Nuremberg Food & Drink: Top 5 Culinary Delights

When you plan a visit to Nuremberg, Germany, you might wanna prep for more than just seeing historical sights; get ready to experience some really awesome tastes, too. The city is so packed with spots where you can grab some traditional eats and drinks. From the super famous Nuremberg sausages to cool, local beers, there’s quite a bit that will tickle your taste buds. Here’s your guide, a peek at the top five edible and drinkable treasures that just beg to be savored. Think of it as, basically, your foodie map to making the most of Nuremberg’s tasty side. Seriously, it’s delicious.

1. Nuremberg Rostbratwurst: A Sausage Sensation

So, first on the list, there’s the Nuremberg Rostbratwurst. These tiny sausages are, you know, basically a big deal around here. Measuring in at a mere 7 to 9 cm, they’re, too it’s almost, kinda traditionally made with, like, finely ground pork, marjoram, and a blend of spices that’s, in some respects, been a well-kept secret for, actually, centuries. You can usually find them grilled over an open beechwood fire, which gives them, apparently, that uniquely smoky taste. They’re typically served in sets of six, nine, or even twelve, either on a pewter plate at traditional restaurants or in a “Drei im Weggla” – three sausages in a bun, which you can grab from street vendors all over the city. If you want, try hitting up Bratwurstglöcklein or the Historische Bratwurstküche, they are great joints, both serve them. Grab one and taste the experience.

2. Schäufele: Franconian Pork Shoulder

Next up, you, arguably, gotta give Schäufele a try. Schäufele’s that iconic Franconian dish everyone raves about, a pork shoulder that gets its name, kinda, from the shoulder blade (Schaufel in German). The meat’s prepared in a way that makes the skin turn super crispy. It’s usually marinated with local herbs and spices and then roasted slowly to tender perfection, y’know? Serving usually includes a generous portion of the roast pork, covered in gravy made from the roasting juices, accompanied by potato dumplings (Klöße) and either sauerkraut or seasonal salad. Keep an eye out at local Gasthäuser for some of this treat because the locals know where it’s at.

3. Lebkuchen: Nuremberg’s Famous Gingerbread

Moving onto something on the sweeter side, that, in some respects, means trying out Lebkuchen. Lebkuchen are just part of, well, everything here. Often referred to as Nuremberg’s gingerbread, they’re, might be, more than your average cookie. With recipes, literally, dating back to the Middle Ages, this gingerbread is traditionally baked on Oblaten (thin wafers) and flavored with different spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, anise, and cardamom. The fancier versions are, like your, coated in chocolate or a sugar glaze and decorated with almonds. These treats, basically, get seriously popular around Christmas, but a number of stores keep them around all through the year. If you’re into all sorts of variations, like your chocolate-covered ones, the ones loaded with nuts, or even some organic options, places like Lebkuchen-Schmidt, Wicklein, and Haeberlein-Metzger all stock them. Be sure that you try at least, basically, one flavor combo.

4. Franconian Wine: A Regional Delight

For the wine enthusiasts out there, Franconian wine’s the one to sample in Nuremberg, or anywhere within Franconia itself really, that is. Franconia, that’s that, apparently, northerly part of Bavaria, has conditions that are perfect to give you a quite special kind of wine – usually, in some respects, dry, earthy, and crisp. And, yeah, a huge number of the wines end up being bottled in their signature Bocksbeutel bottles (a flattened round shape). So, yeah, when it comes to white wine, Silvaner dominates, it’s, apparently, renowned because of its delicate flavors and mineral finish, reflecting the special shell limestone soils of the region. Visit any Weinhaus and test your selection. It’s very neat, I’m tellin ya!

5. Tucher Beer: Nuremberg’s Liquid Gold

So, last on this tasty tour, that means, like your, beers – and specifically, the Tucher beer, a big fave amongst the locals, and for good reason. Tucher’s a brewery that’s, in a way, part of the vibe in Nuremberg. People have brewed it here for literally, probably, hundreds of years, and it reflects Nuremberg’s brewing traditions, yeah? So, anyway, you want something pale and crisp? Try the Helles. Feeling something dark and full-bodied? Give the Dunkel a taste. For a seasonal treat, their Weizen (wheat beer) nails that fruity clove flavor and it’s often, typically, the go-to on hotter days. Stop by any local pub (Kneipe) and get ready to experience something traditional, very, very local, and pretty awesome.