The Visitor’s Guide to Authentic German Fare Throughout Germany

People travel to Germany from all over the world for several reasons, including its rich and complex history, its beautiful architecture, and its beer. However, foodies travel to the country for its food.

If you’re a true foodie, you prefer a finely crafted Schnitzel over a craft brew any day, and your idea of a history lesson is one that can be taught with traditional potato-sauerkraut and a good old-fashioned fischbrötchen. For a lesson of a lifetime, use this guide to find and eat some of the best authentic German cuisine the country has to offer.

Mutter Wittig – Bochum

Mutter Wittig was founded in 1972 as a bakery and inn. However, in 1916, in the middle of the first world war, midwife Emma Wittig—lovingly called “Mother Wittig” by her patrons—took over the inn. Upon her death, her family changed the name of the inn to Mutter Wittig. The family continued to serve beer and schnitzel to passersby, with each new generation adding more to the menu and updating the interior to meet patrons’ evolving expectations. Today, the restaurant still looks, for all intents and purposes, like an old beer house, but once you step inside, you’ll discover a well-lit, beautifully decorated restaurant. The menu, while still boasting beer and schnitzel, offers a variety of traditional dishes. If you’re looking for truly authentic German food in Bochum, stop in and have a beer with the Wittig family.

Auerbachs Keller – Leipzig

Another restaurant with a rich history Auerbachs Keller has been serving exclusively German fare since the late 16^th century. In fact, Goethe was a fan of the Saxon farmer pan served in the dining room, so much so that he wrote about it in Faust I. If you do happen to visit, order the potato-sauerkraut gratin served with pepper, marinated pork neck steak, and apple.

Steinheil 16 – Munich

If you’re only in the country for a few days and want to stick to some of the more well-known areas, you’re not out of luck. A short walk outside of old town Munich is Steinheil 16, a local favorite. The portions are huge, the staff friendly, the environment cozy, and the food authentic. Oh, and the price is just right, perfect for travelers on a budget, or who just want a quick bite without all the frills of a fine-dining experience.

Bratwursthäusle – Nuremberg

You can’t leave Germany without first eating a Bratwurst. If you plan on visiting Nuremberg, save your taste test for the Bratwursthäsle, a restaurant that specializes exclusively in fancy brats. Whether you want to eat your brat the American way – with a fork and knife and maybe a bun – or a more traditional way – a la soup – you won’t be disappointed with your dish. The sausages are made to order and come out hot, unlike many of the other brat häuses around. The establishment is under the same ownership as it was 30 years ago, so you know that the food is authentic and, better yet, tasty.

Germany is a large country and as such, it has a lot to offer in terms of food. While you should definitely splurge on a fine dining experience or two, treat yourself to some traditional, local fare while you’re in country and stop at one of the four aforementioned establishments. What the places may lack in fine furnishings they more than make up for in rich cuisine.

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