Top foods in Dortmund, Germany

No one would deny that German sausages are the most stereotypical kind of food you can imagine when talking about the country's gastronomical scene. However, there's also no denying that the sausages are great, and the reputation that bore the stereotype is stellar. A classic example would be currywurst, the traditional steamed and fried sausage, usually pork, but in the hands of inventive chefs, almost any meat can be adapted to the recipe. Naturally, the sausages should be served with curry ketchup, a sauce based on spiced ketchup or tomato paste topped with curry powder.

Wurst Willi would be a great option for currywurst.

Another sausage on our list, this time a proven classic. The recipe for bratwurst dates back to the Middle Ages, and recipes actually vary depending on the part of Germany you're in when you feel the need for some strong sausage. The basis is still the same, though, as it is always a sausage from chopped meat. The main ingredient is traditionally pork, but beef and veal are usually incorporated amongst a blend in modern iterations of the dish. Naturally, this makes bratwurst rather hefty and strong.

How about some bratwurst at Imbiss Hohe Straße?

The next item on our list is yet another sausage, this time hailing from another distinguished city, Frankfurt. The frankfurter sausages became popular around the globe thanks to the versatility and applicability of the recipe that's far more interesting than regular old hotdogs. There are actually several variations of the sausage under the same umbrella term, and all of them have something special to offer, but the important part is always the same – a pork or beef sausage suitable for grilling or boiling.

La Romantica Da Franco Dortmund has many local and non-local offerings like that.

Finally, an offering on our list that isn't a sausage! It's been noted by many that kebabs are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Some attribute it to the changing social structure and diversification of the cultural environments, some think it's the effect of globalization, but the food is tasty in any case. Doner kebabs in particular are made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The sliced meat of a doner kebab may be served on a plate with various accompaniments, stuffed into a pita or other type of bread.

Great doner kebabs can be found at Filia.

We're back to sausages again, but this time with an unexpected twist. There are different kinds of sausages in Germany, over a thousand varieties, in fact, yet most of them are associated with meat. However, potato sausages are a very real thing. Despite them not being as well-known as other varieties, they are actually quite beloved by the locals. The main problem is that very few chefs can actually make proper potato sausages, so hunting down the right place is a challenge.

Wenkers am Markt is one of such places in Dortmund.

Finally, we are moving on from the reign of sausages and into the realm of other shapes and sizes of tasty German dishes. For example, schnitzels are a staple food in local cuisine. One of the more beloved variations is the wiener schnitzel, a type of schnitzel made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. These schnitzels are of Austrian origin, but they are extremely well-known in this part of Europe in general and among German regions in particular. 

Treppchen 1763 is a decent option here.

Let's look away from the great selection of meats and meat-based dishes the Germans have. Local cuisine isn't exactly known for its pastries or any kinds of sweets for that matter, but there are some dishes that help sweeten the deal. A Berliner is a German doughnut with no central hole, made from sweet yeast dough fried in fat or oil. A marmalade or jam filling like a jelly doughnut is normally used, and an inventive chef can always think of something more original.

JIA - the taste of home offers lots of sweets.

This offering on our list is really surprising. Finding a Greek dish that's popular in a major German city is not a common occurrence at all. Gyros is a Greek dish made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. When preparing the dish, meat is cut into approximately round, thin, flat slices, which are then stacked on a spit and seasoned. Fat trimmings are usually interspersed. Spices may include cumin, oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc. Chicken and pork are the main options for the filling, but other meats have been more and more popular as part of the recipe.

Olympia Grill has great Greek options.

Here's another offering from abroad that became an unexpected hit among the local eaters. An Arabic dish called lahmacun consists of a round, thin piece of dough topped with minced beef or lamb, vegetables, and herbs including onions, garlic, tomatoes, red peppers, and parsley. Due to its shape and superficial similarity, it is sometimes described as Turkish pizza, Armenian pizza, or similar names, even though lahmacun is almost never made with cheese.

Pamukkale Grill will take care of your exotic food desires.

We shall end this list with another Middle-Eastern offering, which will make quite the finisher for a collection of sausages, meats, and even a little bit of sweetness. Falafels are deep-fried balls or patty-shaped fritters made from ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both. Back in the part of the world where it was invented, falafels are a type of street food, but that doesn't mean they are beneath notice in a European restaurant. Quite contrary, they are worth checking out for a new twist on the old recipe.

The aptly named Uni Falafel is an obvious choice here.

As you can see, Dortmund combines strong German traditions with the updated, more global and diverse palette of foods from around the world. We hope you will enjoy getting to know the city and its food for yourself.