20 Best Restaurants in The Romantic Road, Germany

Ice cream sundaes towering with whipped cream and cones toppling under the weight of generous scoops are just a few of the frosty delights to be had at one of Miltenberg's cherished institutions. Located in the town's central square, you can take a cone to go or linger in on the ample terrace and watch the world go by.

On the small square behind the Augsburg town hall, this fine-dining restaurant, in a building dating from 1577, offers an extensive wine list and an innovative, meat-heavy menu according to what's in season. In summer ask for a table on the patio.

An absolute must when in Miltenberg, this 425-year-old traditional guesthouse, owned by the Faust brewing company, is an architectural gem and a great place to try out authentic German food and the best in Bavarian beer. Diners (and drinkers) sit at long tables under high beamed ceilings with traditional murals and arched stone doorways, but there are a few little niches with private tables and a large outdoor terrace with lovely views of the town. Generous portions of weinerschnitzel, traditional bratwurst, and sauerkraut with potato purée are accompanied by one of ten beers and ales on tap. There are also plenty of smaller dishes and desserts, or you're perfectly welcome to just stop in for a beer.

“To Hell” is in a building dating back to AD 900—claimed to be the oldest in town. With an extensive selection of Franconian wine and a delicious house beer, you'll have a nice late evening experience. In summer be sure to reserve a table in advance, including for the outdoor Biergarten (beer garden).

If you tire of heavy German fare, get thee to this superb Vietnamese-Thai restaurant on a charming cobbled street by the river. The handsome dining room and pretty outdoor terrace overlooking the river are always packed, and once seated you'll find copious versions of their beloved specialties: shrimp or vegetable pad Thai, seafood or chicken curry loaded with fresh veggies, fragrant Thai sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves. There are also beef and fish dishes as well as plenty of vegetarian options.

For more than 350 years Forelle (Trout) has stood over the small, clear River Blau, which flows through a large trout basin right under the restaurant. In addition to the variations of trout, including smoked and tartare, there are pasta dishes and excellent venison in season. On a nice summer evening, try to get a table on the small terrace. You sit over the river, with a weeping willow on one side, half-timber houses around you, and the towering cathedral in the background.

Sample Frankish bratwurst cooked over a wood grill and other regional dishes in this converted mill alongside the Main River. Sit outside on the terrace above the river for the best views of the Alte Mainbrücke and the Festung Marienberg.

On a side street, this guest house restaurant serves standard local cuisine but attracts a crowd thanks to its evening steak menu. The interior is traditional Bavarian and the family-run establishment has friendly personnel.

More than 400 years of tradition are embedded in this old tavern, hidden away behind huge wooden doors on a back street. A surprisingly varied menu includes local favorites such as suckling pig and marinated pot roast, as well as good fish entrées, all at reasonable prices.

Have a seat in the ancient courtyard of the Stachel, which is shaded by a canopy of vine leaves and enclosed by tall, ivy-covered walls. The entrées are satisfyingly Franconian, from lightly baked onion cake to hearty roast pork served in a decidedly unstuffy atmosphere.

Giving a gastropub's twist to traditional Franconian fare, including Sauerbraten and wursts, this restaurant is a draw for its private-label wines. While sampling local game and fish specialties, you can buy a bottle of wine to take home directly from the waitstaff.

Kleibls has bright and modern decor in the heart of the historic Old Town, with an updated menu of traditional Bavarian and Swabian favorites. Everything is house-made, from the pastas to the ketchup. Operated by Thorsten and Andrea Kleibl, there's also a small shop where you can buy their sauces and spice mixes. 

In the cellar beneath the 1385 Rathaus is a popular local destination for Bavarian food and drink with a surprisingly airy feel. Lunches can be busy, as local workers head there for the wide array of traditional fare. But the restaurant is also open late, until 10 pm daily, after many other local restaurants have closed.

This building is one of the oldest in Nördlingen, which is saying something for a city known for its medieval buildings. It opened in 1545 as a brewery and has been a restaurant since the early 1900s, serving in between as a guest house and museum. As you would expect in such a historic location, the menu is traditional, focusing on both Bavarian specialties such as Sauerbraten and Swabian dishes such as Maultaschen (meat-filled raviolis) and the schnitzels claimed by both. Main dishes include two sides, including house-made Spätzle (noodle dumplings), red cabbage or sauerkraut. There's also a children's menu.

This American-style steak house offers multiple choices of Angus beef burgers, ribeye, and tenderloin steaks, plus traditional Bavarian favorites and a few Mideast specialties such as falafel and kabobs. It's all offered in a casual, almost cafeteria-style setting that's popular with locals for its affordable prices and available parking, and for an extensive list of international brands including American bourbons and Scotch whiskeys.

A carnevore's dream, this traditional German steakhouse, set in an old half-timbered building with a large outdoor terrace, is deservedly famous for choice cuts of grade-A Angus beef grilled to perfection. The restaurant flaunts its modern side with an excellent steak tartare topped with a raw quail's egg or flavorful beef carpaccio with lemon and capers, along with lighter fare: fresh vegetable soup of the day, delicious salads, and plenty of veggie side dishes. An excellent wine list features German wines from all regions.

This tiny outpost just off the main square reflects the growing popularity throughout Germany of Middle Eastern food, alongside popular home-grown staples like currywurst but also American staples like burgers and chicken nuggets. There are a few tables inside and a few more on the narrow sidewalk outside, so this is also popular for take-away for visitors in nearby hotels.  

This brewpub first started brewing beer in 1516, and still does, including a dark Hefeweizen (wheat beer) rarely found outside Germany. The menu leans toward traditional Bavarian and Swabian favorites including wurst, goulash, and schnitzel. There's also an extensive selection of local wine and cider, and a lovely outdoor beer garden to enjoy it in warm weather.  This is also a guest house with some simple rooms above the restaurant.

Offering casual dining with white-table linens quality, the Weinstube offers a multicourse prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner that features local seasonal products. They have both vegetarian and vegan offerings alongside fish, game and house-smoked meats.

The sturdy half-timber Zunfthaus (Guildhall) has stood here for more than 500 years, first as a fishermen's pub and now as a charming tavern-restaurant. Ulm's fishermen had their guild headquarters here, and when the nearby Danube flooded, the fish swam right up to the door. Today they land on the menu, which also includes dry-aged steak as well as \"Swabian oysters\" (actually snails, drenched in garlic butter). The local beer makes an excellent accompaniment.