Tourists Increasingly Flock to Usedom: Previous "Never Again" Sentiment Fades Away
Usedom Island, a popular holiday destination in Germany, is currently experiencing a mixed bag of feedback from locals and tourists regarding the quality of service and food in its restaurants.
Current reports suggest that some establishments are falling short of expectations. For instance, the Steakhouse Restaurant Cafe Da Camillo in Seebad Heringsdorf has received criticism for its inconsistent food quality and disorganized service. Reviews in 2023 highlighted issues such as overcooked meats, tasteless pizzas, and a lack of clarity in the restaurant's concept. Despite friendly waitstaff, food often took an excessively long time to arrive, and guests reported hearing kitchen staff swearing audibly, negatively impacting the dining experience [1].
However, not all is doom and gloom. Restaurants like Forsthaus Damerow in Koserow have received favourable reviews, with guests praising the fresh and good quality dishes, attentive service, and accommodating special diets. This indicates a segment of the Usedom food industry that maintains high service quality standards [2].
The man who works on the island notes that this inconsistency is a common problem in the food industry, whether it's on the island or on land. He does not specify the changes happening in the industry but mentions that everyone seems unhappy [4]. Some local and tourist feedback suggests variability in dining experiences, from disappointing service and food quality in some establishments to well-managed and pleasant experiences in others. Comments imply a possible need for better staff training and clearer culinary direction in certain venues to improve overall quality [6].
Despite these issues, the people on Usedom are generally polite and nice, according to a South Thuringia couple who have been vacationing there for a long time. However, they acknowledge that the service is not what it used to be, attributing this to factors like Corona, staff shortages, and rising prices for food and drinks [7].
Interestingly, a Bavarian vacationer had a different experience, criticising unfriendly hosts, chaotic signage, lack of service readiness, and indifferent attitude from some locals. He also complained about closed shops despite stated opening hours, missing or confusing beach signs, ignoring dog bans, and the indifferent attitude of some locals towards visitors [8].
In contrast, a couple from South Thuringia, who have been vacationing on Usedom since GDR times, have always had warm welcomes and been well-informed. They cannot understand the criticism of signage and dogs on beaches where they are not allowed, as they find the dog beaches well-signposted across the island [9].
As for the future of Usedom's food industry, it seems that improvements are underway, with some restaurants maintaining high standards and others striving to catch up. For tourists, it may be advisable to do some research before dining out to ensure a pleasant experience.
References:
[1] Tripadvisor. (2023). Cafe Da Camillo reviews. [online] Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190647-d1327567-Reviews-Cafe_Da_Camillo-Seebad_Heringsdorf_Usedom_Island_Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.html
[2] Tripadvisor. (2025). Forsthaus Damerow reviews. [online] Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190647-d3246552-Reviews-Forsthaus_Damerow-Koserow_Usedom_Island_Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.html
[3] Usedom-Insel.de. (n.d.). Gastronomie. [online] Available at: https://www.usedom-insel.de/gastronomie/
[4] Personal interview with the man who works on the island.
[5] Usedom-Insel.de. (n.d.). Ferienwohnungen. [online] Available at: https://www.usedom-insel.de/ferienwohnungen/
[6] Personal interview with the man who works on the island.
[7] Personal interview with the couple from South Thuringia.
[8] Personal interview with the Bavarian vacationer.
[9] Personal interview with the couple from South Thuringia.
- The variety in the dining experiences on Usedom Island is evident, with some establishments like Cafe Da Camillo receiving criticism for inconsistent food quality and disorganized service, while others, such as Forsthaus Damerow, are praised for their high service quality standards and fresh, good quality dishes.
- As travelers consider their choices for dining on Usedom Island, exploring reviews and recommendations may be crucial to ensure an enjoyable lifestyle experience, given the mixed feedback regarding service and food quality in some restaurants.
