The story
At the edge of Hannover's Oststadt district, on Wedekindplatz, Marie reimagines French dining. Chef and owner Sven Holthaus, together with his team, has created a restaurant where the cooking is ambitious yet the atmosphere remains refreshingly unpretentious. The kitchen earned a Michelin star in 2026 for its "high quality cooking," a recognition that feels earned rather than sought.
Marie is not an à la carte restaurant. Instead, guests are invited to trust the kitchen with one of two monthly-changing tasting menus — the Classique and the Vegetarian — each spanning five or six courses. The cooking is rooted in French technique but enlivened by subtle Asian accents: yuzu, sake, shichimi togarashi, and gochujang appear alongside butter turnip, Skrei cod, lamb, and beef. A separate oyster and caviar bar, open from Tuesday to Saturday, offers a more casual way to begin the evening.
The space itself seats just 28, with a clean, modern interior that feels personal rather than stiff. In summer, a small terrace opens for outdoor seating. The team — led by Holthaus, sous chef Christian Oemus, and restaurant manager Niklas Krämer — aims for warmth and genuine hospitality. Fine dining, they prove, need not be formal.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
High quality cooking
A charming bistro-restaurant in the East End, where several menus featuring up to six courses and Fine de Claire oysters are served. Thumbs up for the classics of French country cuisine!
Concept With heart and dedication, owner and chef Sven Holthaus (who has never worked on the stove in a Michelin-starred restaurant) has nurtured the Marie into one of the city's finest gourmet restaurants. The 5- and 6-course menus can be extended with additional courses. Culinary Style Holthaus readily embraces mainstream elements of haute cuisine and adapts them as he sees fit, whether combining the universally popular chawanmushi with the obligatory caviar, or alternatively with radish, shiitake, beans, and beurre blanc. Black feather chicken meets truffles and curry. He imbues Wagyu beef with hearty richness using goulash broth. Wine The concise wine list impresses with selections from smaller wineries in Germany, France, and a touch of Austria. Atmosphere It's not just the relaxed ambiance of the historic building itself that is charming, but also the view out the windows, where the cobblestone Ballhofplatz is ringed by Gründerzeit-era buildings. Verdict Lighthearted comfort cuisine perfect for unwinding.
Location
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