Tourist Food in Germany: What to Eat, Where to Find It, and How to Order

Hungry and curious? That is the sweet spot for travel. This friendly guide to tourist food in Germany shows you what to eat, where to try it, and how to order without stress. Expect fast street bites, hearty plates, and classic sweets that feel local, not generic.

You will find great food in bakeries, Imbiss stands, beer gardens, and weekly markets. We will cover must-try dishes, regional picks by city, and quick tips to save money. Price guide: street snacks 3 to 8 euros, sit-down mains 12 to 20 euros, desserts 3 to 6 euros.

Try this simple plan in each city: one street food, one classic plate, and one sweet. Ready to eat well?

What to Eat in Germany: 15 Must-Try Tourist Foods That Taste Local

• Currywurst: Juicy sausage with ketchup and curry powder, often with fries. About 3 to 5 euros. Everywhere.
• Döner kebab: Spit-roasted meat or falafel in flatbread with salad and sauces. Fresh, filling, and cheap, 4 to 7 euros.
• Bratwurst (Nuremberg, Thuringian): Grilled sausage, smoky and peppery. Try small Nuremberg links or long Thuringian. About 3 to 6 euros in a roll.
• Schnitzel: Crisp breaded cutlet, usually pork or veal, served with potato salad or fries. Tender inside, golden outside. 12 to 18 euros.
• Sauerbraten: Slow-braised beef with a sweet-sour gravy, often with red cabbage. Comfort on a plate. 14 to 20 euros.
• Pork knuckle (Eisbein or Schweinshaxe): Crackling skin, rich meat, with kraut and potatoes. Shareable. 15 to 20 euros.
• Spätzle and Käsespätzle: Soft egg noodles, the cheesy baked version is a hug in a bowl. 8 to 12 euros.
• Flammkuchen: Thin crust with crème fraîche, onions, bacon, or veggie toppings. Light, crisp, and shareable. 8 to 12 euros.
• Maultaschen: Swabian stuffed pasta, like big ravioli, served in broth or pan-fried. 9 to 12 euros.
• Fischbrötchen: North coast fish roll with herring, salmon, or fish patties, plus onions and pickles. 3 to 6 euros.
• Pretzels and bakery rolls: Fresh, chewy, and cheap. Great for breakfast or a snack. 1 to 2.50 euros.
• Sauerkraut and potato sides: Tangy kraut, boiled potatoes, fried potatoes, or potato salad. Classic pairings.
• Black Forest cake: Chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, not too sweet when done right. 3 to 5 euros a slice.
• Apple strudel: Flaky pastry, warm apples, often with vanilla sauce. 3 to 5 euros.
• Berliners: Jam-filled doughnuts, soft and dusted with sugar. 1 to 2 euros.

Pair with wheat beer, light Kölsch, or apfelschorle if you prefer non-alcoholic. Mustard, pickles, and kraut are common sides that bring the bite.

Street food wins: currywurst, döner kebab, and fischbrötchen

Currywurst is late-night fuel or a quick lunch. Look for ketchup spiced with curry powder, some stands add a spicy or smoky blend. Add fries or a roll, and grab a tiny fork. Expect 3 to 6 euros, and shorter lines before noon or mid-afternoon.

Döner kebab comes in flatbread or a box. Bread styles vary, from fluffy pita to crunchy Turkish bread. Sauces often include garlic, herb yogurt, and spicy. Add crisp salad and cabbage. Prices range from 4 to 7 euros. Beat lines by going before 12 or after 2.

Fischbrötchen shine in northern cities. You will find pickled herring, fried fish, or salmon with onions and pickles on a fresh roll. Simple, salty, and perfect by the water. About 3 to 6 euros. Go early on sunny days to avoid queues.

Comfort plates to warm you up: schnitzel, bratwurst, sauerbraten

Schnitzel should be thin, crisp, and bigger than the plate. Expect golden breading and a squeeze of lemon. Choose fries or warm potato salad. One plate can feed two light eaters, so consider sharing.

Bratwurst brings snap and smoke. Nuremberg links come in sets, often with kraut and mustard. Thuringian is longer and peppery, usually in a roll. Add a side of potato salad for a full meal.

Sauerbraten is slow-cooked beef, tender and rich, with a slight sweet-sour sauce. It often arrives with red cabbage and spätzle. Portions are generous. If you plan dessert, split this with a friend.

Bread, pretzels, and quick bakery bites you can eat on the go

German bakeries are morning magic. Pretzels are chewy with a glossy crust, perfect with butter. You will also find seed rolls, cheese pretzels, and sausage tucked into a roll.

Most bakeries run a morning rush from 7 to 9. Prices are friendly, often 1 to 3 euros per item. Many small shops are cash only, so carry coins. Point to what you want if the line moves fast.

For lunch, grab a filled roll with cheese, ham, or egg. You can eat well without a sit-down meal, and be back to sightseeing in minutes.

Desserts worth the calories: Black Forest cake, apple strudel, and Berliners

Black Forest cake layers chocolate sponge, kirsch-infused cherries, and whipped cream. It is rich but not heavy when balanced well. Order a slice mid-afternoon with coffee.

Apple strudel is best warm, with tender apples and flaky pastry. Ask for vanilla sauce or ice cream. It pairs with a cappuccino on a cool day.

Berliners are fluffy, filled with jam or vanilla cream, and dusted with sugar. They make a sweet breakfast or a train snack. Bakeries sell them all day, often for under 2 euros.

Best Regional Foods in Germany by City and Region

Berlin and the East: currywurst stands, döner spots, Königsberger Klopse

Berlin owns currywurst. Seek stands that make their own sauce, some sweet, some smoky, some hot. Döner shops stay open late, which helps after a concert or a bar stop. Try Königsberger Klopse for a sit-down meal, tender meatballs in a creamy caper sauce. Street markets and Imbiss counters make casual eating simple and fast.

Bavaria and Munich: weißwurst breakfast, giant pretzels, leberkäse, beer halls

In Munich, start your day with weißwurst before noon. Peel the sausage, dip in sweet mustard, and eat with a pretzel. Beer halls serve leberkäse, roast pork, and crisp potatoes, perfect for a long lunch. Pair with a cold wheat beer. Arrive early for space, since big tables fill up fast.

Hamburg and the North Coast: fischbrötchen, herring, and labskaus

Hamburg’s harbor kiosks sell top fischbrötchen, best near the water. In spring and early summer, marinated herring is prime, bright and firm. Labskaus is a salty mash with corned beef, beet, and a fried egg, usually with pickles and herring on the side. Pick clear days for waterfront eating, since wind and rain move fast.

Rhine, Swabia, and the Southwest: Maultaschen, Spätzle, Flammkuchen, Kölsch

Stuttgart and Ulm shine with Maultaschen and Spätzle, from cozy pubs to family kitchens. Along the border areas and the Palatinate, order Flammkuchen for a crisp, shareable dinner. In Cologne, sip light Kölsch in small glasses that keep beer fresh and cold. Budget tip: many pubs offer a Tagesgericht at lunch that beats dinner prices.

Eat Like a Local: Where to Go, What It Costs, and Easy Tips

Where to find great food: bakeries, Imbiss stands, beer gardens, and markets

Bakeries work for breakfast and cheap snacks. Imbiss stands are fast for sausages, kebabs, and fries. Beer gardens are perfect in warm weather, with self-serve lines and big tables. Weekly farmers markets sell snacks, local cheese, and gifts like honey or spices. Look for lunch deals at canteens or small bistros near offices. They serve quick, fresh plates at good prices.

Prices and practical rules: lunch specials, cash culture, and water tips

Scan menus for Mittagsmenü or Tagesgericht. These lunch specials save money. Many small spots are cash first, and some have minimum card spends. Tip 5 to 10 percent by telling the amount you want to pay. Free water is not standard. Ask for tap water with a smile, say Leitungswasser bitte. Expect to pay for bottled water, still or sparkling.

Seasonal and festival foods: asparagus season, Oktoberfest bites, Christmas markets

Spring brings Spargelzeit. White asparagus appears with potatoes, ham, or schnitzel. Fall means Oktoberfest plates like roast chicken, giant pretzels, and potato salad, even outside Munich. In winter, Christmas markets serve bratwurst, reibekuchen, roasted almonds, stollen, and hot glühwein. Eat with friends, since portions invite sharing.

Photo by Viesturs Davidčuks

Simple phrases and diet tips: vegan, halal, kids, and allergies

Use these words when ordering:

• vegetarisch, vegan, ohne Fleisch
• halal, kein Schwein
• ohne Nüsse, glutenfrei

Say Kinderportion for a kid-sized plate. Point at the counter if you are not sure how to pronounce an item. Many döner and falafel shops have strong vegetarian options, like grilled halloumi or falafel bowls.

Conclusion

Eat with a simple plan: grab a street snack, sit down for a classic plate, finish with something sweet. In each city, add one regional pick to feel the place. Keep this quick checklist handy: carry some cash, scan for daily specials, ask for tap water politely, and split big plates. You will taste more, spend less, and have more fun. Which dish will you try first? Enjoy your trip and every bite along the way.