For a long time, the area was rather disreputable. Brothels, street prostitution and dubious pubs dominated the scene. Today, a touch of urbanity floats through the oldest quarter outside the city walls. Trendy pubs, hip restaurants and a good portion of St.Gallen's down-to-earthness can be found there today, as well as tolerance. A foray.
Text: The 612 editorial team
Multicultural, Bars & Pubs
All new: microbrewery below, restaurant above - the HERMANN Bier brewery opened at the beginning of 2021 in a freshly renovated property in the Linsebühl district in the east of the city. Previously, the building housed a sex cinema and a brothel. Company founder Marco Hermann says, "Microbrewery instead of brothel goes smoothly in Linsebühl." For more than 20 years, Hermann led the organization of city tours through St.Gallen. Now, together with his business partner Gianluca Bernet, he ventured into self-employment. "A great, completely refurbished microbrewery and a pub with 60 seats. We have everything we need here."
"The Linsebühl neighborhood is trendy. We've come to stay."
Marco Hermann and Gianluca Bernet, Hermann Beer Brewery & Local
On the central Lämmlisbrunnenstrasse, bars line up with restaurants. At the very east of the street is the Bierhof: a sports bar where FC St.Gallen fans meet. Sports are on the TV, and the guests "tschüttelen", play table soccer. The bar is run by two FC St. Gallen fans on a voluntary basis. Two houses down, the traditional Ristorante Toscana welcomes its guests. At Teodoro's (called Teo), everyone who wants to enjoy Italian food and ambience will get their money's worth. Right next to the Ristorante is a new store with an urban concept: Domino8, as the store is called, is a good address for second-hand clothing and events.
We continue with a bit of a New York feeling in what is probably the narrowest corner building in the city. On the first floor of the striking building, the whole neighborhood meets in the relaxed bar La Buena Onda, which Jiri Vesely runs together with his partner Iva Medkova. In the neighboring house up the street towards the city center is the pub Da Slàinte Inn, a rather rustic place with a large proportion of English-speaking guests. The Caffe Van Gogh right next door is frequented by many people from the Balkans. Just before the Spisertor traffic circle is Piadineria Rimini, with St.Gallen's best piadine - an Italian sandwich specialty. If you prefer Greek, the best place to dive into Mediterranean inspiration is Kostas at Greco. Back in the direction of Linsebühl, don't miss a visit to Nannas bunte Küche should not be missed. The assortment of fine spices and herbal blends caters to all the senses. The red lentil soup is legendary (also ideal as a gift).
Coffee Eldorado
Once around the traffic circle, the g'nuss counter beckons with all kinds of tempting treats: great, even light sweets, numerous snacks, great lunch menus - all handmade by the owners Stefan and Claudia. The g'nuss brunch on weekends is well-known in town. This is where over-slept partygoers meet unslept young parents on Sunday mornings. Everyone needs refreshment. A few houses further up towards the Speicher is Kafi Franz - a nice, very urban place with good food and wine (and a beautiful courtyard). Here, too, the big breakfast on weekends is an event.
The coffee house on Linsebühlstrasse serves home-roasted coffee. Many cultural events make the coffeehouse a hotspot in the trendy quarter. Don't be alarmed if the host Gallus spontaneously asks you to dance. For panettone lovers: La Fabbrica del Panettone by cult baker Pietro Cappelli (winner of several awards). And for those who are already there: pause for a moment at the neo-Renaissance church of Linsebühl. Very impressive: the richly decorated interior, the lighting in the evening.
Relaxed coexistence
A lot has happened in Linsebühl in recent years. However, the neighborhood still seems a bit more unwashed than the spruced-up old town right next door. The Tiffany Night Club is one of the few witnesses of the disreputable past. Today, the club houses a sex store and a gay cinema. Opposites attract: The house next to the night club houses a free church.