18 Best Restaurants in The Rhineland, Germany

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.

More than a wine bar (though the wine selection is outstanding), this small restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu of small and medium plates to share. While the theme is "German tapas," the food displays influences from Asia and Turkey, making this a good destination if you are looking for a light bite with your wine or a full meal. Regardless of whether you get the delicious beet carpaccio, Japanese-style fried chicken, sardines on toast, or Iberico ham, or one of the many other offerings, you won't go away hungry. And you can choose a delicious Moselle wine to go with your food.

On the top of the Rochusberg, and on the road to St. Roch Chapel, this unusual-looking building is home to an excellent little café-restaurant that serves the town's best-value lunch buffet. The salads, soups, main courses, and desserts are all tasty and wholesome, with many of the dishes based on Hildegard of Bingen's own theories of nutrition. The Sunday buffet is even more elaborate, though more expensive. If you're just looking for a drink or a snack, you can stop in any time for coffee and cake; there's a substantial selection of local beers and wines, too. Save time to explore the ever-changing exhibits on Hildegard and her teachings, and to take a stroll around the medicinal medieval herb garden. There are hotel rooms available if you want to stay a little longer.

Traditional Japanese cuisine meets Western-style fine-dining culture at this excellent restaurant on the northern edge of the Altstadt. The stars of the show here are the spectacular sashimi and sushi, expertly prepared and beautifully presented, but expect all manner of Japanese treats, from miso soup to gyoza dumplings. You can enjoy them all in the dimly lit, bare-walled restaurant or out on the street terrace.

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.

Cologne's main pedestrian shopping street is practical but uninspiring—some even say ugly. This café is an airy, artsy oasis with outdoor terrace seating and a view of the 14th-century Antonite church. The food is international with an emphasis on the Mediterranean, and includes many organic, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. The selection of cakes is divinely German, and there's a jazz dinner every Saturday. Three enormous, delicate chandeliers, made entirely of plastic waste, provide lighting.

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​.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether you dine inside or out, this city center weinstube (wine bar) is a great dining and drinking option. In addition to the German dishes on the regular menu, you can order à la carte or prix-fixe based on recipes attributed to the Roman gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius in the evening. If eating outside, take a trip down to the cellar anyway for a peek at the collection of Roman artifacts on display.