3 Best Restaurants in The Pfalz and Rhine Terrace, Germany

Speyer's oldest beer garden, a 15-minute stroll through the gardens behind the cathedral, is a popular, leafy spot to pass the afternoon. There's a good selection of beer, and the portions of rustic, regional fare are enormous. There's a good selection of vegetarian choices too. If you're hungry, try one of the grilled steak dishes, served—rather nontraditionally—with fries.

The Esel (donkey) lends its name to this wine pub and one of its specialties, Eselssuppe, a hearty soup of pork, beef, and vegetables. The excellent menu of regional specialties is dictated by the seasons, and the ingredients—from cheese and meat to fruit and vegetables—are all sourced locally.

Wines, fine spirits, and regional delicacies are offered in the former premises of the family-owned distillery. Don't miss a chance to sample their fruity Muskateller wine, and you might also want to pick up a bottle of their fresh red or white Pfälzer Traubensaft (grape juice) as a tasty souvenir.