Erfurt
You can't beat the Fischmarkt location of this smart Italian affair, where local suits and casual tourists dine side by side. Expect traditional Italian…
Must-see restaurants in Germany
Regensburg & the Danube
The best place for some substantial East Bavarian fare and excellent 'steam' beer is this brewpub right in the centre of Zwiesel near the bridge. The…
Heidelberg
Charming Burkardt's has a superb selection of wines from the Heidelberg region available by the glass, and first-rate food, such as risotto with asparagus…
Munich
Occupying the vaulted spaces of the 13th-century Zerwirkgewölbe, this Italian job named after the famous hat does a decent pizza and has an open kitchen…
The Romantic Road
A female brewmaster presides over the copper vats at this half-timbered pub-restaurant, which has a good-time vibe thanks to its friendly crowd of…
Cologne
A wholewheat bun provides a solid framework for the moist patties made with beef from happy cows and drizzled with Freddy's homemade 'special' sauce. Pair…
Prenzlauer Berg
It's always fun to pop by this woodsy stalwart on Oderberger Strasse to see what inspired the chef today. Most likely it'll be a well-crafted German dish…
Frankfurt am Main
In a one-time grocery and milk shop from the 1950s, this cosy ‘wine bistro’ chalks its daily French-influenced meat, fish and shellfish specials …
Lower Saxony & Bremen
Burgers and steaks are the stars of the menu at this bar-restaurant with hip, modern fittings (chicken, fish and salads play supporting roles). The…
Frankfurt am Main
Across from the Goethe-Haus, Karin serves German and international dishes and nine different breakfasts named for different Frankfurt neighbourhoods, from…
Hamburg
The leafy Grossneumarkt is a relaxed change from the more chichi parts of the Neustadt, and for decades Thämer's has anchored a prime spot with dozens of…
German Wine Route
Within the Ketschauer Hof, gourmet Bistro 1718 serves French classics such as salmon gravlax, duck confit with braised red cabbage, steak-frites with…
Historic Mitte
This crisp corner spot with a show-kitchen and panoramic windows is a great day-time destination, which turns heads with yummy cooked breakfasts (served…
Munich
Reflected in the plate-glass windows of the Jewish Museum, this is the only kosher eatery in the city centre. The ID-and-bag-search entry process is worth…
Ostwestfalen
Dating from 1584, history oozes from every nook and cranny of this warren of living-room-style rooms stuffed with musical instruments, oil paintings and…
Munich
A blond-wood interior illuminated by a huge skylight makes this a bright alternative to Munich's dark-panelled taverns. And with Alpine Tegernseer beer on…
Bonn
On a hot Bonn day, there are few things better than the just-made ice cream (from organic milk, no less) doled out at this cone-sized artisanal lab where…
Eastern Saxony
'Seeger' is local dialect for 'clock', which explains the abundance of timepieces decorating this rustic pub that's often so crowded in the evenings that…
Regensburg & the Danube
Ingolstadt has more Italian eateries than some Italian towns, so if you're going for la dolce vita, you might as well go for the best. The brief menu at…
Lübeck
Glossy, richly grained timber lines the walls, tables and even the alfresco courtyard of this sleek, stylish restaurant. The good-value top-end lunches…
Eastern Saxony
This warm and friendly place in the heart of the old town has an Italian-leaning menu that is focused heavily on steaks and a simple list of French wines…
Cologne & Northern Rhineland
Elegant without being stuffy, this restaurant in the eponymous hotel cooks up German food with a seasonal, contemporary kick. The menu changes often but…
Kreuzberg
In fine weather, few places are more idyllic than this rustic 1930s boathouse turned canal-side chill zone. The menu runs from meat and fish cooked on a…
Münster
This locally beloved restaurant in a half-timbered house has been churning out top-notch earthy Westphalian fry-ups forever. Of course, the beer is Pinkus…
Historic Mitte
Sweep on down to this busy dining room with a garden courtyard for fragrant Thai and Indonesian dishes. Creamy curries, succulent shrimp or roast duck all…
Bremen City
Opposite the Hauptbahnhof, this friendly, rustically decorated haunt is famed for its hearty fare and friendly staff, as well as its schnitzel and, in…
Hanover
This huge, indoor market of cafe stalls and gourmet delicatessens is popular at lunchtime and great for a quick bite, both carnivorous and vegetarian…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
This warm and inviting traditional restaurant has friendly old-style service and gets consistently good reviews from travellers for the dry-aged beef,…
St Pauli & Reeperbahn
Don't be fooled by the location, surrounded by a food hall and next to a supermarket. Markt Koenig is a bright modern place that does a range of local…
Cologne & Northern Rhineland
Some things never go out of style, including this local gastro-stalwart. Run by a charming couple for around 30 years, the cosy, elegant space serves…
Central Germany
There's one in almost every town, a bar-restaurant located in the cellar of the town hall. This Ratskeller is uncharacteristically open and airy with…
Munich
Well worth the effort of delving deep into Neuhausen to find it, this cafe is a fun place to be no matter where the hands of the clock are. On sunny days…
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The ornately carved timber chairs in this ancient wood-panelled wine bar (allegedly Rothenburg's oldest) are works of art. The simple but filling dishes,…
Berlin
This gourmet Korean restaurant with show kitchen is a treat for both palate and eyes. The dimly lit, black-on-black decor and sleek glass plates…
Düsseldorf
Even simple curries become culinary poetry at this Thai gourmet temple with its fairy-tale setting of carved wood, rich fabrics and imported sculpture…
Weihenstephaner am Hackeschen Markt
Berlin
Hops fans give a solid thumbs up to the Weihenstephaner beers from a Bavaria brewery founded in 1040 and reportedly the world's oldest. The suds pair…
Leipzig
This retro-styled and quite charming establishment draws a bohemian crowd with its rustic menu, back-to-basic Saxon dishes and a splash of more…
Bremen City
This huge restaurant, with enormous chandeliers and portion sizes almost as big, can get long queues for a table. However, if you're lucky with your…
Dresden
The imaginative mains (try roasted pike-perch on crispy Dijon mustard rösti with lemon and vegetables) and sumptuous cakes are good, but they act more as…
Munich
This relaxed hang-out serves tapas, gourmet burgers and cocktails to an easygoing evening crowd. The burger menu whisks you round the globe, but it's the …
