When hunger strikes after exploring Germany’s oldest city, head over to these best restaurants in Trier to refuel!
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local seeking somewhere new to dine out, Trier has a lot of options for being a relatively small city! And as a self-declared foodie living here, I’ve made it my mission to get out and try all the best places to eat in Trier.
Whether you’re looking for something low-key, classic German food, international fare, or even something a bit fancier like a Michelin recommended restaurant, Trier’s got it.
Here are some of my favorite Trier restaurants that are worthy of your growling tummy.
↠ Read More: 20 Best Things to Do in Trier, Germany
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Tips for Eating Out in Trier and Germany
- Many restaurants in Germany prefer or require reservations, especially during peak dining times and on the weekends.
- You can make a reservation by calling the restaurant directly, on the restaurant’s website, or some offer reservations through the Google Maps reserve feature. If you’re shy about speaking (or not speaking) German on the phone, emailing also works fine.
- Not every restaurant in Trier is English-friendly.
- Trier isn’t an overly large city, so most restaurants are within walking distance of the city center.
- Many restaurants close on a day or two during the week to make up for being open on the weekends. Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday are popular days restaurants choose to close.
↠ Read More: 10 Best Hotels in Trier, Germany
20 Best Restaurants in Trier, Germany
Without further ado, here are some of the top places to eat in Trier. Happy eating!
1. Wirtshaus Zur Glocke: Traditional German in a Historic Building
No trip to Germany’s oldest city is complete without dining in an old, beautiful restaurant like the Wirsthaus Zur Glocke. Dating back to 1803, this Trier staple has existed for over 200 years. You can feel its age in the interior’s eye-catching stone walls, exposed wooden beams, and overall ambiance. The restaurant is part of the Romantik Hotel Zur Glocke, one of Trier’s best hotels.
The restaurant serves traditional German dishes, and if you’re brave enough, you can even try horse while here.
2. Villa Weißhaus: Mid-Range with a Birds Eye View of Trier
Villa WeißHaus is a high-end restaurant on the other side of the Mosel River from downtown Trier. It sits high upon a hill with picture-perfect views of the city and the passing river.
We visited during their weekend buffet and enjoyed a lovely cocktail alongside our full lunch and even fuller dessert plates. It’s on the pricier end of Trier’s restaurants, but worth it to sit out on their terrace and take in the idyllic views.
3. Altes Brauhaus: Traditional German Dishes
Altes Brauhaus is the place to go for traditional German food done well. Housed in an old building that was once a brewery, the bar and host stand today have been transformed from an old bronze tank. It’s a very cozy place to grab German comfort food.
The restaurant is about a 10-minute drive from the city center, and there’s indoor and outdoor seating. The home-cooked food has been delicious every time we visit and oh so filling. On top of their standard German fare offerings, they also have daily specials – so be sure to ask! Reservations are also a must.
4. Kartoffel Kiste: Potato Restaurant
Kartoffel Kiste is a Trier staple that’s all about the potatoes. Its name even translates to “potato crate,” and they don’t disappoint. The majority of the menu items feature potatoes in forms like fries, soup, au gratin, on the side of steaks, etc. Wash down your hearty meal with a traditional Bitburger while you’re there!
5. Der Daddy Beef.Buns.Burgers: Best Burgers in Trier
Der Daddy Beef.Buns.Burgers is a popular burger joint in Trier that’s super hard to get into. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations and is only open Thursdays to Sundays, which means you’ll probably arrive and see a line of hungry folks waiting their turn.
Once you get inside, they serve up some of the best burgers I’ve had in all of Germany. Think fried egg, bacon, chipotle mayo, and burgers of the month that utilize unique ingredients like donut buns and cranberry onion jam. The burgers are served a la carte, but you can add a side of fries and coleslaw for an extra charge or loaded fries if you’re super hungry. Wash it down with one of their local brews on tap as 90s throwbacks set the scene.
6. Yong Yong: Rotating Asian Offerings
Yong Yong is a cool concept store specializing in Asian dishes and coffees. They change up their menu fairly regularly, so be sure to check in before going to see what their current offerings are.
When we visited last, they had fresh poke bowls and coconut curry noodles. If it’s on the menu, grab a classic Vietnamese coffee to wash down your meal – delicious!
7. Lieblings Trier Café und Bowl: Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant
Lieblings Trier Café und Bowl is a hip restaurant in Trier that’s connected to the zero-waste grocery store Unverpackt Trier. Their menu features a lot of vegetarian-friendly options and focuses on healthy foods.
There are also fantastic coffee and fresh juices available that make a perfect pairing with their savory bowls. I’ve had their vegan Greek bowl, which featured jackfruit as a meat replacement, and it was fantastic – I could hardly tell it wasn’t meat!
8. Taj Mahal Trier: Large Portions of Indian
The Taj Mahal is the place to go for hearty Indian dishes in Trier. Their menu offers all the classics like tikka masala and giant servings of cheese or garlic naan. Vegetarian-friendly dishes are also plentiful.
With your meal, you enjoy complimentary poppadom with three dips and a hearty serving of white rice and regular naan. Come hungry!
9. Chicano: California Mexican
If you’re craving Mexican food that hasn’t been overly Germanized, Chicano is it! It’s not authentic by any means, but rather Tex-Mex or California style. The joint is tiny, so getting a table via walk-in can be tricky, but they do take away.
Chicano is honestly one of our favorite restaurants in Trier! We love their fresh margs, flavorful California burrito, and fully-loaded carne asada French fries.
10. Brasserie ZUR SIM: Good German Food and Porta Nigra Views
Brasserie ZUR SIM is another excellent German restaurant that boasts fantastic views of the Porta Nigra from the comfort of the spacious outdoor terrace. Take your pick from various seafood, steak, and other classic German dishes while there, and be sure to order a local glass of wine to complement your order.
11. Schlemmereule: Michelin Recognized
Schlemmereule, which translates into “gourmet owl,” is the place to go for date night. This fancy German establishment offers seasonal set courses centered around fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
The food is so delicious that it’s been recognized in the Michelin food guide for Germany. There’s terrace seating outside of winter, and lunchtime sees more affordable rates that don’t compromise their high-quality food.
12. Weinstube Kesselstatt: Wine Bar
Weinstube Kesselstatt is a pink wine pub outside the striking Trier Dom. They primarily serve wines from the region but also have a few German classics for those that come hungry.
The best time to eat at Weinstube Kesselstatt is when the weather is warm because the view from their spacious terrace is incredible. They have many tables available outside, so this is one of the few places in Trier we’ve had success grabbing a table without a reservation.
13. Chibi-ya: Ramen and Japanese Fare
Chibi-ya is the local ramen joint that’s always hopping. Its limited hours and dedication to fresh ingredients make it tough to grab a table sometimes, but it’s worth it once you make it there.
This Japanese restaurant in Trier serves tasty ramen, curry dishes, soups, and more. You can find it in the heart of downtown, a short walk from the Porta Nigra. They’re only open Wednesday to Saturday.
14. Burgeramt Trier: Classic Burgers
Another highly-reviewed burger spot is Burgeramt Trier. They offer a wide variety of toppings and serve classic beef, chicken, and vegetarian patties to accommodate all. Their sides include regular fries and sweet potato fries. Try a Hans and Fritz soda on the side of your meal while you’re there. It’s a locally made soda from Hamburg that’s tasty.
15. PAULANER In Zurlauben: Cheap Bavarian Food on the River
While Paulaner isn’t necessarily the absolute best place to try German food in Trier, I’ve included it on the list for its lovely outdoor terrace next to the Mosel River.
It’s one of our favorite places to go in the summer to enjoy a beer, maybe a pretzel, or some bratwurst while soaking up some sunshine and surrounding views. The restaurant is also a short walk from Trier’s riverside steps, where many come to drink, play music, and soak up some sunshine.
16. Masons: All You Can Eat Small Plates
Masons is a unique restaurant that serves small plates on an all-you-can-eat basis in two-hour slots. I wouldn’t say their food is the best, but the experience is pretty cool!
Guests order one small plate at a time via an iPad kept at the table. The dishes are categorized by country of origin, and desserts are also on the menu. It’s a great spot to go with large groups! Don’t forget your reservation if you’re planning a visit on the weekend.
17. L’Osteria: Classic Pizza and Pasta
L’Osteria is a chain restaurant serving up some of Trier’s best pizza. Their pies are thin, packed with flavor, and fantastic to enjoy dining in or for take out. They have all the classics but unique offerings like BBQ chicken and shrimp pizza.
Besides pizza, they serve up pastas, salads, and classic Italian appetizers. The restaurant’s interior is well decorated, and the restaurant also has a spacious and quiet terrace in the middle of the city that’s nice in the summer.
18. HH Asia Gourmet Sushi: Sushi and Asian Dishes
HH Asia Gourmet Sushi is one of my favorite sushi and date night spots in Trier. The interior is super cute, the staff is very friendly (and speaks English), and the sushi is delish. They offer a wide variety of sushi plus specialty sets you can order.
My boyfriend and I like the two-person Kyoto Set, which is about €52 and comes with plenty. They also offer Asian specialties, like Pho, Thai coconut curry, and apps like gyoza and spring rolls.
19. CAO Trier: Authentic Vietnamese
Cao Trier is a charming family-owned restaurant serving delish traditional Vietnamese dishes. Their dishes are authentic, packed with flavor, and served in big portions. When we visited, we enjoyed a giant bowl of their outstanding Pho and Bun Cha Gio, a noodle salad with spring rolls.
Aside from classic Vietnamese dishes, they offer various Asian appetizers and German aperitifs like spritzers and local beer. Cao is up there as one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Trier.
20. Leanis Cafe: A Pretty Trier Brunch Spot
Leanis Cafe is a pretty pink brunch spot that is popular with young people. Their brunch to share is a fantastic deal and is jam-packed with fresh fruit, bread, eggs, and other breakfast goodies. Not to mention, they offer an excellent selection of coffees, juices, and brunch cocktails. A reservation a few days in advance is definitely necessary as this place fills up quickly!
21. Kazumi: Hip place for Asian dishes and Sushi
Nestled above the busy pedestrian street Grabenstrasse in Trier’s Hauptmarkt is the cool Asian restaurant Kazumi. This place serves up a variety of sushi rolls as well as classic Asian dishes like curry and noodles. They also have a great cocktail menu for those in need of a new date night spot.
The layout of the restaurant is really cool, with an open-air terrace in the back with Trier Cathedral views that they open when it’s warm. Kazumi is located on an upper floor, so the entrance is a bit hidden and requires a stair climb or elevator ride up. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, which can be made online on their website.
22. Cinnamood: Popular Chain Serving a Variety of Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamood is a new addition to the Trier food scene and is one of those Instagram worthy spots that people are split on whether it’s worth the hype. The shop serves up cinnamon rolls in all different flavors that are less sweet than American varieties but soft and flavorful all the same.
The rolls will set you back between €4-€5 each and is worth trying at least once or indulging for special occasions. The shop is conveniently located between the Hauptmarkt and Porta Nigra.
Other Places to Eat in Trier: Best Chain Restaurants
There are way too many good places to eat out in Trier to share in one comprehensive list! So while these didn’t quite make the cut for being the “best”, these other spots shouldn’t be ignored:
- Quesadilla is another Mexican restaurant near the Viehmarkt. It’s German-style Mexican but still decent, and their cocktails are pretty good too.
- La Donna Mia is a popular sit-down chain found in many cities in Germany. It’s excellent for reliable pizza, pasta, and salad dishes. They also have many tables inside and out, making it easy to dine out without a reservation.
- Hans Im Glück is a burger chain restaurant with many unique burger options and a nice selection of coffees and cocktails.
- Dean and David serve healthier dishes in the form of bowls and salads. They’re a “high end fast food” chain located right next to the Porta Nigra.
- Okiko Sushi is a cool concept joint that serves all-you-can-eat sushi for a set price. Orders are placed on an iPad that are portioned into small plates that can be placed consistently in rounds every 10 minutes.