The best restaurants Germany

Timetable

Breakfast is often served as early as 6:30 a.m., at worst as early as 7:30 a.m.; lunch is usually served in restaurants between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.. Pastries are served at tea time between 3pm and 5pm. Dinner is served from 6pm and usually lasts until 10pm.

Budget & Tips

When you eat at a sausage stand, you're eating for just a few euros. This is the most economical formula. If you're cooking or picnicking, go to the discounters, invented and specialized in by the Germans (Aldi, Lidl, Penny, Norma) to find quality ingredients at very low prices.

What costs extra

Gratuities are at your discretion, but you may ask to round up the bill when you pay. Coins are not left on the table.

Some restaurants print invoices with the notification tip not included, which is against the law. Taxes and tips are included in the bill, but tipping is at the discretion of each individual. Germans often add 5-10%, but this is not compulsory.

The local way

Germans don't stay as long at the table as the French, as menus often consist of just one dish. Breakfast is hearty at weekends, and quick during the week. Breakfasts are often gargantuan and salty, while dinners are soups or sandwiches on the go. Of course, restaurants also offer more substantial dinners.

To be avoided

Don't arrive late if you've reserved a table at the restaurant. Come properly dressed, except for alternative establishments where originality is the order of the day.

Kids

Children are well catered for, with adapted seats in the restaurants.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, except on the terrace. Diners must leave the restaurant to smoke.

Tourist traps

As elsewhere, seasonal restaurants around the most popular tourist sites are not to be recommended either for taste or for value.