Forsthaus
Forsthaus Jena is a 160-year-old traditional Thuringian mountain restaurant in the Jenaer Forst, the sole staffed restaurant in that forest area, serving hikers, event guests, and overnight visitors with regional cuisine, a 120-seat dining venue, and premium truffle dining events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1863
- HeadquartersJena, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forsthaus does
Forsthaus Jena, operating since 1863, is Jena's oldest mountain restaurant (Berggaststätte) and the only currently staffed restaurant in the Jenaer Forst forest area, located at Forstweg 88, 07745 Jena, Germany. The establishment is owned and operated by Undine Hesse, who took over from her mother Astrid Hohmann in August 2005. The venue comprises a cozy fireplace room (Kaminzimmer) with 30 seats, a beer garden, and a large hall (Saal) with 90 seats for celebrations, providing a total capacity of 120+ guests, and is supported by a lean team of 8 employees.
The core product is traditional Thuringian cuisine served in a historic forest setting, surrounded by hiking trails and nearby attractions including the Forstturm, Bismarckturm, Forststernwarte observatory, and the forum natura nature experience center. The business operates four revenue streams: standard restaurant and catering (transaction-based menu sales), event venue rental for weddings and celebrations in the 90-seat hall, on-site overnight accommodation at EUR 15-20 per person per night, and premium themed dining events such as the Trüffelabend (Truffle Evening) at EUR 125 per person, capped at 15 participants. The restaurant also offers a downloadable menu, GPX trail files for hikers, and an extensive nature documentation section on its website.
The go-to-market is event-driven and locality-based, relying on direct customer interactions, reservations by phone, email, and online form, and an event programming calendar featuring seasonal celebrations (Wintersonnenwendefeuer winter solstice bonfire, children's festivals, anniversary events). Marketing is conducted through the company website and blog, Facebook organic social, downloadable trail maps, and signature event programming. The business is deeply embedded in the local civic ecosystem through the Berggesellschaft Forsthaus e.V. association (co-founded by the owner in 2006), which maintains adjacent heritage sites and organizes community events that drive foot traffic.
Forsthaus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forsthaus
- Legal name
- Forsthaus Jena
- Website
- https://forsthaus-jena.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1863
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Forsthaus Jena is a 160-year-old traditional Thuringian mountain restaurant in the Jenaer Forst, the sole staffed restaurant in that forest area, serving hikers, event guests, and overnight visitors with regional cuisine, a 120-seat dining venue, and premium truffle dining events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forsthaus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Traditional Restaurant and Hospitality Services
- NAICS
- Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Accommodation (721)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brasseries, Bistros & Trattorias (THAFACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Inn with Pub / Tavern (Gastropub Inns) (THAGAHAL), Venue Sourcing & Site Coordination (HSACAAAD)
Keywords
Where Forsthaus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jena
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forsthaus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Restaurant and Catering: Traditional restaurant serving Thuringian cuisine with a cozy fireplace room (30 seats), beer garden, and large hall (90 seats). Food and beverage sales are the primary revenue driver. The restaurant also offers catering for events and special occasions.
- Event Venue Rental: The large hall with 90 seats is rented out for celebrations and events of all kinds. The venue hosts private events, weddings, and special occasions, generating rental and catering revenue.
- Accommodation: Overnight stays offered in double/triple rooms (20 EUR per person/night) and multi-bed rooms (15 EUR per person/night). Breakfast available for 8 EUR per person. Targeted at hikers and nature enthusiasts wanting to explore the Jenaer Forst.
- Special Themed Dining Events: Signature multi-course truffle dining experiences (4-course truffle menu including drinks, 125 EUR per person, maximum 15 participants). These events feature educational presentations about truffles, hunting with dogs, and include extensive truffle-infused menus. Events require advance reservation and are held periodically throughout the year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Double/Triple Room Accommodation |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Multi-bed Room Accommodation |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Breakfast Add-on |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Trüffelabend Special Dining Event |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Forsthaus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forsthaus Jena is a historic mountain restaurant (Berggaststätte) in the Jenaer Forst forest, serving traditional Thuringian cuisine and beverages to walk-in guests. It also functions as a multi-purpose hospitality venue, offering overnight accommodation in a forest chalet, hosting private events and celebrations, and running themed culinary evenings such as the Trüffelabend (Truffle Evening).
Product overview
Forsthaus Jena is Jena's oldest mountain tavern (Berggaststätte), operating since 1863. The core offering is its traditional Thuringian restaurant with multiple dining areas (fireplace room, beer garden, large celebration hall), supplemented by overnight accommodation, special dining events (truffle evenings), and forest exploration experiences. The restaurant serves as the primary attraction within the Jena Forest recreation area, with additional offerings including a nature trail and seasonal events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Forsthaus Restaurant Dining On-site traditional Thuringian restaurant service offering regional cuisine and beverages to walk-in guests and visitors of the Jenaer Forst. Operating as the oldest mountain restaurant in Jena since 1863.
- Overnight Accommodation in Forest Chalet (Waldhütte) Wooden forest chalet accommodation within the Jenaer Forst available for overnight stays, providing an immersive nature lodging experience for guests visiting the Forsthaus restaurant.
- Trüffelabend (Truffle Evening) Themed gourmet dining event featuring truffle-based menu offerings, hosted at the Forsthaus for food enthusiasts and individual guests seeking a curated culinary experience.
- Private Event Venue Rental Booking of the Forsthaus as a venue for hosting private celebrations, weddings, birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, and company events, with catering provided on-site.
- Forsterlebnis (Forest Experience) Curated forest experience program that lets visitors explore the Jenaer Forst in connection with their visit to the Forsthaus, including nature-based activities and information about the surrounding woodland.
- Waldpfad "Schlauer Ux" (Forest Path) Designated forest path offering guests of the Forsthaus a nature walk experience within the Jenaer Forst, part of the broader Forsterlebnis nature offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only restaurant currently operating in the Jenaer Forst forest area
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Forsthaus
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forsthaus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Forsthaus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Berggesellschaft Forsthaus e.V.coreThe Berggesellschaft Forsthaus e.V. is a non-profit association founded in 2006 with Undine Hesse as co-initiator. The association works on maintaining and restoring historic attractions in the Jenaer Forst, including the Forstturm (war memorial tower from 1874), Bismarckturm (Bismarck tower from 1909), and supports events at Forsthaus. The association helped restore the Forstturm (opened to public in 2009), manages opening times for the towers, planted Schömanns Eiche in 2017, and organizes children's festivals and other community events.
- Urania Sternwarte Jena e.V.minorThe Urania Sternwarte Jena e.V. (astronomical observatory) operates the Forststernwarte (Forest Observatory) built in 1903 as a works observatory for Carl Zeiss and located in the immediate vicinity of Forsthaus. The association provides astronomical viewing opportunities and maintains the historic observatory building. Forsthaus provides nearby dining options for observatory visitors.
- Grunewald.oneminorWeb consultancy and support company responsible for the design and development of the Forsthaus Jena website.
- C-PROMO.deminorAdvertising agency (Thomas Weißenfels) providing design consultation for the Forsthaus Jena website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Forsthaus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forsthaus social profiles
Digital presenceForsthaus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forsthaus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forsthaus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forsthaus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forsthaus
What does Forsthaus do?
Forsthaus Jena is a historic mountain restaurant (Berggaststätte) in the Jenaer Forst forest, serving traditional Thuringian cuisine and beverages to walk-in guests. It also functions as a multi-purpose hospitality venue, offering overnight accommodation in a forest chalet, hosting private events and celebrations, and running themed culinary evenings such as the Trüffelabend (Truffle Evening).
Is Forsthaus a public or private company?
Forsthaus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Forsthaus founded?
Forsthaus was founded in 1863. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Forsthaus based?
Forsthaus is headquartered in Jena, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Forsthaus make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Restaurant and Catering is the primary driver. The others are event Venue Rental, accommodation and special Themed Dining Events.
Does Forsthaus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forsthaus.
What industry is Forsthaus in?
Forsthaus's product category is Traditional Restaurant and Hospitality Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFACAI, Brasseries, Bistros & Trattorias, with a secondary code of THAGAHAL, Inn with Pub / Tavern (Gastropub Inns). Its NAICS code is 722511 and its SIC code is 5810.