German food's not the wurst
As Germany has triumphed over Ecuador to win their World Cup group, why not bury the hatchet and appreciate the championship's hosts by experiencing their gastronomic offerings - without having to shell out on a ticket to Baden-Baden?
STEIN'S
The Towpath, rear of 55 Petersham Road, Surrey (020 8948 8189, www.stein-s.com)
A charming outdoor biergarten on the north bank of the Thames just upstream from Richmond Bridge. Good Bavarian food - various wurst and schnitzel. Plus a range of genuine German beers. Splendid atmosphere.
QUINN'S
65 Kentish Town Road, NW1 (020 7267 8240)
Strangely enough this Irish pub has a particularly fine range of German beers on offer including some brews that are rarely seen in London. While there is no German food to be had at Quinn's, the combination of that country's beer and a warm welcome is a winning one.
BAVARIAN BEERHOUSE
190 City Road, EC1 (020 7608 0925, www.bavarian-beerhouse.co.uk)
The World Cup will be big at this Bavarian beerhall on the City Road. Entry is by ticket only (£10) but a glance at the website will let you know availability. The food here is resolutely Bavarian, as is the beer.
OCTOBERFEST PUB
678 Fulham Road, SW6 (020 7736 5293, www.octoberfestpub.com)
This pub's mission is to bring the Oktoberfest atmosphere to the Fulham Road. The menu lists pretzels, wurst, pork knuckle and bratwurst. There is a good range of German beers and a suitably lively atmosphere.
GERMAN WURST AND DELICATESSEN
127 Central Street, EC1 (020 720 1322)
To take home some genuine German atmosphere you'll need to visit this very German deli. It stocks an implausibly large range of sausages, for eating cold and for heating through. Add some black bread and German beer, then turn up the television.
