A gherkin and produce stall at Lübbenau's Großer Hafen (Great Harbor), the main departure point for Spreewald punting boats, selling barrel-style pickled gherkins, horseradish and chili gherkins, cold-pressed linseed oil, fruit wines, and daily fresh-smoked fish.
Freddy's Gurkenfass is positioned at Lübbenau's Großer Hafen, the busiest of the town's Kahnfahrt (punting boat) departure points, making it a natural stop before or after a Spreewald canal tour. The stall specializes in barrel-cured gherkins packed loose from wooden barrels rather than pre-jarred, a traditional presentation increasingly rare outside the Spreewald itself, alongside horseradish gherkins, chili-spiced versions, and cold-pressed linseed oil, a regional Spreewald product traditionally eaten with boiled potatoes and quark. A small selection of fruit wines — sloe (Schlehe), elderberry, and blackberry — is sold by the bottle, and a smoker on site prepares fresh smoked fish daily, sold whole or as fillets to eat immediately at a nearby bench. Because stock and hours depend on the boat-tour season, the stand runs full days from April through October and shortens hours in the off season.
| Hours | Daily 9:00–18:00, April–October (reduced hours in winter) |
|---|---|
| Price | €–€€ |
| Address | Am Großen Spreewaldhafen, Schlossbezirk, 03222 Lübbenau (Spreewald) |
Weather through the year in Germany
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Am Großen Spreewaldhafen, Schlossbezirk, 03222 Lübbenau (Spreewald)
51.8623, 13.9598 View on map
Highlights
- Barrel-cured (not jarred) gherkins scooped fresh to order
- Cold-pressed linseed oil, a Spreewald specialty rarely sold outside the region
- Daily fresh-smoked fish prepared on site
- Located directly at the main Kahnfahrt boat-tour harbor
Tips for visiting
- Combine a visit with a Kahnfahrt departure, since the stall sits at the harbor where most Lübbenau boat tours begin.
- Loose barrel gherkins are typically sold by weight or per piece, roughly €0.50–€1 (~$0.54–$1.08) each, cheaper than pre-jarred versions.
- Smoked fish is best eaten the same day; it is not vacuum-packed for long travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freddy's Gurkenfass open in winter?
The stand operates full daily hours from April through October alongside the Spreewald boat-tour season and reduces hours in the winter months; confirming hours locally in advance for a winter visit is recommended.
What is Spreewald linseed oil used for?
Cold-pressed linseed (flax) oil is a traditional Spreewald condiment, classically drizzled over boiled potatoes with quark (a soft fresh cheese), a regional dish called Quark mit Leinöl.