All hail the mighty Döner Kebap! -- the delicious, affordable contribution to the German fast food landscape made by Turkish minorities. For those who don't know, the Döner is filets of meat stacked on a vertical spit and roasted on a vertical grill served with vegetables on a plate or in flat bread. It is similar, but not identical, to the Greek Gyro (in fact, the word "Döner" means to turn or spin, like gyro)

You can find the Döner all over Germany, with many innovations, including the addition of cabbage or red cabbage, yogurt dressing, goat cheese and more.

If you'd like to know more, visit this website: http://www.euro-kebap.com/

If you've tried one, tell us about it. How do you like it? Where is your favorite Döner kepab location?

I ate a great Döner in Potsdam, but my favorite locale is "Ali Baba" on Strasse des Friedens in Ilmenau.

>Where is your favorite Döner kepab location?<

Had some good kebab at the Naschmarkt in Vienna.

Sadly, I waited until my last day in Germany to have a donor kebap (the one's I've had in England were fatty and I didn't care for them; hence my hesitation). We went to a Turkish restaurant next to our hotel (Airport Albatross in Wolldorf) and I had a Turkish pizza--donor kebap meat. Delicious!!!! My husband had one he liked very well in Triberg.

Oh my gosh! I am no foodie, so didn't think our meal at Doner was anything to post about... but honestly, it was one of the most delicious 'fast-food' meals I've ever had. The vegetables and fries were cooked fresh, as it was about 8pm when we walked in. Very yummy meat, veggies, fries, some kind of sauce, and a strange but good pepper for garnish. This occurred in Cologne / Koln last October, in the shopping area just beyond the cathedral.

Is the quality usually consistent at different locations, 'cos I'd like to try it again sometime.

I'd say the quality is generally consistent, ranging from average to superb. Some places will be nothing to write home about, but it is fun to see all the different ways it is prepared. Sometimes it is with a soft doughy bread, sometimes a crispy toasted flatbread etc. It's definitely worth taking a chance, since 99% of the time you won't be disappointed.

I'm glad you were brave enough to write about eating one. I figured it was worth writing about, not just because it is a cultural topic, not just because all travellers need something quick and easy sometime, but because they taste so darn good!

By the way, the worst Doener I ever ate was at a German Imbiss made by a German. It had mayonnaise and sauerkraut in it with pork meat! ew...

I can't believe I'm reading this! I have been a closet Doner Kebap junkie for years. It's so comforting to know I am not alone. I have eaten them all over Germany and they are always wonderful, always different at each location. The BEST one however, was in a very small town called Roth, outside Nurnberg. I dream of them at night. I want one right now!

Well, everyone can come out of the closet. No more shame. It is now OKAY to admit your love for the Döner Kebap in public for all to see and hear. Flaunt it!

I understand where you are coming from offwego, every time I think about one, I want one.

I have been known to buy one, eat it, and enjoy it so much that I buy a 2nd!

It WAS very good, but I don't think I'll be wearing the tee-shirt ...

Okay, I'll bite...

Despite several visits to Germany, I think I've only had a doner kebab there once - in Bertchesgaden. It was good, but can't rave about it. I've had some pretty good doner kebabs in Zurich, London and New Zealand though.

Yeah, we like our kebabs, but I guess that's to be expected, as we live in the Middle East and they're pretty much found on every corner. Here they're called swarmas.

My kids crave for doener everytime we travel in Germany/Austria. Now they want to go beyond doener, they want to see Turkey.
Their favorite doener joint is a toss between Salzburg train station and Nurnberg oldtown next to Pizza Hut.

Just back from Nurnberg where I had some below average doner kebaps. Too much bread, too much salad, bland meat. I remember that place next to the Pizza Hut, I should have gone there!

In Wuerzburg I had one at "McDonner". I don't predict the same success for them as their namesake.


In Ferney-Voltaire I ordered a doner and the guy had me sit down at a table and brought out a small pot of tea. I protested that I had only ordered a sandwich to go, but he said this is for while you wait. Nice.


In Brussels most of the doner kebaps were served with french fries as part of the sandwich (on top, not on the side) - what's up with that?

Wow, the things you learn here! I never imagined the great doner in Germany, I thought that was an English thing. I've had them all over England, they're everywhere in London, but the best I've ever had was at a place in Great Yarmouth called, oddly enough, London Kababs.

I became seriously addicted to them (I prefer the lamb, but a friend insists on chicken) a few years ago at a place just left as you exit from the Earl's Court Tube station in London. The shop is called Star Kababs, right across from the Earl's Court Tavern (formerly the Rat & Parrot).

I was under the dilusion that they were Indian rather than Turkish so I wasted a lot of time later in NYC asking people where good Indian cafes were. I always asked for a doner kabab and, of course, they had no idea what I was talking about.

I therefore never had my beloved kabab in New York but I did enjoy several meals of the best Indian food this side of London or Bombay.

Long live the doner kabab! (When is this trend going to catch on in the States? Are we all missing a great business oppertunity here?

The one thing that put me off donairs is that I've read the meat is not necessarily that good or sanitary. Does anyone know more about that?

I've never had one in Germany, not having been there yet, but I have enjoyed them as a quick meal almost everywhere I go. Lamb is my favorite.

I know it sounds sacreligious, but every time I go to Paris I have to stop and get a kebap on Rue Daguerre--there's a stand with great ones, piled with pommes frites on top.

Is there an expert who can explain all this?

In England doners are almost unversally seen as bottom of the pile - in there with McD - of junk food. Reprocessed meat, cooked and recooked at such variable temperatures some infection's a near-certainty. Main argument for them is they help you develop resistance to nastier things when you're eating off the street in India. Though they do soak up a dozen pints reasonably well - for most people.

Now do Germany's Turks do them better than our Cypriots? Or do all these donerphiles just have very low standards?

I understand the sanitary concerns, although I've never had a bad experience.

Honestly, I've heard warnings that the long hours exposed to air make the meat a sponge for bacteria, especially by the end of the day. Most places turn the heat on only when food is ordered, which means the rest of the time it could just be sitting out there lukewarm. I suppose the best way to stay safe is to buy one at a place that does rapid business and has to constantly cook and replenish the meat.

I've actually never been to England, so I'm not sure if the German Turks do it better, but I don't think that it is seen as the LOWEST form of fast food in Germany, although I could be wrong. Many of the restaurants that offer a Doener are quite comfortable places to sit (or stand) and eat for a while...

flanneruk, I have had high-quality donairs with good meat, vegetables, bread, and seasonings at home here in Canada. I didn't actually have the nerve to try one with meat in London. I think I got a falafel instead. No doubt there are good shops in London, but of course I wouldn't know.

Zeppo2, that must be the Delos shop on rue Daguerre. Since I enjoyed the Doner in Cologne so much, I have since been hesitant to try anywhere else, especially if the shop itself doesn't look so great.
Is the Delos a good shop? Are you saying that you return to that particular location each time? If so, maybe we'll give it a try next visit.

I understand that the street vendors in Germany are regulated for sanitation purposes. I stopped at a Doner near the Hauptbanhoff in Munich and had a great lunch - but my breath was ruined for at least six hours. Next time I'll remember some strong breath mints.

Travelnut: I'm not sure of the name, but it seemed like the only one on Rue Daguerre. I've gone on three different trips and found the food to be good. I usually get one to go and head over to the Cimitiere Montparnasse, eating as I go.