World Cup Germany - Restaurants
 

For those of us heading to Germany (I am heading to Cologne, Nuremberg, Berlin and Munich) for the World Cup this June/July, I figured we could use a place to post any recommended restaurants. Please post any suggestions you have.

Thanks in advance.

I guess nobody is answering. I'm not going to the World Cup, but given the huge crowds, hotels sold out for 100 mile radius, etc., I would imagine that the "name" restaurants are also sold out during this time. So best to find some local neighbourhood place. At least in Germany you'll always get good beer even if the food is not the best (but in the past 10 years there has been some remarkable improvements in food quality). In fact some of the best Italian food I've had has been in Germany (but in Cologne).

Hmm, not sure what you're looking for...soccer-themed restaurants? ;)

It's a pretty big country, and the advice I could provide for Munich won't help you when you're in Hamburg. A few existing threads offer regional recommendations -- check these, or provide a little more detail about what you're looking for.

Betzenburg
 

For people going to see games in Kaiserslautern (the largest population of Americans outside the U.S.) I recommend grabbing a bite at any of the outdoor vendors, hey it's Soccer not Polo. All spelled phonetically, Visey (white sausage) Roaty (red sausage) shvenk (pork steak) all come on a crusty white bun, yum! GO USA!

FLY DELTA'S BIG JETS!

Be sure to try a currywurst. Fan friendly!

Not soccer-themed, just good eats. I am heading to Cologne, Nuremberg, Berlin and Munich.

Munich eats (staples)
 

The staple sausage in Bavaria is weiss wurst (white sausage). Tip, don't eat it whole, they'll give you funny looks. They always peel off the skin, which is edible. Everyone has their own method, mine is making a cut lengthwise then with the fork in the middle peel back all the skin, some people suck it out using their fingers, a big crude don't you think, lol.

FLY DELTA'S BIG JETS!

Do a search on chowhound.com for these cities - you should get tons of info from people that really care about their food! Don't miss Viktualienmarkt in Munich - Weisswurst & Bier - the Breakfast of Champions!! Haxnbauer is also very popular if you like roasted pork shanks or other Bavarian delectibles.

Actually, come to think of it, the Innenstadt around the Hofbrauhaus is going to be crazy with fans, so I would look more in outer suburbs, or Schwabing, which, honestly, is always crazy, but hopefully all the yahoos will be at the HbH.

For Cologne, a few places where you can watch games while eating. All have widescreens as far as I know.

Weinhaus Vogel ( Eigelstein 74 ): Traditional wine and beer hall close to the main station. Good German comfort food and safe wine list at very reasonable prices. Also nice mix of customers from every background. I'd recommend to watch at least one team Germany match here.

Gasthaus Essers ( Ottostrasse 72 ): Wonderful restaurant run by a German/Austrian couple and their friends. Mostly Austrian cooking with mediterranean touches and great wines. Only drawbacks are the 20 min taxi ride from the city center and dinner only policy. For me this is maybe the best restaurant in Cologne considering what you get for your money.

Restaurant Keule ( Heumarkt 56-58 ): Slightly upscale place serving German food and steaks in the old town. Both locals and tourists come for dinner or just a few beers or wine.

And for those England games:

Jameson Distillery Pub ( Friesenstrasse 30-40): Two big screens, hearty British fare, stout and cider and a friendly but football mad atmosphere.

Thanks to all who responded. We're seeing the CZE-GHA game in Cologne, but will want to catch the ITA-USA game after, so one of these places should do fine.