This category is for my eating experiences whilst on my travels. With German and Polish trips to add to those in Scotland and England, the choice is large and varied.
Some of the best are some of the least expected. For example, my lunch in the restaurant car of a PKP Intercity train between Berlin and Poznań.
Then I remember the Bratwurst and beer at Rot-Weiss Essen’s football stadium.
On a more conventional level, Volkskammer in Berlin was wonderful. It is DDR “themed”, but the service was good (and friendly), they had everything listed on the menu, and what I ate was delicious.
My exploration of Polish cuisine continued when I arrived in Poznań, with a delicious pierogi experience at Pierogarnia Stary Młyn.
Relaxing over coffee is a key component of my trips, and one of the best fika moments was overlooking the harbour in Whitehaven (England).
Another was Literatka in Wrocław where I rested my old bones for a while to escape the late summer heat.
One of my more eccentric lunches was at Mleczny Małgośka in Toruń. It was sublime. It is a cafeteria and the food is local, cheap, fresh and delicious.
Football (and sometimes rugby) are also part of my wanderings on frequent occasions, so once in a while that involves a beer. In Whitehaven I sampled the delights of the local Miners’ Welfare Club, located next to the rugby stadium. Cheap. Convenient. Good beer. I was the only customer so I had to create my own atmosphere.
It has been very difficult to pick my favourite for 2024 – perhaps one reason why this post is being published 6 weeks into 2025. After much deliberation, my choice is Volkskammer – https://www.volkskammer.de. Nostalgia plus great food and service!
ⓒ iain taylor, 2025
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