Germany Holidays: It’s time for coffee and cake

Germans love their coffee and cake culture and so should you.

Seasonal fruits feature heavily in German cakes – deliciously moist cherry cake

Looking at it is almost like tasting it – typical German strawberry cake

Welcome – Germany’s cafés are popular meeting places for all age groups

German life is not complete without a piece of good cake, accompanied by a cup of coffee. The endearing tradition of sitting down for Kaffee & Kuchen in the afternoon simply needs to be explored by every visitor. No matter where you go, be it big city or small town, you’ll find an abundance of cafés.

They come in different styles to suit all kinds of tastes. The proper old-fashioned ones where you’re bound to end up sitting amidst a collection of female pensioners having their Kaffeeklatsch (get-together for a gossip over coffee and cake). These ones often have the best cakes, by the way. Or the more contemporary version for younger crowd who are still not too cool to appreciate some lovely sweets. Fact is, Germans need their cafés. It’s part of their life and a social fixture just like the pubs in Britain. By the way, every café is also a good lunch or dinner option if you’re not after a proper restaurant experience. They all feature a selection of either snacks or more elaborate dishes.

Here are a few café suggestions in the south:

Café Glockenspiel, Munich

One of the best locations in Munich on top of a building with great views on Marienplatz. Try to get a table with views on the town hall but beware – very busy. Nice roof terrace.

Café Glockenspiel, Marienplatz 28, 80331 Munich, www.cafe-glockenspiel.de

Café Kreutzkamm, Munich

Originally founded in Dresden in 1825. Famous for its Baumkuchen (try it!), Stollen, cakes and other sweet delicacies. Tends to get crowded with tourists and locals alike. Very central location.

Café Kreutzkamm, Maffeistraße 4, 80333 Munich, www.kreutzkamm.de

Dallmayr, Munich

Munich’s famous delicatessen Dallmayr (since 1700) has a café on site, well worth visiting for sampling a cup of Dallmayr coffee and some delicious cake. The surrounding Dallmayr “food halls” are very tempting with amazing products in particular for anyone furnished with a sweet tooth.

Dallmayr, Dienerstraße 14-15, 80331 Munich, www.dallmayr.de