4 Best Restaurants in Germany

The oldest restaurant in Nuremberg, built in 1550 as a meeting place for the city's wine merchants, is also the city's finest dining establishment.Today its tiny but elegant period interior caters to the distinguishing gourmet, with vegetarian-centered dishes (such as the signature beetroot with caraway caramel) that make the most of local Franconian produce. For dinner, you can opt for anything between four and seven courses (from €180 to €210, with wine pairings or soft drink accompaniments extra), or you can come for a (relatively) lighter four- or five-course lunch.  Don't be put off if the restaurant looks closed—just ring the bell and a friendly receptionist will help you.

The city's finest fine-dining option sees Michelin-starred chef Maximilian Schmidt focus on a fusion of European (especially French, German, and Scandinavian) and Asian cuisines. Choose between a three-, five- and eight-course evening tasting menu featuring inventive, seasonal creations like pike perch with fermented paprika and chawanmushi (egg custard) with bacon, or come for a good-value (and considerably cheaper) three- or four-course lunch. Although set in an 800-year-old Altstadt building, the decor is chic modern minimalism; all hardwood floors, featureless walls, and dim lighting. There's a lovely boutique hotel here, just in case you don't want to move after dinner.

If sausages and sauerkraut are getting a bit tedious, head towards the Gartenstadt for some healthier options. This family-run restaurant, part of the Hotel Europa, combines local Franconian ingredients and produce with a modern and international flair. The flavors are distinctly German but enhanced with international nuances; think sesame-crusted trout fillet with celery purée, or home-smoked duck breast with a walnut dressing.

For a taste of Potsdam’s finer side, enjoy a meal at Hotel am Jägertor’s restaurant. Chef Rene Tinz highlights regional products and local recipes in creative dishes like rabbit liver with wasabi foam or a deconstructed Waldorf salad with apple gel and walnut oil. A summer terrace offers views of the nearby Jägertor (Hunter’s Gate) while the ritzy dining rooms include gilded accents and baroque decor.