Some places come with a bit of personal history attached.

For me, Mansfeld is one of them. It was actually the very first restaurant I visited when I arrived in Luxembourg back in 2006, and for several years it stayed one of my favourites. So, coming back after the change in ownership felt a bit like revisiting an old chapter — but with a new energy.

First impressions

The atmosphere is still calm, polished and elegant without feeling stiff. And then there is the terrace, which honestly remains one of the most beautiful in Luxembourg. The kind of place that already gives you a good mood before the food even arrives.

I started with a passion fruit cocktail, served with a small bowl of chips while waiting. Simple, yes, but a nice little gesture — and I always appreciate when a place thinks about those details.

The starter: pâté en croûte

As a starter, I went for the pâté en croûte with chicken, foie gras and cèpes.

It was rich, but well balanced, with a proper depth of flavour and a texture that held together beautifully without becoming heavy. Exactly the kind of classic brasserie dish that can easily feel too much when not done properly — but here, it worked.

Also, special mention for the salad served on the side. Perfectly seasoned, fresh and actually useful to the plate. Not just a sad decoration pretending to be involved.

The main: veal, morels and pommes dauphine

For the main course, I was hesitating between the catch of the day served with fregola — which I love — and the veal. I followed the recommendation and went for the veal.

No regrets.

The meat was well cooked and served with a morel sauce that brought a lovely depth to the dish. The only small note for me was the ratatouille underneath: the peppers were a little strong and slightly overpowering. That said, I still really enjoyed the dish overall, and the portion was more than generous.

And then there were the pommes dauphine.

I swear these might be some of the best potatoes I have ever had. Crispy outside, soft and airy inside, dangerously addictive. I actually asked if there was something inside them because… suspiciously good. Next time, I might need an extra portion to take away. No shame.

Dessert: mousse au chocolat

At that point, I was honestly full. But you know when dessert arrives on the menu and you suddenly find a secret emergency space? Exactly.

I went for the mousse au chocolat, and I was very happy I did. Generous, comforting, well executed — the kind of dessert that does not need to reinvent anything because it already knows what it is doing.

Final thoughts

This was my first visit to Mansfeld since the change in ownership, but definitely not my last.

It felt like a proper rediscovery: a solid brasserie cuisine, with some real highlights, homemade touches where many places fall short, one of the best terraces in Luxembourg and a calm, polished atmosphere.

Same address, refreshed energy — and for me, a very nice full-circle moment.

Would I go back? Yes. Especially for the terrace. And the potatoes. Mostly the potatoes.