36 Best Restaurants in The Rhineland, Germany

Follow the east bank of the Rhine down from Koblenz and you'll come to this charming half-timber boutique hotel that has been offering a warm welcome to guests since 1693. The hotel's Restaurant Zum Schwanen is an elegant but rustic place, renowned for its set menus of gourmet cuisine using fresh, regional ingredients—from river trout and pasture-fed beef to Nettetal asparagus and garden-grown herbs. Step inside and discover the traditions of hospitality that have continued to this day. 

Sitting at one of the low wooden tables in this rustic spot on the first floor of the Rathaus, surveying the marketplace through the wavy old glass, you can dine well on solid German fare. In warm weather, the terrace provides great views of the Dom.

Locals and tourists mingle naturally at this proper, old-world Geheimtipp (hidden gem), near the open fireplace and antique winemaking equipment; as the night progresses, locals might unpack their musical instruments and start playing. The food is local and fortifying: sausages, cheeses, ham, and homemade soups served with the wines from host Arthur Schmitz's own estate. There's no beer served here.

Thomas and Gudrun Höreth's enchanting country inn—a former mill dating back to 1026—is a labyrinth of little rooms and cellars grouped around oleander-lined courtyards. Highlights of the menu include homemade cheeses, terrines, pâtés, and Entensülze (goose in aspic), served with the Höreths' own wines. It's on the northern edge of Kobern-Gondorf, a 10-minute drive from Winningen.

For a classic brewery pub experience, look no further than this traditional German restaurant with its classic chequered flooring and wooden furniture. The hearty food here comes in large portions: if you're feeling especially hungry, order the Haxentopf "Spezial"---chunks of pork knuckle meat braised with onions and vegetables and served in a cast-iron pan with potatoes and a fried egg. Wash it all down with a half-liter of Königsbacher Pilsener.

This wonderfully charming medieval half-timber house is Bacharach's oldest (dating to 1368) and a favorite setting for films and photos. It doesn't disappoint with its food and wine, either: the kitchen uses the freshest ingredients possible and buys meat and game from local butchers and hunters, serving up local classics such as Rieslingrahmsuppe (Riesling cream soup) and Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) in addition to the seasonal specialties.

At this Bierstube dating from 1698, you can dig into regional dishes like Zwiebelrahmrostbraten (onion meat loaf) at low wooden tables next to the tile stove. Pewter plates and beer mugs line the walls.

Perched on a hilltop north of town, this superb restaurant overlooks the Rauenthaler Baiken vineyard. In addition to the lovely panorama vista from the vine-canopied terrace, the regional cooking, friendly atmosphere, and local wines make for a complete "Rheingau Riesling" experience. The menu is limited, with only four starters, four mains, and two desserts to choose from at any time; if in doubt (and a meat-eater), opt for always-excellent rump steak.

This legendary brewery serves classic German comfort food along with its excellent namesake beers (both Altbier and Pils) in typically rustic dining rooms, as well as out in the spacious glassed-in winter garden.

There's no better Bräuhaus in Cologne for drinking Kölsch, the city's home brew, than in one of the city’s oldest microbreweries. You won't sit long in front of an empty glass before a blue-aproned waiter sweeps by and places another one before you.

Known for its friendly service and cozy atmosphere, this restaurant offers a variety of German and British dishes, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists. It’s particularly well-rated for breakfast and lunch​.

Just off Bernkastel's main square, Der Ratskeller serves uncomplicated regional food to be enjoyed at an outside table with a view of the action, or inside among vaulted arches, bare brick walls, and leaded windows. The regular lunch and dinner menus are full of standard German fare—schnitzels, rump steaks, salads—but the seasonal menus deliver plenty of tasty surprises, from white-asparagus dishes in spring and early summer to hearty roasted goose, duck, and game in winter.

You're guaranteed a warm welcome from Florian Kreller and the team at this historic building full of cozy niches and exposed beams. Local dishes are the specialty here, with emphasis placed on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Vegan and vegetarian options are available alongside the schnitzel and sausages. If in doubt, opt for the "Winzer-Carpaccio" ("winemaker's carpaccio"), a perfect accompaniment to the wine.

Beethoven was a regular at this tavern, which has been around since the late 14th century. Today it offers one of the best-value lunches in town, and the kitchen stays open until 1 am. The interior is rustic, the food hearty and nonfussy.

For real down-home German cooking, few places in Cologne compare to this time-honored brew house in the shadow of the Dom. It's often crowded, but the mood's fantastic. Bold frescoes on the vaulted ceilings establish that mood, and the authentically Teutonic experience is completed by such dishes as Hämmchen (pork knuckle). The seasonal beer garden is a great spot for people-watching.

For over 80 years, this rustic corner tavern, in the shadow of the lovely St. Gereon's church, has served solid German comfort food to a mostly local crowd. There’s fresh Kölsch on tap, and the service is remarkably friendly.

Just around the corner from the Rathaus (Town Hall), this excellent little restaurant serves high-quality, down-to-earth German and Austrian cuisine; think sausages, schnitzels, and spinatknödel (spinach dumplings). For a real taste of Germany, try "Oma's Sauerbraten," which is heavily marinated roast beef served with potato dumplings and red cabbage. Skip dessert here and instead head next door to Wesel Café for an after-dinner coffee and cake—both dining options are connected to the Das Wesel hotel.

Classic German cuisine with a creative twist has earned this chic restaurant, a stone’s throw from the Rhine, a Michelin star. The concise, ever-changing menu features interesting flavor combinations using seasonal ingredients, and many dishes are available as half-portions.

Just off the town's pretty Marktplatz (Market Square), this popular bar-restaurant serves classic German fare: think goulash soup, currywurst, and schnitzel. But the undoubted highlights (and best value options) are the flammkuchen—wood-fired, thinly rolled-out discs of dough covered in a variety of toppings (a little like a thinner, crispier pizza). The traditional version, topped with onions, bacon, and cheese, is superb, but there are also fish and vegetarian alternatives. Sit out on the spacious, sunny terrace to watch the world go by.

North of St. Goar along the river, this hotel restaurant is all about superb wine—it's run by Martina Lorenz and her winemaker husband Joachim, who provides the delicious Bopparder Hamm estate wines—and local seasonal cuisine served as three-course set menus. Expect dishes such as chanterelle cream soup and roasted beef with potato gratin. A sparkling wine aperitif is included with all menus, and you can add on paired wines for €15. The setting is a lovely, solarium-style restaurant, right on the river, that features original Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) furniture from the era the hotel was built.

Beneath the exposed beams and painted ceiling of this cozy hotel restaurant, trout from the hotel's own fish farm will grace your table, served alongside German and French wines. It's on the site of a historic mill that belonged to the current proprietor's great-great-grandfather, tucked away in the forested hills of the Enderttal (Endert Valley) around 3 km (2 miles) northwest of Cochem's center.

The name means "gourmet owl," and, indeed, the chef caters to gourmets in the 19th-century Palais Walderdorff complex opposite the cathedral. In the evening, the menu is à la carte and truffles are a specialty, along with excellent fish. Wines from top German estates, particularly those along the Mosel, are featured along with an extensive selection of reds.   Come at lunch for a great value, three-course set menu, including a glass of wine and coffee that is cheaper than the cheapest main course at dinner.

At this Schloss Johannisberg restaurant you can sit on the patio, in the restaurant, or the glassed-in terrace, which affords a spectacular view of the Rhine and the vineyards where the estate's wines originate. The regular menu includes several meat dishes, with a smattering of fish and vegetarian options, but it's the seasonal specialties that really stand out. Depending on the season, look out for wild garlic soup, white asparagus with schnitzel, and duck with cabbage and potato dumplings.

This stylish guesthouse sits at the foot of the castle, next to a venerable stone tower on the riverbank, offering dinner and lunch on Sunday. The restaurant serves classic German dishes (steaks, soups, schnitzel) with an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients such as white asparagus in spring and chanterelle mushrooms in summer, accompanied by wines from the region's finest producers. In summer you can dine alfresco on the garden patio.

High ceilings, chandeliers, and traditional wooden furnishings help shape Wiesbaden's answer to a Bavarian beer hall, with a good selection of draft and bottled Weihenstephaner beers to match. The classic Bavarian food comes in very generous portions, from the best crispy Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) in town—worth ordering in advance as they only make a set number each day—to schnitzel, fried chicken, and sausages with sauerkraut and fried potatoes.

This wine estate's tavern and hotel, Boppard's oldest, is full of smiling faces: the wines are excellent, the food is simple and hearty, and the welcome is warm. Old chestnut trees shade tables in the courtyard. If you'd like to visit the cellars or vineyards, or have a wine tasting, ask the friendly hosts.

Hunting scenes and trophies line the wood-paneled walls of this cozy wine restaurant, named after the patron saint of hunters and built in 1689. Expect hearty portions of fresh, traditional fare such as Wildschwein Würstchen, or wild boar sausages. This beautiful building is right on the corner of Florinsmarkt and Gemüsegasse.

This charming restaurant, six generations in the same family, is furnished with antiques. The cuisine (courtesy of the chef, Simon Nauels) presents a seasonally changing menu of modern versions of German classics, demonstrating that there's a lot more to the country's cooking than wurst and sauerkraut—a specialty is a hearty sirloin steak with a mustard crust and served with truffled mashed potatoes. The restaurant also offers a full vegetarian prix-fixe menu (Das Tante Anna Menü).

Daily soups and stews, hearty fare, cold snacks, and fresh, regional cuisine are served with wines from the Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt estate. The Tagesgericht (daily special) and Aktionsmenü (prix-fixe menu) are a good bet; Das Beste der Region (the region's best) is an ample selection of local hams, cheeses, fish, and breads, served on a wooden board for two.

A five-minute drive south of Bingen town center—you'll need to cross over the Drususbrücke, Germany's oldest medieval stone bridge, to reach the west side of the Nahe River—this charming restaurant and wine bar is a longstanding local favorite. Expect refined country cooking with seasonal house specialties including Geschmorte Schweinebacken (braised pork cheeks) and Winzerschmaus (a casserole of potatoes, sauerkraut, bacon, cheese, and herbs), alongside wines produced by the Rumpf family. Sit inside the light and airy 1790s house or outside on the large, wisteria-draped suntrap of a patio.