Bootshaus - Gießen

A Cosy beergarden with Great views to the river lahn - Staff friendly but sometimes a bit Slow - Food average - try the Typical bellschou

Good atmosphere, nice seatings, very good and quickly service, many facilities for river tours etc, have also oom for private parties

I have always liked the Bootshaus for its views and that you can watch people punt and row on the river. I like the new looks too but I don't think the food has improved much. Starters were "hessische Tapas", with a "Greene Sosse" that was too runny, a fried sausage that only tasted salty and greasy, a "Spundekaes" cheese that was probably bought ready-made and a moderately good "Handkaes mit Musik" (if you like that type of strong cheese). The main was supposed to be a pork meat skewer (meat was nicely cooked) with a creamy mushroom sauce, but there was nothing resembling a creamy sauce. Instead a gravy that tasted suspiciously of glutamate (probably ready-made). The salad was mostly green leaves with a tiny bit of grated carrot and cabbage hidden somewhere underneath. Some dressing, which is always a bonus. My partners main had a very nice dark beer sauce that came with the meat (pork). The "Spaetzle" however that came with both dishes also looked very generic/ ready-made and were supposed to be buttery. Well, they had actually been in the pan way too long and were dried out. Possibly afterwards added a bit of butter, but that really couldn't hide the bad cooking in the first place. So, overall, I am underwhelmed, and if it wasn't for the nice terrace and view, I am not sure I would recommend the Bootshaus at all. Prices are ok, by the way.

Great place to stay when its nice weather and you not up for too fancy food. This is the best place to sit outside in Gießen, next to the river, just lovely. Usually pretty busy during summer days so you better be here before 6 PM to get a seat. Worst case, you can always just grab a beer and sit somewhere around the area and just enjoy the beautiful view and atmosphere.

Great place to come for a few drinks during the summer. Come early and get an nice place close to the river..