Important things to know when buying groceries in Germany
If you’re new to Germany, you’ll soon discover that most local grocery stores stock an amazing range of foreign and local items. But before you start navigating the supermarket aisles, this handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about grocery shopping in a German supermarket.
Grocery shopping in Germany
Supermarkets in Germany can be unique!
Supermarkets in Germany will likely be different from the supermarkets you are used to at home. Don’t let this stop you. Your local supermarket will often have regional products that are worth trying!
If you are more into international foods or are looking for a foodie temple, you should go to big supermarkets or visit some international supermarkets .
Do you want to order from home and have groceries delivered? No problem! There are grocery stores across the country that offer delivery services . Select products from the comfort of your couch using their online service and have them delivered to your door with ease.
Suppliers like Hello Fresh, for example, offer ready-made packages of the fresh produce you’ll need for cooking. You can sign up for a membership and create your own menu from hundreds of recipes every day. You will receive ready-made packages with already weighed quantities of the required food according to the selected recipe. Quickly mix the ingredients and your dish is ready!
If you don’t want to cook yourself, you’ll find many restaurants, cafes and snack bars throughout Germany, as well as all sorts of takeaway options.
Explore a new culinary world and don’t be afraid to try something new at your local market .
Buy your groceries like a local: supermarkets in Germany
Almost every town has local small supermarkets and a weekly market . In big cities, of course, you will find all the variety of grocery stores – from Späti (they are open until late at night and offer mainly drinks, alcohol and snacks) to wholesalers, they have it all.
In small towns you can easily find the best supermarket for you. The differences between grocery stores in Germany mainly lie in price and product selection .
For many expats, the best part of grocery shopping is the prices. German discount grocery stores are usually cheaper than in other countries . That’s why many people in Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands cross the border to do their weekly shopping. However, as in most European countries, the choice in Germany may not be as wide as you are used to. This is especially true if you come from the US and purchased your groceries from American grocery stores. But once you get used to it, you’ll soon find everything you need.
German grocery stores offer a good selection of produce, meat, dairy and vegetarian options. Many also have an in-store bakery – usually a popular spot for expats. You’ll be amazed at how many types of breads, cakes and cakes your local grocery store offers.
German bread is especially worth trying . There is hardly any nationality that produces so many different types of bread. There is something for every taste!
Review of the main supermarkets in Germany
For many Americans, the German food scene offers a welcome change. In Germany, offers range from fresh milk and fresh eggs straight from the farm to offers in modern and large grocery store chains.
Those who prefer fresh produce can buy fresh fruit, meat and fish at the weekly market, while those who prefer to shop online from home without pushing a cart can use the delivery services of some chain stores or delivery apps such as Gorillas and Receive the food they selected online, delivered right to their doorstep.
However, most Germans are perfectly fine shopping at supermarkets such as Aldi or Lidl . Although the quantity and products often differ from American ones, the principle is similar.
Below is an overview of some typical grocery stores in Germany and what you can expect from each.
Grocery stores with discounts in Germany
Discounters such as Lidl , Netto , Aldi and others cater to customers’ basic everyday needs . This is where most Germans shop on average.
Discount stores often offer the lowest prices, which reduces living costs in Germany.
There is a basic selection of fruits and vegetables, a self-service store where you can buy bread and baked goods, and a solid selection of cold cuts, dairy products, baked goods, canned goods, etc.
Often customer service leaves much to be desired. During peak hours, discount stores are often crowded and there are long queues in front of the cash registers .
Shopping at discount stores can be easy on your wallet, but it often takes a little more time. If you have special products or brand needs, you should shop at a large grocery store.
Large grocery stores in Germany
Large grocery stores such as Real , Rewe , Edeka and Kaufland offer a wide range of products. In fact, everyone can find what they want there.
These grocery chains are most similar to stores in the US or UK. They are usually large and have almost everything you need. The products are also of a really good standard. Some chains, like Real, sell different categories such as groceries, home goods, electronics, toys, clothing, and even bicycles. If you can’t find something on the shelf, ask for help. You can expect that the big stores around the country usually have everything in stock.
The choice in such stores is very large, but the goods are often more expensive than in discounters. You can probably find everything you need at large grocery stores, although the search may take some time. On the other hand, due to their size, these stores are less likely to be crowded. Unless on the eve of the holiday, because every grocery store in Germany will be full.
Cosmetics stores in Germany
Suppliers such as DM and Rossmann mainly offer hygiene products, detergents and body care products . But here you can find baby food, diapers and organic products. There is more choice than in regular supermarkets. In any city in Germany you can find DM or Rossmann.
Specialized stores in Germany
Markets of Turkey, Asia and Africa
There are many small supermarkets in Germany where you can buy international food. They offer a large selection of products and brands from different countries .
There are Turkish, Asian, Russian or African supermarkets where you can immerse yourself in the eating habits of different nationalities as you please.
Whether it’s good meat, tortillas, different types of cheese, pies or noodles, all taste buds will be tested in these stores. You can also buy fresh fruits, organic produce and vegetables.
Online and specialties
Although you can find most things in Germany, you cannot find everything. Far from home there are always foods that are especially in short supply.
Hot dogs popular in the US are transformed into Bratwurst in Germany , and Mexican cuisine is not as widely represented in the country as it is in America. However, there are exceptional stores selling Latin American products and brands.
If you’re in Berlin, you should definitely visit KaDeWe . Kaufhaus des Westens is located in the center of Berlin and offers unusual products with very good quality – which often comes at a price. However, the gourmet section on the 6th floor leaves nothing to be desired. You can often get a sample before you grab a new brand that you like to eat.
Don’t worry, if you don’t want to spend that much money but still expect the full flavor, you can simply shop in the gourmet section, which is available at many major grocery stores .
German markets
For many expats and students visiting Germany, the dream of grocery shopping does not revolve around the supermarket aisles, but rather around the stalls at the local food market. In all cities there is a weekly fair where you can buy fresh fruits, baked goods, honey, milk, eggs, fish and meat. At many weekly markets you can grab a coffee and chat at a stall or enjoy a hot meal from a food truck. There are free samples almost everywhere. Don’t miss trying your way!
Beverage stores in Germany
There are additional retail beverage stores in Germany where you can find any drink you want . From several types of water, juices, soft drinks to alcohol – there is. It is also worth trying the famous German beer. Conveniently, you can immediately return the empty lot/deposit and receive the full amount after purchase. If the drinks markets are already closed but you still want to have a beer after work in the park, Späti also has a selection of drinks.
What you need to know about German supermarkets
Deposit ( Pfand )
The concept of a deposit is unfamiliar to many foreigners. Sediments ( Pfand ) are empty bottles that used to simply end up in the trash or on the street or near a trash can. In Germany you can collect bottles and leave them in special vending machines . Such machines can be found, for example, in discount stores or large grocery stores. You receive a cent for each bottle returned (e.g. 25 cents for plastic bottles, 15 cents for glass bottles) and a receipt for the total amount. You can calculate the total from your checkout total at the end of your shopping trip. This way you save money and prevent environmental pollution.
Check
Another major hurdle you’ll inevitably have to overcome at the grocery store is checking. Unlike the US, where you barely have to lift a finger as the cashier and bagman do all the hard work, you’ll be the one sweating at the cash register.
Bring your own bags! Otherwise you will have to buy bags. Since plastic bags are no longer sold in Germany, you will need to select a paper or cloth bag at the checkout if you cannot place your purchases in any other way.
You always load the conveyor yourself . Don’t be surprised if the person behind you in line gets too close to you or becomes impatient if you move too slowly. Once you’re on the line, the race against the cashier begins. At best, you can pack your items as fast as the cashier checks them out.
Don’t get stressed and ignore the sometimes harsh tone of voice.
Other clients and customer service
The tone in Germany can be a little rougher than in America. This isn’t just about customer service. Don’t take it personally! Strangers rarely greet each other, and when it comes to the last item on the shelf, competition for it can be fierce.
By the way, the workers expect you to step out of the way while they stack the shelves . But don’t worry, if you need help, you will get it.
Store opening hours
As a rule, German grocery stores are open from 7:00 to 20:00 on weekdays . Opening hours are often limited on Saturdays, and most stores are completely closed on Sundays . Plan for this during your weekly shopping.
It’s only since 2006 that the opening hours restrictions have been relaxed, so if you’re lucky you can shop until 12:00 on Sunday at supermarket chains like Edeka or Netto. However, this differs from region to region.
In smaller towns, local store opening hours are often even shorter. In big cities, German supermarket chains such as Rewe or Edeka can sometimes stay open until midnight.
In larger cities there is often a small local supermarket called Späti . They are open late in the evening and serve mostly alcohol, beer, snacks and a very limited selection of staples. However, you should not look for fresh food there.
A special invention is the Verkaufsoffene Sonntag (“Open Sunday”), where large stores and shopping centers are open and offer many offers . This is often the first Sunday of the month, but this event does not occur every month. Most supermarkets, clothing and shoe stores in the city are also open then.
10 best German supermarkets
The 10 best food retailers in Germany are distinguished by the variety and freshness of their products. From vegan and vegetarian products to everyday basics, you can find it all here. Plus, you can take advantage of many daily deals, low prices and save money. The most popular choice for German locals is to go to a supermarket such as Rewe or a discount supermarket such as Aldi or Lidl.
- Kaufland
- Lidl
- Aldi Süd
- Real
- Edeka
- a penny
- Net
- norm
- Aldi North
- Roaring
Which supermarkets deliver in Germany?
If you don’t want to go shopping, you can order food and drinks from the comfort of your home. You have an online shopping cart that you can fill with selected products. Your purchase will then be delivered to your door.
Suppliers such as Rewe, Lidl or Bofrost have delivery services and deliver everything your heart desires, from groceries to ready-made meals. There are also delivery apps like Gorillas or Flink that can help you get your groceries in no time.
If you don’t like to cook, you can order food at lieferando.de .
Which supermarket is the best in terms of service?
In regular supermarkets like Aldi or Kaufland, service isn’t written in capital letters, but if you need help, you’ll get it. For personal advice and service, use specialist stores such as KaDeWe. But customer service is more personal at the market or in small private stores.
Which supermarket is better in terms of quality?
You will find the best quality from suppliers such as Rewe, Kaufland or Real. Wholesalers have both premium products at fairly high prices, as well as private brands such as Ja! from Rewe at a low price. The products are always fresh, the shelves are well stocked, the aisles are not overcrowded, and there are special items such as vegan or gluten-free.
Which supermarket has the best prices?
The best prices can be found at discount stores such as Aldi or Lidl. The price-quality ratio is quite good, the products are mostly fresh and you can find everything you need for everyday life. There are often special offers at particularly low prices. However, not all goods are always available – if something is empty, you may have to wait for the next delivery.
Which supermarkets deliver in Germany?
Some German supermarkets offer delivery services. Decided you wanted to cook a little but forgot to buy the ingredients? Shop online, such as Rewe or Lidl, and have your groceries delivered soon.