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…
Must-see restaurants in Germany
Hamburg
Facing the Elbphilharmonie, this casual place offers predominantly French cuisine, such as croque-monsieur and other toasts in the bistro, with a little…
Hanover
This convivial LGBT cafe has a changing menu of weekly specials and is the epicentre of Hanover's gay grapevine. Go for one of the breakfast dishes named…
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…
Kreuzberg
This stylish cafe with a breezy terrace at the Berlinische Galerie art museum serves light lunches with German and Middle Eastern flavours, as well as…
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…
Potsdam
A restored smithy in a half-timbered house forms the backdrop for this trend-conscious cafe and restaurant where a small army of chefs prepares modern…
Lower Saxony & Bremen
This clean and bright, centrally located Vietnamese eatery has fresh and flavourful dishes (including pho) that haven't been vastly altered from their…
Leipzig
This charming garden cafe within Plagwitz's converted Baumwollspinnerei factory complex is also about the only place to have lunch nearby. Stop in for…
Bremen & the East Frisian Coast
Homemade pasta, truffles, avocado, goat's cheese, lamb, fish, decadent desserts: all of these specialities can be found on the varied menu in this smart…
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…
Fairy-Tale Road
If you love cheese, fondue, schnitzel, or all three, hotfoot it to this quaint Swiss restaurant. If you like mushrooms as well, try the 'Original Züri…
Lübeck
Take one historic Hanseatic merchant's house, mix in three beautifully restored ballrooms and season with restored elegant gardens. The result is this…
Lower Saxony & Bremen
Diagonally across the central square Stadtmarkt from the tourist office, this pleasant cafe has a small breakfast menu, various kinds of coffees and teas…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
Just across the canal from the lovely St-Nikolai-Kirche churchyard, this friendly pub cooks up fine schnitzels and fish dishes. It has a good beer list…
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…
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…
Potsdam Zur Historischen Mühle
Potsdam
Right by Schloss and Park Sanssouci, this vast tourist-geared restaurant, part of the Mövenpick chain, lures punters with international favourites, a cafe…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
One of the most striking step-gabled red-brick buildings on the Markt is also a brewery. Besides German classics like schnitzels, there are good burgers…
The Ruhrgebiet
This famous sausage kitchen makes a mean Currywurst (slivered sausage in tomato sauce drizzled with curry powder) and enjoys cult status among locals and…
The Ruhrgebiet
In the hip Ehrenfeld quarter near the municipal theatre, this easy-vibe cafe dishes up made-with-love sandwiches (Butterbrot) on crusty home-baked bread,…
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…
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,…
Düsseldorf
This traditional bakery is an institution that has people queuing patiently for its excellent breads and cakes. Buy the fixings for a perfect picnic – it…
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…
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…
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…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
Steaks, herring and other fish dishes dominate this central restaurant. Add to it good service and the fine backdrop of a historic brick-and-half-timber…
Leipzig
You'd hardly expect to find such refined vegetarian fare in such unassuming and tiny premises, but here it is and its soy fillet brioche with yoghurt rice…
Hamburg
We love the tasteful retro furnishings at this appealing cafe and wine bar. The small but carefully chosen menu changes with the seasons, but ranges from…
Hamburg
Out in Altona's west, Jools is a terrific cafe-restaurant that does risotto, pasta, Currywurst and even burgers. The tastes are fresh, the service is…
Bremen & the East Frisian Coast
Connoisseurs of delicious smoked fish will find an absolute highlight at this family-run place with a long tradition of hand-smoking. Orders come by the…
Harz Mountains
An excellent fish cafeteria, with a restaurant through the passage. The same meals are cheaper in the front section. It doesn't look like much from the…
Kreuzberg
This darling cafe on the grounds of an urban gardening project prepares delicious and wholesome meals from the local harvest, supplemented by seasonal…
Leipzig & Western Saxony
An elegant old-school establishment just off the main square, this is the place to stop for a coffee or a light lunch and try Freiberg's signature…
Hamburg
Steaks in all their glory dominate proceedings here. We prefer them without sauces, but put us by the Elbe overlooking the water with a medium-rare rib…
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…
St Pauli & Reeperbahn
This gem of a neighbourhood cafe is the go-to place for warm brioches, some of the yummiest cakes in town, plus daily changing lunch specials. Camp out…
Harz Mountains
This sleek eatery has a large menu of salads, pasta, Flammkuchen, stir-fries and grills, all served at wooden tables in a bright Asian-European-crossover…
Lübeck
In a restored merchant's house that dates back to 1569, this fine little cafe does quiches, cakes and good coffee. Ask about tours of the building at 2pm…
