The Best German Restaurant Ideas and Full Travel Guide 2023
The Best German Restaurant Ideas and Full Travel Guide 2023
It has already been 11 years since we lived in Munich, Germany. So far we have already managed to visit a large part of this wonderful country – we have seen beautiful lakes and waterfalls, but also the cities with the main attractions. Apart from this general article about Germany, we also wrote about every city, lake and small town we visited and German restaurant ideas. If you want to know more about these beautiful places, we invite you to read the other articles about Germany.
Table of Contents
Germany Map
Informations
Its capital and largest city is Berlin, and its financial center is Frankfurt; the largest urban area is the Ruhr. Germany is a great power with a strong economy; it has the largest economy in Europe, the fourth largest economy in the world. As a global leader in several industrial, scientific and technological sectors, it is both the third largest exporter and importer of goods in the world. As a developed country, it offers social security and a universal system of health care, environmental protection and free university education.
Temperature: Summer is the perfect time to visit the country in terms of the weather. The sky is clear and everybody heads outdoors to enjoy the sun.
Language: The official language is German.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=14 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=50 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt, is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. The city is the heart of the larger Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region.A quarter of the population consists of foreign nationals, including many expatriates.Frankfurt is a global hub for commerce, culture, education, tourism and transportation. It is the site of many global and European corporate headquarters. Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s busiest and is one of the major financial centers of the European continent. Frankfurt’s DE-CIX is the world’s largest internet exchange point. Messe Frankfurt is one of the world’s largest trade fairs.
Main attractions:Römerberg,Palmengarten der Stadt Frankfurt am Main,Städel Museum,Main Tower and Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew.
Berlin
Due to its location in the European Plain, Berlin is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. About one-third of the city’s area is composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals and lakes. Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science.Its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations and convention venues. Berlin serves as a continental hub for air and rail traffic and has a highly complex public transportation network. The metropolis is a popular tourist destination. Significant industries also include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, clean tech, biotechnology, construction and electronics.
Main attractions: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, Museum Island, Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery, Pergamonmuseum, Berlin TV tower, Berlin Cathedral and Postdamer Platz.
Hamburg
Hamburg’s urban area has a population of around 2.5 million and its metropolitan area is home to more than five million people.
Hamburg is Europe’s third-largest port.Hamburg is the seat of Germany’s oldest stock exchange and the world’s oldest merchant bank, Berenberg Bank. Media, commercial, logistical, and industrial firms with significant locations in the city include multinationals Airbus, Blohm + Voss, Aurubis, Beiersdorf, and Unilever. Hamburg is also a major European science, research, and education hub, with several universities and institutions. The city enjoys a very high quality of living, being ranked 19th in the 2019 Mercer Quality of Living Survey.
Main attractions: Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Miniatur Wunderland, Main church St. Michaelis, Hamburger Kunsthalle and St. Pauli – Old Elbe Tunnel.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg is the second-largest city of the Germanstate of Bavaria after its capital Munich. Staatstheater Nürnberg is one of the five Bavarian state theatres, showing operas, operettas, musicals, and ballets , plays , as well as concerts. Its orchestra, the Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg, is Bavaria’s second-largest opera orchestra after the Bavarian State Opera’s Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich. Nuremberg is the birthplace of Albrecht Dürer and Johann Pachelbel.
Main attractions: Kaiserburg Nürnberg, German Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg Zoo, St. Lorenz Church and Schöner Brunnen.
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in eastern Bavaria, at the confluence of the Danube, Naab and Regen rivers. With more than 150,000 inhabitants, Regensburg is the fourth-largest city in the State of Bavaria after Munich, Nuremberg and Augsburg. Regensburg includes the largest medieval old town north of the Alps with nearly 1,500 listed buildings and a picturesque cityscape. Its most famous sights are located mainly in the Old Town, such as: Steinerne Brücke, Walhalla, St. Peter’s Church and Haidplatz. Main attractions: Steinerne Bridge, Walhalla, Cathedral of St Peter and Old Town Hall Regensburg.
Wurzburg
Würzburg is a city in the traditional region of Franconia in the north of the German state of Bavaria. At the next-down tier of local government it is the administrative seat of Lower Franconia. It spans the banks of the Main. Würzburg is about 120 kilometers from Frankfurt am Main, to west and Nuremberg ,to east. The regional dialect is East Franconian. The city is outside of the district of Würzburg but has its administrative center.
Main attractions: Residenz Würzburg, Festung Marienberg, Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburger Cathedral and Wallfahrtskirche Käppele.
Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in the state and the seventh-largest city in Germany. Mercer’s 2012 Quality of Living survey ranked Düsseldorf the sixth most livable city in the world .Düsseldorf is an international business and financial center, renowned for its fashion and trade fairs, and is headquarters to one Fortune Global 500 and two DAX companies. The city is also known for its influence on electronic/experimental music and its Japanese community. Main attractions: Königsallee, Rheinturm, Benrath Castle, Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Düsseldorf, Hofgarten and Nordpark.
Leipzig
Leipzig is the most populous city in the German state of Saxony.Leipzig today is an economic centre, is rated as the most livable city in Germany . The city is one of two seats of the German National Library, as well as the seat of the German Federal Administrative Court. Leipzig Zoo is one of the most modern zoos in Europe and ranks first in Germany and second in Europe.Since the opening of the Leipzig City Tunnel in 2013, Leipzig forms the centrepiece of the S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland public transit system.Leipzig has long been a major centre for music, both classical as well as modern “dark alternative music” or darkwave genres.Main attractions:Völkerschlachtdenkmal,Zoo Leipzig,Thomas Church,Gewandhaus zu Leipzig,Belantis,Panometer Leipzig and Nicolai Church.If you don’t like staying in hotels too much and prefer a house where you can have all the freedom you need, then we have found the perfect solution for your- Belvilla, your holiday home expert – From a villa near a beach to a chalet in the mountains, you can find everything you need! Enjoy now your 30% discount!
Cologne
Cologne is the largest city of Germany’s most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city in Germany.Cologne is a major cultural centre for the Rhineland; it hosts more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. Exhibitions range from local ancient Roman archeological sites to contemporary graphics and sculpture. The Cologne Trade Fair hosts a number of trade shows such as Art Cologne, imm Cologne, Gamescom, and the Photokina.Main attractions:Cologne Cathedral,Phantasialand,Chocolate Museum Cologne,Museum Ludwig,Cologne Zoo,Cologne Triangle und Brühl Castle.
Munich
Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of July 31, 2020,it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. The city’s metropolitan region is home to 6 million people.Today, Munich is a global centre of art, science, technology, finance, publishing, culture, innovation, education, business, and tourism and enjoys a very high standard and quality of living, reaching first in Germany and third worldwide according to the 2018 Mercer survey and being rated the world’s most liveable city by the Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey 2018.Munich’s economy is based on high tech, automobiles, the service sector and creative industries, as well as IT, biotechnology, engineering and electronics among many others. The city houses many multinational companies, such as BMW, Siemens, MAN, Linde, Allianz and MunichRE. It is also home to two research universities, a multitude of scientific institutions, and world class technology and science museums like the Deutsches Museum and BMW Museum. Munich’s numerous architectural and cultural attractions, sports events, exhibitions and its annual Oktoberfest attract considerable tourism. The city is home to more than 530,000 people of foreign background, making up 37.7% of its population.Main attractions:Marienplatz,Schloss Nymphenburg,Englischer Garten,Olympiapark München,Hofbräuhaus München and Viktualienmarkt.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Germany offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Germany’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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Luxury hotels we recommend in Germany: Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, King’s Hotel Center Superior, Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof.
Mid-range hotels we recommend in Germany: Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor , Mercure Hotel MOA Berlin, INNSiDE by Meliá Frankfurt Ostend .
Budget hotels we recommend in Germany: ibis budget Muenchen City Olympiapark, Sunflower Hostel Berlin, ibis budget Frankfurt City Ost.
Where to eat
Traditional Food and
Desserts to try in Germany
Wurst- There are an estimated 1,500 varieties of sausage in Germany. These are prepared in many different ways and include a range of ingredients and unique spice blends.
Rouladen – This typical German dish consists of bacon, onions, mustard, and pickles wrapped in thinly sliced beef or veal which is then cooked.
Spätzle is especially popular in the south of the country. These soft egg noodles are made from wheat flour and egg and are often topped with cheese (Käsespätzle) and roasted onions.
Eintopf – means ‘one pot’ and refers to the way of cooking rather than its contents. That said, most recipes contain the same basic ingredients: broth, vegetables, potatoes or pulses, and pork, beef, chicken, or fish.
Sauerbraten (meaning ‘sour’ or ‘pickled’ roast) is one of the country’s national dishes. You can make a pot roast by using many different types of meat, which you marinate in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs, and then season for up to ten days.
Kartoffelpuffer are shallow pan-fried pancakes made from grated or ground potatoes mixed with flour, egg, onion, and seasoning.
Kartofflelknödel is the German term for potato dumplings. Potatoes serve as the base for the dumplings, but you can add any spices and croutons you like.
Maultaschen are small sheets of dough filled with various ingredients. Some people like ground beef, while others add smoked meats, including sausages. You can also add onions and herbs to your dumplings.
Of course, all travel enthusiasts and everyone who loves to try new foods have heard about these foods, but these foods are specific to Germany and you must try them when you are here: pretzel, pork schnitzel, potato salad, fried potatoes, currywurst.
Black Forest cherry torte – Alternating layers of rich chocolate cake, cherries, and whipped cream are topped off with more cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings for a luxurious finish.
Stollen is an authentic German Christmas food. It dates back to the 16th century, and it is most popular in Dresden. It is a flatbread with dried and candied fruits. You can also add chopped or whole nuts and then top the bread off with powdered sugar.
Restaurants
Steinheil 16– If you have a liking for authentic German food or pure vegetarian cuisine during your stay in Munich, Steinheil 16 is the place to be.
Caramba Especial– Considered to be one of the best restaurants in Germany, this restaurant serves lip smacking seafood, Mediterranean, Portuguese other than the delicious local delicacies.
Zur Haxe is one of top restaurants in Germany known for offering some great local and European cuisine. If you are in Berlin and do not want to miss the local delicacies, head straight to Zur Haxe.
Atelier Gourmet is among the must-visit restaurants in Munich Germany.
Velvet Taste– freshly foraged yarrow and black locust blossoms at this ambitious cocktail bar.
Papa Joe’s Biersalon Klimperkasten– If the tunes of antique organs and musical marionettes don’t intoxicate you, the draft beer certainly will.
Wurstkuchl – This riverside restaurant has been serving customers since 1146.
Hall of Mirrors– This classic restaurant features a gorgeous mirror-clad room.
Berlin Radio Tower– A restaurant and observation deck built in a unique broadcasting antenna.
Café Strauss Berliners take their coffee and cake in one of the city’s most restful spaces: a cemetery.
Saving Tips
- CHOOSE YOUR AIRPORT WISELY: If you’re flying from North America, you’re likely to find the best flight deals into Frankfurt, home to Germany’s largest international airport. However, Frankfurt is five hours away from Berlin and almost four hours away from Munich. Since train tickets can be pricey and gas is expensive, it may be worth paying a little extra to fly closer to your destination.
- TRY A LOW-COST AIRLINE: Consider low-cost airline options from the US to Germany, including Norwegian Airlines.
- Get city tourism cards – Most of the major cities in Germany offer city tourism cards. These include free admission to major museums and attractions, discounts on restaurants, and usually unlimited public transportation. If you plan on seeing a lot, these cards can save you money.
- Get transportation day passes – If you’re going to be using public transportation a lot in a city, get a day pass. Paying for single rides adds up quickly.
- SEASON” SAVINGS: If you can, try to visit Germany in June or September. You’ll find better deals during these months and the weather is still usually very pleasant.
- Book your train early – Trains in Germany are expensive but you can get a saver ticket that is around 40-50% off the standard fare if you book at least a week in advance.
- You can get online for free and make use of the free Wi-fi. Many cafes and renowned chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks offer free Wi-Fi in Germany, as do the various municipal buildings, libraries, parks, and some museums.
- Look out for free museum days – Most museums in Germany offer free admission on certain days or evenings.
- KEEP AN EYE ON SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Public school in Germany has five main school holidays: winter holidays, spring break, summer holidays, autumn holidays and Christmas holidays.
- Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours or Big Bus tours
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There’s no feeling in the world like connecting with new places, people and experiences through travel. From the iconic to the unexpected, get those “pinch me” moments through a series of Trafalgar highlights others may never know about, or have access to.
Shopping
Berlin’s Shopping Street: Ku’damm- is Berlin’s most popular shopping street. The 2-mile long boulevard is packed with international shops (Zara, H&M, Mango, Esprit), hotels, restaurants, and movie theatres.
Hamburg’s Shopping Street: “Mö” runs from the central train station to the richly decorated City Hall. The shopping boulevard is lined with historical merchant’s villas, which are now home to a wide variety of popular department stores, Karstadt, and the world’s biggest electronics store (Saturn).
Düsseldorf is home to the most elegant shopping boulevard in Germany, the Königsallee (King’s Avenue).The promenade is lined with some of the most luxurious boutiques, high-end designer stores and shopping malls.
Munich’s city center; start your shopping spree at Marienplatz, in the heart of Munich’s Old Town. For foodies, the large open-air market Viktualienmarkt is a must-see (and must-taste). On the adjacent Kaufingerstraße, you can buy clothes, books, jewelry, and shoes, all the way until you reach the medieval city gate, Karlstor. Sendlinger Straße also starts at Marienplatz and is home to many family-run retailing and specialty shops. The street is a great place to hunt for arts and crafts, or a Dirndl (traditional Bavarian costume), and to try some Bavarian treats after a long shopping day.
The pedestrian zone in the city center of Cologne is called Schildergasse and is the busiest shopping street in Europe. With nearly 13,000 people passing through every hour, it even puts London’s Oxford Street take second place.
Ingolstadt – You can grab some good discounts during the yearly promotional sales on branded products. The Shopping Express shuttle is a great way to reach this designer outlet, or you catch a bus which is a more reasonable option. With restaurants and cafes, the Ingolstadt village offers a relaxed shopping experience away from the bustle of the city.
Getting Around
There are a wealth of options when it comes to avoiding driving in Germany. With an effectively nationalized railway network, crossing the country by train means buying a ticket from Deutsche Bahn. At the local level, Germany’s states manage buses, trams, metro networks, suburban trains, and ferries. Public transportation systems in Germany are safe, efficient, and fairly easy to use. As a result, some German cities are starting to shake off the stereotype of being a car-loving nation. Across the country, 30 million passengers use public transportation in Germany on an average day.
There are a wealth of options when it comes to avoiding driving in Germany. With an effectively nationalized railway network, crossing the country by train means buying a ticket from Deutsche Bahn. At the local level, Germany’s states manage buses, trams, metro networks, suburban trains, and ferries.
Modes of public transport in Germany:
S-bahn (city rapid rail), and, as the name suggests, is the fastest form of public transportation.
U-Bahn is the German version of the metro.
Tram – They travel on rails alongside regular roads and have multiple stops within city center areas.
Buses are the mainstay of many German towns and cities, linking further-afield places and operating into the night when the other forms of transport stop running (although S-Bahn and U-bahn trains typically run all night over the weekend in larger cities).
Regional trains are either RB (Regionalbahn), with multiple stops, or RE (Regionalexpress), which are faster and have fewer stops.
Week ticket (Wochenkarte) are valid within specified zones for a week.You can also purchase tickets that are valid for longer (e.g. a month pass) but these usually have to be purchased from an official at the ticketing office.
Group day ticket (Gruppentageskarte) While tickets in Germany generally don’t come cheap, the group day ticket actually offers great value for money if you are travelling in a group of three or more. Usually valid for groups of up to five people, they give unlimited travel for a day or 24 hours within specified zones.
If you are required to validate your ticket it will be printed with something along the lines of “Bitte entwerten” (please validate). To validate it, push your ticket into the slot of one of the validator machines (Entwerter), which you can usually find next to the ticket machines or on the station platform.
In general, there are three types of train services in Germany connecting major urban areas: Intercity-Express (ICE): high-speed trains that reach speeds up to 320km/h. ICE trains have first-class seating and a dining car. Intercity (IC): express trains. IC trains have first-class carriages and usually also have catering services of some kind. EuroCity (EC): Intercity trains with scheduled stops outside of Germany. Not all Intercity-type trains that travel outside of Germany are EC trains, however.
International trains
Germany lies right in the middle of Europe, counting nine different countries as neighbors. As a result, there are plenty of direct international trains running from German train stations. Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed service, the ICE, runs a number of international routes from countries like: Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Poland.
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Getting here
There are a total of 36 international airports in Germany, ranging from smaller airfields only operating a few routes and airlines, to mega complexes such as Frankfurt and Munich that transport tens of millions of passengers per year.
In total, there are 16 international airports, 12 of which are considered major airports with over 50,000 passengers. With more than 500,000 aircraft movements and 70 million passengers per year, Frankfurt Airport is the largest in the country.
Airlines are mainly divided into the areas of passenger transport, freight transport, charter flights and ambulance services. By far the largest German airline is the formerly state-owned Lufthansa, which has been fully privatized since 1997.
Frankfurt Airport is the busiest in Germany. Munich Airport, which transported 46,3 million passengers in 2018, is the second busiest, and 24,28 million passengers puts Düsseldorf Airport into position three.
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