How to eat like the Germans eat

Embracing a country’s distinct culinary customs brings you closer to the people and country you’re visiting. When abroad in Germany, there’s so much more to experience than just sausages and sauerkraut (although, let’s be real, they’re a solid place to start!).

Here’s our guide on how to eat like the Germans do, and explore the culture and German language while you’re at it. 

Coffee is king 

For many Germans, coffee is more than just a daily habit — it signifies an important social ritual, enjoyed first thing in the morning and many times throughout the day. In fact, Germans love catching up and gossiping with friends over a coffee so much that they have a word for it. Kaffeeklatsch is a German expression that literally translates to “coffee chatter.” 

Tea lovers are also in luck in Germany because of an abundance of traditional Teehäuser (tea houses). These serve herbal, fruit, or black teas alongside a fantastic selection of regional pastries like Black Forest cake or apple cake. 

Celebrate the humble potato 

The German love affair with the greatest golden carbohydrate runs deep. There are many ways to enjoy potatoes (Kartoffeln) in German cuisine. For example, Kartoffelsalat is a potato salad that couples nicely with many dishes, made with boiled potatoes, oil, vinegar, mustard, mayonnaise, and herbs. And kartoffelpuffer, a fried potato fritter served with sour cream, is as satisfying to eat as it is to say. 

Served boiled (Salzkartoffeln), crispy in the oven (Bratkartoffeln), or made into dumplings (Kartoffelklöße), potato dishes in Germany are savory, comforting, and delicious, and pay homage to traditional German food traditions.

Know your wursts 

See “wurst” on a menu: think sausage. Pork, beef, chicken, and plant-based — with over 1,200 different types of sausages, Germany is home to more sausage varieties than anywhere else in the world, so you’re bound to find a Wurst that’s right for you. Currywurst is a sausage served with curry ketchup, often as a takeaway dish with chips, while bockwurst is a pale sausage that’s great in a stew with veggies. 

The must-try is a bratwurst. Germany’s most famous sausage is not just any sausage; Bratwurst is a specific type of traditional pork sausage with ginger, nutmeg, and coriander, and is often grilled or fried. You’ll find it everywhere — in restaurants or served up by street food vendors in a bread roll. 

Try the sauerkraut 

This traditional dish, made from fermented shredded cabbage, has been a staple in traditional German cuisine for over 1,000 years. Lately, sauerkraut has really been having its moment in wellness circles for its gut-healthy goodness. Packed with great probiotics and vitamin C, it’s the ultimate side-dish with fantastic health properties. According to research, happy guts = a happier brain! While many of us are just catching on, the Germans have known for generations that it's more than just a side dish; it’s a powerhouse for longevity and good health. 

Mealtimes 

Germany has similar mealtimes to those of its Western European neighbors. Breakfast is enjoyed first thing, often at home before you head out to class or work. Lunch at restaurants is usually only available between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and dinner is served from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. If you’re used to eating late, like in Mediterranean cultures, it may be time for a new routine. 

Not sure what you want to eat? Most restaurants display their menus outside, saving you from the totally awkward walk out if there’s nothing on the menu that tempts you. And in a culture that promotes punctuality and planning, reservations are usually a good idea to make sure you get a table where and when you want it. 

Breakfast is often savory 

Frühstück (breakfast) almost always includes bread — from crusty rolls and seed-topped bakes, whole-wheat loaves, and sweeter milk rolls. Eggs are a staple, and so are cold cuts (slices of meat). Varieties of cheese include mild, creamy Butterkäse (butter cheese) or sliced Bergkäse (mountain cheese), as well as soft, sour options like quark. 

In northern Germany, don’t be surprised to see fish like pickled herring or smoked salmon on the breakfast menu. While you’ll still find muesli, fruit, jam, and sweeter pastries, the vibes are usually more savory than sweet.  

German snack times

Snacking isn’t something Germans do all day long – snacks are usually slotted into two set times between meals, and are common for schoolkids and office workers alike. Zweites Frühstück (second breakfast) happens mid-morning and typically includes yogurt, a small savory sandwich, or a piece of fruit. 

A second snack break comes in the afternoon, around 3 or 4 p.m., and is often a little more indulgent — think Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake), especially on weekends. These moments aren’t just about food, they’re about routine and taking much-needed breaks to refuel during the day.

Gemütlichkeit in the beer garden 

Germany’s brewing tradition runs deep - and along with it, a love for sitting outside in leafy courtyard beer gardens. These laid-back spaces welcome everyone — young and old, friends and family, locals and tourists alike. There, they can share a small informal meal or snack, a beverage, play a board game, and soak up the Gemütlichkeit — a warm, relaxed feeling of togetherness that cozy beer gardens evoke.

Tuck into tradition 

Trying a country’s iconic dishes is the tastiest way to deepen your connection with German customs and culture. Many famous recipes have been part of the local history for centuries. Try Schnitzel, which is a boneless slice of meat (often chicken or pork) that is flattened (yup, hit repeatedly with a mallet) before being breaded and fried. 

Need comfort food? Germany has an answer to that, too: Käsespätzle is popular in the south and is basically mac and cheese, but with noodles instead of pasta, and crispy onions on top. Hearty stews and pot roasts are German staples, and each region boasts its own specialties. 

You’ve eaten — who pays? 

In most of Europe, splitting the bill when you go out for dinner is common, especially in a group setting. While the English phrase “going Dutch” means that each person pays for only what they ordered, it can easily be applied in Germany as well, where it’s common to request separate checks (getrennt zahlen). Don’t commit a cultural snafu by underpaying or overpaying your fair share, and avoid the drama with bill-splitting apps that do the math for you and make covering your part easier.

If you’re abroad in Germany, be sure to savor its great flavors and enjoy the culture’s traditions that make any meal an opportunity for connection.