This attractive restaurant serves both French and German dishes in a dining room adorned with art nouveau mosaics. Start with oysters from the North Sea island of Sylt, and then try the excellent wiener schnitzel with hot German potato salad, a steak, or salmon. Open late, this is a particularly useful address for supper after a concert or ballet.
Overview
From Andrew Harper
Germany forms the heart of Europe, whose most populous nation and largest economy has more borders than any other country on the continent. The storied rivers of the Rhine, Danube and Elbe wend their ways across an array of storybook landscapes from the snowcapped Bavarian Alps to the sylvan farmland of the middle country and the windswept shores of the North Sea. The great cities of Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich remain magnets of continental sophistication and commerce. During the summer, Germans practically live outdoors, and the cities come alive with alfresco cafés and beer gardens.
Needless to say, this is splendid country for a driving tour. The quintessential route is The Romantic Road, which stretches 217 miles from Wurzburg to Neuschwanstein Castle (above) and is best accessed from Frankfurt. Originally a Roman trading route, one of the world's most scenic stretches of tarmac laces its way through dozens of medieval villages in the Bavarian Alps. In particular, the landmark Hotel Eisenhut in the village of Rothenburg is at once welcoming and utterly transporting. The “shoulder months” of late spring and early fall are recommended for a visit, as this area turns quite hectic during peak season.
CLIMATE: Summers are more showery in the south, with Munich receiving 4 to 5 inches of monthly rain from May-August. In the extreme south, the Bavarian Alps are cold and snowy during the winter, but very pleasant in the summer. The North Sea coast is the mildest region and is typified by Hamburg.
TIME: Six hours ahead of New York (EST).
CURRENCY: Euro (€). Fluctuating rate valued at €1.00 = US$1.34 as of October 2011.
U.S. EMBASSY: Berlin, Tel. 30-8305-1200. There are also consulates in Frankfurt, Tel. 69-7535-2102, and Munich, Tel. 89-28880.
DIRECT DIAL CODES: To phone hotels and restaurants in Germany, dial 011 (international access) + 49 (Germany code) + city code and local numbers in listings.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport. Visit www.travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, www.cdc.gov
GENERAL INFORMATION: Plan well ahead for visits timed to festivals, and visit cometogermany.com before your trip.
Hotels
All recommended hotels in Germany
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Brenner's Park Hotel & Spa Renowned health spa-palace hotel offering an Old World environment in a private park facing the fashionable Lichtentaler promenade and Oos River in Baden-Baden, in the Black Forest two hours south of Frankfurt. |
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Hotel Adlon Kempinski Grand landmark hotel facing the Brandenburg Gate on the famous Unter den Linden promenade near many cultural and historic sights. |
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Hotel de Rome Architecturally stunning luxury hotel in a converted 19th-century former bank headquarters on the historic Bebelplatz off Unter den Linden. |
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Dom Hotel Grandly refurbished hotel opposite Cologne’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, in the downtown shopping district a short walk from the Rhine. |
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Hotel Im Wasserturm Unique and imaginatively designed 78-room ultracontemporary hotel (no A/C in guest rooms) in historic brick water tower, a 15- minute walk from city’s renowned cathedral. |
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Schlosshotel Lerbach Lavishly restored 19th-Century château and gourmet sanctuary in a peaceful 70-acre parkland estate, less than 30 minutes northeast of Cologne. |
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Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Distinguished and elegantly restored 214-room hotel housed in the resurrected ruins of an 18th-century royal baroque palace, in the heart of a historic district adjacent to the famous Semper Opera House and Zwinger palace complex. |
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Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Traditional 321-room luxury hotel in landmark sandstone building within the central financial and shopping district and near cultural attractions. |
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Villa Kennedy Contemporary hotel stylishly joining a traditional 1904 villa and three neo-Gothic additions amid manicured gardens in a location near the financial district, museums and restaurants. |
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Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Illustrious and revitalized hotel along the western shore of Inner Alster Lake near the Opera House and chic shopping zone. |
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Dining
All recommended restaurants in Germany
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DER PSCHORR
No visit to Munich would be complete without a visit to one of its legendary beer halls. This one overlooking the charming Viktualienmarkt, or main food market, is our favorite for its goulash soup and homemade bratwurst seasoned with beer and served with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut.
Viktualienmarkt 15
Munich
80331
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$30
EDERER
Chef Karl Ederer is a leading proponent ofnew German cooking, which looks around the world for inspiration and ingredients. The handsome, high-ceilinged dining room has several wood burning fireplaces and is decorated with modern art. Ederer’s menu evolves constantly, but dishes such as zucchini flowers stuffed with polenta, mushrooms, eggplant and mint; anglerfish with olive oil, lemongrass and thyme; and roast duckling breasts with goose-liver sauce and garnishes of white cabbage and potatoes show off his style.
Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse 10
Munich
80333
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$90
GRILL ROYAL
This stylish steakhouse is where Berliners go for first-rate beef. Start with some oysters, lobster soup, marinated green asparagus or red-tuna carpaccio with lemon-coriander vinaigrette, and then opt for the beef, which is offered in different weights and with a choice of sauces, vegetables and potatoes.
Friedrichstrasse 105B, Mitte
Berlin
10117
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$100
HUGOS
Chef Thomas Kammeier has created a stir with his contemporaryGerman cooking at this glamorous restaurant with views over Berlin from the top floor of the Hotel InterContinental. His tasting menus change regularly, but run to dishes such as king prawns with apple chutney in a Tandoori emulsion; veal sweetbreads with Japanese pumpkin and lemongrass; and pickled plumand hazelnut panna cotta.
Budapester Strasse 2
Berlin
10787
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$130
KADEWE
The opulent food hall on the sixth floor of this venerable department store is a terrific place for a quick lunch. Counters serve different foods, so you can opt for oysters, sushi or smoked salmon — or experiment with some 1,200 varieties of sausage and cold cuts.
Tauentzienstrasse 21-24, Schonenberg
Berlin
10789
Germany
See map: Google Maps
Prices vary
KAFER-SCHANKE
Elegant surroundings on the second floor of the leading Käferdelicatessen enhance a menu of traditional regional cooking. Expect dishes such asbouillon of crayfish with thyme and dill, and braised lamb chops in an herb broth. Closed Sundays.
Prinzregentenstrasse 73
Munich
81675
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$75
REINSTOFF
Chef Daniel Achilles won a Michelin star this year for his creative Continental cooking served in a chic dining room within the renovated former workshops of the AEG electrical company. Expect unusual and dramatic dishes such as venison ham with meadow grasses, berries and shallots; roast beef with anchovy aioli and ox-bone marrow vinaigrette; and damson cheesecake with pine ice cream.
Edison Höfe, Schlegelstrasse 26c
Berlin
10115
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$140
SCHUHBECKS IN DEN SUDTIROLER STUBEN
Regional Bavarian cookery is enlivened by international fusion techniques at celebrity chef Alfons Schuhbeck’s remarkable restaurant. Innovative dishes run the gamut from marinated tuna fish with caviar and vegetable jelly to saddle of veal with asparagus and celery purée. Attentive service and a distinguished wine list help justify the lofty price tag.
Platzl 6
Munich
80331
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$135
SPATENHAUS AN DER OPER
This very popular place with a rustic décor of arched white washed ceilings, wood-paneled walls and wooden tables overlooks the opera house on Max Joseph Platz and serves delicious Bavarian comfort food. Try dishes such as sausage salad with red cabbage, crispy suckling pig in beer sauce, and kaiserschmarrn, asugar-dusted pancake with almonds, raisins and fruit compote.
Residenzstrasse12
Munich
80333
Germany
See map: Google Maps
US$60
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