Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dining Etiquette
From
Allerseelenzopf
(a sweet bread loaf) to
Zwick-
elbier
(unfiltered beer), all of the mysteries behind
Bavaria's regional culinary secrets are revealed on
On the Menu
English menus are not a given, even in big cit-
ies, though the waiter or waitress will almost
invariably be able to translate for you. The
more rural and remote you go, the less likely it
is that the restaurant will have an English menu, or multilingual staff for that matter. It
helps to know a few words of German.
Paying the Bill
Sometimes the person who invites pays, but generally locals go Dutch and split the bill
evenly. This might mean everyone chipping in at the end of a meal or asking to pay separ-
ately (
getrennte Rechnung
). Buying rounds in bars British-style is not usually the done
thing, though friends might buy each other the odd drink. In bars and beer halls, table ser-
vice is still quite common and waiting staff often come around to
abkassieren
(cash up).
DOS & DON'TS
» Do bring a small gift - flowers or a bottle of wine - when invited to a meal.
» Do say
Guten Appetit!
(
bon appetit!
) before starting to eat.
» Do offer to help with the dishes afterwards.
» Don't start eating until everyone has been served.
» Don't expect to get a glass of tap water at a restaurant.
» Don't assume you can pay by credit card when eating out.
Table Reservations
If you want to dine at formal or popular restaurants, it is wise to make table reservations a
day or two ahead. Michelin-starred restaurants are often booked up weeks in advance, es-
pecially at weekends. Most
Gasthöfe
,
Gaststätten
, cafes and beer halls should be able to
squeeze you in at a moment's notice.
