Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and a beautiful cultural and food capital. The city is not only famous for its automobile industry and modern urban landscape, but also has a rich traditional food culture. In Stuttgart, you can taste authentic German classic food and experience local flavors and long-standing cooking traditions.
1. Stuttgart’s Food Culture
In Stuttgart, Germany’s traditional cuisine is combined with modern culinary art to present a diverse food experience. From Germany’s classic sausages, sauerkraut, pork knees to innovative fusion dishes, each dish is full of strong local flavor. As the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart relies on its rich agricultural resources. Many restaurants are based on local ingredients and provide fresh and delicious traditional dishes.
1.1 Recommended German Classic Food
German Sausage (Wurst)
Sausage is one of Germany’s national cuisines, and Stuttgart is no exception. Whether in street stalls or high-end restaurants, you can taste sausages of various flavors, such as Brandenburger sausage, white sausage, German blood sausage, etc.
Pork knee (Schweinshaxe)
This dish is a classic German dish, especially popular in traditional restaurants in Stuttgart. The pork knee has a crispy skin and tender meat, and it tastes great with sauerkraut and potato dumplings.
Sauerkraut (Sauerkraut)
Sauerkraut is a traditional side dish in German cuisine, usually as a supporting role in meat dishes, adding a sour and refreshing taste. It is a common delicacy on the table in Stuttgart.
Munich beer (Bier)
In addition to food, German beer is also an indispensable scenery on the table. There are many restaurants in Stuttgart that offer a variety of locally brewed beers, which are part of the dining culture.
2. Stuttgart Hofbräu
2.1 Location and overview:
Stuttgart Hofbräu is located in the center of Stuttgart, at Schlossplatz 1, Stuttgart. It is a historic pub with a strong Bavarian style and is an ideal place to enjoy traditional German food and beer.
2.2 Features and advantages:
Traditional German cuisine: This pub is famous for its authentic German classic cuisine, especially pork knee, sauerkraut and sausage, which are delicious and generous in portion. The pub’s specialty pork knee is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and is a favorite of many diners.
Rich beer selection: It offers a variety of locally brewed German beers with a unique taste, which is very suitable for pairing with meals.
Elegant atmosphere: The interior decoration of the pub uses traditional wooden elements, with a strong German cultural atmosphere, suitable for dining with friends or family.
2.3 Recommended crowd:
Foodies who like traditional German food
Attract families and groups of tourists to dine together r
Tourists who love German beer
2.4 Booking platform and cost:
Booking platform: Visitors can make reservations through OpenTable.
Cost: The average per capita consumption is about 20 euros to 40 euros, depending on the dishes selected.
3. Zur Auerhahne
3.1 Location and overview:
Located in the traditional old town of Stuttgart, at Auerstraße 18, this is a restaurant that focuses on local specialties and traditional German meals with authentic Stuttgart flavor.
3.2 Features and advantages:
Local flavor: The restaurant offers dishes based on local ingredients, such as Stuttgart’s specialty sauerkraut stewed pork and handmade potato dumplings. The dishes are fresh and authentic, which is the perfect embodiment of traditional German cuisine.
Warm environment: The restaurant’s interior design is elegant, with a strong local traditional atmosphere, suitable for family gatherings or dining with friends.
Excellent service: The service level of the restaurant is very high. The waiters are friendly and familiar with local cuisine, and can provide professional recommendations for tourists.
3.3 Recommended groups:
Tourists who like traditional family restaurants
Food lovers interested in local specialties
Suitable for family gatherings
3.4 Booking platform and cost:
Booking platform: Booking can be made through Tripadvisor or Resy.
Cost: The average per capita consumption is about 30 euros to 50 euros, depending on the dishes selected.
4. Restaurant Spätzle
4.1 Location and overview:
Restaurant Spätzle is located in the center of Stuttgart, at Hirschstraße 21. The restaurant features its classic German pasta, Spätzle, and offers a variety of creative fusion dishes.
4.2 Features and advantages:
Spätzle main feature: As the signature dish of this restaurant, Spätzle is given an innovative cooking method. The noodles made are chewy and rich in taste, which is very suitable as a staple food.
Diverse menu: In addition to Spezl, the restaurant also offers classic German pork knee, sausages and beef dishes to meet the taste needs of different tourists.
Comfortable dining environment: The interior decoration of the restaurant is very modern, with a touch of simple Nordic style, which is very suitable for couples or small parties.
4.3 Recommended crowd:
Tourists interested in traditional Spezl and German pasta
Suitable for couples or small parties
Diners who want to taste innovative fusion dishes
4.4 Booking platform and cost:
Booking platform: You can make a reservation through OpenTable or Bookatable.
Cost: The average consumption per person is about 25 euros to 45 euros, depending on the selected dishes.
5. Weinstube Kachelofen
5.1 Location and overview:
Weinstube Kachelofen is a pub that combines local wine and food in Stuttgart, located at Stuttgarter Str. 28. The pub has a strong historical atmosphere and is a place loved by locals and tourists.
5.2 Features and Benefits:
Local Wine and Food: The restaurant not only offers authentic German classics, but also local wines from Stuttgart and the surrounding area, making it a perfect place to pair wine with meals.
Cozy Environment: The pub has a warm fireplace and wooden furniture, creating a warm family atmosphere, perfect for gatherings.
Selected Wines: The restaurant offers a variety of locally brewed wines, especially white wines such as Riesling, suitable for tourists who like wine with food.
5.3 Recommended Groups:
Tourists who like wine and food pairing
Tourists who like the family-style pub atmosphere
Diners who like local wine and traditional meals
5.4 Booking Platform and Fees:
Booking Platform: Bookings can be made through Tripadvisor or Bookatable.
Fees: The average per capita consumption is about 35 to 55 euros, depending on the dishes and drinks selected.
6. Maultaschen Restaurant
6.1 Location and Overview:
Located on the outskirts of Stuttgart, this restaurant is located at Möhringen 42. It specializes in traditional handmade “Maultaschen” dumplings in the Stuttgart area and is a famous local specialty restaurant.
6.2 Features and Advantages:
Maultaschen Dumplings: Maultaschen is a traditional delicacy in the Stuttgart area, similar to wontons, with rich fillings. The restaurant’s Maultaschen dumplings are made with fresh ingredients and traditional craftsmanship, and taste delicious.
Combination of tradition and modernity: The restaurant combines traditional German cuisine with modern cooking techniques to bring diners a new taste experience.
Family-friendly: The restaurant has a warm environment and is very suitable for family dining, especially for families with children.
6.3 Recommended crowd:
Diners interested in traditional German dumpling culture
Tourists who like family gatherings
Tourists who want to try the local characteristics of Stuttgart
6.4 Booking platform and fees:
Booking platform: Reservations can be made through OpenTable or Tripadvisor.
Cost: The average cost per person is about 20 to 40 euros.
7. Things to note when going to Germany to taste food
Reservation of restaurants:
In Germany, especially for popular restaurants, it is best to make reservations in advance. Especially on weekends or holidays, many restaurants will have a high flow of customers. If you don’t make a reservation, you may need to wait in line. Through the following platforms, you can easily view the restaurant’s menu, reviews, business hours, and make direct reservations to ensure that your food journey is smoother.
OpenTable: You can easily make online reservations for restaurants in major German cities. There are a large number of restaurant reviews and ratings on the platform to help you make a choice.
Bookatable: This is a European-wide restaurant reservation platform that covers major cities in Germany and can book local popular restaurants.
TripAdvisor: Not only does it provide restaurant reservations, but you can also view restaurant reviews and diners’ recommendations. It is suitable for reference when choosing a restaurant.
Resy: Although it is mainly aimed at North America, some restaurants in Germany can also be booked in some major cities.
Restaurant opening hours:
Restaurants in Germany are usually open in the afternoon and evening, with lunch time generally from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner time from 18:00 to 21:00. Many restaurants close in the afternoon (around 15:00 to 17:00), so please confirm the opening hours in advance.
Tipping culture:
In Germany, service charges are usually included in the bill, but tipping is still a common etiquette. Generally, the tip is 5% to 10% of the total bill.
Eating habits: German traditional food tends to be heavy, such as sausages, pork knees, sauerkraut, etc. If you are not used to food with heavy oil and salt, you can inform the restaurant in advance.
Drink pairing:
Germany is the birthplace of wine and beer. When dining in a restaurant, it is a good choice to try a glass of local beer or wine. Many restaurants will also provide recommended drinks based on the dishes.