The 10 Most Popular German Dishes You Have to Try

The German culture truly shines when it comes to both beer and food. If you’re looking for some food that will warm you to the soul try these popular German dishes.

It’s no secret that Germany is known for its beer. But the nation of boots and brews is also a haven for unique, traditional dishes not found anywhere else in the world.

Today, food in Germany is a mix of traditional favorites and new, trendy takes on old classics.

From hearty meat and potato dishes to sweet treats and salty snacks, there’s always something on the menu for every taste.

Keep reading to learn the top 10 most popular dishes that you have to try!

1. Rouladen

If you enjoy trying food from vendors or snacking at festivals, it’s likely you’ll see Rouladen on the menu when dining across Germany.

This dish starts with thin slices of meat, most often beef, though veal or pork are also popular. The meat is then layered with bacon or pork belly, pickles and onion, and usually mustard. The beef is rolled, locking the other ingredients inside.

The meat roll is then braised in broth until brown.

This traditional German food was once a low-cost staple for German families. Now, it’s also common at festivals and gatherings. It may be served with dumplings, gravy, cooked cabbage, or other traditional German sides.

2. Wurst

This German dish is so popular that it’s a standard in restaurants serving German cuisine worldwide. But while restaurants might simply call this dish ‘wurst,’ the word is actually German for sausage, and there are more than 150 varieties of German sausage.

You’ll find varieties of wurst served up on buns from street stands, with traditional sides from restaurants, and grilled up in family homes across the country.

This popular German food is available in spicy flavors, recipes mixed with apples, and more. The most popular recipe is made with pork and spices.

3. Geschnetzeltes

While stir-fry might be seen as a purely healthy dish in other nations, its the ultimate comfort food in Germany.

Rather than featuring a lean meat or veggies on fried rice, these stir-fries are more like a stew.

They start with chicken, veal, or pork, cut into thin pieces. They may be served on rice like other stir-fries, or on potatoes or spaetzle noodles. Then, they are topped with a creamy, delicious sauce.

4. Kartoffelkndel

If you’ve ever enjoyed German meals, you know that potatoes are a popular side dish. Whether served mashed, fried, or as a salad, potatoes are a staple.

Kartoffelkndel is one of the most popular German potato dishes in the nation. These potato pancakes are made from ground or grated potatoes mixed with flour and eggs and seasoned.

They are then shallow pan-fried, and served salted alongside meat or fish dishes, or sweetened with applesauce, berries, or cinnamon and sugar and served as a dessert.

5. German Hamburgers

If you think hamburgers are a purely American dish, think again.

In fact, historians believe that the Mongols first introduced the idea of a tenderized beef patty, eaten raw. Later, traders traveling by sea would bring it to the port city of Hamburg, Germany. There, it was cooked and shaped, becoming a closer version of what we enjoy at BBQs and sports bars today.

Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to go all the way to Germany to enjoy a traditional Hamburg burger.

Hans Im Gl?ck serves up tasty burgers and more at two locations in Singapore.

6. Brezel

This popular German dish has been imitated and spread throughout the world. But the original version is the ultimate side dish for enjoying alongside a mug of German beer (or non-alcoholic beer if that’s your thing)!

Brezel is a soft, fluffy white pretzel made with flour, yeast, and water. Usually salted, Brezels can be found in bakeries, at street stands, bars, and elsewhere throughout Germany.

They may also be found buttered and served with cold cut meat or cheeses for a simple lunch or hearty snack.

7. Kasespatzle

Another popular comfort food served in Southern Germany is Kasespatzle. This dish is Germany’s own signature pasta, made with egg noodles and often served with onions and cheese.

Kasespatzle is never topped with meat, though it is often served alongside meat dishes. Although it is tasty and filling enough to serve as a meal on its own, served hot straight from the pan!

8. Sauerbraten

While many of Germany’s signature dishes can be found in restaurants around the world, Sauerbraten is one meal that you usually have to go straight to the source to find.

Sauerbraten is made with one of a variety of types of meat, such as pork, beef, or veal. The meat is marinated in a mix of wine, spices, herbs, and vinegar for up to 10 days.

This dish is usually topped off with a side of sauerkraut, dumplings, or braised cabbage.

9. Labskaus

Another popular German dish not often found outside of the country is Labskaus.

This dish starts with salted meat or corned beef boiled in broth and minced with a mix of ingredients like potatoes, onions, and beetroot. Most recipes then call for it to be fried, and topped with an egg. It may also be served with fish or vegetables.

10. German Apple Pancakes

A second German pancake recipe makes the list of the top 10 most popular German food recipes, but this time its a sweet, potato-free recipe.

German Apple Pancakes are made with a very thin egg batter and filled with sliced apples. The pancakes are grilled until the apples carmelize. This delicious dish is served hot and often topped with whipped cream.

Sampling the Most Popular German Dishes

Sampling these popular German dishes is a great way to break free of your comfort zone and get a taste of the local culture.

Of course, when in Germany, do as the locals do and pair your snacks or meal with a mug of beer!

While you’re there, why not find your new favorite brew? To help narrow your search, check out this guide for finding your next favorite beer.

The Top 10 Countries to Visit in the World for Foodies

The best vacations are ones that expand your mind and your palate through amazing food and drinks. These are the top 10 countries to visit if you’re a true foodie who wants to eat around the world.

Some of the best parts of traveling are experiencing all the different food each new country or city has to off. With each new culture comes new traditions, recipes, and spices. Some people travel to a certain country specifically for the food.

The world is a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures, creating some of the best food we have come to know and love. If your planning your next travel vacation and are wondering where some of the best food spots are, look no further.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 countries to visit around the world (Europe isn’t the only place that has amazing food!) if you’re a foodie at heart. Keep reading to learn which spots not to miss on your next adventure.

1. Mexico

Considered part of the Mesoamerican region, Mexico is our first stop on the world food tour. Among your typical Mexican food – enchiladas, quesadillas, and tacos among them- you’ll find a unique array of cuisine.

Varying from zesty Greek salads to Indian curry, you’ll find yourself wandering the streets of Mexico looking to try the next common dish with a twist. Most food creations will differ in sauciness and ingredients depending on the town you’re visiting.

Staying in a beach town? Don’t forget to try a wide selection of available seafood. Staying in a mountain town instead? Opt for the pork or steak.

If you’re looking for a specific restaurant to try, Mexico City had three named on the 2015 World’s 50 Best Restaurant List – Pujol, Quintonil, and Biko. Don’t forget to take a taste of tequila; ask some locals what their favorites are to find the best ones.

2. Morocco

Morocco is known for its beautiful mosques, perfect surfing waves, and of course, it’s variety of spice markets. With a mix of Arab, Persian, French, and African cuisine flavors, you’ll never run out of food to try.

Moroccan cuisine has influences from many different cultures, including the Mediterranean region which pairs spices from North Africa. You’ll find meats infused with saffron, mint, and olives. Locals enjoy dishes made of lamb, seafood, rabbit, mutton, and even camel!

If you’re looking for some Moroccan delicacies, visit Tangier where you’ll find barrels in vibrant, beautiful colors and a variety of spice shops. Craving something quick? Morocco has their own version of fast-food which includes streets lined with stalls offering teas, pastries, and meats.

Please the foodie in you by visiting the largest market in Morocco – Marrakech. Nearly one hundred stall vendors are available to choose from.

3. Vietnam

Goodmorning, Vietnam! You may not think of delicious cuisine when you think of visiting this country, but you’ll find there’s more to enjoy than just the world’s largest cave.

Relax and take in the culture including the food. You’ll feel as though you’ve traveled to a completely different world as you eat a tradition pho dish and sip Vietnamese coffee.

4. Thailand

Known for its vibrant culture, Thailand offers some exotic and delicious food along its shores. Bangkok and Phuket are the two most popular destinations and their cuisine doesn’t disappoint.

Ride along the Bangkok Food Tour and enjoy the local food which offers flavors and spices that will have you begging for more. You’ll find dishes like curry puffs and exotic fruits along with a minced meat salad card larb.

If you shy away from spicy food, Thailand won’t be for you. Noodle dishes and fresh seafood are packed with powerful flavors almost to the point of being addictive. Locals enjoy some different dishes throughout their day. Mix some chicken and coconut and make coconut soup or opt for a spicy beef salad.

From Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand offers an array of food options, both in fancy restaurants and in outside food vendors. Some say Thailand is “the most coveted of international cuisines” and one you should not leave off your foodie list.

5. Austraila

This beautiful country offers more than just exotic animals from the land down under. Sydney, Austraila has a variety of food styles to satisfy any craving or mood. Whether you’re a partier who needs the cure for a hangover or you’re attending a fancy gala, Austraila has it all.

In addition to Austraila’s diverse food is their spoken languages. You’ll find some Australians speaking Arabic while others speak Mandarin in the countries capital. Other languages you might here while chowing down at a local pub are English, Greek, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.

Outside of the pubs, you’ll find food infused with many spices and flavors, especially at white table clothed restaurants serving gourmet dishes. If you’re looking for a unique experience, visit the Sydney Fish Market. The world’s 3rd largest fish market and the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll find fish to make your own Australian dinner.

Outside of Sydney, you can visit the most liveable city in the world – Melbourne. Make time to explore Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula where you’ll find beaches, vineyards, and of course delicious food.

6. Spain

Spain – a country filled with music, festivities, and amazing food. Traveling to the southern part of Spain will bring you to Granada where you can visit local tapas bars. Some of these offer specials like with each drink you buy you get a free tapa. You’ll definitely be going outside your comfort zone by trying some food that is often a chef’s choice.

Head to Barcelona for some authentic Spanish food. Here you’ll find markets and al fresco dining, and more tapas bars! Take a cooking class with the Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience where you’ll explore St. Josep La Boqueria market -one of the most famous markets in Spain. Here you’ll buy your produce and seafood for the cooking class, and then you’ll learn how to make a traditional paella and sangria from a Barcelona chef.

Madrid is the last stop on your cuisine tour of Spain. Experience the dining, bars, shopping, and nightlife in this lively city. Sign up for the Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour to get a sense of the culture. You’ll get to sample 10 regional specialties including Iberian ham, salted cod, and chickpea stew.

7. Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice)

Take a deep breath. Do you smell that? You’re in Italy and the smell of food is everywhere! The country is known for its beloved traditional Italian food, but where do you start? Italy has numerous food tours to choose from depending on the city you are visiting.

In northern Italy sits the city of Florence which is home to authentic Tuscan food. Embrace the simple and seasonal ingredients in your dishes and indulge in a bowl of comfort food – also known as ribollita. In addition to all the delicious food, you’ll be eating you have to have a glass of Chianti in the very own wine-growing region.

Held in a rustic farmhouse in the countryside is the Pizza and Gelato cooking class. As you cook and enjoy your traditional Italian dish you’ll learn about the history of pizza and gelato.

When in Rome, take a walking tour of the Rome Food Tour by Sunset around Prati District. You’ll explore Prati, sample 20 local favorites and avoid the tourist spots.

One of the last food tours on our Italian cuisine list is in Venice. Venice has a huge culinary scene, so it can get overwhelming deciding what to try. The Venice Food Tour: Cichetti and Wine introduces food lovers to fish markets, the Cannaregio neighborhood (home of the spicy fried meatball), and famed watering holes.

8. Singapore

Food may not come to mind when you think of Singapore, but it will once you try their authentic cuisine. Located in busy shopping centers off the main strip, “hawker stalls” are the best eating spots in the country. Think of an on-site food court and that’s what these are.

Dishes of Nasi-Goreng and prawn noodles will make you wish you had a never-ending stomach. You can find outdoor stalls as well in areas like Newton Circus. Hours can be spent at these stalls where local sellers offer beer and a variety of dish choices.

9. Greece

Not only is Greece known for its Mediterranean views, but also for its fresh Mediterranean food. Each dish has the freshest local ingredients added to them. Not only will these dishes satisfy the foodie in you, but they also make great social media posts.

From colorful salads to kalamata olives, your taste buds will come alive. Almost every dish has Greece’s greatest export – olive oil.

Travel to Athens to experience some of the best Mediterranean food. Here you’ll find options to try fine dining or street food. You can’t leave the country without trying Greek classics like kebabs and moussaka. Tasting all this food will make you want to taste, learn, and see more.

10. Portugal

Like Greece, Portugal also has a Mediterranean influence when it comes to food, but with some Indian and African flair as well. In Portugal, you’ll find you won’t be ordering appetizers or main dishes, but a combination of both. Graze your way through a variety of dishes.

Many people in this part of the world eat fish as part of the countries well-developed fishing industry. Though they know how to cook their seafood, it might be a bit different than your used to. Try their version of sardines, Feijoada (a meat stew with butter beans or kidney) or suckling pig.

If you’re already a seafood lover, the cataplana dish is one you won’t be able to resist. Travel to the coast of Portugal known for Port wine. Open-air markets offer samples of sausages, pastries, produce and cheeses.

Top 10 Countries to Visit for Foodies

People who experience the authentic food while traveling are really experiencing the whole country. These are just some of the top 10 countries to visit if your stomach is looking to try some unique and different dishes.

For more information on traveling, food, and beer, check out our blog. Have questions? Contact us!

Quite a few people like the taste of beer, but they don’t like the way the alcohol content affects them. It’s understandable when you’d rather go without the alcohol even when you’re on vacation. You certainly don’t want to drink and drive when you’re bringing your car to the Washington National Airport parking lot, or when you’re zipping around town in London or Berlin.

But the main problem is that as a general rule, non-alcoholic beers (NABs) are just plain bad. This isn’t even just a matter of opinion, because science has proven it. Most NABs begin as regular beer, and then the brewery heats the beer to get rid of the alcohol. The problem with this approach is that the alcohol is a large part of the taste. When the alcohol disappears, you’re left with a cloying syrupy concoction that seems overly sweet or overly bland.

Fortunately, there are exceptions to this generalization, and you may find some excellent NABs on your travels. Here are some beers you should look for especially if you’re in Europe.

Coors Non Alcoholic

If you’re traveling within the US borders, then you’re pretty much stuck with this as your best option. European NABs will be harder to find unless you stumble upon a beer specialty store. At least the Coors NAB is better than Coors Light.

A. Le Coq Imperial Kvass

You can get this if you’re ever in Estonia, which you can visit for a budget-friendly vacation with the family. This kvass isn’t like regular beer as it’s made in a totally old-school style using dark rye bread with herbs, fruits, saps, and sugars. It’s basically bread that’s been toasted until it caramelized, and then it is turned into liquid. It’s black in color, and the alcohol content is minimal at 0.5%

Kormoran 1 NA 100

Unlike most other NABs, this Polish ale is unfiltered so it has a nice haze to it. It’s also unusually flavorful, as it gets most of its taste from Citra hops and rye malts. It’s a bit stronger at 1% ABV (alcohol by volume), but then finishing even a 6-pack of this won’t get you much of a buzz. The craft brewery in Olsztyn, Poland that makes this uses locally farmed ingredients, and they’re serious even with their NABs.

Kehrwieder ü.NN IPA alkoholfrei

It can be a bit of a mouthful to pronounce. But if you’re an American, people in Germany won’t mind if you say “Keer-vee-der I.P.A. alcohol-free”. IPAs aren’t exactly common in the country, but this brand makes plenty of it and they’ve figured out how to provide full flavor without the alcohol. They’re a very new brand that started in Hamburg in 2015, but beers like this give them a good start.

Vandestreek Bier Playground Alcohol Vrij IPA

It’s funny how we have another IPA here, given that very few India Pale ales are non-alcoholic. This one is Dutch in origin, and you get the carbon fizz and aroma of citrus when you crack open a bottle. The beer is golden and a bit hazy, while the body of the beer is malty and a bit like butter. For a NAB, it’s terrific.

Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Alkoholfrei

This well-known Munich brand claims that this has nutrients, minerals, and electrolytes. So it’s like Gatorade since it’s also alcohol-free, but there’s still the taste of German beer. If you want a different type of drink to quench your thirst after a hard day’s hike in your travels, you may want to try this one.

Mikkeller Drink’in the Sun/Snow

The MIkkeller bran d based in Denmark offers 2 different NABs. The Drink’in the Sun version is great for summer with its refreshing taste of citrus. The Snow version is for winter, as it has seasonal spices and it works like hot cocoa.

So drink these safely and have fun, knowing you won’t make a drunken fool of yourself in a foreign land. Cheers!

For most beer lovers, it would be easier to stick with tried-and-tested beers when they want to unwind. However, if you are tired of drinking the same beer every time, you need to consider making a change. This is a free license to take a friend to the local pubs and try a bunch of different beers to find out which one you like best.

Here are some tips that will come in handy for those looking for a new favorite beer:

Drink up

The only way to know the best beers is by trying different brands. You should not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and see what else is available in the market. Although some bars stock more wines than beers, you can still find pubs with a wide assortment of beer.

If you are truly serious about venturing out of your comfort zone, you need to consider trying a few beers blindfolded. This way, you will not have any preconceived notions about a beer based on its packaging. Make sure that you start tasting the least bitter beers and finish with the bitterest. If you start with the bitterest, you will not be able to taste anything afterwards.

Visit Local Breweries

You need to visit local breweries such as a craft beer brewery to see the brewing process. Depending on where you live, you might have to visit quite a few breweries. There is no better place to visit if you are on the hunt for your new favorite beer.

You should start by finding a brewery that offers 6-8 different beers that visitors can try on tap. If you are new to the world of beer tasting, you should not be afraid to ask questions. However, you need to visit a brewery during off-peak times if you want to catch a bartender’s attention.

Find Beer Geeks

If you want to explore the world of beers, you should hit up your favorite bartender and ask for advice. If you have a favorite local beverage store, you should look for the individual who makes the beer-buying decisions. You can also make friends with people who frequent your favorite pub.

This way, you can learn from people who enjoy drinking beer as much as you do. Of course, if you are serious about learning more, you should make friends with beer geeks first instead of treating them like encyclopedias. You can break the ice by buying a round of beer for them.

Choose a Drinking Pal

Of course, it is okay to try new beers on your own but finding a drinking buddy will make the process more fun. For the sake of practicality, it is a good idea to grab a friend to help you in exploring different beers. Not only will you be able to buy more beer and split the costs, but you will also have a person with whom you can discuss the different tastes.

Do Not be Skeptical about Brewpub Chains

If you are willing to find a favorite drink that is off the beaten path, you should not hesitate to visit big brewpub chains. Avoiding such establishments would be a big mistake. Different brewpubs offer different varieties of beer, increasing your chances of finding a new favorite much faster.

Moreover, many brewpubs introduce entry-level beers that most people will enjoy, even people who are new to the world of craft beer.

Whatever method you choose, you will have plenty of chances to find a new favorite. With more breweries popping up by the day, you will never run out of beers to try.