For those of you Izakaya-lovers traveling to Germany here is the authors insiders tip. The German equivalent to an Izakaya ? Usually you would associate “German Izakaya” with “beer”, a small Munich neighborhood beergarden or a Cologne Kölsch-beer pub, or or or....

Almost unknown to the foreign community are the typical small taverns only existing in winegrowing regions and called “Strausswirtschaft” or “Besenwirtschaft” (broom pub), marked by a wreath made from wine branches put up in front of the entrance. These places are directly run by the wine producers themselves, selling their own wine on their own premises. The similarities to the authors imagination of an Izakaya are obvious: family business, sometimes existing for more than 100 or 200 years, friendly and cozy atmosphere, simple regional food, an excellent selection of wine (nobody would drink beer here...), reasonable prices.  And sorry, no English menu.

The biggest winegrowing region in Germany is Rheinhessen (Rhinehesse) in the central Germany Rheinland Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate) state, located south of the city of Mainz. The authors recommendation is to visit Bodenheim, a lovely village located just 25 min. by car from Frankfurt airport. Bodenheims history is dating back 1250 years, it has only about 7000 inhabitants but 60 ( ! ) wine-taverns and also some small family-hotel businesses. Most of the taverns are opening their doors only for a few weeks or months in the year, but even on a wintertime weekend you will find at least 10 of them open. Some of the places also offer very reasonably priced bed and breakfast. So why stay in an aseptic Frankfurt airport hotel when for much less money you can have a relaxing dinner time at a Bodenheim tavern including accommodation and breakfast ?

Germany

Bodenheim (ボーデンヘイム)  Angela ( アンジェラ) (17 points)