Germany is a place close to my heart. My grandparents, Oma and Opa were from there, so I feel a strong connection. I’ve also travelled there numerous times and have loved the food (and beer!). While there are some similarities to the best Dutch foods, there are a lot of differences to their neighbours. Below you can find some examples of best German foods. German food is generally hearty and generous, the perfect food to share with friends or loved ones when comfort food is needed.
Some of these dishes you may know and others may not be familar, but I encourage you to try them all. You will not be disappointed!
1. Schweinshaxe (Pork Knuckle)
This may just be the biggest piece of meat you ever order. The schweinshaxe is the part of the pork known as the ham hock. Traditionally a peasant dish, it was marinated and slow-roasted. As with many dishes from the poor, the slow-roasted meat is moist and tender. The skin is also perfectly crispy, giving it a perfect contrast to the juicy flesh. It is generally saved with potatoes, sauerkraut or red cabbage and often with German dumplings. In some instances, mustard or apple sauce with also be provided.
This one is fairly easy to prepare, but do not fill up on too many snacks beforehand. You’ll need your appetite! Make it here:
https://platedcravings.com/german-pork-hock/
This one hails from Bavaria and one of the best places to try this is at the famous Hofbraeuhaus in Munich. This historic beer hall has multiple levels and you can expect traditional food, music and of course, traditional beer.
2. Soft Pretzel (Bretzel)
If you have only had the hard little pretzels, then you need to try a proper German soft Pretzel. Not that there is anything wrong with hard pretzels from the supermarket but a soft pretzel is just something different. Like bagels, they are boiled first and then cooked in an oven, making them super soft on the outside with a wonderful salty and semi crispy exterior. Interestingly, you will find all types of pretzel’s in Germany, including chocolate coated and pizza but it is hard to go past a traditional soft Pretzel.
Make these ones for Octoberfest: https://amandascookin.com/homemade-german-pretzels/
3. Currywurst
If you thought curry dishes were just from India or Asia, you are wrong! The currywurst is a pork sausage (bratwurst) that is generally steamed and then fried/grilled. It is then topped with a spiced ketchup/tomato sauce and a sprinkle of curry powder. It is often served with French fries. Currywurst is especially popular in its birthplace Berlin, with stands specialising in the local treat. It may not win any Michelin stars, thought currywurst is an essential part of German cuisine and is a great one to try!
If you’re looking to find more regions that make Curry related dishes, check it out here: https://atasteofabroad.com/13-unique-curries-from-around-the-world/
You can make this easily at home here : https://www.thekitchenmaus.com/homemade-currywurst/
If you’re in Berlin, you must eat at the stall that created the Currywurst, Konnopke’s Imbis. It is still one of the best in the city and a culture icon, so grab a currywurst and a beer and take it all in.
4. Stollen
This could arguably be the best Christmas cake/bread in existence. I know that this statement could cause some arguments, however, it is very good! This dessert is a cake-like bread with candied and or dried fruits, nuts, marzipan, spices and dusted with powdered sugar. The bread has a history dating back to the 15th century where this bread was made and sold at the Dresden Christmas market. In 1730 there was the first giant stollen made, weighing around 1.8 tones. This was recently outdone by a 3-tonne version : https://www.dw.com/en/dresdens-bakers-break-record-with-massive-stollen-fruit-bread/a-18897158-0
This is a great one to make for Christmas: https://www.daringgourmet.com/stollen-german-christmas-bread/
The best place to get this is at the Dresden Christmas market, which has been running now for 584 years.
Otherwise, the cake is generally sold at Aldi in Australia around Christmas and may be available at other speciality shops and supermarkets.
5. Sauerbraten
Considered to be the national dish of Germany, Sauerbraten is a traditional pot roast that dates back centuries. It typically uses tough cuts of meat, with most modern recipes using beef. The beef is marinated in a mix of wine or vinegar, water, herbs and spices for an extended time to tenderise the meat. The dish typically has sour notes to it but is served with something heavy such as dumplings or potato pancakes and red cabbage to offset the flavours. The roasting juices are then mixed with other ingredients to form a gravy.
You will need to make this one in advance as the meat needs to marinate for at least 48 hours (some will leave it a week or more!). https://houseofnasheats.com/sauerbraten-recipe/
If you’re in Germany, it can be found in most pubs and traditional restaurants.
6. Jagerschnitzel
Although Schnitzels are credited as having Austrian heritage, they are a big part of German culture with their own variations and is a worthy addition to the best German foods. One of the best variations is the JagerSchnitzel, or “hunters” Snitzel that was traditionally made with wild boar. Today it is normally made with pork lion that is flattened, breaded and fried. What makes it a Jagershnitzel is the thick mushroom gravy that covers the meat. Along with mushrooms, red wine, onions, broth, herbs and seasonings are added with bacon sometimes being used as well.
For a top ratted recipe, you can check this out : https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/jagerschnitzel-with-bacon-mushroom-gravy-jager-hunter-recipe-1943082
Like many German dishes, it can be found throughout the country. A great spot to try it is at the Paulaner Nockherberg in Munich with one of their fabulous beers.
7. Black Forest Cake
The Black Forest Cake/Gateau (Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte) is a favourite in the Bavarian region of Germany and popular throughout the world, making it on the list of the best German foods. The cake consists of a chocolate sponge cake that is filled with layers of whipped cream and sour cherries. It is typically decorated with one or a mix of chocolate shavings, whipped cream or maraschino cherries. What makes this cake special is the use of kirschwasser, a spirit that is made from sour cherries that flavours the cake. This spirit is also the reason behind the cakes name.Some recipes substitute this with a different cherry liquor, rum or brandy but either way it is a delicious choice.
Bring the Black forest home: https://livforcake.com/black-forest-cake/
8. German sausages
Although we already have currywurst on the list, German sausages, in general, need their own section. There are numerous sausages from different regions and are eaten in different ways. Some of these include Bratwurst that is often glanced then grilled (used in currywurst), Leberkase, is a sausage baked in a loaf pan and sliced, somewhat like a meatloaf. Despite its name, it does not contain liver (leber). Weibwurst is a white sausage made with veal, bacon, lemon, parsley and cardamom with no preservatives. Is normally only eaten before noon with sweet mustard, soft pretzels and of course a beer! Not to be confused with Leberkase, Leberwurst does contain liver and is a spreadable sausage, typically served with bread. There are many more sausages from Germany and all are well worth trying!
Although Aldi sells a range of german sausages, you can try and make your own here with another great recipe from the daring gourmet:
https://www.daringgourmet.com/homemade-german-bratwurst/
There are tens of thousands of places that would sell sausages throughout Germany. Try a mix of those served as snack bars/stalls and those in a restaurant to get the full experience.
9. Potato salad
Many of you would have eaten a creamy potato salad filled with mayonnaise but may not have tried the southern German version, which does not use mayonnaise or cream but is very tasty. Thought to have originated in Germany, the Southern German version incorporates vinegar and mustard, along with bacon, sugar, parsley, garlic and pepper and salt. This is typically served warm giving you soft potatoes, Smokey bacon and a tangy dressing. In other regions of Germany, they use mayonnaise, making it more similar to the potato salads that most would know.
Serve this one next time instead of a mayonnaise-based potato salad : https://www.fivehearthome.com/german-potato-salad/ . Pro-tip. To make this vegan, remove the bacon and top with either caramelised onions, pickles or sliced spring onions (or a mix!)
Depending on where you are in Germany, the potato salad type with vary. Why not try both and compare!
10. KaseSpatzle
Another one that is great for a side, KaseSpatzle is a must-try for all mac and cheese lovers and is surely one of the best German foods. Soft fluffy pasta with a super cheesy sauce, this can be topped off with carnalized onions or bacon if you wish! KaseSpatzle involves using or making the Spatzle, or egg noodle pasta. It is highly recommended to try to get or make homemade Spatzle, as this differs from the pasta used for mac and cheese. In comparison, Spatzle is a bit more doughy, like a cross between normal pasta and Gnocchi. Although there are comparisons between Mac and Cheese, it is a must-try as the differences make it a completely (and arguably better) dish!
If you would like to give it a go yourself, here is a great place to start: https://www.craftbeering.com/kasespatzle/
If you are looking to try KaseSpatzle, there a variety of places you could head but Munich is a great place to start!
11. Zwiebelkuchen and some federweisser
This is a savoury dish that resembles a quiche or savoury pie. Filled with egg, cream and plenty of onions, this is a rich dish. Sometimes bacon is added as well as caraway seeds or spices.
Traditionally, this tart is parried with very young wine called federweisser. As the wine is young and still fermenting it must be consumed fresh, so is drunk in the autumn (fall) in markets, vineyards and local barns.
This sweet wine pairs very well with the savory tart. Although the taste will be different, you can try a sweet Riesling with this tart at home. (sweeter reasilings with often be lower in alcohol (eg 7.5% as opposed to 12%).
Whip this one up at home: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24674/german-zwiebelkuchen-onion-pie/
12. Berliner
Did you know? Early donuts often featured savory fillings such as cheese or meat as sugar was expensive! Luckily for us sweet tooths, sugar became cheaper and that leads us to Berliners. Fried balls of dough with no middle hole are stuffed with jam or marmalade and dusted with powdered sugar. Other fillings can be found across Germany. Just be careful if you’re in Germany on the first of April. A common joke is to fill some with mustard instead of jam. As the filling is inside the middle, the person will bite into it unknowingly.
Make these with jam (or mustard if you like) here https://tarasmulticulturaltable.com/berliner-german-doughnut/
If you’re going to try a berliner, you should try one in Berlin!
13. Kasekuchen
Who doesn’t like cheesecake? While there are many types of cheesecake, Kasekuchen, or German cheesecake may be one of the best. This type of cheesecake is light and fluffy, due to the use of a special cheese called quark. This cheese is almost like a mix between a thick Greek yoghurt and ricotta cheese.
This cheesecake is both creamy and fluffy at the same time, with a little bit of a tang from the quark and lemon juice/zest.
If you are a cheesecake lover, you should give this one a go: https://www.internationaldessertsblog.com/best-authentic-german-cheesecake-kasekuchen/
This cake can be found throughout Germany. Do like the germans do and enjoy Kaffee and Kuchen (coffee and cake) in the afternoon.
14. Spaghetti ice
If you have kids or a big kid yourself, then look no further than spaghetti ice. Ice cream is passed through a spaetzle grater (or potato ricer) and is then topped with a strawberry sauce and either shaved white chocolate, almonds or coconut flakes. Each element represents a different part of a traditional spaghetti with Napoli sauce. The ice cream as the noodles, the strawberry sauce as the tomato sauce and the white chocolate as parmesan.
This is a great novelty but also tastes great. Make this one here : https://www.thespruceeats.com/spaghetti-ice-cream-sundae-from-germany-1446804
15. Obatzda (German beer cheese dip)
If anyone was going to find a way to include a cheese dip with beer it would be the German’s from Bavaria. Famous for their fabulous beer, this cheese dip can be commonly found throughout beer gardens in Munich and surrounds. This rich dip involves Camberet cheese mixed in with either a strong smooth cheese such as Limburger, or for a more mild (but still flavoursome) dip with cream cheese. Butter is added to make this dip even richer and it is seasoned with salt and paprika. Finally, beer is added (often a German Weiss beer). Be sure to serve it with pretzels or rye bread and of course a good German beer or two to wash it down!
You can make this one yourself here: https://www.carolinescooking.com/obatzda-german-beer-cheese-dip/
For those that love cheesy dishes, be sure to check out the best cheese dishes to try globaly.
16. German Kartoffelpuffer
I grew up with German grandparents (Opa and Oma). Although they lived a distance away, the influences were felt through my mother and German Kartoffelpuffers are one dish that I remember fondly as a child. Many countries have their own version of potato pancakes but these will also be close to my heart. They can be served as is or commonly with apple sauce (and sometimes powdered sugar). Transcending that line between sweet and savoury, these are often a treat for kids and adults alike.
https://www.daringgourmet.com/traditional-kartoffelpuffer-reibekuchen-german-potato-pancakes/
You can find these all through Germany. Make sure you find room for these as an entrée, as the German mains can often be large!
Is there a dish that I missed on the list? Let me know in the comments what you think are the best German foods, or subscribe for updates!
[…] Made popular from the USA, this dish is now a staple in households across the world. Pillow like elbow pasta, mixed with various cheeses is something that is hard to dislike. Although most of you have likely tried Mac and cheese, you will find there is quite a variance between versions. Everyone has their favourite but a baked Mac and cheese is hard to beat. Both creamy and cheesy with a crunchy top, this is perhaps the ultimate indulgence. Add extra cheese to the crunchy top and it makes it arguably the best Mac and cheese in the world. If you’re looking for a variation of Mac and cheese, check out number 10 on this list: http://atasteofabroad.com/the-16-best-german-foods-you-must-try/ […]