9 Best Restaurants in The Romantic Road, Germany

Ice cream sundaes towering with whipped cream and cones toppling under the weight of generous scoops are just a few of the frosty delights to be had at one of Miltenberg's cherished institutions. Located in the town's central square, you can take a cone to go or linger in on the ample terrace and watch the world go by.

An absolute must when in Miltenberg, this 425-year-old traditional guesthouse, owned by the Faust brewing company, is an architectural gem and a great place to try out authentic German food and the best in Bavarian beer. Diners (and drinkers) sit at long tables under high beamed ceilings with traditional murals and arched stone doorways, but there are a few little niches with private tables and a large outdoor terrace with lovely views of the town. Generous portions of weinerschnitzel, traditional bratwurst, and sauerkraut with potato purée are accompanied by one of ten beers and ales on tap. There are also plenty of smaller dishes and desserts, or you're perfectly welcome to just stop in for a beer.

If you tire of heavy German fare, get thee to this superb Vietnamese-Thai restaurant on a charming cobbled street by the river. The handsome dining room and pretty outdoor terrace overlooking the river are always packed, and once seated you'll find copious versions of their beloved specialties: shrimp or vegetable pad Thai, seafood or chicken curry loaded with fresh veggies, fragrant Thai sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves. There are also beef and fish dishes as well as plenty of vegetarian options.

The Markthalle is in a building that opened in 1483 as the Kornhaus (grain storage) and then became the Feuerhaus (fire station). Now at this farmers' market you can grab a quick lunch and a drink (or picnic supplies) at reasonable prices.

In the cellar beneath the 1385 Rathaus is a popular local destination for Bavarian food and drink with a surprisingly airy feel. Lunches can be busy, as local workers head there for the wide array of traditional fare. But the restaurant is also open late, until 10 pm daily, after many other local restaurants have closed.

You have to love a bistro named with such a creative play on words combining it's historic location and modern American-style menu. Angus beef burgers are the specialty here, in variations including French with brie, Italian with parmesan, and a universal spicy style with chili. There's also a veggie burger, and a list of local biers and wines.

An American-style steakhouse, with multiple choices of Angus beef burgers, rib eyes and tenderloins steaks, plus traditional Bavarian favorites and a few Mideast specialties such as falafel and kabobs. It's all offered in a casual, almost cafeteria-style setting that popular with locals for its affordable prices and available parking, and for an extensive list of international brands including American bourbons and Scotch whiskeys.

This brewpub first started brewing beer in 1516, and still does, including a dark Hefeweizen (wheat beer) rarely found outside Germany. The menu leans toward traditional Bavarian and Swabian favorites including wurst, goulash, and schnitzel. There's also an extensive selection of local wine and cider, and a lovely outdoor beer garden to enjoy it in warm weather.  This is also a guest house with some simple rooms above the restaurant.