Do you have a trip planned and don’t know what to eat in Germany? We help you. In this list, we will tell you not only the typical dishes that you cannot miss trying, but we will also give you tips on where to drink the best beers.
And best of all, we’ll share tips from 4 cities we visited so you have several options and prepare your itinerary without errors.
What not to miss eating in Germany?
German cuisine is certainly quite characteristic. With well-known typical dishes, if you like sausages and pork, you’ll probably love it!
But so you don’t miss anything, we’ve prepared a list of foods you need to try, such as:
Pork’s knee
Without a doubt, it is one of the most typical and well-known dishes in the world. Called Eisbein, pork knuckle can be found with crispy skin, as well as with it just cooked. We confess that the first version pleased us more;
SausagesCurrywürst served with French friesA different version of currywürst served with bread!
It is also possibly one of the first things that comes to mind when we talk about German cuisine. Würst can be found with different types of meat and shapes. Without a doubt, our favorite version of currywürst served with a curry ketchup sauce and fries. Try it, it’s delicious.
Schnitzel
It’s nothing more than breaded meat served perfectly. They are usually thin and giant steaks. Furthermore, they can be made from different types of meat, such as veal, pork and it is also possible to find chicken in the version;
Pretzel
In addition to the sweet version, which ended up becoming fashionable here in Brazil, there is also a savory version. It is very common to be sold in biergärtens to accompany beers. But I’ll let you know right away, we didn’t like it very much, we found it too dry!
Sauerkraut
Called Sauerkraut, sauerkraut is nothing more than a fermented cabbage salad. If you’ve never had it, you might be a little surprised by its very characteristic flavor, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most traditional accompaniments;
Kebab
Calm down, you didn’t read it wrong. And yes, the kebab is not German. But trust me, you will find several restaurants selling this delicacy. And it was in Berlin that I ate the best I’ve ever tasted in my life;
Tarte
Tired of so many sausages and meats? Bet on this very thin dough, which resembles a pizza, but instead of cheese, it uses creme fraiche and different toppings. But the most original version has bacon, onions and cream; The Berliner reminds us of our dream, but the filling is inside.Tarte It’s a thin dough served with super delicious cream.
Berliner
Sweet bread is very reminiscent of our dream, but the filling is inside the bread. There are options with different flavors, even varying according to the season. A great choice to start the day;
Strudel
You probably already know this typically German dessert (but invented in Austria) that is made from puff pastry and apples.
More delicacies to try in Germany
Without a doubt, German breads are delicious. So, be sure to visit the typical bakeries. In addition, you will find several options for side dishes made with potatoes, from salads to dumplings, and of course, fried versions. If it’s too cold, be sure to try the goulash.
Another thing, the chocolates are also delicious. And I can’t forget to mention the WONDERFUL mustards.
What to drink in Germany?
It’s going to be difficult not to talk about beer around here. In the 3 times we were in the country we were able to explore the German beer tradition a lot.
If you don’t already know, know that there is the German purity law, which dictates that beers must only contain water, malt and hops. If you love the styles of Weiss, German Pilsner, Munich Helles, Altbier, Kölsch, you will certainly enjoy the countless traditional breweries, as well as biergärtens spread across the city.
But, be aware that nowadays it is possible to find other styles of beer. For example, on our trip to Munich we were able to try an IPA version at the traditional Paulaner brewery.
Where to eat and drink in Berlin
First of all I would like to say that Berlin is a delightful city to visit. And certainly, one of the largest cities in Germany. Without a doubt, you can create an intense itinerary of museum attractions that you can’t miss.
In relation to food and drink it would be no different. There are several options spread across the city, ranging from traditional places to more modern bars and restaurants. Furthermore, know that Berlin is known as one of the most vegan capitals on the planet.
Drinking beer in Berlin
If you want to start with the classics, I recommend starting at Hofbräu Wirtshaus Berlin, a gigantic restaurant where you will not only drink giant mugs of beer, but also try typical German food. In Berlin you will drink both classic recipes, as well as some other types that escape the German purity law, such as IPA.
In addition to the famous HB, we also recommend:
Where to eat in BerlinFor good coffee, I recommend Silo Café, Elemenza Coffee Roasters and Coffee & Cookies; On Sundays, a delicious market takes place in Mauerpark. There, in addition to finding an antique fair, you can enjoy the food and drink stalls; If you love burgers, you need to include Burgermeister. Super famous (and delicious) it is very close to the park where the remaining pieces of the wall are located; To eat the famous currywürst, go to Curry 36, with several points in the city offering quick food at an honest price; And the best Kebab in life (and I dare say, one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten), we got it at Bagdad, a restaurant that you might not even pay attention to if you pass by, but which is delicious.
Where to eat and drink in Munich
You probably know Munich for its most important event: Oktoberfest. We haven’t risked (yet) going into the crowded city to see the party, but I would say that you’ll enjoy the city a lot even outside of that date.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite cities in Germany. And we have super tips for you to enjoy, just like we do! In Munich you will be able to take a tour of the most classic breweries in Germany.
Both to enjoy the most classic beers and to try typical cuisine, we recommend the following places:
And don’t forget to stop by Biergarten Viktualienmarkt, a super square where you will find restaurants and food and beer stalls. At Viktualienmarkt you will find a large beer garden with several food and drink options.
Colonia and Dusselford: the story behind Altbier and Kolsh beers
If you are a beer fan, you probably already know the rivalry between the cities where Atbier and Kölsch are produced.
First of all, it is important to know that both are cities with fewer tourist attractions, so, in my opinion, 1 day in each will be enough for you to take the test and decide, after all, which of the 2 types of beer is the best. better.In Cologne, get ready to enjoy a super breakfastIn Dusseldorf, try the famous Altbier
What to eat and drink in Colonia
Without a doubt, between the 2 cities it was my favorite. Here, you will drink Kölsch-type beer, which is characterized by being highly fermented, at the same time as being super light and should be consumed fresh (i.e., a few days after fermentation has finished).
Here are some tips for putting together your gastronomic itinerary around the city:
To drink traditional Kölsch, we recommend Brauhaus Em Kölsche Boor, Peters Brauhaus, Hellers Volksgarten (especially if the day is beautiful and less cold), Früh and Max Stark. Everywhere, in addition to beer, you can also enjoy local cuisine; Do you love fried food? Try Frittenwerk; Want to start the day with a super breakfast? Include the ST. LOUIS Café that has HUGE portions that will leave you feeling full for a super walk around the city;But if you want to take a break from heavy food, we love Rich N Greens with its delicious and super fresh bowls and burritos.Chocolate museum in Colonia
But Colonia doesn’t just have beer and German food for you to enjoy. How about visiting the Lindt chocolate museum? A quick but fun tour where you’ll even eat some free chocolates! On their website you can check prices and opening hours.
What to eat and drink in Dusseldorf
Just like Colonia, this is a city where tourist attractions are more concentrated, and 1 full day here should be enough for you to see a little of everything. Here, you will try Altibier, which remains a light beer, but maltier.
Check out some recommendations for places to visit below:
Uerige Hausbrauerei: If you want to drink authentic Altibier, go to this bar. When we went in May, we were lucky enough to participate in an outdoor event with jazz shows and it was delicious. On site you can also eat typical German food; Holy Craft Beer Bar: Looking for more variety of beer, in addition to the classics? This bar could be a great option for you! HeimWerk Altstadt: Without a doubt one of the biggest surprises of our last trip. Delicious food, perfect service and super fair price.
Should I tip in Germany?
Everywhere we go, there is no extra percentage charge for service. In fact, what we learned is that the most normal thing to do is to round the bill to the nearest number and that there is no minimum percentage indicated for the tip.
Just be careful, as when doing this on the card, the amount may end up not being directed to the waiter. Therefore, always confirm or give the value in money.
More tips for a trip to Germany
Transport: One of the things that caught our attention the most on our first trip to Germany was that there is no need to validate your transport ticket at stations or trams and buses. But it is essential that when you arrive in the city, you buy the pass that best suits your type of trip, and validate it. This is because you can be stopped by an inspector for a check and if you don’t have a valid ticket you could be fined;Exchange: Since our first trip to the country, it was common for many places to accept payment only by card. Our suggestion is to open an account in one of these international banks (because the exchange rate is more favorable) and only take a small amount in cash;Moving between cities: Every time we went to Germany we traveled by train between cities. But, if you really want to save money and don’t mind spending more time on the route, check out the train options. In relation to flying, it may indeed be an interesting option to check out, but calculate the extra travel time and bureaucracy that is normal at any airport;Language: If you don’t speak German, relax! Everywhere we went we were always able to communicate in English. And it was quite easy to understand when they spoke the language too. But, as a courtesy, we always try to learn some basic expressions such as good morning, good evening, thank you, please and sorry! Trust me, it makes all the difference.