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All Germany Freiburg im Breisgau Martinstor McDonald's
AO Edited

Martinstor McDonald's

Located in a heritage building, this Mickey D's is missing its Golden Arches.

Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Added By
CoolCrab
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Look, Ma, no Golden Arches.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Look, Ma, no Golden Arches.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
This McDonald’s lurks in plain sight.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
McDonald’s has a number of architectural oddities around the globe.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Look closely at the city gate here.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
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About

While the term "McDonaldization" is often used to refer to the spread of cultural homogeneousness, there's actually a surprising amount of architectural diversity among the 41,000-plus global fast-food restaurants. In Roswell, New Mexico, the McDonald's resembles, fittingly, a downed UFO. In Subotica, Serbia, you can have your Big Mac in a 1912 Art Nouveau gem. And in Taupo, those famous fries are served aboard a decommissioned DC-3.

In 1977, McDonald's opened one of its first German branches in Freiburg right in the historic city gate. When the restaurant underwent a renovation in 2008, the city council demanded that the franchise tone down its decor to match the surrounding 13th-century architecture. Although they initially demanded there be no signage at the gate at all, they ultimately relented as long as the restaurant ditched its iconic Golden Arches.

Nowadays, the restaurant is a moderately popular tourist stop due to its unique lack of yellow signage. In addition to the usual McNuggets, you'll find a few local specials here, including a "Big Rösti" burger with crispy potatoes and German beef.

Related Tags

Restaurants Architecture Fast Food Mcdonalds

Know Before You Go

The restaurant is open daily. On the top floor, you get a nice view of the inside of the gate. 

Community Contributors

Added By

CoolCrab

Edited By

finlayson, linkogecko

  • finlayson
  • linkogecko

Published

February 14, 2025

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  • https://www.badische-zeitung.de/mehr-fastfood-fuer-freiburg
Martinstor McDonald's
254 Kaiser-Joseph-Straße
Freiburg im Breisgau, 79098
Germany
47.993697, 7.848922
Get Directions

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Photo of Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau

Germany

Places 8
Stories 1

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau

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