The Truth About German Food: 24 Must-Know Facts and Useful Tips for Your Trip

> Last updated: June 12, 2025 by Jan Skovajsa
The Truth About German Food: 24 Must-Know Facts and Useful Tips for Your Trip
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Last updated: January 2025. This guide now includes updated info on Germany’s national dish, clearer regional food influences, a top 10 list and conclusion, and a fresh “what to eat vs. what to skip” section.

 

If you think German food is just bratwurst and beer, you’re not entirely wrong—but you’re missing about 1,000 other things that make it way more interesting (and heavier). I’ve put together 24 fun, useful, and occasionally weird facts about German cuisine, from must-try dishes to regional specialties, traditions, and what not to eat unless you're feeling brave.

Thanks to its location—bordering nine countries—Germany’s food culture is surprisingly eclectic:

  • In the north, you’ll find seafood and Scandinavian touches.
  • The south leans into Austrian and Swiss-style mountain fare.
  • And in the west, there’s a clear French influence.

All of it adds up to a cuisine that’s diverse, meat-heavy, and way more delicious than you'd expect. Trust me—whether you’re planning a trip or just want to eat like a German for a day, this guide will show you where to start (and what to skip).
 

Highlights of Germany

German food: same country, wildly different plates depending on the border you’re closest to
 

So, if you're planning a trip to Germany, besides historical landmarks and beautiful landscapes, I highly recommend trying everything the local cuisine offers. And there's plenty on the menu. Let me tell you what's worth it and, most importantly, where to find it. I’ll also add interesting facts from history for context.But first, my attention-span-challenged friends, here are my top 10 facts about German food:
 

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TL;DR: Top 10 German food facts:

1. Sausages are Germany’s love language.

With over 1,000 types, wurst is everywhere and and there’s the perfect one for everyone. 

2. Eintopf is German for “we gave up.”

A stew made from whatever’s left in the fridge. It's hearty, cheap, and good—but only if grandma makes it. Restaurants don’t even try.

3. Dinner? More like a sad lunch rerun.

German “Abendbrot” is cold bread, cold cuts, and low effort. Restaurants do better, but don’t expect fireworks at home.

4. Germans eat all day. Literally.

From “second breakfast” to “Kaffee und Kuchen,” there’s always something going in their mouths. Respect.

5. Vegetarian in Germany? Good luck.

Meat is the foundation of traditional German cuisine. But ironically, Germany has one of Europe’s highest vegetarian populations. 

6. Bread is sacred.

Over 3,000 types exist, and there’s even a bread museum. Twice. 

7. Dumplings are everywhere.

Whether they’re called Knödel or Klöße, Germans find every excuse to put dough on the plate. Usually with sauce. Sometimes with sugar. Always with pride.

8. Oktoberfest is in September.

Because logic. It started as a royal wedding party, turned into a beer-soaked mega-festival, and now it’s your best excuse to wear leather pants.

9. German desserts are… divisive.

Strudel and Black Forest cake? Yes. Candied fruit-stuffed Stollen and neon-colored marzipan blobs? Hard pass for me.

10. Beer isn’t just a drink, it’s a blood type.

Germany has over 1,300 breweries and 5,000+ beer types. Some cities drink more than entire countries. 

Eating food in Germany

If you're trying to lose weight, Germany is not the place to do it

 

Good to know before you go on a food marathon in Germany

To start, it's good to clarify a few basic characteristics of German cuisine and my observations. Because, well, the following points could even deter you so much that you decide not to taste anything at all in Germany (just kidding, that won’t happen)!

 

1. Germany has no official national dish?

Plate of traditional German-style roast beef in a rich dark gravy, served with potato dumplings called Sauerbraten

Beef, dumplings, gravy—no frills, all comfort
 

What’s certain is this: if it’s a contender for Germany’s national dish, it probably involves meat. And then more meat. Vegetables are just there to keep the plate from looking too beige.

  • Sauerbraten is the strongest contender. It’s a pot roast (usually beef, but can also be anything from lamb to horse... yes, really) that’s marinated for 5 to 15 days in a mixture of vinegar, wine, and spices, and then slow-cooked into tender oblivion. It’s typically served with a thick gravy and potato pancakes or dumplings. 

  • Other classics like Eintopf (a one-pot stew) and Wurst (1,000+ types of sausage) are also in the running—but they deserve their own spotlight. Which they wil get… Keep reading. 

 

2. Vegetarians might go hungry

Alright, I'm exaggerating a bit. But the fact is, the foundation of German cuisine is meat—pork, duck, beef, just meat. Sure, globalization is powerful, and in big cities, you'll find plenty of international cuisines, from Italian restaurants to Turkish kebabs. But then, we can't talk about traditional German dishes.

The paradox is that in Germany, a whopping 8–9% of the population are vegetarians, which is roughly 7 million people. After Italy, it's the country with the highest percentage of vegetarians. Fascinating. Perhaps they've had their fill of all that meat.

 

3. I hope you speak German

Eating and drinking beer in a restaurant in Germany

Enjoying German cuisine in Berchtesgaden
 

If you head to major cities like Hamburg (by the way, I recommend it; here are 14 things to experience in Hamburg), many restaurants will have menus in English and not just German.

However, if you're heading to smaller villages and have to order in German only, I wish you good luck. German is known for its compound words. What does that mean? Well, they take two or three long German words and make them into one endlessly long, utterly unmemorable term. Just so you know I'm not exaggerating, here are a few examples:

"Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit" means food intolerance. Frankly, I hope you don't have any allergies and won't have to pronounce this combination. I'm starting to get allergic just trying to read it.

Do you know how to say "cherry jam" or "pork chop"? It's "Sauerkirschmarmelade" and "Schweinefleischkotelett." Isn’t German a beautiful language?

 

Collage of photos of tourists visiting Berlin, Germany, photo by Next Level of Travel

In Deutschland gibt es gutes Essen, oder? 

 

Mealtimes in Germany

It’s not just about what they eat, but also about when they eat it. 

 

4. How many meals are there in a German’s day?

Let's ask a fundamental question: Do Germans eat three meals a day? The answer is, not really. Apart from the basic meals like breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they often add a "second breakfast" (zweites Frühstück) and an afternoon snack (Kaffee und Kuchen). A meal is never too far away in Germany.

 

5. Enjoy a typical German breakfast (das Frühstück)

Visiting Elbphilharmony in Hamburg, Germany

Good morning from Elbphilharmony in Hamburg!
 

A typical German breakfast is a continental-style breakfast with German elements. It typically consists of bread and other baked goods (Germans are bread and pastry lovers, but more on that later), often served with butter, jam, honey, or cheese. It will also include cheeses, boiled eggs, and even sausages.

Yogurt with müsli is also a common German breakfast. As the spelling suggests, the origin of müsli might be from these parts. The first version of müsli, namely oat flakes and apples, was "invented" by Dr. Maxmilian Bircher-Benner in 1900 in Switzerland. However, I'm not a fan of sweet breakfasts, so for me, bread, eggs, and cheese are the ideal option.

 

6. Lunch (das Mittagessen) is the meal of the day

Having lunch in Kunsthalle in Hamburg, Germany

Lunch and art at the Kunsthalle in Hamburg
 

Typically, lunch in Germany is the main meal of the day and often the only warm meal. Lunchtime is usually between 12–2 pm. In the past, people and children used to return home for lunch from work and school, by that I mean in the 1980s.

Today, we live in a different time, and the tradition of shared family lunches has declined. Quickly grabbing something to eat and rushing back to work is the new tradition, especially in major cities. You gotta love capitalism (I do)!  

Speaking of quick bites for lunch, make sure to try Metropolis Urban Bistro in Dresden. It's a nice bistro with a beautiful design where you can grab a sandwich or hotdog. 

 

 

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Then you will love this German tradition

Getting the German strudel

This is the delicious German strudel!
 

Afternoon "Kaffee und Kuchen" or “coffee and cake” is a beloved tradition among all Germans. It's the perfect occasion for a get-together with friends or family. German cakes and desserts are a chapter in themselves (literally, see below).

 

8. Dinner is just another breakfast (das Abendessen)

Having dinner in Hamburg, Germany

Guten Abend!
 

Do you know why lunch is the main German meal of the day? Because dinner isn't worth much. Besides "Abendessen," dinner is also called "Abendbrot" or “evening bread”. A typical German dinner is cold (just like Germans) and light (unlike Germans), both in preparation and digestion. Classically, it's bread and something with it, like cheese or ham; during winter months, soup is also typical for dinner.

The exception is when you go to a restaurant. There, of course, they'll offer you much more than just soup and bread.

 

German food you need to try before you die

View in Germany

Not only do you have to experience the natural beauty of Germany, but German traditional food is also not to be missed!
 

Here are a few dishes you absolutely must try when visiting Germany to enjoy your experience to the fullest. Pun intended.

I recommend grabbing something to eat before reading further because if you aren't hungry now, believe me, you'll soon start craving something.

 

9. Wurst is a must

Getting wurst in Germany

Sausages are available on almost every corner in Germany
 

Germany is globally associated with sausages, and I'd say rightfully so. More than 1,000 types of sausages are produced in Germany each year, with approximately 881,000 tons of cooked meat products manufactured just in 2022. Boy, am I glad I’m not a German pig.

So, if you were to try just one thing, it should be a proper German sausage. You don't have to hunt them down at markets or outdoor festivals; wurst can be easily found in almost every restaurant in Germany. However, not every place offers the best.

For example, at the Hamburger DOM fair, don't go for the wurst. Trust me, you'll have trouble keeping it down while enjoying the attractions. It's possible, though, to taste several (hundred) wursts at DOM! Among the most well-known are weisswurst (white sausage), currywurst (sausage with curry flavor), and bratwurst (typical pork sausage).

The city of Nuremberg is famous for its typical Nürnberger Bratwurst, with a tradition spanning over 500 years. For me, the best restaurant to visit is Bratwursthäusle near St. Sebald Church, where you can relish not only local specialties but also Tucher draft beer on the terrace.

Tip: We found the best value for money at the Park Plaza Hotel in Nuremberg.

 

 

10. One-pot dish or Eintopf

Eintopf—national dish of Germany

Eintopf aka what the house gave
 

Eintopf is a German national dish and one of the oldest traditional dishes in Europe. However, what exactly goes into Eintopf, nobody will tell you. In the 19th and 20th centuries, a similar way of preparing meals was typical, where everything was cooked together. One-pot dishes were common even in the German army during the Franco-Prussian War and World War I. But the term 'Eintopf' itself first appeared in 1934.

I suspect some German cleverness behind it. Isn't it brilliant? Throw in everything you find at home—legumes, meat, vegetables—into one pot, cook it until it becomes a thick soup, and call it a traditional national dish? Work smarter, not harder!

Note: Eintopf is not commonly found in German restaurants, you’ll need to become friends with a German grandma for the best ones!

 

11. Schnitzel is a traditional Bavarian dish

Schnitzel—food in Germany

You have to order schnitzel at least once while you’re in Germany!
 

As most of you probably know, I'm from the Czech Republic, so schnitzel is not unfamiliar to me, and I can have it almost any time I want (except when I'm traveling through Turkey; pork schnitzel might not excite them there). But still, I couldn't resist having it in Germany, and what can I say? A good schnitzel never disappoints.

They say beer and schnitzel are the bread and butter of Bavarian cuisine. So, while exploring Berchtesgaden, traversing the local Alps, and delving into the rich history associated with Hitler, we also tried a few local restaurants.

I'd recommend a restaurant (also recommended to me by someone) where you simply have to have their schnitzel... or actually anything else; everything there is excellent! It’s called Holzkäfer. We tried the restaurant, and it was a meal to remember. I guess I’m not the only person thinking they’re wonderful, because without a reservation, you have no chance of getting in.

Tip: Here are a few other restaurants we had the chance to try in Bavaria and which I can wholeheartedly recommend: Bratwurst Röslein and Machhörndl Kaffee. These two restaurants are in Nuremberg. In Regensburg, among others, we tried restaurants like Storstad and Gashaus Hummel, both excellent and a kind of fine dining experience.

 

12. Good bread in Germany is a basic human right

Bread in Germany

Germans love bread!
 

I mentioned we'd talk about bread, and here it is now: Germans absolutely adore bread and baked goods. They have it at any time during the day, several times a day. According to statistics in 2022, approximately 5.1 million tons of bread and rolls were produced in Germany.

You'll find a bakery on every corner in Germany, and there are even two bread museums (Brotmuseum)—one in Ulm and the other in Ebergötzen. Personally, I enjoy a good slice of bread, but browsing through showcases exhibiting various types of bread is something I'd gladly skip. If you go, though, please let me know if I missed the museum of a lifetime.

 

13. Dumplings for everybody

Knödel in Germany

Dumplings in Germany are always a good idea!
 

As I mentioned, bread is the foundation of German cuisine, and another food known and loved throughout the country is dumplings. In the north, they call them Klöße, and in the south, Knödel. Whether they are meat-filled, round, conical, sweet, as a side, or a main course... what matters is they are dumplings. Now I wonder, are Germans somehow obsessed with flour?

Story time: If you ever happen to head to Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat, the Eagle's Nest, let me give you some good advice, or rather, I mostly want to vent. We hiked all the way up (on our own legs, not using the bus like other lazy tourists), and the only light at the end of the tunnel for us was the delicious Bavarian dumplings at the Eagle’s Nest restaurant. Seriously, just imagine it: the path was steep, we were hungry and thirsty. When we finally entered the restaurant, ready to order two portions each straight away, we found out they didn't accept cards. “Nein” was all we got, no dumplings. We had a very silent, pouty trip down. So, my advice is: carry cash (and also, stay at Almhotel Grünsteinblick; the pool and breakfast somewhat made up for the dumpling mishap).

Food festivals and celebrations

In Germany, practically every celebration is an opportunity to enjoy some good food. Among the two biggest festivals associated with food and drink are Christmas and, especially, Oktoberfest.

 

14. Feasting during Christmas

Tourist at Berlin Christmas market holding melted cheese bread topped with pickles and onions, photo by Next Level of Travel

Berlin’s take on festive snacking: melted cheese magic

 

Christmas in Germany

Lots of people flock to Germany for the markets and Christmas atmosphere
 

What’s Christmas like, especially in terms of food, in Germany? Honestly, even the Germans can’t agree amongst each other. For instance, in the north, Christmas gifts are brought by Weinachstmann (an old man), and in the south, Christkind (Baby Jesus) brings presents to children. And what does a traditional German Christmas Eve dinner look like?

Do you know what the traditional German Christmas food served on Christmas Eve is (the main Christmas celebrations are on Christmas Even, not Christmas Day)? Duck, baked to crispy perfection, bathed in fat, served with potato dumplings and cabbage. Yum.

But you don't have to wait until Christmas to indulge in this heavenly goodness. You can have duck any time during the year. Where? I'll repeat myself, but I had the best duck in Holzkäfer (I swear) and paired with the beer they brew at that restaurant, it's heaven on Earth.


Kartoffesalat in Germany

Kartoffelsalat
 

Kartoffelsalat, or potato salad, is another dish that ever goes missing from the Christmas table. It's similar to the Czech Republic: every family has its own recipe. Some add pickles, some add bacon. Some would start a family feud if you didn’t add pickle or bacon. The only thing everyone agrees on is potatoes.

What are typical German Christmas desserts? It probably won't surprise you that among the typical Christmas dishes are also special 'Christmas bread' or Stollen, traditionally filled with nuts, candied fruits (yuck), and sprinkled with heaps of sugar. Another sweet treat that shouldn't be missing are gingerbread cookies (Lebkuchen). You know what I’m talking about, right? Just like the cookie with icing in Shrek.
 

Collage of Hamburg Christmas market at night—includes a lit-up carousel, festive entrance sign with Santa’s sleigh, and close-up of holiday decorations, photo by Next Level of Travel

Hamburg knows how to do Christmas magic right—and not just with food

 

15. Oktoberfest takes place mainly in September

Oktoberfest in Germany

Oktoberfest feast as everyone knows it
 

What to expect from Oktoberfest? When you hear Oktoberfest, you probably imagine busty girls in traditional dresses, holding several half-liter beers in each hand. And you wouldn’t be wrong. But I think only a few of you will know how and when this festival originated.

In 1810, specifically from October 12th to 17th, the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen took place on the Theresienwiese meadow. Their love must’ve been the real deal because they invited the entire city to celebrate. And because everyone thought that it was the party of the year, the festival was repeated annually. Just due to bad weather, Oktoberfest gradually moved to September. It typically lasts for 16 days and ends on the first Sunday of October.

And how did Oktoberfest, where horse races were originally part of the main festivities, turn into the world's largest beer festival? Somehow naturally, like when you go to a party and suddenly there’s a beer in your hand (I guess it’s a universal party language that spans centuries!). At the end of the 19th century, a beer revolution took place, and local brewers moved from small stalls to large tents. Thanks to this, even today, you can visit traditional Bavarian breweries and taste several types of famous German beers every year. Thank goodness for those two love birds that started all this beer goodness!


Festbier in Germany

Prost!
 

One typical Oktoberfest beer is 'Festbier', a beer brewed specifically for this occasion by Munich breweries (I haven't tasted it yet, but you should try it and let me know). Good beer comes with good food, so at Oktoberfest, you'll find traditional Bavarian dishes like various sausages, dumplings, pretzels, and more. Not to forget, there are also carousels, roller coasters, and other attractions; to me, the ideal combination to end up feeling nauseous.

Oktoberfest celebrations are held all over Germany, but the Big Daddy of them all is in Munich. If you're heading down there, make sure to make hotel reservations well in advance because you'll be joined by thousands of other beer-happy peeps.

 

Popular German desserts are not popular for me

German folks are the ultimate sweet lovers and consider themselves connoisseurs of desserts. German cakes and pastries are celebrated worldwide... That was the official intro, and now here's my take: There are a few gems there that taste pretty good. However, amidst the desserts, there's a load of candied fruit, marzipan, and some of them even have artificial coloring. Me no likey.

Here's what I think are the best German desserts:

 

16. Apfelstrudel is not from Germany

Apfelstrudel in Germany

Apfelstrudel
 

Let's start with the absolute classic (at least for me and all us Czechs), and that's apple strudel. A crispy pastry filled with apples and cinnamon, ideally topped with whipped cream and served with vanilla ice cream. Hard to believe that this balanced, not-too-sweet dessert is German. And actually, it's not. Strudel comes from Austria (well, quite a few dishes that are popular in Germany originate elsewhere).

 

17. The messy pancake you will love

Kaiserschmarrn in Germany

Kaiserschmarrn—a thick pancake torn into pieces
 

Germans are quite crafty. They can flip a pancake in a pan, and voilà, a traditional German dessert is born. Kaiserschmarrn or 'emperor's mess' is basically a thicker pancake torn into pieces, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, or drenched in vanilla sauce. This dessert is flawless, except for the fact that it also originates from Austria. I told you I'm not a fan of German sweet pastries and colorful puddings, but let me try a little harder and tell about something that’s actually German:

 

18. Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, my ace up the sleeve

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in Germany

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte—it tastes sooo good!
 

I'm telling you, your taste buds will experience euphoria with this dessert, even if you're not usually into sweet stuff. “Black Forest cake” is composed of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and cherries or sour cherries. An absolutely genius combination and the best German chocolate dessert.

 

German traditional drinks

Of course, beer is one of them, but it's not the only thing Germans sip on, despite appearances. There's a whole array of other interesting (not always excellent) beverages in Germany. But yeah, beer’s big in Germany.

 

19. Beer runs in Germans' veins

Smiling woman in a white sweater holding a glass of beer at a cozy restaurant table, Germany, photo by Next Level of Travel

When in Germany, do as the locals do—start with a beer


German culture is steeped in beer through and through. In the Middle Ages, German monks were skilled brewers, brewing the alcoholic drink in monasteries. Allegedly, beer served as a replacement for water, which wasn't always potable (imagine if that were the case today... though in Germany, you’d sometimes think it’s still true—they sure love their beer!).

In those days, it was all about homebrewing, and everyone could put anything they wanted into beer. It wasn't until 1516 that Duke William IV established clear rules for beer production in Bavaria. For someone to claim they made beer, they had to use only three ingredients: water, hops, and barley malt.

 

German beer

Beer and Germany are an inseparable duo


Even though Bavaria is a beer powerhouse within Germany, it's not the only region proud of its beer production. Each area has its traditional styles and recipes. For example, Cologne is known for its light and mild beer called Kölsch. In Düsseldorf, on the other hand, traditional brown beer, Altbier, is famous. And I could go on and on. Anyway, currently, there are more than 1300 breweries in Germany producing over 5,000 types of beer.

The million-dollar question is, where in Germany should you go for good beer? According to me, you'll find good beer in almost any restaurant. Personally, I can recommend a great restaurant in the center of Berchtesgaden, a few steps from the beautiful Berchtesgaden Castle. Gasthof Neuhaus is an ideal place to go with a friend (I was there with my girlfriend) for a beer or two (so, just one for me). If you happen to be in Berlin, try Maximilians Berlin. Not only will you find great beer there, but also traditional German delicacies.

 

20. German Glühwein comes in many variations

German Glühwein

German Glühwein is the most popular around Christmas

 

Among other traditional alcoholic beverages is German Glühwein (mulled wine). The basis of this mood-lifting drink is usually a red wine (but you'll find white as well), cooked with spices and flavorings added to taste, like sugar, cinnamon, orange, and cloves. It’ll be a bit different every time you try it depending on who cooks it. It’s mostly a seasonal drink (it makes me want to go out and buy Christmas presents when I think of it!), but you can easily get it in all cooler months of the year.

 

21. Germans put apples not only in desserts but also in drinks

Apfelwein in Germany

Apfelwein=wine and apples!
 

Let's stick with alcoholic drinks for a bit (it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world). Apfelwein is cider made from fermented apples. And no, it doesn't taste like those canned ciders from the store. True German cider is sour.

Another typical German non-alcoholic beverage (in case it really isn’t wine o’clock) is Apfelschorle. It's basically apple juice mixed with sparkling water.

 

22. The traditional German Christmas drink: egg

Eierlikör in Germany

Eierlikör smells like Christmas!
 

And lastly, definitely worth mentioning is Eierlikör, the traditional German eggnog. The main ingredients are egg yolks, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cream, and rum, so you can probably imagine the taste. It's especially popular around Christmas, but that combo of sweet cookies and even sweeter egg liqueur, well, not my cup of tea.

 

Last but not least: a couple random German food facts

A few other facts that are good to know before you set out to explore the diverse flavors of Germany:

 

23. Is street food a thing in Germany?

Pretzels in Germany

The perfect German snack—a pretzel
 

Of course it is. Street food is actually quite popular in Germany, like Hamburg and Munich. Often, besides traditional German dishes, you'll find international cuisine there.

Bratwurst and currywurst are ideal street foods. Grilled sausage is typically chopped into pieces, served on a paper tray with ketchup and curry. You’ll smell them from a mile away, so just keep your nose peeled if wurst is what you’re after.  

A pretzel is the perfect handheld snack. You can get it both at bakeries and street stalls.

You might be surprised that traditional street food also includes kebab. But I don't see any reason why I should opt for some imitation in Germany after tasting real Turkish kebab. It just doesn’t compare.

 

24. Hamburg is a German seafood hub

Fischbrötchen in Hamburg, Germany

This dish is called Fischbrötchen
 

Just a reminder that Germany isn't just about pork and sausages, but particularly in the northern part, you'll find excellent fish and seafood. You could, for example, wake up early on a Sunday morning and head to Hamburg's waterfront for the fish market (I won’t, but you can).

I'll recommend a really great seafood restaurant in Hamburg: Restaurant Daniel Wischer is near the Rathaus Square. The food was amazing, the interior was lovely, and the atmosphere was great. I not only highly recommend putting this place on your Hamburg bucket list, but most importantly I recommend making a reservation in advance (it’s on a lot of bucket lists).

And whatever you do, definitely stay in the school-turned-hotel, Hotel Volksschule, while you’re in town. I am not easily impressed, but I give it a 10/10.

 

 

Final thoughts

German cuisine isn’t delicate, trendy, or particularly photogenic—but it is satisfying, meat-heavy, and unapologetically traditional. Whether you’re into stews, sausages, or 14 types of bread before noon, German food culture will either convert you or crush you. Either way, you’ll leave full.

If you're planning a trip and wondering what to eat in Germany, don’t overthink it—follow the locals, trust the meat, and always carry cash for dumplings.

 

What to eat in Germany (and what to skip)

Eat this:

  • Sauerbraten—If you find it on a menu, order it. Germany at its slow-cooked best.

  • Bratwurst (especially Nürnberger)—Simple, meaty perfection. Ideally grilled, not boiled.

  • Dumplings (Knödel/Klöße)—Served with sauce, meat, or in soups. Carb bombs basically.

  • Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake)—The one dessert Germany absolutely nailed.

  • Real bakery bread—go fresh-baked or go home.

Skip this:

  • Candied-fruit-loaded Stollen—Not what Christmas is made of, no matter how traditional it is.

  • Overpriced sausage at tourist fairs—Looking at you, Hamburger DOM. 

  • Kebab—It’s everywhere, but let’s be honest: you’re in Germany, not Istanbul.

  • Neon-colored marzipan pastries—Pretty, but tastes like sweetened soap.

 

Smiling couple standing on a bridge in Nuremberg, Germany, with historic half-timbered buildings and a river in the background, photo by Next Level of Travel

We came for the history, stayed for the food—and the views weren’t bad either @ Nuremberg

 

Where to eat and sleep in Germany

I know you’re all about food today, but I thought I’d have your back on another basic human need, too: sleep. Here are the German hotels that I’ve stayed at, loved, and now can’t stop dreaming about:

 

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About me

About me

Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.  


If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together


I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences. 


Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.  

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