Best Restaurants in Germany 2026

Currywurst

Berlin's most iconic street food: grilled pork sausage sliced and doused in spiced ketchup with curry powder. Invented in Berlin in 1949 by Herta Heuwer. Order at Curry 36 or Currywurst Museum for authenticity.

Where to try: Curry 36 (Mehringdamm 36, Berlin), Konnopke's Imbiss (Berlin)

Price: $3-5

Weißwurst with sweet mustard and pretzel

Munich's beloved white veal and pork sausage seasoned with parsley and lemon, traditionally eaten before noon with sweet Bavarian mustard and a Weißbier. The art is in sucking the meat from the skin (Zuzeln).

Where to try: Weißes Bräuhaus Munich, Hofbräuhaus Munich, any Munich Bäckerei before noon

Price: $8-12

Sauerbraten

Germany's unofficial national dish: beef marinated for 3-5 days in wine vinegar, then braised to tender perfection and served with gingersnap gravy, potato dumplings (Klöße), and red cabbage. Each region has variations.

Where to try: Zur Letzten Instanz Berlin, any traditional German restaurant

Price: $18-25

Schnitzel (Wiener Art)

Breaded and pan-fried veal or pork cutlet served with lemon and potato salad or fries. Technically Austrian but ubiquitous in Germany. Quality varies enormously - look for hand-pounded fresh versions.

Where to try: Most traditional German restaurants; Augustiner Bräustuben Munich

Price: $15-22

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake)

Germany's most famous dessert: layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and morello cherries soaked in Kirschwasser cherry schnapps. The original comes from the Black Forest and bears little resemblance to international versions.

Where to try: Café Schäfer Triberg (supposedly the original recipe), any German Konditorei

Price: $5-8/slice

Restaurant Tim Raue

Two Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin blending Asian flavors with European techniques. Chef Tim Raue creates artistic dishes inspired by Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines in minimalist modern setting. Reservations essential months ahead.

Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 26, 10969 Berlin

Zur Letzten Instanz

Berlin's oldest restaurant since 1621 serving hearty German classics in historic setting. Napoleon allegedly dined here. Cozy atmosphere, generous portions of schnitzel, sauerbraten, and Berlin specialties at reasonable prices.

Waisenstraße 14-16, 10179 Berlin

Curry 36

Iconic Berlin currywurst stand near Mehringdamm U-Bahn. Late-night favorite serving the city's beloved fast food: sliced bratwurst topped with curry ketchup. Local institution since 1981, open until 5 AM on weekends.

Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin

Markthalle Neun Street Food Thursday

Berlin's best weekly street food market in historic Kreuzberg hall. Dozens of vendors from around world every Thursday evening. Try everything from Vietnamese banh mi to Italian porchetta in buzzing atmosphere.

Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, 10997 Berlin

Café Einstein Stammhaus

Elegant Berlin coffeehouse in villa setting serving Viennese specialties. Schnitzel, strudel, excellent coffee in refined atmosphere. Perfect for leisurely breakfast or afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake).

Kurfürstenstraße 58, 10785 Berlin

Atelier

Three Michelin-starred restaurant in Munich's Bayerischer Hof Hotel. Chef Jan Hartwig creates innovative multi-course tasting menus with seasonal ingredients, impeccable technique, and artistic presentation in elegant dining room.

Promenadeplatz 2-6, 80333 München

Hofbräuhaus München

World-famous beer hall serving traditional Bavarian food since 1589. Live oompah music, communal tables, liter steins of beer, and tourist-friendly atmosphere make this Munich's most iconic dining experience despite crowds.

Platzl 9, 80331 München

Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap

Berlin's most famous döner kebab stand with legendary queues. Stuffed with vegetables, grilled halloumi, and meat in fresh bread. Worth the 30+ minute wait according to devoted fans. Street food phenomenon.

Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin

Currywurst

Sliced pork sausage with spiced ketchup and curry powder served in a cardboard tray - Berlin's gift to the world. Stands open until the early hours.

Find it at: Curry 36 (Mehringdamm 36), Konnopke's (Schönhauser Allee, Berlin), across Germany

Döner Kebab

Turkish-German fusion beloved across Germany - rotisserie meat with salad and sauces in flatbread. Berlin's version is considered superior worldwide. Mustafa's Gemüsekebap adds grilled vegetables.

Find it at: Mustafa's Gemüsekebap (Mehringdamm 32, Berlin), Turkish neighborhoods in all major cities

Nuremberg Bratwurst (3 im Weggla)

Three tiny finger-length grilled pork sausages in a Brötchen roll with mustard - Nuremberg's beloved street snack sold at stands across the old town and Christmas markets.

Find it at: Bratwursthäusle am Dom (Nuremberg), Christmas markets across Germany

Fischbrötchen

Open-faced fish sandwich with pickled herring, smoked eel, or North Sea shrimp on dark rye bread - Hamburg's classic harbor snack sold at fish market stalls.

Find it at: Hamburg Fischmarkt Sunday morning, Brücke 10 (Hamburg waterfront)

Viktualienmarkt Munich

Munich's beloved 200-year-old daily open-air market with 100+ stalls selling Bavarian specialties, regional cheeses, Weißwurst, fresh produce, and a central beer garden under maypole. The heart of Munich food culture.

Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-8PM

Markthalle IX Berlin

Kreuzberg's stunning Victorian covered market hall from 1891 hosting artisan food producers, specialty coffee, organic vegetables, and the famous Thursday Street Food Thursday event attracting thousands.

Hours: Tue-Fri 12PM-6PM, Sat 10AM-6PM; Street Food Thu 5PM-10PM

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt

Frankfurt's beloved indoor covered market with 60 stalls selling regional cheeses, freshwater fish, Handkäse sour milk cheese, Green Sauce herbs, and Frankfurt sausages. Essential food experience in financial capital.

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-4PM