What to eat Germany? culinary specialties and gastronomy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

In big cities, you'll find cafés and bars open day and night on every street corner. In the countryside or in smaller towns, opening hours are more restrictive, with some establishments only open at weekends.

In the big cities, many bars offer happy hours, with low prices or special formulas. The times are up to you, but are generally concentrated in the late afternoon.

The sale of alcoholic beverages to under-16s is prohibited. The sale of strong brandy-type spirits to under-18s is also forbidden. However, wine and beer are permitted.

Beer can be drunk under any circumstances. You should also know that bottles of beer, soda and cans are returnable in Germany.