🐟
Felchen (whitefish)
The signature lake fish, usually pan-fried in butter with potatoes. Mild and not bony — a safe bet for kids who'll try fish.
Food & Fun
Eat well, stay out late, let the kids run
Lakeside beer gardens, fresh-caught fish, gelato by the harbour and warm-evening festivals — the relaxed half of any Bodensee day.
Taste the region
Local dishes to try
Three countries meet here, so the menus blend German, Swabian, Austrian and Swiss cooking.
🥨
Spätzle & Käsespätzle
Soft Swabian egg noodles, often baked with cheese and crispy onions. Reliably popular with children.
🥟
Maultaschen
Large Swabian filled pasta "pockets," served in broth or pan-fried with egg. Comfort food, hold the fuss.
🍷
Meersburg wines
The sunny northern shore grows crisp Müller-Thurgau and Spätburgunder. Many cellars have terraces for a parents' glass.
🍎
Orchard fruit & juice
The hinterland is apple country. Look for fresh-pressed cloudy apple juice (Apfelsaft) and early-July berries at markets.
🍫
Swiss chocolate & rösti
Hop the border to Kreuzlingen or take the ferry to a Swiss shore for chocolate shops and crispy potato rösti.
Family-friendly
Where to eat with kids
Look for these easy formats — most have high chairs, space to fidget and quick service.
🍺
Lakeside beer gardens
Self-service tables under chestnut trees: pretzels, sausages, schnitzel and salads, with room for kids to roam while you sit. Found in nearly every harbour town.
🍕
Harbour-front pizzerias
Italian places line the promenades — pizza and pasta that please picky eaters, often with the best people-watching seats in town.
🍦
Eiscafés (ice-cream parlours)
Italian-style gelato is a regional institution. A giant Eisbecher sundae is the classic afternoon reward after a swim or a long walk.
🧺
Bakeries & picnics
Grab pretzels, filled rolls and pastries from a Bäckerei and eat by the water. The cheapest, most flexible lunch with children.
🍴 Good to know
Many kitchens close mid-afternoon (roughly 14:00–17:30) between lunch and dinner — plan a late lunch or an ice cream to bridge the gap. Card payment is common in Germany now, but carry some cash, and Swiss francs for the Swiss shore.
After the swim
Evening & entertainment
Long July daylight (light past 21:30) makes for relaxed evenings out.
🎭
Bregenz Festival
Opera on the world's largest floating lake stage in Austria. The mid-July opening makes for a spectacular grown-up night; check this year's dates and tickets early.
🎡
Town festivals & markets
Summer brings harbour fairs, food markets and small funfairs to the lakeshore towns. Check the local Tourist-Information board for what's on that week.
🎬
Open-air cinema
Several towns run summer open-air screenings by the water. A fun late evening if the forecast is clear — bring a layer.
🌅
Sunset promenade & boat
Evening lake cruises and a stroll along the lit promenade are a gentle way to wind down — and to tire out the kids before bed.