Highlights of plant-based cuisine to enjoy
Germany offers a wealth of vegetarian and vegan options that are becoming increasingly popular. Here’s an in-depth look into the diverse world of its meat-free cuisine. Additionally, bread — a quintessential German product — is often vegetarian or vegan. That’s why a traditional bakery or dish is included in the description of each region or city covered. Enjoy exploring and trying them out!
Hamburg’s best vegetarian delights
The Hanseatic city is best known for its extraordinary variety of excellent restaurants: the Michelin Guide alone has recognized 56 restaurants here, 10 of them awarded with stars, including one three-star restaurant and three two-star restaurants. You can enjoy sustainable, high-quality food in any number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in this lively port city. A typical local pastry from Hamburg are the Franzbrötchen, which are cinnamon-filled and come in several varieties. The locals just love this sweet treat. Here is the recipe for the original Hamburg Franzbrötchen.
Frankfurt’s vegetarian treasures
Besides the skyscrapers, the impressive museum landscape and the sustainable gastronomy, the metropolis on the Main offers a great vegetarian and vegan food scene, so you don't have to worry about feeling hungry between meals. Hesse is especially famous for its Tarte Flambée with leeks. The recipe usually includes bacon but can also be made without it as a vegetarian alternative.
Heidelberg's veggie fairy tale
This charming city on the Neckar River offers an impressive number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, with a wide variety of options to suit all tastes. With its beautiful old half-timbered houses, roaming the city is like stepping into a fairy tale. Its vibrant, creative environment is perfect for those following a diet free of meat or animal products entirely. A traditional recipe in Baden-Württemberg is Swabian Onion Cake, which is usually served with bacon, but can also be made without it as a vegetarian alternative.
Saarbrücken: small city, big food experience
In 2015, this charming city on the French border welcomed its first vegan restaurant. Today, Saarbrücken stands out as a remarkable place for vegans and vegetarians, with a significant number of specialty restaurants. This impressive growth complements the city's rich heritage, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Völklinger Hütte. They also have a special bread that is vegan. Here is the recipe so you can try it at home — or buy it fresh from a local bakery.
