German Food

A guide to German Food and Eating in Germany

Like all European countries, Germans have their own habits and traditions when it comes to eating. German food, like Italian food or French food, has its own quirks and unusual aspects.

Read on for a guide to German food and the German way of eating

German Food - Breakfast

The classic German breakfast consists of a variety of breads and rolls, honey, jam, and coffee or tea. For those who prefer a savoury start to the day cheese and cold meats are also served. For a more lavish breakfast you may also be offered a boiled egg, yoghurt or quark (a very popular cream cheese), fruit and muesli or cornflakes.

German Food - Lunch

Traditionally the midday meal is eaten quite early (between twelve and one o'clock) and is the main meal of the day. More often than not it consists of potatoes, vegetables and meat. In Catholic areas no meat was eaten on Fridays with a fish or egg dish being served instead.

German Food - Afternoon

On Sundays an additional snack is often served in the afternoon. A variety of cakes are prepared and offered to family and friends. In Germany you will often be invited "zum Kaffeetrinken" (meaning coffee and a substantial intake of cake) rather than lunch or dinner. The cakes that are served depend largely on the season. In summer, for instance, you might be getting a freshly made plum or strawberry cake (Pflaumenkuchen, Erdbeerboden) whereas in winter you might be offered a Christstollen or Früchtebrot which are both made with dried rather than fresh fruit. The variety of cakes available in Germany is countless and some have become quite well known outside Germany, like the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau) and Apfelstrudel.

German Food - Dinner

The dinner is often eaten at about six o'clock. As the name suggests (Abendbrot, literally evening bread), it is usually a cold meal served with different kinds of bread, a selection of cheese, cold meat and salad. A small hot dish (often leftovers or a soup) may also be served. Many people take black or herbal tea with the meal.

 German Food - A Guide to German Food