Must-see restaurants in Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest

  • Tolle Knolle

    Konstanz

    On a fountain-dotted square with alfresco seating, this art-slung restaurant lives up to its ‘great potato’ moniker. Potatoes come in various guises: with…

  • Enoteca Trattoria

    Freiburg

    This is the trattoria of the two Enoteca twins (the more formal restaurant is at Gerberau 21). The chef here always hits the mark with authentic Italian…

  • Winzerstube zum Becher

    Lake Constance

    Vines drape the facade of this wood-panelled bolthole, run by the same family since 1884. Home-grown Pinot Noirs accompany Lake Constance classics such as…

  • Cordo Bar

    Munich

    Choose between the raw-wood streetside seats or the darkwood-and-tiles interior at this atmospheric tapas bar. The small plates ooze with Iberian…

  • Naturkostladen Lotos

    Nuremberg

    Unclog arteries and blast free radicals with a blitz of grain burgers, spinach soup or vegan pizza at this strictly bio health-food shop. The fresh bread…

  • Weissbierhaus

    Regensburg & the Danube

    Simple, cosy and friendly, this authentic little place on the main square, with views from the outdoor seating of Straubing's grand architecture, is the…

  • Neckarmüller

    Swabian Alps Region

    Overlooking the Neckar, this cavernous microbrewery is a summertime magnet for its chestnut-shaded beer garden. Come for home brews by the metre and beer…

  • Da Franco

    Ulm

    If you fancy a break from the norm, give this little Italian place a whirl. There is a seasonal touch to authentic dishes such as swordfish with clams,…

  • Muggelcaf

    The Black Forest

    Harry Potter fans might like the name of this cheery, central cafe-bar, housed in a half-timbered building. Come for light meals including salads, burgers…

  • Englers Weinkrügle

    Freiburg

    A warm, woody Baden-style Weinstube (wine tavern) with wisteria growing out front and regional flavours on the menu. The trout in various guises (for…

  • Tigerlilly Supperclub

    Regensburg & the Danube

    With its retro-styling, long communal benches and happy staff, Tigerlilly is a breath of trendy air in conservative Landshut. The menu has a definite…

  • Martin’s Bräu

    Freiburg

    Home-brewed pilsners and craft beers wash down meaty snacks from ox-tongue salad to suckling pig and enormous bratwursts. Copper vats gleam in the wood…

  • Café Kowalski

    Passau

    Chat flows as freely as the wine and beer at this cool, retro-furnished cafe, a kicker of a nightspot. The giant burgers, schnitzels and big breakfasts…

  • Dampfnudel Uli

    Regensburg

    This quirkily old-fashioned little noshery serves a mean Dampfnudel (steamed doughnut) with custard in a Gothic chamber lined with photos of beer steins …

  • Zum Daniel

    Regensburg & the Danube

    In a wonderfully Bavarian step-gabled townhouse, Ingolstadt's oldest inn is a lovingly run, Michelin-reviewed local institution serving what many claim to…

  • Deutsche Eiche

    Munich

    A Munich institution and gay central, this was once filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder's favourite hang-out. It's still a popular spot and packs in a…

  • Fischhäusl

    Munich

    Part of the food market on Wiener Platz, this kiosk with a few seats is one of the best spots in Munich to lunch on fish, which is prepared simply on a…

  • Bäckerei Seel

    Bamberg

    This old town bakery is the place to go for early starters who need breakfast at 6am. It stocks a delicious range of pastries and sandwiches, but if you…

  • Augustiner an der St Martins Kirche

    Regensburg & the Danube

    This dark-wood tavern at the foot of the St Martin's spire is the best place in town to down a meat-dumpling combo, washed along with a frothy Munich wet…

  • Sir Tobi

    Munich

    This Bavarian bistro serves delicious, slow-food versions of southern German and Austrian dishes in an environment of crisp white tablecloths and fresh…

  • Gasthof Zantl

    Bavarian Alps

    One of Bad Tölz' oldest buildings, this convivial tavern has a predictably pork-heavy menu, with ingredients sourced from local villages as much as…

  • Lechgarten

    The Romantic Road

    Lansberg's top beer garden on the tree-shaded banks of the River Lech has 250 seats, beer from Andechs Monastery and hearty beer-garden fare. Live music…

  • Uni-Café

    Würzburg

    Hugely popular contemporary cafe strung over two levels, with a student-priced, daily-changing menu of burgers, baguettes and salads plus a buzzy bar and…

  • Eiscafé Sarcletti

    Munich

    Ice-cream addicts have been getting their gelato fix at this Munich institution since 1879. Choose from more than 50 mouth-watering flavours, from not-so…

  • Suppengrün

    Konstanz

    The midday crowds flock to this no-nonsense soup and salad bar. Assemble your own salad (€1.80 per 100g) or go for soups from goulash to pea-coconut…

  • Die Villa

    Regensburg & the Danube

    This cafe-restaurant on the southern edge of the old town serves up an eclectic menu of vegetarian curries, Greek veal steaks, saltimbocca and tofu-based…

  • Gaststätte Römerschanz

    Mittenwald

    A short walk from the Obermarkt, the much-lauded Gaststätte Römerschanz has a cosy, seasonally decorated interior and Mittenwald's tastiest food served…

  • Stuttgarter Markthalle

    Stuttgart

    Olives, regional cheeses, spices, patisserie, fruit and veg, wine and tapas – you'll find it all under one roof at Stuttgart's large art nouveau market…

  • Cafe-buch.de

    The Romantic Road

    That winning combination of coffee, cakes and secondhand books makes this cafe a pleasing midstroll halt for literary types and a nice break from the…

  • Cafe Rafaello

    The Romantic Road

    On Ried Island, this Italian job specialising in seafood uses Apennines kitsch to recreate la dolce vita to southern German tastes. The endless menu has…

  • Hansl’s Wood Oven Pizzeria

    Nuremberg & Franconia

    The best pizza in town is found at this tiny place tucked away in a corner of the square near the Stadthalle. There's next to no chance of a seat at…

  • Maximilian’s

    Konstanz

    Fancy a picnic by the lake? Stop by this central deli for fresh bread, cheese, ham, wine and other goodies. It’s also a snug spot for coffee and cake or…

  • La Bodega

    Konstanz

    Squirrelled away in Niederburg, this candy-bright bodega with a pocket-sized terrace whips up tapas from papas canarias (Canarian potatoes) to stuffed…

  • Chang

    Freiburg

    Sweet little Thai place for inexpensive daily specials (€4.90 to €6.50), from green curry to pad thai. It gets rammed at weekends so be sure to book a…

  • Forum Café

    Stuttgart

    Wholesomely hip, kid-friendly cafe in the Forum Theatre, with yogi teas and organic snacks (soups, salads, Maultaschen – pasta pockets – and the like).

  • Seehof

    The Black Forest

    Seehof is an inviting spot for a bite to eat, with a terrace overlooking the lake. Its menu is packed with local fish and meat mains, salads, pizzas and…

  • Alt Landshut

    Regensburg & the Danube

    Sunny days see locals linger over an Augustiner and some neighbourhood nosh outside by the Isar. In winter you can retreat to the simple whitewashed…

  • Markthalle

    Freiburg

    Eat your way around the world – from curry to sushi, oysters to antipasti – at the food counters in this historical market hall, nicknamed 'Fressgässle'.

  • Aika

    Lake Constance

    Slick and monochrome, this deli-cafe has a lakeside terrace for lingering over a speciality coffee, breakfast, homemade ice cream, cake or sourdough…

  • Stöcklewaldturm Cafe

    The Black Forest

    The woodsy summit cafe at Stöcklewaldturm is an inviting spot for a beer and snack or, in winter, hot chocolate.