4 Best Restaurants in Franconia and the German Danube, Germany

For atmospheric dining, this 14th-century monastery-turned-wine cellar is a must. In summer you can eat beneath chestnut trees; in winter seek out the warmth of the vaulted, dark-paneled dining rooms. The wines—made in Austria from grapes from the Spitalkirche Heiliger Geist vineyards—are excellent and suit all seasons.

If sausages and sauerkraut are getting a bit tedious, head towards the Gartenstadt for some healthier options. This family-run restaurant, part of the Hotel Europa, combines local Franconian ingredients and produce with a modern and international flair. The flavors are distinctly German but enhanced with international nuances; think sesame-crusted trout fillet with celery purée, or home-smoked duck breast with a walnut dressing.

Expect high-quality Italian cuisine with the occasional Spanish influence at this historic restaurant: think beef cheeks in red wine sauce with fried pimentos, or black risotto with grilled garlic prawns and aioli. The charming interior is all rough wooden beams, pristine white tablecloths, and painting-covered walls, with evening meals often accompanied by live jazz. The name, rather unfortunately, means "Empty Sack."

This self-described "Franconian nostalgic inn" harks back to the 17th century, when the local Wirtshaus (inn-pub) was the meeting place for everyone from the mayor's scribes to the local carpenters. Beer and hearty traditional food (with a hint of Mediterranean influence) are shared at wooden tables either in the rustic interior or out in the shady beer garden. If it's on the menu, opt for the freshly caught trout fried in almond butter.