Gourmet Germany, Austria & Switzerland: 2005
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, what are its favorite taste treats?
Figlmueller
At the recommendation of some previous posters, I took some visiting friends to Figlmueller's in the 1st district (around the corner from Zanoni and Zanoni) for schnitzel. They had the biggest and yummiest schnitzel and potato salad I've ever had (and my Viennese husband was impressed as well!) I can highly recommend Figlmueller for excellent quality and delicious Viennese cuisine!
EM
Vienna, USA Fri 12/30/2005
The Best Breakfast on Earth
Anyone traveling through Munich would be remiss in their gustatory duties if they missed eating breakfast at the Tryp Hotel. This hotel is near the Munich city center, and can be easily accessed from either the Theriesienwiese U-Bahn stop or the Hauptbahnhof. To get back the breakfast though, it is the best I've ever had. Almost everything is organic and cooked to perfection. The eggs, bread, and potato pie are highlights of the meal, but the piece de resistance is the yogurt. I'm not talking about Dannon's fruit-on-the-bottom here folks. I'm talking about first-rate, straight from the utter yogurt, which actually has fresh fruit mixed into it. The best part is, this incredible breakfast (which is served buffet style) comes complimentary with a night's stay at the Tryp Hotel. On a scale of one to ten, the breakfast at the Tryp's restaurant is a googleplex.
Gray George <email>
Long Beach, CA USA Fri 12/23/2005
Frankfurt Insider Restaurants
I would like to recommend a couple of very good places to eat in Frankfurt, places I take my international business partners as well as family and friends. Surf&Turf (Gruneburg Park) consider themselves to be the best steak house outside of the US. As far as their meat is concerned that might definitely by true. But the atmosphere, wine selection and the entire rest of the experience there is definitely European! It comes with be best of France, Germany and the US. Great place to dine (quite pricey though) The next one is called Hemingway Lounge (Westhafen)and serves food from every country Ernest Hemingway has ever lived in (e.g. France, Florida, Mexico etc). Fantastic international atmosphere, spectacular roof top outside seating area! And last but not least a very, very local place: Kunze's (Bockenheimer Landstrasse). This very small, family run place only serves local, i.e. Hessian food (e.g. beer goulash, apple wine roast beef etc.) but in a way people not familiar with that kind of food can really enjoy it: In form of tapas, i.e. very small orders that you can combine anyway you want. Every order is around €2 and they've got about 15 items on the menue. So a big sampler of all the local food serving three to four people would only be around €30. Drink Apple Wine with it and dress casually!
Andreas <email>
Frankfurt am Main, Germany Fri 12/02/2005
Specialty Grocers
I'm looking for a Portuguese specialty grocer or resturant in the Wuerzburg area. Does anyone know of anything like this?
Jackie <email>
Wuezburg, Bayern Germany Tue 11/29/2005
Ice cream in Vienna+ Gluehwein
Most of the ice cream places in German-speaking Europe are closed in the colder months. Zanoni and Zanoni in Vienna is open every day of the year. It's always busy with both tourists and locals. They did a remodel last year and now there's more space in their inside section. ZZ is near Stephansdom in the opposite direction of the opera. Batrolotti on Mariahilferstrasse (near the MuseumsQuartier and the NHM and KHM) also sometimes has ice cream in the winter.
I'm not a big Maroni (chestnut) fan myself but if you want some local flavor, Maroni ice cream is something to try, especially in the winter. (You'll also see the Maroni stands all over town for the roasted chestnuts.)
If you're in German-speaking Europe during Advent, don't forget gluehwein-- which you can get at any Christmas market. Don't be surprised to pay a deposit for the use of your cup as they use reusuable and not paper/plastic cups. Locals here enjoy meeting for a gluehwein to warm up during this cold time of year.
EM
Vienna, Austria Sun 11/20/2005
Eat the gelato
I had amazing gelato on the hauptstrasse in Heidelberg. The flavor was called heidelbeer, unbelievable berry flavor. We had 10 scoops of gelato, all in waffle cones, for 7 euro. I can't remember the name of the place, but it is on your right if you are proceeding from the market square to the kaufhof, maybe one third of the way down.
Carrie
Pacific Grove, CA USA Wed 11/09/2005
GELATO in Germany
I think there needs to be a graffiti wall link devoted to the best gelato and ice cream in Europe. Considering that the price for one scoop can vary wildly from 50 cents to a few euro, and high price doesn't indicate high quality... we gelato lovers need a space to air our finds (chocoholics get a link). Besides, there is nothing better (or more memorable) than a wonderful scoop of icecream enjoyed as the sunsets upon your European city of choice.
My favorite pick is in Heilbronn, 45min north of Stuttgart or south of Heidelberg (take the train) or east of Baden Baden (take the Sbahn, probably less than 30min). Get off at the main train station and then walk about 300 meters (maybe less) towards the city center to Del Arte (it's on your left on the same side of the street as the train station). One scoop is only 50 cents... try the cherry with chocolate chunks, or the Raffello, or the roasted candied almond! I'm teacher in Stuttgart and Heilbronn, and all of my students (ie. locals) highly recommend this place, and so do I.
YUMMY and very CHEAP.
Kate McKenzie <email>
Stuttgart, BW Germany Wed 11/09/2005
Interlaken, Switzerland Restuarant
My husband & I had dinner at Stockers Degusta this past May while in Interlaken. Fine dining, white tablecloth & expensive but an excellent meal & worth every penny.
Stephanie <email>
Al USA Sun 09/04/2005
Gourmet Germany?
Gourmet Germany? Didn't you mean Gourmet France? Well here's something you probably didn't think about: Gourmet Holland. That's right Gourmet Holland. Holland has the best food overall anywhere in the world. Everything is real and delicious. Why? They have a properous economy and are quite hip when it comes to enjpying them seleves. Go in a supermarket there and you will find the finest foods anywhere - and cheap too. I got big slices of Brie for US$1.00 that would cost $7.00 in the US.
Lisa
Buffalo, NY USA Sun 08/28/2005
Black Forest Delight
After nearly two weeks of pork in our travels thru southern Germany, we needed a change. We were now in the Black Forest in a small town called Munstertal east of Staufen. The Hotel Lowen in Munstertal has a wonderful roast chicken feast for two (17.50 euros per person). The food, staff and ambiance were exceptional
Rick <email>
Mt. Airy, MD USA Tue 08/23/2005
eating in Bavaria
My husband and I went to Munich last June 05 and altho it was a little cold, we had the time of our lives. We drive, bottom line, drove a little Smartforfour, stayed in a "near airport" hotel (Quality Hotel) for 88 euro a night in the charming little town of Schwaig. Food at the hotel restaurant was the absolute best! Freindly staff and clean.
We did the Dachau prison camp thing, afterwards ate at the Drei Rosen! Great Bavarian cusine, reasonably priced, huuuuggge meals and lovely family oriented and friendly service.
After our Fussen adventure (the castles of course), we meandered into Marktober and ate at the Dubovnik, a Croation Gasthaus. Same caliber as the Drei Rosen however, forgetting that "coke" is not the international word for cola, the waiter thought I asked for a "kroat" which turned out to be a croation tea consisting of hot water, a shot of something and sugar. It was rather pleasant especially after a cold day.
Eating in Munich was better enjoyed by hitting the off beaten paths and the Imbisses. We, of course did the touristy Hofbrauhaus where the food was typical of a european bar and grill, the waiter was a jerk, gave us our "zahlen" before we asked and then scorned us for not tipping him yet. We weren't finished so we had planned on tipping him late. Don't think we will do that again. We ate at a lovely Italian restaurant in the Mareinplatz of Freising, that too was great.
Sample the land, that is all we got to say. Have an open mind and be prepared to be blown away!
Janet <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Thu 08/18/2005
Restaurant in Munich
My father and I were staying in Munich and just stumbled upon a really cheap restaurant not far from our hotel (Europäisher Hof, right across from the main train station, Hauptbahnhof). It was called "Weltwirtschaft" and is located at Schwanthalerstraße 80, telephone number 089-85637551. Really cheap beer, great Käsespätzle.
Ken <email>
Dunedin, FL USA Thu 08/18/2005
Retaurant Lenz in Munich
We stayed at the Hotel Uhland in Munich in May 2005...we had a great stay! A restaurant called "Lenz" was recommended to us, it was just a short walk from the Hotel Uhland. The food was delicious & we sat next to a British couple we had never met before, but we had a great converstaion (started when I recognized White Radish in my dinner salad). A great dinner, great conversation, great service...
Susan <email>
Port Orchard, WA USA Wed 08/17/2005
restaurant
We just came back from Munich and had a great meal not too far from our hotel, Hotel Uhland (which is recommended on this site and was very nice). For reasonably priced, good Greek food try Egnatia on Schmellerstrasse 17 (the appetizers are especially good- homemade yogurt, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, etc). You can walk from the Uhland (maybe 15 minutes) or take a cab.
Carolyn M
Berwyn, PA USA Mon 08/15/2005
Saturday Markt in Vienna
In Vienna we visited the Saturday market (unfortunately we had eaten breakfast first....BIG mistake!!). But we were able to buy some things to bring home: Traubensaft (a kind of non-alcoholic grape juice) & some "Bacon-Wrapped Apples." The apples were dried & the bacon was cured. The apples were packaged so that we could bring them home, heat them up in a pan (no oil necessary)... Delicious as a side dish!
Also, we stayed at Pension Suzanne & just down the street (away from the Opera House) was a great little Italian place. Excellent spaghetti carbonara!!!
Susan <email>
Port Orchard, WA USA Tue 08/09/2005
GREAT restaurant in Salzburg
We ate at Saran Essbar at 5020 Salzburg, Judengasse 10. The food was made fresh and it was incredibly good, with nice sized portions. It was a very nice dining experience and we highly recommend it!
Konni <email>
Bay Point, CA USA Sun 07/31/2005
Murren, Switzerland
Our teens insisted on Chinese Food after weeks of Italian/Swiss dinners. We opted for a tiny non-descript place in Murren with waving cats in the window, thinking we (the adults) would suffer through it. Surprise! The chef is fantastic--believe he once worked for a 5 star hotel. The sweet/sour chicken was the best we have ever had--anywhere-- and the other dishes were excellent. Everyone voted to go again the next evening with the same results. You can't miss it, there is only one Chinese restaurant in that small town.
Amart
USA Thu 06/30/2005
Great pasta in Munich
Recently we returned from a wonderful travel experience in Europe. While in Munich we became disenchanted with German food. We asked the clerk at our hotel (Hotel Deutsches Theater on Landwehrstrasse) if she knew of a good Italian restaurant. She suggested LaVecchia Masseria. It was excellent and only about a three minute walk from the hotel. Truly a great find for Rick's travelers.
A. Kuhn <email>
Webster, N. Y. USA Tue 06/21/2005
Great Ethnic Food Choices in Berlin
Berlin has a wonderful offering of world class restaurants with a wide assortment of ethnic offerings at very reasonable prices. One of our favorites was Amy's Malaysia on Wilmersdorfer Str. 79. If you're unfamiliar with Malysian, tell Amy what you like and she'll make a recommendation you'll be happy with. I'm still dreaming of the good food we had there!
P. Lagano <email>
Clearwater, FL USA Fri 05/27/2005
Gelato
Oops, I mis-spelled Hauptbahnhof in my message re gelato. My apologies.
Jean Vernon <email>
Oroville, WA USA Mon 05/09/2005
Gelato
You needn't give up top-notch gelato when leaving Italy. In Munich we discovered the Gelato Bar on the park bordering the Isar River. Frank, the owner, (speaks English) learned the art from an Italian master and is a master himself. The address is Wittelsbacher Str. 16. From Hauftbahnhof take bus #58 to the Baldeplatz stop. Face the river and turn right, you will immediately see the big ice cream cone on the sidewalk. From Marienplatz take U-bahn #6 to Goetheplatz, then #58 bus to Baldeplatz. Stroll the riverpark with your gelato or eat inside with a cup of Ille coffee.
Jean Vernon <email>
Oroville, WA USA Mon 05/09/2005
Eating in Kandersteg
I would like to recommend the half board at the Hotel Chalet Adler in Kandersteg Switzerland. The food was creative and delicious. The chef was even willing to share the recipe. Also, the owners serve a free drink and snacks to guests staying on Sunday nights. A wonderful way to meet other travelers and exchange stories and information.
Sherry
St. Louis, MO USA Tue 05/03/2005
Best Restaurant/Winery on the Rhein
We've stayed at Gasthaus Stahl in Oberwesel several times and we are never disapointed. The food is superb!! Mouthwatering. As close to German gourmet I've ever had in Germany (lived here for nearly 2 years). The owners also have ran a winery for several generations. The wine is good if you enjoy German whites. The young owner speaks very good English and all are very welcoming. Guests are encouraged to tastes the wines in the wein keller unsupervised. We had a great time visiting with other guests around the world and drinking great wine. Oberwesel is between Bacharach and St. Goar -- perfect spot for jumping on the boat. Local castle tours are worth a look as well as numerous other wineries. The yellow flowers in the fields in May are lovely and the white asparagus is to die for. Guten appetit!
Holly <email>
Stuttgart DE, USA Sun 04/24/2005
Weingut am Stein, Wurzburg
For my birthday, my husband took me to Weingut am Stein above the city of Wurzburg. It was wonderful--definitely a special occasion place, but worth every euro. If anyone is going to Wurzburg, I have lots of restaurant recommendations.
Carolyn Griffin <email>
Pacific Grove, CA USA Mon 04/11/2005
desserts
Just returned from Vienna and a dessert stop at Cafe Mozart behind the opera house is a must. Confirms that Vienna is the dessert capital of the world!!
Tony Ambrose <email>
Louisville, KY USA Thu 03/17/2005
Swiss Musts
I spent my junior year in Switzerland as an exchange student, and there are so many awesom Swiss foods. If you go to Switzerland, you HAVE to try Racklette (my fave), Roesti, Bichermuesli, Sopf (a braided bread....it's so delicious), and of course, Fondue. For cheap meals, try Migros, the local grocery store. There you can buy tasty bread and rolls without having to buy a whole pack. You can also get singles of cheese, and yogurt (I recommend the in-store brand for .55sfr...better than anything you can get in the U.S.). There are also cheap drinks, chocolate, whatever you need to make a complete meal. That's where all the locals go for lunch and you can get by on about 5sfr per person. I recommend doing lunches this way.
Ema
WA USA Tue 03/15/2005
All aboard
The Food at many Train stations is good I thought Munich's had great food deals.
USA Wed 03/02/2005
Hackepeter
We were just in Berlin. My husband & son ordered Hackepeter. The description said pork, onion and egg. We were hungry and it sounded good. It came. It was raw ground pork, raw onion and raw onion. i tasted it and thought it was OK, but I was glad I ordered Soljanka soup instead.
Karen Herreid <email>
Austin, MN USA Wed 03/02/2005
Chinese Restuarant/Bacharach,Germany
Arriving in Bacharach late in the afternoon my daughter & I were just too tired to make decisions about eating & decided to have dinner at our hotel. What a great decision! The food was wonderful & plentiful as in any Chinese restuarant. We discussed why are we eating chinese in Germany but decided after our travels it was one of if not the best meals we had in our entire 3 week trip. The hotel was Burg Stahleck & the restuarant on premise was the Elegant Garten. We both decided we've never had chinese food this good.
Stephanie <email>
Trussville, Al USA Tue 02/22/2005
Chanterelle Menu in Beilstein
Taking a suggestion from one of Rick's guide books, we went to Restaurant Hans Lipmann in Beilstein Germany. They had a whole menu of chanterelle mushroom dishes. My mouth is watering just recalling the meal - porkmedalions, spaetzle and a bowl of chanterelles in white wine sauce, eaten under huge grapevines overlooking the Mosel. This was my favorite meal in two months of traveling about Europe last summer.
Nina <email>
Westport, NY USA Mon 02/21/2005
frozen lemons
IN Haarlem, not far from Hotel Joop,is a very nice place called Cafe Caruso.For supper I had the lamb and pasta, very nice but the dessert stole the show. A frozen lemon filled with lemon gelato. There is also an orange version but I can't tell you how good that is. The lemon is superb. Try it
susan bennett <email>
oakland, ca USA Sat 02/12/2005
G?sser Bierlink
Em: The G?sser Bierlink really is good. I eat there every time I visit Wien. Since you are living in Wien, give the Spatznnest a try--excellent food and the outdoor dining in spring and summer is fantastic. It is off Burgasse, right next to an old church.
Alex <email>
Eugene, OR USA Fri 02/11/2005
K?ln Food
The food in K?ln was great,one of my favorites was Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten at Frankenwerft 19. From Heunmarkt go north and toward the river.
Jeff
Cincinnati, OH USA Tue 02/01/2005
Vienna
I am an American living in Vienna with my Austrian husband.In an earlier posting I recommended Cafe Servus, one of our favorites. I would also like to recommend a place we tried for the first time this week. It's the Goesser Bierklinik. Excellent Austrian food, not expensive, great service, child-friendly (we were dining with our infant)-- and most unusual for Austrian restaurants in this city-- they had a non-smoking room which is totally separated from smoking. You just head down the Graben towards Julius Meinl and make a right and it's a few hundred feet away and one left turn down the street.
EM
Vienna, Austria Fri 01/28/2005