Rothenburg ob der Tauber Restaurants and Dining

(Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany)

Dining out in Germany traditionally involves rich, filling meat-heavy foods washed down with local beers or wines, with Rothenburg ob der Tauber's many eateries no exception to this gastronomically delightful rule.

The town has a large number of stand-alone restaurants mainly serving local German cuisine, and excellent eateries are also found amongst the selection of hotels in the Old Quarter. Farm stays, guest houses and B&Bs are great for local home cooking based on traditional recipes.

What to Eat, and Where

The origins of Bavarian cuisine lie in its rural roots and use fresh and nourishing ingredients. Recipes are heavy on meat and delicious dumplings, and peasant food features a selection of tasty sausages unique to the region. Beef and pork are the main meats found, and generally in Bavarian dishes, the entire animal is used, including brain, tripe, head and offal.

Root vegetables and red and green cabbage are important ingredients, and spices and herbs include caraway, poppy and sesame seeds, parsley and peppercorns.

Typical restaurant dishes in Rothenburg ob der Tauber include 'sauerbraten' - slices of beef preserved in vinegar and slow-cooked, while vegetarians will appreciate 'spatzle' - rich egg noodles with cheese, caramelised onions and vegetables. Nurnberger Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut is self-explanatory and delicious.

Due to its popularity with international visitors, Rothenburg ob der Tauber's choice of eateries is diverse, with dining menus to suit all tastes and wallets. The added and atmospheric bonus, of course, is that your chosen restaurant is likely to have been built a good few hundred years ago.

For a change from Bavarian food, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is also home to Greek, Italian and Chinese restaurants - and even, (heaven forbid) a McDonald's.