Traditional German Breakfasts: Savory & Sweet Delicacies in a Bread Lover’s Paradise
Traditionally, German breakfasts are known for their surprising variety, high quality ingredients and utmost freshness. Sausage specialties are from select local butchers. Honey comes directly from the beekeeper. And it’s a bread lover’s paradise. Every kind of freshly baked roll and hearty, seeded bread you have dreamed of is offered.
My husband and I have traveled throughout Germany many times over the years. We have driven from Berlin in Northeastern Germany to Mittenwald in Southern Bavaria. Whether staying at a luxury five star hotel in the capital or in small towns in rural parts of the country, one thing has been consistent. We have always received a great breakfast, called Frühstũck in German. It has been offered everywhere we have stayed. This is true regardless of the price of the hotel.
The traditional and diverse nature of German breakfasts is the stuff of legend. At least, they are as far as my husband is concerned. Those seeking authentic and varied German breakfast options will not be disappointed. The German hotels we have stayed at pulled out all the stops when it came to their breakfast offerings. Some even have special table linens just for breakfast.
When traveling in Germany, you are spoiled for choices. This is especially true when it comes to breakfast. It does not matter whether you are an early riser or a late riser. You could be a picky eater or a gourmand, it won’t matter. There is always an abundance of wonderful cold and savory items to satisfy your morning hunger. You can indulge to your heart’s content and never be rushed.
Each day begins with a sumptuous breakfast buffet at most of the hotels we have stayed at. We are very fond of the wellness hotels in Germany and Austria. At those hotels, breakfast is always included in the price of the room.
Would you believe that Bavaria alone produces more than 400 different cheeses. A good German buffet will include a wide choice of both soft and firm cheeses. Many of the cheeses come from nearby dairy farms. The cheeses are served, both sliced and in wedges so you can cut the amount you would like.
I’ve never been to a German breakfast buffet that hasn’t included the finest of freshly sliced hams. They also have sliced cured meats and multiple sausages as well as a variety of smoked fish.
There is usually a large choice of cereals like Bircher muesli or granola and yogurt. Additionally, there are fresh sliced fruits and various dried fruits, nuts and seeds. There are multiple homemade jams and honey directly from the comb.
Most of the restaurants offer pancakes, waffles and fresh free range eggs. These include Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs with bacon and mushrooms, or fried eggs. dThey are freshly prepared in front of the guests at several live cooking stations. They can also be ordered and delivered directly to your table.
You’ll also find a variety of delicious savory dishes. There is smoked salmon and trout, potato pancakes and chunky fried potatoes. You can also try traditional dishes like Leberwurst or Weisswurst, which are white sausages, with Bavarian pretzels and sweet mustard.
In addition to coffee and tea, there are freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies. There are also vitamin corners with presses so that you can create different fresh vegetable juices. There is also sparkling and still water as well as Sekt, German sparkling wine.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a German breakfast without lots of different rolls and dense, seeded bread. The German bread culture is amazing. There are over 300 traditional types of bread and several thousand different bread rolls and other baked goods. When it comes to baking bread, German bakers really know what they are doing. There will always be a particularly noteworthy variety of different types of bread and rolls available at breakfast each day.
Germany’s freshly baked breads play a special role in their cuisine, especially at breakfast. You may see as many as 70 different kinds. These include wheat bread, rye bread, multi-grain bread, and dark bread. They are offered each morning as we saw during our stay at Das Kranzbach.
The extravagance of a traditional German breakfast spread is legendary. Perhaps you will start with a plate of cured meats and sausages or salmon and cream cheese. Maybe add a crusty roll with farm fresh butter. Finally, a flakey pastry like a croissant with homemade jam. Whatever you choose, I know it will be satisfying and delicious.
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In Germany, a delicious breakfast usually tides you over until dinner later in the evening. After dinner, you go to bed and dream about the wonderful German breakfast you will have the next morning. Such bliss!
Love this post Karen! We just spent some time in Italy and the breakfast in every hotel is similar and wonderful as in Germany. We too would hold off until dinner time and look forward to the next morning! lol….great post!
When my sister was a controller for the Air Force in Germany she took us to this fabulous restaurant and we couldn’t believe all the food – not the healthiest but oh so good 🙂
Many yars ago I had a German girlfriend and breakfast was like that everyday! In Spanish there is a specific word for bread lover – panarra.
Love everything about this! Nourishment in art form 😍😋
Love EVERYTHING about this! Nourishment in art form, beautiful 😍😋
Karen, many years ago we were in a beautiful hotel in Munich and each morning the breakfasts were fabulous! I love all of your images, they highlight the loveliness of a German breakfast!
Now THAT is hearty!
Breakfast is my favorite meal dining out — any time of the day. And, for all the reasons you’ve so beautifully photographed here! I’m salivating!
These breakfasts sound truly amazing Karen, and I can see why they will tide you over until dinner! Incredible!
Jenna
During my study abroad in Germany in 1980, I fell in love with meats and cheeses for breakfast — but I also had a soft spot for the creamy butter and jam on a torn apart Brötchen! Thanks for sharing the beautiful spreads you encountered over the years!
I remember those beautiful breakfast spreads at those lovely hotels in Baden Baden and Heidelberg. I was in heaven.
I absolutely loved breakfasts when we were in Germany. What fun! Great photos.
Karen, the Kempinski hotel in Berchtesgaden, where we recently stayed served a breakfast just as you have described. It was a much anticipated meal each day.
Wow, what a beautiful display of deliciousness! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Great post Karen with some excellent photos of delicious food. I’ve been to Germany a few times and when going to breakfast I wondered where the bacon, eggs, biscuits and pancakes were but I learned to appreciate how good that great meat & cheese and a crusty roll could be.
Breakfast is always a major event in Germany. My brother will go out and get fresh rolls (Brötchen ) from the bakery . Karen, you are making me homesick because I haven’t been to Germany this year.
This looks delightful!
this is my kind of breakfast! How marvellous! I love a european type of breakfast with cold meats and cheese and bread and … Just delicious.
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
What beautiful descriptions and photos!! Can’t wait to visit that area.
Wow! That food is gorgeous! My breakfast at home usually consists of coffee and maybe a piece of toast with butter. If I ate a German breakfast I think that would be it for the day. My husband and I often lament our dwindling appetites as we get older.
I think I would definitely avoid lunch if I had enjoyed a large German breakfast.
I have just finished my breakfast, but would start all over again if I were in such a hotel with all that choice! I thought I recognized those bread counters and then you said ‘Kranzbach’ where we have also spent a long weekend. Yes, German bread is amazing and people go to the baker’s almost daily here. You have some great photos of all that delicious food Karen!
Hello Karen, always nice to see people appreciating our German culture, be it breakfast/bread or anything else (as opposed to the current social media hype about how horrible it is when you ask for a glass of water in a German restaurant…)🙄.
While living in the UK, bread & bread rolls was the only thing I truly missed.
What wonderful breakfast!
Germany, of course, is on our travel bucket list. And as more savoury-breakfast folks, I’m not positive we won’t be hungry while in Germany (well, in fact, well probably gain a few pounds thanks to all those irresistible breads and meats lol)
You had me at bread lover’s paradise. Ouch! Those photos had me drooling!
Oh, I endorse this post 100%! I know this will sound crazy, but one of my favorite parts of visiting Germany is the breakfasts! In fact, I often call them “German breakfasts,” not really knowing if that’s an actual thing. You’ve done a much better job of describing it than I ever have, and of course the pictures really help tell that story. From time to time, I’ve tried to recreate them at home, but it’s actually hard to do – and I think it’s because of what you mention: the variety and the quality. Everything needs to be hand-picked and fabulous. And the breads and pastries have to be top-notch and absolutely fresh. I’ve never had anything like this outside Germany.
We have a similar breakfast in Hungary, delicious cold cuts, cheese, bread, fresh vegetables; my mouth is watering as I read your blog and looked at the photos. In fact, we have had similar breakfasts in Italy too. In Spain, they prefer a slice of tomato bread which pales in comparison.
Your post captures the essence of a traditional German breakfast beautifully! The vivid descriptions of the varied and high-quality offerings, from the rich selection of cheeses and freshly sliced meats to the array of bread and pastries, make it clear why German breakfasts are so highly regarded. It feels like you are having a charcuterie and cheese board for breakfast and I lov eit
Such fabulous breakfasts! I always enjoy the variety of cheeses as well.
Karen, your photos are amazing. The breakfast buffets sound and look so delicious. I can clearly understand it tiding you over until dinner. The variety of meats, cheeses and fresh baked bread looks so satisfying. Thanks for sharing.
Karen, your photos are amazing. The breakfast buffets sound and look so delicious. I can clearly understand it tiding you over until dinner. The variety of meats, cheeses and fresh baked bread looks so satisfying. Thanks for sharing.
Hello dear friend, I’ve missed you. Whaat a wonderful post all devoted to the wonderful German breakfast. I agree, such a variety of delicious savory meats and sweet treats and breads. Just remembering it leaving me hungry for one of those special spreads. I enjoyed seeing your photos and hearing about some of your travels. Hoping all is well with your and wishing you many future safe travels……
We were very impressed with the Norwegian breakfasts, but oh, that German roll display is mind-boggling!
A breakfast after my own heart! We have not had hotel breakfasts in Germany, but this is exactly what we experienced in Switzerland 🙂
Such a delicious post, Karen! Beautiful photos. That window view is breathtaking. We loved German breads, sausage,…. when we traveled to German.
As a total carb fiend, this is heaven to me! Wow, look at the variety of breads. I would happily spend hours sampling all of them, along with all those delicious accompaniments.
As a total carb fiend, that is heaven to me! Wow, look at all the varieties of bread. I could happily spend hours sampling each one, along with all those delicious accompaniments.
My husband and I stayed at Das Kranzbach last summer (loved it). Is there any place that you think is a better or comparable choice for an active couple in summer (we can speak German, if that impacts your recommendation)? Thanks for your input!