Germany Is Dad Food Heaven

There are three main ingredients that make Germany one of the guy food capitals of the world:

Beer
Meat
Bread

What else do you need? While they probably wouldn’t be approved by your family doctor — and while there’s a whole lot more that German cuisine has to offer — there are plenty of rich carb-and-protein plates that you should take full advantage of during a short visit.

Explore the Regional Specialties

It seems like almost every town has at least one specialty beer, and they’re almost all wonderful. However, most of the locals will tell you that beer is always best when you drink it with food — and even better if you make the right pairing. Explore enough of the country, and you may even get a few ideas for beer-friendly dinners when you get back home.

Check Out a Bakery or Grocery Store

Restaurants are all well and good, but there’s a lot to be said for eating like a local — or at least snacking like one. You probably won’t have regular access to a kitchen on your family trip, but don’t write off these everyday shops. The local Aldi, REWE, and Lidl stores have plenty of road-trip essentials, from soda for the kids to spicy dried sausages for you. Bakeries are also a great choice for supplies. They’re absolutely everywhere in the country, and they offer the best instant gratification around.

Get Around

You have plenty of options when it comes to getting around Germany. There’s the Deutsche Bahn, one of the best railways in the world. Unfortunately, it’s also pretty pricey — especially when you’re taking multiple people between cities. A rental car is also a good option. Even though the train services most areas, you’ll have a lot more freedom to explore — and you won’t have to decipher the honor-system fares the rail system uses.

Visit the Food Centers

Most people associate Germany with beer, sausage, and pretzels — and they’re not wrong. However, the country has a lot more to offer if you know where to look. Make sure to mark on your map what to eat when traveling to Stuttgart, Germany, or similar towns that offer regional specialties. Like many of the larger countries in continental Europe, Germany has a wide range of climates, terrains, and cultures that leads to a diverse, interesting cuisine.

Take Day Trips

You can only take full advantage of any region if you make a few day trips out of the downtown areas or tourist centers. Simply hop on the train or fuel up your car and get everyone out to the countryside. You’ll find out very quickly, whether it’s from the many road signs on the highway or from your own online research, that there are plenty of fun, weird things to do in Germany.

Deepen Your Culinary Knowledge

Learning is a lot more fun when it involves eating big plates of satisfying food. Take each dinner as an opportunity to learn something. There’s always a new culinary technique or piece of history hidden in each German recipe. If nothing else, you’ll discover the true power of these hearty foods: their ability to bring families together over an enjoyable meal.