A Foodie’s Guide to Aachen’s Restaurants, Cafes & Bars, Aachen, Germany

‘Tis the season… for Christmas markets! And while the Netherlands is home to a smattering of festive fairs, those in Germany are (I’m ashamed to say) far superior. The glühwein is tastier, the sausages smokier and the knitted hats woollier. If you’re coming from the Netherlands, Belgium or even the UK, Aachen is one of the easier Christmas markets to reach, given that the city is just east of the Dutch/Belgian borders. It’s a cathedral town with a charming old centre that – in December – forms the backdrop to dozens of festively lit stalls selling Christmas baubles, wintry accessories and, of course, plenty of seasonal street food and warming booze. Honestly, even in the rain, it’s magical.

With all this being said, at a certain point you’ll be looking for something that goes beyond bratwurst to soak up all that glühwein and eierpunsch (much like eggnog). I’d advise you to book well ahead at any and all Aachen restaurants during Christmas market season, because the city is overrun by visitors – all looking to eat out at the same time. These restaurant recommendations have been put together over a couple of different trips, and range from traditional German dinners to modern brunch dishes. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).