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    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

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    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

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    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

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    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

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    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Food, Dining, & Drinks in Germany

Culinary Influences

German Food - Sausages
Sausages

German food is based on the country's location and climate. Due to a short growing season and long winters, their food tends to be heavier and more meat-focused. Plus, the best growing plants are hardy grains like wheat and barley. They also rely on animals for both meat and animal byproducts such as milk and cheese.

Even in recent history, their diet has changed relatively little, although some cooking styles and spices have been introduced into the culture. New spices and foods, primarily from the Mediterranean region have entered their diet (although curry-wurst is also popular). Plus, new cooking styles have developed, including many French culinary techniques.

Germany's most recent additions are two foods which suit their menu quite well: rice and potatoes. These have only been in Germany for a couple hundred years, but, like much of their food, are heavier foods that go well with pork, sausages, and other meats.

Staple Foods

There are no true staple foods in Germany, although nearly every dish will contain meat or fish and a starch like barley, rice, potatoes, or spaetzle (egg noodles).

Regional Variations & Specialties

North Coast: more seafood here than elsewhere in Germany
Bavaria: Munich is known for their pretzels and meat-heavy diets, while many traditional Austrian dishes have authentic varieties in Bavaria, such as wiener schnitzel and apple strudel
Black Forest: this region is known for their hams and sweets

Dining Etiquette

Germans are perhaps the world's most punctual people in the world and this holds true when dining. If meeting locals arrive on time, not late, but if arriving to a local's house, don't arrive early either and bring a small gift like chocolates or flowers. The Germans also tend to live within a set of rules so let your host show you to your seat and don't sit down until everyone else sits down. In a restaurant you may be placed at a table with other people; you aren't expected to talk to these people, but saying hello and goodbye is polite.

Once seated, your host might give a short toast and the guest of honor is expected to reciprocate and give one in return, so try to figure out if you're the guest of honor before the toast. No one else tends to give toasts, however if they do, the typical response before drinking is "Prost."

Before ordering your food, you may notice that everything on the menu is ale carte, even the bread on the table has a charge and fast service restaurants may sell ketchup packets. After the food arrives, say "guten appetit" before beginning. Hold your knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, but if possible always cut your foods with your fork, it's a compliment to the chef displaying how tender the food is.

Be sure to finish all the food on your plate and to show you're finished, place your fork and knife together at the 5:00 position. If dining at a restaurant, the host is expected to pay for everyone, but many times the host may excuse him or herself to pay at the bar or cashier station. If you're the host, be prepared to pay the bill in cash since credit cards are rarely accepted in German restaurants, even high-end restaurants. If you dined at a local's house, it is expected that you send a hand-written thank you note the following day.

Also, when eating at a sit down restaurant with a server, you should tip about 10% of the bill. It's best to give the waiter or waitress the money and tell them what you want to pay instead of leaving the tip on the table. In bars a tip of €1 per order is standard.

Drinks

German Food - Beers
Beers

The Germans rarely drink tap water and this is especially true in restaurants. Both carbonated water and still water are popular so if you prefer one over the other, specify. Coffee and tea are also growing in popularity, with both easily accessible as are other popular international beverages, such as juices, soft drinks, and milk.

The most popular alcoholic beverage in Germany is the one that the country is forever tied to: beer. In fact, many people consider German beer the best in the world. The Germans have a wide variety of styles and types of beer and all are made according to historic brewing restrictions. Wine is also popular in wine-growing areas, particularly the Rhine River valley, which makes some of the best Rieslings in the world. Imported beers and wine are also available, although most people prefer the locally produced beverages. Hard liquors are also widely available in Germany.

Despite a local preference for bottled water, generally speaking, the tap water is safe to drink in Germany, but check with locals for any particular regional differences. Also, many people may have troubles adjusting to the local tap water, as it will most certainly be different from what your system is used to.

This page was last updated: March, 2013