How to Order German Food

While Germany is more known for its beer, gingerbread, and sausages; there are a few staple foods that you might want to try out during your visit to Germany. You might be all the more interested if you plan to move here to study or find work! The expats at My Expat Life (MEL) have you covered! Here are some of the most köstlich (tasty) foods you will regularly find in Germany and how to order German food at a restaurant for example.

Traditional German Food

1. Rouladen: Thin slices of beef rolled up with bacon, onions, pickles, and herbs, then braised in a rich red wine sauce. Link to the recipe here.

2. Käsespätzle: A hearty dish of noodles made from flour, eggs, and water, then mixed with cheese and topped with fried onions. Link to the recipe here. 

3. Currywurst: A pork sausage cut into bite-sized pieces, then fried and served with a ketchup-based curry sauce. Link to the recipe here.

4. Kartoffelpuffer: Potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, flour, eggs, and salt, then fried until golden brown. Link to the recipe here.

5. Bratkartoffeln: Diced potatoes fried until crispy and golden brown. Link to the recipe here.

6. Schnitzel: A thin slice of meat, typically veal or pork, breaded and pan-fried. Link to the recipe here.

7. Eintopf: A stew made with meat, vegetables, and potatoes. Link to the recipe here.

8. Sauerbraten: A marinated roast beef that is slowly braised in a sweet and sour sauce. Link to the recipe here. 

9. Brezel: A soft pretzel made from lye-soaked dough. Link to the recipe here. 

10. Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte: A chocolate cake with layers of whipped cream, sour cherries, and kirschwasser liqueur. Link to the recipe here.

Eating in Leipzig

While My Expat Life is being built for expats all over the world, our team presently lives and works in Germany; Leipzig specifically. So we felt it would be relevant to share some of our favorite places to eat and drink her in our little corner of the world.

Burgers & Currywrust

You might be surprised to hear that it’s harder to find a proper burger and currywurst here in Leipzig than you might think. But Big B Burger is consistently a personal favorite. However, its location at one of the busiest tram stations in the southern end of the city means waiting times can climb so we suggest going when you’re less in a hurry. But trust us, it’s worth it!

Schnitzel

Don’t let the ancient website from 1999 fool you, Leo’s is perhaps one of the best places to get a massive schnitzel and sides in town. It sits along a Hotel Drive with several motels and hotels along the road leading to the Main Station. The restaurant also shares the street with other bars and restaurants.

Rouladen, Kartofeln, and Sauerbraten

If you absolutely need to eat like the locals, you should do your best to get to The Auerbachs Keller. Besides having a long history and being the den where Goethe Famously is said to have written Faust; the restaurant is both trusted and beloved by locals and visitors alike. 

Pastries

Nestled in a tiny street corner near the city center is the tony and beautiful Cafe Corso. The family-run bakery has been serving German sweets of all varieties since 1912 and continues to be a beloved spot for those who want to be near the action but without being caught in the bustle of the city center.

While Germany itself is not known for its food on the world stage, these are certainly among some of the best-known favorites.

The Christmas Markets

The German Christmas markets are known worldwide for their beauty and atmosphere. The smell of mulled-wine, fresh waffles, and seasonally spiced food is an unmistakable experience that you won’t easily forget.

Most German cities take enormous pride in their Christmas markets and there is even a competition for most beautiful market that takes place, though this is more for bragging rights than anything else.

Useful German Phrases for Placing Orders

“Kann man mit Karte Zahlen? - May I pay with card?

“Die Karte bitte.” - The menu please.

“Ich hätte gern….” - I would like…

“Einmail…Zweimal…Dreimal….” - one of (such and such); two of (such and such); etc.

“Die Rechnung bitte” - the bill, please!

“Zusammen oder Getrennt”? - together or separate. When it comes time to pay if you are in a group, the waiter may ask you if you wish to pay together or separate. It’s at this moment that you’ve got let them know.

“Mit Bar oder mit Karte?” - With cash or card? - While Germany is still a very cash-centric society, this is changing and it helps to know how to pay in both ways!

REMEMBER that water in European restaurants and cafes is almost always bottled and contains gas. In Germany, this is called “Sprüdel Wasser”. When you order “ein Wasser bitte” (one water please), you will almost certainly be asked “mit oder ohne?” (with or without). The staff is referring to the gas. So don’t forget 😉

BONUS!: Besides still being a very cash-centered culture, German culture (and infrastructure) is also very averse to credit. Germans tend to use what they call “EC” cards which his essentially just debit cards. If upon getting the bill you hear “nur EC karte” it means you can only pay with a debit card or cash. Sorry AmEx! 😕

Stay tuned for more articles discussing things like finding your way around finance in Germany as an expat and much more to come!