowing its way to a golden medal. Perhaps ’The Pioneer’ then may call to you as Lost Explorer Mezcal plays with its teammates of Aperol, lime and marmalade – a dive into decadence. You must try ‘The Onlooker’, a creation featuring Aba Pisco, kaffir lime, Darjeeling Tea Liqueur, Lillet Blanc, and lime washed with milk, served in a delightful glass teacup. The drink’s presentation evokes the classiness of sipping a traditional teacup — may the little finger elevate in sophistication alongside your experience.
Standing High at 1st Place
As the world turns its gaze towards the Paris Olympic Games, travellers and sport enthusiasts find themselves embarking on adventurous journeys through Europe to witness the long-awaited events. For those passing through London, this hidden haven conveniently sits just three minutes worth of walking from the Eurostar, the ideal spot to elevate your travel plan. Whether you’re on your way to the Olympic festivities or returning from there, you must give them a visit.
Being the first establishment to hold the indoor Olympics, German Gymnasium is now a gold-standard restaurant offering you a delightful dining experience in its seamless blend of Victorian roots and utmost modern luxury. A quite literal example of ‘Going for Gold’.
To discover more, visit germangymnasium.com
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All imagery courtesy of German Gymnasium.