Germany & Austria

Best and worst restaurants:

Best: KIimatisiert Markthalle
Why: This isn't really a "gourmet" recommendation, but after living here in Freiburg, my husband and I discovered a place that only the locals and "in-the-know" tourists go to. It's called Klimatisiert Markthalle, located near Martinstor and is essentially an inerior food court with veeeeery inexpensive and well-made food, including regional speciallties, Alsatian cuisine, Bio (organic) food, crepes, and even a counter devoted to champagne, allowing you to try different flights of champagne. All in all, they offer sushi, Persian, Chinese, Italian, Greek, a specialty dessert counter, Crepes, Brasilian, a wine stand to sample regional and select wines, and Austrian specialties. My husband and I ate a full menu, plus wine and spent under €7 (we were completely stuffed afterwards!). The ambience isn't exactly striking or spectacular, but it is also an interesting market, full of Lebanese and Indian foods, as well as cheeses, fish, meats, etc. you can buy for picnics. Highly recommended, especially for any students coming to Freiburg or tourists on a budget.

S & J in Freiburg, BW Germany 06/25/2008

Best: Vienna's wine garden
Why: If you enjoy wine, this is a must. Very atmospheric and relaxing. Inexpensive food and wine and they serve different wines. I thought that they only served sturm and luckily that is not true. Also, in Frankfurt, visit the sachsenhausen district. We visited Adolf Wagner and it was great

mike in tempe, az USA 06/22/2008

Worst: Pschorrbräu restaurant in Viktualienmarkt - Munich
Why: Ate there this past April and it was horrible. My wife had Wienerschnitzel and potatos - dry and tasteless. I had beef tips and they were tough, over-done, and the sauce tasted burnt. We each had a beer - no dessert. The bill was over $60.00! First bad meal I ever had in Germany.

Steve in Richmond, VA USA 06/21/2008

Best: Wilder Mann, Salzburg
Why: Cute place, good food. First waitress was a bit testy and unhelpful; her replacement was fantastic, helping us to make changes in the menu.

Jack in Newtown Square, PA USA 06/18/2008

Best: Prinz Myshkin, Munich
Why: Very interesting menu and outstandingly delicious food.

Barbara in Eikenberry, CA USA 05/23/2008

Best: Alte Haus Bacharach
Why: Great food in a beautiful old building. Friendly staff.

Kate Buechler in Winnipeg, MB Canada 05/22/2008

Best: Ritterstuben-Fuessen; Gasthof Goldener Greifen & Zur Goldenen Rose - both in Rothenburg
Why: All 3 great restaurants with good prices. Delicious food, terrific service, and pleasant ambience. Highly recommend!

Amy in Wiesbaden, Germany 05/17/2008

Best: Saran Essbar, Salzburg
Why: Mr. Saran was fantastic, very accommodating and the food was excellent. This tucked away little restaurant had a great feeling to it and the food was terrific. I would recommend it, Thanks Rick for putting this place in your book.

Jennifer in Seattle, WA USA 04/29/2008

Best: Goldener Rose and Zum Mohren, Reutte
Why: Great atmosphere, great food, friendly service

Debra Livak in Boise, ID USA 04/20/2008

Best: Cafe Mozart
Why: Genuine Austrian quality!

Worst: Saran's Essbar, Salzburg
Why: Awful food!

Sandra in St. Charles, MO USA 03/14/2008

Best: Hofbrahaus
Why: Beer, wurst, and oompah band - you can't beat it, even if it is touristy!

Robert Villigram in St. Louis, MO USA 02/28/2008

Best: Cafe Adler(recommended in older books) - across from Checkpoint Charlie
Why: Cozy German atmosphere(minus the smoke will be nice!)...Great food for all in our party. Even the kids enjoyed Nurnburgers, pasta, even breakfast(until 5). Plus, most of the "tourists" are eating at Subway next door!

Tina Cox in Erlangen(formerly Lynchburg, VA), VA germany 01/08/2008

Best: "Herzl," the less expensive cafe in the Goldener Hirsch
Why: We had a very delicious Christmas Eve meal at Herzl. Not much is open on Christmas Eve in Salzburg, as this is their most holy evening which they spend with their families.

We reserved ahead a couple of months for this dinner and it was exceptional. Before dinner we went to Oberndorf, with Bob's Tours, for the Silent Night outting. It's a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve afternoon and evening.

One other mention is Stiftskeller St. Peter where we watched the Mozart concert and had dinner on Christmas night. The concert was excellent, very enjoyable, but the dinner was not good. Some people at our table sent back each course except dessert. We quietly ate it, but were very disappointed in the meal. I would return for the concert,which was so enjoyable, and beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Worst: Spagetti & Co.
Why: The pizza here is horrible. We had excellent pizza and soup earlier in Salzburg at Zum Mohren on Judengasse.

Lorrie in Cincinnati, Oh USA 01/07/2008

Best: La Provence, Baden-baden
Why: Quiet, romantic... Fantastic, unique French inspired food.

Worst: The place with the arrow on the map in Koln
Why: The place with the arrow on the map (somewhat near the train station)... never could find it....

Dane Kantner in Chicago, IL USA 11/28/2007

Best: Zum Finstern--Vienna
Why: You will have to really search for this restaurant as they have no sign. It is in a wonderful old building and supposedly Mozart performed there at a young age. Great food, friendly staff, full of locals, and not espensive. We loved it.

Worst: Wrenkh--Vienna
Why: This restaurant gets good reviews from many guide books. We found it to be a disappointing dining esperience. The food was less than mediocre and waiter had a surly attitude. He ignored us completely. My salad never arrived--except on the bill. We did not leave any tip needless to say. We felt like we had intruded on someone's private party.

Susan Jennings in Atlanta, Ga USA 11/25/2007

Best: Gaststube Puerstner - Vienna
Why: This restaurant is not in Rick's book - I found it on a local Vienna dining site. The interior of the restaurant is very authentic and it seemed we were the only tourists there. My 17 year old daughter still raves about her favorite dish on our entire trip, mastochsenbraten (meat stuffed w/ham & cheese). She refused to give out any more bites to family members and ate quickly (she knew better). We over-ordered as the portions are very large. This restaurant is about 4 blocks behind St. Stephan's Cathedral. Address: 1010 Wien Riemergasse 10, #0043-1-5126357, www.puerstner.com. The host was friendly and they did have a menu in English that I had to resort to (my German only goes so far!)

Sandra Potter in Arlington, TX USA 11/20/2007

Best: 12 Apostles in Berlin
Why: We enjoyed eating at this very busy restaurant near the Savigny Platz SBahn stop. The food and atmosphere were excellent and the service was very good; it's a good idea to make a reservation to get a table. Try the group pasta dinner that is served for 4 people -- it is amazing.

H Bartholomew and T Brown in Pittsburgh, PA USA 11/13/2007

Best: La Vecchia Masseria
Why: Good food and nice on the wallet.

Brian Autke in Asheville, NC USA 11/10/2007

Best: The Menza in Budapest
Why: The food was good, the service was fine and the whole restaurant was enjoyable.

Robert and Janet Reiner in Sierra Vista, AZ USA 10/17/2007

Best: Most anywhere
Why: Must have had Wiener Schnitzel dail and all were good-don't have to go to a fancy restaurant to get good schnitzel. Also, there are Anker and Der Mann bakeries everywhere that serve great pastries and sandwiches for not much money.

John & Susan in St Petersburg, FL USA 10/08/2007

Best: The restaurant at Hotel Rathausgloeckel in Baden Baden and Stuber Restaurant at the Rhein Hotel in Bacharach
Why: We were in Germany during chantarelle season. The restaurant a Hotel Rathausgloeckel is excellent and has a special section on their menu devoted to chantarelle dishes. We actually ate here twice and everything was delicious. The Stuber restaurant in Bacharach was also very good and very reasonably priced. We sat out on the terrace and the trains didn't bother us a bit. It was raining when we were there and during our meal a rainbow appeared. The rainbow ended right on the Rhein River. It was a beautiful and magical experience.

Aimee in Anaheim, CA USA 09/26/2007

Best: Vienna, Kuck Kuck restaurant
Why: Pension Nossek recommended it for our anniversary dinner. A darling bistro with about 10 tables, fabulous service and delicious food and wine.

Cheryl & Bob in Vancouver, WA USA 09/25/2007

Best: Saran Essbar restaurant in Salzburg
Why: Very good food. Owner/waiter was very nice, good and very helpful and friendly. Excellent recommendation and would go there again. He mentioned Rick Steves had been there 3 times last year.

travelfan in Washington, DC USA 09/24/2007

Best: Altstadt-Cafe Alter Keller
Why: The food was excellent and the waitress, who spoke a little English, was so very helpful, giving us the English Menu immediately and further taking an effort to answer our culinary questions. )My wife wanted to know how to make these delicious Germany dishes; unfortunately calling for fresh ingredients not easily found at home.)

John S Treadwell in McDonough, GA USA 09/22/2007

Best: Augutiner Beer Garden
Why: Best beer in Germany! Great wait staff, good food!

Jamie Galis in Southlake, TX USA 09/14/2007

Best: Weisses Brauhaus and Vikturalienmarkt
Why: Great local places. If there were tourists-I didn't notice!

Alex Griffin in Danville, Ky USA 08/19/2007

Worst: Stuber Restaurant in Bacharach (Rhein Hotel)
Why: The food gave both of us indigestion!! The waitstaff was unfriendly...close to rude, even though the chef passed through with greetings, which was nice. A table out on the terrace is definitely NOT fun when trains pass close by every 10-15 minutes. Would not return...there are many other good places to eat in Bacharach.

Kathy Weeks in Portland, OR USA 08/15/2007

Best: Alte Mainmuhle in Wurzburg
Why: We ate there twice and had great food both times. The view out on the deck was wonderful. You could look out at the Mainbrucke (bridge on the Main River), up at the Marienberg Fortress, or across to the river and watch the barge traffic pass. We met a German couple there and have kept in touch with them since by email. They said that we had picked a great place to eat, too. "No," I said, "Rick Steves did it for us!"

Gary Hoffman in Baldwin, WI USA 07/30/2007

Best:
Why: I am in Vienna now if there are anyone with questions let me know. It is raining, so I am hotel bound. Been here many times so don't mind. Also there was a major heat wave (Very Unusual) of 95+++F even reached 104F three days ago.

AB in Vienna, Austria 07/24/2007

Best: Blobergerhof in Salzburg
Why: The quality of the food in this relatively unassuming inn on the outskirts of Salzburg was nothing short of amazing! We were quite shocked by the superb flavors and attention to detail of our mother-daughter hosts. Their restaurant can compete with any in Salzburg, and at reasonable prices as well.

Gary Fremerman in Falls Church, VA USA 07/10/2007

Best: Burgwachter in Nuremburg
Why: WHile it was quite a walk from our B&B, it's food, atmosphere, German cuisine, vine-covered patio was the best of our trip. In the shadow of the castle was all the more romantic. Trust the maps/street address. A little hard to find, but worth it.

howard sears in houston, tx USA 07/07/2007

Best: Berlin: Marche; Rothenburg: Lotus China, Pizzeria Roma; Reutte: Non Solo Pasta; Dresden: Wenzel Prager Bierstuben
Why: Great food and prices -- Lotus China had the best Chinese food we have ever eaten. Please note that Non Solo Pasta does not take credit cards. We were just about out of euros on our last night of the trip -- I had to walk to a Geldautomat to get cash.

Marianne Sullivan in Newark, DE USA 07/04/2007

Best: Zanoni and Zanoni Gelato, Vienna
Why: Nothing can describe how good gelato tastes on a 90 degree afternoon in Vienna...the Nutella flavor was heavenly, and the fruit flavors were outstanding as well. Lots of people there, but don't let that discourage you, the line goes fast and there's plenty of shaded seating. Perfect!

Laura in Seattle, WA USA 06/25/2007

Best: Pizzeria Roma
Why: We arrived late and hoofed it across town (15 minutes!) to Pizzeria Roma because they were still open at 11PM. Great restaurant! Excellent pizza, good service, great table wine. Pasta al forno (baked - I just butchered the spelling on that dish...) was awesome. There's another Italian place, very close to Hotel Kloster-Stuble (name escapes me) that was okay but Pizzeria Roma is alot better if you don't mind the walk (my 10-year old was exhausted so this was an issue for us late that evening).

Sandra Potter in Arlington, TX USA 06/16/2007

Best: Wirtshaus Goldene Rose
Why: The best dinner we had in Germany. The owner went out of his way to make all the guests feel special even giving us a DVD of the area.

Linda Bell in Sewell, NJ USA 06/12/2007

Best: Beisl - Vienna
Why: Asking the hotel for a beisl recommendation worked out really well - the place they suggested had good food at good prices.

Worst: Salzburg - Biergarten die Weisse
Why: Went on a Monday & the place was packed with locals. However, service was terrible - they brought my wife's main course after I had finished my main course. The waiter was completely unapologetic about the situation. When I mentioned it, he shrugged and said "that's Austria for you" (the service we had elsewhere in Salzburg and in Vienna was fine).

Nigel Bradbury in Toronto, ON Canada 06/06/2007

Best: Hotel Kloster-Stuble
Why: Fantastic service, great menu. Eat outside if the weather is nice, one can have a great view of the countryside.

Rachel Tagge in Burke, VA USA 06/06/2007

Best: Saran Essbar -Salzburg, Austria and Braugasthof in Hallstatt
Why: Great chicken curry...and the apple strudel was the best I had in Germany!! Braugasthoff is now run by Mrs. Lobbiser! Same as the hotel. It was great! EXCELLENT FOOD...it is the place to be at night there!! Lots of people hanging out and having a good time!

Taj in Sarasota, FL USA 05/29/2007

Best: San Marino Restaurant, Berlin
Why: Excellent food, reasonable price and Easy to find

Patti Siwajek in Toledo, oh USA 05/20/2007

Best: Weinhaus Happ,Weisses Rossl,Innsbruck
Why: Excellent food and wine and service in a very nice setting

Mike dela Pena in Shingle Springs, Ca USA 05/15/2007

Best: St. Paul's Stub 'n Beer Garden
Why: Great environment. Didn't seem touristy and the food was excellent.

Peggy in Nashville, TN USA 05/04/2007

Best: Augustiner Braustubl
Why: The food was very cheap, and the beer was very good. I loved the family atmosphere. We ate inside one night and outside the next. This was the best restaurant overall!

Susan Myers in Chesnee, SC USA 04/20/2007

Best: Hofbrauhaus in Munich
Why: The festive environment, huge pretzels/beers, and pig knuckles.

Russ and Mandy in San Diego, CA USA 04/15/2007

Best: Prince Myshkin (Munich)
Why: Great veggie food, friendly, english menu,

Worst: Donisl (Munich)
Why: They totally ignored us. We left after awhile

janet Archibald in San Francisco, CA USA 04/08/2007

Best: Hotel Maingau
Why: Some of the best food I have had anywhere (perhaps I need to get out more!). Seriously, Rick mentions this as perhaps a great way to spend your last dinner, and he was so right! Class restaurant, class service, and brilliant menu of food/wines. A must for those Culinary aficionados...

Eric Eiss in Rockford, IL USA 03/19/2007

Best: Hotel Frankenturm in Trier
Why: We didn't stay there, but the restaurant was recommended by a local as being authentic German. Loved the dinners, the wine, the waitress (Wanda), the atmosphere, and best of all, an incredibly fair price. Highly recommended.

Brien Muller in Ballston Spa, NY USA 03/06/2007

Best: Loved so many of your fine picks!
Why: Hotel Gerberhaus gets the award for best breakfasts on the whole trip trumping the Hotel Adlon's in Berlin. One of the finest Chinese meals of my life was at Lotus China in Rothenberg and I grew up in a family of Chinese chefs (the chef must be from the Pearl River Basin where my family hails from, in Canton).

Worst: Dinner at Rheinfels Castle Hotel
Why: Our reservations were at 6:30 due to our 6 yo twins. Dinner arrived at 8:00 pm because a Japanese tour group arrived and ordered after us (we observed the discussion which was in English). The staff did speed the twins their selections but it was agony for all as we waited and waited.

Bonnie Seto in San Rafael, CA USA 11/29/2006

Best: Hofbrauhaus
Why: It was quite an experience. The food was excellent and of course the dunkels bier was not to be matched.

Roger Streu in Springfield, IL USA 11/20/2006

Best: Bosna Stand and Frauenberger in Salzburg, Misch Frisch in Fussen.
Why: The man at the Bosna Stand was fun to talk with and the sausages were very tasty.

We enjoyed the food at Frauenberger but what really made it special for us was the friendliness of our waitress, Regina.

We loved Misch Frisch for the good food and being able to get exactly what we wanted without paying for more than we could eat.

Kathy and Jim in Oakdale, MN USA 11/11/2006

Worst: Riva Bar Pizzeria (Munich)
Why: My young son and I showed up on a Thursday evening in early November -- a busy night but we were promised a table in twenty-five minutes. We sat at the bar and watched the host seat one group after another, especially attractive young women, while we waited. He came over and said "five more minutes" and then continued to ignore us, seating several groups who arrived well after us. After an hour plus, when my son asked "Why is it taking so long?" I had to agree and we left. Even taking into account a popular night out and reasonable favoritism towards regulars over one-time tourists, this was inexcusable. If they want to cater to the trendy Munich crowd they have every right, but in that case, they don't deserve to have tourist business steered their way. I have used your books since my first trip abroad in 1991 (and I take at least one trip a year) and have never before gone wrong with one of your recommendations. It may be too late to remove Riva from your 2007 guide but would strongly urge you to remove it for 2008.

John Bologna in Greenwich, CT USA 11/07/2006

Worst: Barfusser Beer Cellar, Nurnberg
Why: From the moment we sat down, the waiter treated us horribley. My brother tried using German, which seemed to piss him off and he acted like he didn't understand, so then my brother tried to ask him how to say "menu" in German, (both in German and English), to which he pulled out his pocket book for us to pay and yelled at us to get out. Another off-duty waitress observing the situation came over to try and help and explained to him that we were simply trying to ask how to say "menu" to which he nodded and acted like everything was going to be okay but then still refused to take our food order. After another twenty minutes of this we paid up and left without ever getting to order food. We've traveled all over Europe and are very quiet respectful Americans that try and use the language but this guy acted horribley from the beginning and no one else in the restaurant made any effort to correct the problem, (the woman who assisted us at first never made a point to make sure that things worked out alright). We realize that this experience may be unique, but if you hear this repeatedly then maybe there is a problem with this restaurant...

Olivia in Folsom, CA USA 11/02/2006

Worst: Gastoff auner in Halstatt
Why: the waiter was so full of attitude - I asked a local which restaurant was the best - she said this one and when I said we had been there and the waiter was terrible - she said you are so right - he ruins the whole experience. The other Hallstatt restaurant recommended in Rick's book is under new managment and only adequate. Fo to Weissen Lam - full of locals and our best Austrian meal

Barb in Vancouver, BC Canada 11/01/2006

Best: Altfrankische Weinstube am Klosterhof
Why: Superb food, excellent service

Worst: Altes Haus
Why: Everyone(in the entire restaurant) got fed at the same time...after sitting for up to an hour and a quarter. Food was o.k. I asked several Bacharach residents what the problem was, and the consistent reply was "the guy" did everything himself, with virtually no kitchen help. I wouldn't go back if the food was free!!

Steve Walker in Kamuela, Hi USA 10/29/2006

Best: Altkolnischer in Bacharach,Glocke Weinkellers in RothenburgZumwilderMann in Salzburg
Why: All provided great value,excellant friendly service and outstanding food.

jack in Sheboygan, Wi USA 10/27/2006

Best: Hotel Alpenstuben in Hohenschwangau
Why: Right at the foot of Neuschwanstein, this former farmhouse was owned by the same family before both castles were built in the 18th century. Great food and friendly waiters. They were open in the evening even when others in Hohenshwangau were closed. Check out their website at http://www.alpenstuben.de.

Judy & Mark Anthony in Dallas, TX USA 10/21/2006

Best: hackerhaus and restaurant lenz
Why: English menus and very friendly staff.lenz right around the corner from hotel uhland.

sbraggins in tampa, fl USA 10/17/2006

Best: Plachutta Restaurant, Vienna
Why: Excellent service and wonderful food. Pleasant atmosphere. Price was high, but well worth it.

Worst: Frauenberger, Salzburg
Why: Service was slow and and waitress was overworked and frustrated. Food was poor. My wife's salmon was inedable.

David Lermond in Wilmington, DE USA 10/15/2006

Best: Hallstatt,Hotel Gruner Baum, and Salzburg,Stiftskeller St. Peter's
Why: The Hotel in Hallstatt had a fantastic view of the lake, and their lake trout was fabulous. Elegant room. In Salzburg, the courtyard cafe at the St. Peter's church was beautiful, wonderful setting.Don't forget to order the Salzburg Nockerel for dessert - feeds 4.

Bob and Janet James in Smiths Falls, ON Canada 10/11/2006

Best: Weisses Brauhaus, Munich
Why: Food and prices good; Caroline.

Walt Keller in Malibu, CA USA 09/25/2006

Best: Monsoon, in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg
Why: I know it's not in the book, but worth a mention. Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. Came across the place purely by smell while walking down Danziger Strasse. Just ridiculously good tandoori. Service was very friendly and led to a nice chat with the nighr manager, an Indian-born man who had lived in the US and was now running a computer business in Berlin during the day. Just the sort of combination of local "flavor" we hope for when we travel - and Indian and an American in Berlin. What a planet.

Craig Dandurand in Sacramento, CA USA 09/09/2006

Best: Zum Pulverer, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Why: Not listed in the guidebook but it should be. Very interesting interior with woodwork installed at the time Rothenburg was first becoming a tourist town around 1905. Chairs carved in the shapes of famous historical figures. Great fresh salads and inexpensive warm meals. A nice, quiet location away from the crowds, located near the Burgtor at the entrance to the castle garden. Open daily. Also, the mention of 'Hell' as 'touristy' is not fair. This is still one of the very best places to eat in Rothenburg and the assertion that it is 'touristy' does not paint the correct picture. Sure, the place is popular but it is because of the excellent food, service and wonderful atmosphere.

Worst: Any restaurant around the market square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Why: Horrid food and the staffs of these place do not care if you ever come back. For the best food, get into the back streets and away from the market square. Also, none of the places on Hafengasse between the square and the Rodertor are worth stopping at.

James Derheim in Sarasota, FL USA 09/06/2006

Worst: Riva Bar Pizzaria in Munich
Why: The wait staff is slow and disorganized. We were there around 7pm and never left until 9:30. I never got the pizza I ordered (waiter forgot to put in the order) and the replacement pizza, supposedly ready in 5 min took a full 30 minutes. We ended up leaving and taking our pizza back to the hotel in a box. My salad was great, my son reported his pasta good but the pizza was average.

Maxine Weber in Merion Station, PA USA 09/04/2006

Best: BurgerKeller in Rothenburg
Why: Found it to be every bit as good as Rick's book said. Food was superb, atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Although the sights are compelling at the tables upstairs, take our advice - downstairs is where you will really feel welcome especially if the crowds thin out. Harry made us feel that we were eating at his family table. Just wonderful !!!!!

Hanora Sarro in Yorktown Hts , NY USA 08/10/2006

Best: Kurcafe in Fuessen
Why: Excellent offerings that remain true to the region but are not the heavy German cuisine that can become tiring quickly. A lot of good use of seasonal items. The service was attentive, friendly, and just all around first rate.

Steve Huyck in Flossmoor, IL USA 08/09/2006

Best: Hotel Kurcafe, Fussen Germany
Why: Fantastic white asparagus soup, although we were the youngest folks in there by 4 decades! Also, the only pizza place in Bacharach. Their Italian food is incredible!

Worst: wine garden in Bacharach
Why: not the worst, just didn't enjoy the wine tasting. Most were too bitter for us. Don't recall the food, but it wasn't bad. It was not crowded, so it wasn't really an experience.

Shannon Hammond in Hoover, Al USA 08/08/2006

Best: Gasthof Zum Greifen, Rothenburg (dinner)
Why: Food was very good and the prices great.

Katherine Tucker in Upper Arlington, OH USA 08/05/2006

Worst: La Bodeguita del Medio Cuban
Why: the food was average at best. tortilla chips out of bag (tasted like stale Tostitos)- nothing really seemed homemade or authentic. Atmosphere average. We have better Cuban food in Minneapolis, MN, USA!

Allison Korell in Minneapolis, MN USA 07/23/2006

Best: Glocke in Rothenburg
Why: The waiter was so very proud of the menu and wine and rightly so - food and wine both excellent!

Vicki Lutrick in Saint Charles, IL USA 07/20/2006

Best: Hotel Haus Lipmann & Schluxen
Why: Eating dinner outdoors on the terrace of the Hotal Haus Lipmann in Beilstein was terrific. The food was good, the wine cheap and the view of the Mosel great. The restaurant at the Gusthof zum Schluxen in Pingwang was perhaps the best restaurant on my visit with terrific meals and a great outdoor atmosphere.

Peter in Salem, OR USA 07/17/2006

Best: Julius Meinl in Vienna and Zur Goldene Rose in Rothenburg
Why: Our favorite lunch in a 3-week trip that included Paris was at the restaurant upstairs in the Julius Meinl grocery store. We had a table that looked down the Am Graben pedestrian street and contrary to Rick's report of the place being stuffy, they treated us like royalty even though we were hot. sticky, and dressed in the dreaded shorts and t-shirts because of the hot weather. Expensive, yes, but a splurge worth every euro.

The Zur Goldene Rose in Rothenburg has a lovely garden terrace out back and both the service and food at dinner were terrific. The walk down from the Marktplatz was a great first introduction to Rothenburg and would also be a good place to escape lunchtime crowds. Cafe Alter-Keller was also good, away from the crowds and a nice respite from the heat at lunchtime.

Worst: Any place that served schneeballs in Rothenburg
Why: Rick is right about these things. Take a picture of them for your scrapbook and then go get some ice cream.

Donna Peck Gaines in Seattle, WA USA 07/14/2006

Best: Hofbrauhaus
Why: Only one we tried from the book, but it was great fun and the German gentlemen that sat behind us were only to glad to help us order off the menu, even though it was in English .

Gary & Mary Nanke in Cedar Rapids, Io USA 07/12/2006

Best:
Why: I don't believe we deliberately searched out restaurants recommended by Ricks. We just ate wherever we were when we got hungry. Nord Sea is a reliable "fast food" spot in Germany. They cook their food continuously-mostly fish dishes, and are reasonably priced. You also don't have to "unwrap" your food as you do at McDonald's. It is served on glass plates. We also saw locals come there to buy fresh fish to take home and prepare.

Mary L. McNair in Katy, TX USA 07/11/2006

Best: Altes Haus, Bacharach; close seconds Hasir, Berlin, Altes Hackerhaus, Munich
Why: Altes Haus had the best pork medallions of the trip and good service. Hasir is very elegant, but casual, restaurant with good food. Altes Hackerhaus was good all three times we ate there. Spatenhaus, Munich, also was good food and good service.

Worst: Weisse Brauhaus, Munich
Why: The food was poorly preprared and the service was terrible. We complained to the manager and he shugged us off.

Fred in Austin, TX USA 06/05/2006

Best: The Twelve Apostles
Why: GREAT food, very reasonable prices, friendly English-speaking waiters who know American culture (for example, they ask you if you want ice in your drinks, which is thoughtful). I highly recommend this place! A tip: if you walk out of the metro stop and don't immediately see the restaurant, go back into the station and walk to the other exit. You should be facing the restaurant right when you walk out the door.

Amy in Par, Fra 05/26/2006

Best: Hotel am Markt, St. Goar on the Rhine
Why: Excellent service, fresh food and wonderfully prepared.

D. Gorski in Minneapolis, MN USA 05/22/2006

Best: Alte Haus in Bacharach
Why: FABULOUS dry Riesling and the roast beef with horseradish sauce was awesome. The kids menus left a lot to be desired, but my kids loved the bitter lemon drink and the white grape juice.

Jenny Anderson in Holland, MI USA 05/12/2006

Best: Altfankische Weinstube am Klosterhof, Rothenburg
Why: The guidebook lists this restaurant as a "dark and smoky pub" which made us want to avoid it. However, it was recommended by other Rick-Steve-Guide groupies that we met in Prague and by our lovely host, Karin Weiss. While it was indeed dark, it was not smoky, had great food, and very economical. Arrived at 6:00 pm as they opened so that we had plenty of time to catch the Night Watchman's Tour.

Kathy Glass in Verona, WI USA 04/29/2006

Best: Weissen beer house, Munich
Why: A lovely place, friendly, with a huge Bavarian menu. A tip: if you do not read German fluently, make sure to ask for an English menu, so that you know what part of the pig you are asking to eat.

Harley Thronson in Fairfax, VA USA 04/16/2006

Best: Restaurant Weisses Kreuz
Why: Very good Austrian and Croatian food, the price was cheap and atmosphere delightful.

Worst: Steinbrau Restraurant
Why: The restaurant was ok, but the Austrian specalties were pricey. This is one of many restaurants in close proximity, and next time I will try something else.

Karoline Neill in Elkton, SD USA 03/20/2006

Best: Burgerkeller in Rothenburg
Why: Great local dish; sausage with lentils and noodles. Fun, lively basement place where the locals like American oldies and Harry will let you peruse his list.

John Charbonnet in Lexington, SC USA 02/19/2006

Best: Hofbrauhaus, Munich
Why: Still the best beerhall and a great bavarian experience. Dining and drinking outdoors at the Viktualmarkt was great as well.

Brian in Pompano beach, FL USA 01/08/2006