German cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Currywurst

Sliced sausage with curry-spiced tomato sauce; confirm meat or plant-based version.

Planning estimate: €4–9 per serving

Where to look: Curry 36, Mehringdamm 36

Find Currywurst in Berlin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Döner kebab

Bread filled with sliced meat, salad and sauces; ask about ingredients rather than assuming halal.

Planning estimate: €7–12

Where to look: Kreuzberg and Neukölln kebab shops

Find Döner kebab in Berlin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Berliner Pfannkuchen

Round filled doughnut, usually dusted or glazed.

Planning estimate: €2–4

Where to look: Neighbourhood bakeries

Find Berliner Pfannkuchen in Berlin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Eisbein

Hearty pork knuckle served in traditional German restaurants.

Planning estimate: €20–35

Where to look: Traditional Berlin kitchens

Find Eisbein in Berlin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Potato pancakes

Crisp fried potato cakes, often served with apple sauce.

Planning estimate: €5–10

Where to look: German kitchens and seasonal markets

Find Potato pancakes in Berlin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Weißwurst

Poached white sausage traditionally accompanied by sweet mustard.

Planning estimate: €8–15

Where to look: Bavarian breakfast kitchens near Viktualienmarkt

Find Weißwurst in Munich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Brezn

Salted pretzel, useful as a light snack rather than a full lunch.

Planning estimate: €2–4

Where to look: Market bakeries

Find Brezn in Munich ↗Find Brezn in Schwangau ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Leberkässemmel

Warm meatloaf-style slice in a bread roll.

Planning estimate: €4–7

Where to look: Metzgerzeile at Viktualienmarkt

Find Leberkässemmel in Munich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Obatzda

Seasoned soft-cheese spread to share with bread or pretzels.

Planning estimate: €8–14

Where to look: Bavarian beer gardens

Find Obatzda in Munich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Schmalznudel

Fresh fried pastry with a thin centre and thick edge.

Planning estimate: €3–6

Where to look: Café Frischhut

Find Schmalznudel in Munich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Käsespätzle

Soft egg noodles with melted cheese and onions.

Planning estimate: €13–21

Where to look: Allgäu inns in Schwangau

Find Käsespätzle in Schwangau ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Schweinebraten

Roast pork with sauce and a dumpling or potato accompaniment.

Planning estimate: €17–28

Where to look: Bavarian inns

Find Schweinebraten in Schwangau ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Kaiserschmarrn

Torn sweet pancake; portions can be generous enough to share.

Planning estimate: €11–18

Where to look: Village cafés and mountain restaurants

Find Kaiserschmarrn in Schwangau ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Apple strudel

Thin pastry enclosing apple filling.

Planning estimate: €6–10

Where to look: Village cafés

Find Apple strudel in Schwangau ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Fischbrötchen

A bread roll with fish and garnish; fillings vary from herring to fried fish.

Planning estimate: €5–10

Where to look: Brücke 10, Landungsbrücken

Find Fischbrötchen in Hamburg ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Franzbrötchen

Sweet cinnamon pastry associated with Hamburg.

Planning estimate: €2–5

Where to look: Local bakeries

Find Franzbrötchen in Hamburg ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Labskaus

A hearty northern dish based on corned beef and potato; garnishes often include egg and pickled fish.

Planning estimate: €16–26

Where to look: Traditional Hamburg restaurants

Find Labskaus in Hamburg ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pannfisch

Pan-fried fish, commonly served with potatoes and mustard sauce.

Planning estimate: €20–32

Where to look: Northern German fish restaurants

Find Pannfisch in Hamburg ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Rote Grütze

Red-berry dessert usually accompanied by cream or vanilla sauce.

Planning estimate: €6–10

Where to look: Traditional restaurants

Find Rote Grütze in Hamburg ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Halver Hahn

Despite its name, this is a rye roll with cheese and accompaniments, not roast chicken.

Editorial planning estimate: 7–12 EUR

Where to look: Traditional brewpub snack menus

Find Halver Hahn in Cologne ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Himmel un Ääd

A regional combination of potatoes and apple, often served with blood sausage; check the version.

Editorial planning estimate: 15–23 EUR

Where to look: Rhenish kitchens

Find Himmel un Ääd in Cologne ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Rheinischer Sauerbraten

A marinated roast in a sweet-sour sauce, commonly served with substantial sides.

Editorial planning estimate: 20–30 EUR

Where to look: Traditional brewpubs

Find Rheinischer Sauerbraten in Cologne ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Reibekuchen

Crisp potato pancakes, often with apple purée; availability can be tied to particular kitchen days.

Editorial planning estimate: 7–13 EUR

Where to look: Regional kitchens and market stalls

Find Reibekuchen in Cologne ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Mettbrötchen

A raw minced-pork roll with onion. Ask about food-safety suitability; choose cooked food if preferred.

Editorial planning estimate: 5–9 EUR

Where to look: Traditional pub snack menus

Find Mettbrötchen in Cologne ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.