Germany, a place that now both feels like home and somewhere foreign. I wrote a weekend ritual so I can remember. 

First. Survival phrases

Important expressions if you want to fit in and feel like a local:

• Grüß Gott! This is how you will be greeted in most places in southern Germany and Austria. Is my preffered German salutation. Moin moin is another. Originally, it comes from grüß dich Gott ( ‘may’ God bless ‘you’), the equivalent of goodbye in English (“God be with ye”) or Adieu (“to God”) in French and most latin languages. It should be just accepted, and not misunderstood or mocked.
•  Kaffee und Kuchen, literally coffee and cake, an afternoon tradition. It is straight-forward and as delicious as it sounds.
• Vielen Dank or Dankeschön = Thank you very much or thank you beautifully! A better visual below.

Saturday

Start the weekend right with a brunch at Metzgerei in Bismarktplatz in West. I recommend (all) the omelets and the pancakes with maple sirop.

Metzgerei is a popular place, so in case is full, the Greek restaurant Achillion (Schwabstraße 75-77) was my go-to numerous times.

After brunch I would stop by market nr 1 in Bismaktplazt and even market nr 2 Markthalle because Sunday shops are not open in Deutschland.

Every great city has a market and Matkhalle in the center is the place to start. And eat lunch. I always like to climb the stairs on the 1st floor and admire the Art Deco arhitecture.

This market is a piece of the world at your feet. Iranian food. Greek. Italian. Turkish. Spanish tapas.

Dessert I would have at “Cafe Da” in Bohnenviertel. Actually dessert plus coffee, or Kaffee und Kuchen like we learned before. Cafe DA is ownen by Daniela, a very friendly Romanian woman. “Da” means Yes in Romanian, so I had a familiar feeling the moment I entered.

Next, we would go to see a viewpoint at Eugenplatz and grab an ice cream there at Ice Pinguin, a legend already. The most famous flavour is “Mercedes Ice” apparently.

Dinner it can be israeli at YAFA Stuttgart (Hauptstätter Str. 31) for the good humus and falafel – light and so delicious.

Followed by a cocktail at Paul and George, that is just one minute away. The place is in the Red Light street in case you will wonder, but is a normal cocktail bar with an Amsterdam vibe, so why not. A lot of humor and no judging.

Easy Sunday

For Sunday – the best brunch à la française at “Patisserie tarte & törtchen” with original french recipes and good homemade ice cream in summer. Location is Gutbrodstraße 1. Which means “good bread”. Was meant to be.

Tapas light dinner at Cortijo (Eberhardstraße 10) with a live guitar concert and flamenco.