The unlikely hero to emerge from the ongoing UEFA EURO 2024 tournament has been food. While the players of 24 nations set out to win the Euro Cup trophy in the host nation of Germany, their fans have been showing support in the most unique way. Besides the game itself, the national dishes of these countries have been battling it out in fan zones. With a recent survey revealing the most loved dishes from the nations participating in Euro 2024, here’s a look at where you can enjoy them in Germany.
The UEFA EURO 2024 tournament kicked off on June 14 and is currently at a crucial juncture, as 16 nations made it out of the group stage, fought it out to make it to the quarter-finals and will soon be headed to semi-final and final games. The German cities of Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart are to host the remaining matches of the tournament.
Besides the sport itself, one of the most entertaining things to emerge from this year’s tournament has been the good-natured food wars that fans have been indulging in. Social media is currently abuzz with videos of supporters carrying hilarious placards with witty food puns as they take funny jibes at their opponent’s national dishes. With each country defending their culinary reputation, the battle of baguettes vs spaghetti and such other comparisons have become unwittingly hilarious.
For foodies who are travelling in support of their teams in Germany, this food guide features the best places you can eat the most loved dishes from participating Euro 2024 nations.
For the host nation, the bite-sized, street-food snack of currywurst seems to have gathered a new fanbase. While it has always been a fairly popular game snack in Germany, football fans from other nations have also taken a liking to the fast food delicacy, which consists of pork sausage garnished with curry sauce. The savoury snack has been offered at stadiums throughout the country during the European Championship but if you are looking for the best places to enjoy this dish, Berlin has some amazing spots for it. It is a major part of the city’s food culture with origins that date back to the 1950s. The currywurst is usually sliced into small bite-sized pieces, doused in ketchup, and sprinkled with curry powder. It is also often served with fries or bread.
While many joints serve currywurst in Berlin, some special places such as Konnopke Imbiss, which has been around since 1930, is known to serve the most famous currywurst in the city. A local favourite is also Curry Baude, which is located near the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station.
Where to eat Currywurst in Berlin:
Konnopke’s Imbiss
Location: Schönhauser Allee 44B (under the viaduct) 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
Curry Baude
Location: 1-5 Badstraße, Mitte, BE 13357
Krasselt’s Imbiss
Location: Steglitzer Damm 22, 12169 Berlin
A classic in Swiss cuisine, fondue is a melted cheese dish served in a pot set over a portable stove in which small pieces of bread, vegetables, or meat are dipped using long-stemmed forks. The bubbling fondue makes for a tasty indulgence, particularly during the colder months. Considering the multicultural food scene of Berlin, it’s no surprise that the city offers some brilliant options that explore traditional as well as contemporary Swiss dishes.
Among the most famous places in the city, Ars Vini is a favourite for serving 20 different fondue options, mainly during the winter months. Schwarze Heidi Fonduehütt is yet another place that serves not just fondue, but also Röschti burgers and other varieties that will appeal to Swiss fans attending Euros 2024. For those looking for a combination of modern dishes marrying both German and Swiss influences, Chalet Suisse is a beautiful restaurant offering a delicious menu as well as a mesmerising ambience.
Where to eat fondue/Swiss cuisine options in Berlin:
Schwarze Heidi Fonduehütte
Location: RAW Gelände, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain
Chalet Suisse
Location: Clayallee 99, Im Jagen 5, 14195 Berlin,
As Spain gears up for Euro 2024 semi-final, Spanish fans travelling to the German city can look forward to a taste of home at some amazing Spanish eaterish. Besides their famous appetizers — Tapas, yet another famous dish in Spanish cuisine is Paella. A traditional offering, it is made with bomba rice, vegetables, and spices, and can often be customised with your favourite proteins from seafood to chicken.
Considering the popularity of Spanish cuisine, Stuttgart is home to several eateries that offer the same, with José y Josefina emerging as a popular choice among locals and travellers alike. A family-run restaurant owned by siblings Sonia, Juan, and David, it is named after their parents who emigrated to Stuttgart in the 1970s. The restaurant specialises in modern Spanish cuisine and also offers a variety of interesting dishes.
José y Josefina
Location: Gutenbergstraße 87, 70197 Stuttgart, Germany
Contact: +49 711 67416636
info@joseyjosefina.de
Er Vaquita
Location: Vogelsangstraße 41, 70197 Stuttgart, Germany
Contact:+49 711 235146
While English fans will certainly enjoy authentic German beers amid Euro 2024, the same cannot be said when a choice is presented between currywurst or a classic English breakfast comprising beans on toast, sausages, fried eggs, and grilled vegetables. With team England advancing through to the quarter-final and set to take on Switzerland in Düsseldorf on July 6, here’s where fans can indulge in their favourite hometown bites. Cosy cafes like Seven Sundays offer the perfect spread of an authentic English breakfast, best paired with their signature pancakes and coffees.
Seven Sundays
Location: Lorettostraße 7, 40219 Düsseldorf, Germany
Contact: +49 211 15852122
Hyde Brunch Cafe
Location: Am Wehrhahn 45, 40211 Dusseldorf
Contact: info@hydebrunch.de
In a heartbreaker of a game, Italy, the defending champions, were knocked out of Euro 2024 by Switzerland. The game, which was held in Berlin, saw a legion of Italian fans turn up in support their team. Despite their campaign for the tournament coming to an end, Italian fans can continue to explore Germany and engage with the country’s gastronomy scene, which likewise features a plethora of Italian dining options.
Offering both classic and fusion dishes, some of the country’s top Italian restaurants are found in Berlin. A popular eatery that serves the best carbonara in Berlin is Amon, situated at Charlottenstrasse; it is frequented by foodies and fans of the popular Italian pasta dish. Those looking for fusion-style Italian dishes with a modern twist can pay a visit to one of the city’s best Italian restaurants,136 Restaurant, which boasts a delicious menu crafted by Chef Matias Diaz Silva.
Where to eat Spaghetti alla Carbonara Romana in Berlin:
Amon
Location: Charlottenstrasse 35, Berlin, 10117
Contact: 030-75439120
136 Restaurant
Location: Linienstraße 136, 10115 Berlin
Contact: +49 30 27909683
Reservation: 136-berlin.com
A popular dish in Danish cuisine, Smørrebrød is an open-faced rye sandwich that is generously paired with toppings ranging from smoked salmon to beef and eggs. A Danish-style rye bread is typically used as a base for smørrebrød. Among the most loved dishes from Euro 2024 nations, this Danish dish has caught everyone’s attention; if you are looking to try it in Germany, we’ve got you covered. While Denmark ran out of luck and was eliminated by Germany in round 16, the city of Dortmund can offer comfort for heartbroken fans with its Danish cuisine restaurants offering the much-loved smørrebrød. For those who wish to experiment, a rare combination of Westphalian and Scandinavian cuisine is available at Kerstins, a quaint restaurant offering varieties of smørrebrød with multiple toppings including blue cheese and eggs.
Where to eat smørrebrød in Dortmund:
Kerstins
Location: Rossbachstrasse 34, 44369 Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
Contact: +49 1577 1330603
Labsal
Location: Rheinische Str. 12, 44137 Dortmund
Contact: dante@labsal-dortmund.de
For lovers of cheese, this Georgian dish is a must-try, given that melted cheese forms the centre of its sumptuous recipe. The national dish of Georgia, Khachapuri is basically a boat-shaped homemade bread stuffed with three types of melted cheese on the inside, with a runny egg yolk in the centre. Among the most commonly used cheeses are imeruli and sulguni, which are found locally in Georgia. The signature dish can be found on the menu of any Georgian restaurant.
While the national team of Georgia bowed out of Euro 2024 at their final game in Cologne, the city has several eateries that are ready to provide fans with solace and comfort in celebrating their home team. In fact, as the national dish of Georgia, Khachapuri can also be found at Badagi, a restaurant dedicated to Georgian cuisine.
Where to eat Khachapuri in Cologne:
Badagi
Location: Hauptstraße, 50996 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
Tamada
Location: Sebastianstraße 175, 50735 Köln
Contact: +49 221 7123365
As a nation bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is known its seafood dishes. The country shares a special bond with sardines, and the fish has become no less than a cultural symbol for the nation with Grilled Portuguese sardines famously enjoyed by locals and travellers alike. Whether they are canned or fresh, sardines play a major role in Portuguese cuisine, and it comes as no surprise that they are representative of Portugal among the most loved dishes from Euro 2024 nations. Even though Portugal is out of the tournament, there is still a chance for fans to enjoy the country’s vibrant cuisine in the German city of Hamburg where fans who cheered for Portugal and their star player Cristiano Ronaldo can enjoy a taste of home. There are several restaurants in the city dedicated to Portuguese cuisine, such as La Sepia where fans can head to feast on traditional seafood dishes.
Where to eat Portuguese dishes in Hamburg:
La Sepia
Location: Neuer Pferdemarkt 16, 20357 Hamburg
Contact: +49 40 4322484
Zur Alten Flöte
Location: Koppel 6, 20099 Hamburg
Contact: +49 40 25328737
French cuisine has a lot of iconic dishes and cassoulet is one of them. This traditional dish hails from the South of France and is a delicious casserole that traditionally consists of beans, pork sausage, and chicken breast. Given that cassoulet is a quintessential winter dish, it may be difficult to find restaurants serving it amid the European summer; however, given the variety of French cuisine, there are a lot of other signature dishes that fans can enjoy during their stay in Germany for the tournament. With the national team of France through to the semi-final, restaurants like Café Paris are great picks for fans to satiate their French food cravings. One of the oldest restaurants in the city, Café Paris is known for having served the best bouillabaisse and steak tartare since the 1800s. The restaurant’s art-deco-style architecture is also an added delight, providing a Parisian feel that visitors will relish.
Where to eat classic French dishes in Hamburg:
Café Paris
Location: Rathausstraße 4, 20095, Hamburg
Contact: +49 40 32527777
Le Plat du Jour
Location: Dornbusch 4, 20095 Hamburg
Contact: +49 40 321414
The national dish of Romania, Samarle cu mămăligă (Romanian cabbage rolls) is widely popular because of its unique flavour. The one-pot dish is composed of cabbage rolls filled with a mixture of ground meat and rice; it is often prepared for family gatherings during the holidays. The traditional dish often appears on the menu of Romanian restaurants.
In Munich, Pschorr-Krug in Oberländerstraße is a popular restaurant that serves Romanian cuisine including Mici, a traditional dish of grilled ground meat rolls. Despite Romania’s ouster following the quarter-finals, for those looking to experience a taste of the country’s amazing cuisine, football fans can look forward to a taste of home at the restaurant.
Where to eat Romanian dishes in Munich:
Pschorr-Krug
Location: Oberländerstraße 32, 81371 München
Contact: +49 89 763805
Haring or Hollandse Nieuwe is a traditional Dutch dish consisting of raw herring which is usually served with chopped raw onions and pickled cucumbers. It is one of the staples of Amsterdam’s culinary scene, with herring carts scattered across the city. The fish is also served as part of the Broodje harin sandwich, which features salt-cured herring, pickled cucumbers and onions. While raw herring dishes are difficult to find in Germany, Hollands Pannekoekhuis in Berlin is one of the rare garden cafes that offers Dutch pancakes and also other traditional Dutch dishes. Fans of the Netherlands who will be cheering for their team at the upcoming semi-final match can enjoy some Dutch dishes at the eateries below.
Where to eat Dutch food in Berlin:
Hollands Pannekoekhuis
Location: Spreestraße 22, 12559 Berlin
Contact: +49 1515 7949625
Rembrandt-burger
Location: Richard-Sorge-Straße 21, 10249 Berlin
Contact: +49 30 89997296
One of the most famous Austrian dishes is the Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet that is served with lemon wedges and greens as garnish. The veal schnitzel is usually served as a main dish alongside potato salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or mashed potatoes. Considering the similarities between German and Austrian cuisine, there are plenty of restaurants across Germany that serve wiener schnitzel as well as other Austrian dishes.
Where to eat Wiener Schnitzel in Leipzig:
Ratskeller der Stadt Leipzig
Location: Lotterstraße 1, 04109 Leipzig
Contact: +49 341 1234567
Café Grundmann
Location: August-Bebel-Straße 2, 04275 Leipzig
Contact: +49 341 2228962
The popularity of Kebabs has now expanded beyond Turkey; today, it is a dish that ranks at the top for many meat lovers. The famous Turkish Kebabs are made of lamb, chicken, or beef, slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie or skewers. They are served with grilled vegetables, lavash (thin flatbread), and a simple sumac salad. Of late, Germany has taken a strong liking to döner kebab, a dish of Turkish origin which has become one of the most loved street food dishes in the country. It’s no surprise that Kebabs are Turkey’s pick for the most loved dishes of Euro 2024 nations. Turkish fans attending Euro 2024 games will be spoilt for choice, with plenty of restaurants serving a delicious variety of kebabs that they can choose from. While Turkey concluded their final game of the tournament in Leipzig, supporters of the team can check out our recommendations for the best kebab joints in the city.
Where to eat Turkish kebab in Leipzig:
Schiller Restaurant
Location: Schillerstraße 3, 04109 Leipzig
Contact: +49 341 96285777
Olive Tree
Location: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 38, 04107 Leipzig
Contact: +49 176 34125996
(Main and featured images: Jay Wennington/Unsplash)
Germany is hosting the Euro 2024 tournament, which is scheduled to take place from 14 June 2024 to 14 July 2024. There are 24 participating teams and nations.
The final game of Euro 2024 is set to take place in Berlin's Olympiastadion.
Senior Digital Writer, People, Entertainment and Fashion
Surabhi Redkar is a pop culture enthusiast with a keen interest in celebrity fashion and beauty trends. A post graduate in multimedia journalism from Birmingham City University, she has worked with several ..Read More
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