Food & Eating Cheaply

Food in Germany is relatively affordable compared to Western Europe. But there's a massive difference between a €50/week budget and a €100/week budget. Here's how to shop smart.

1. The Supermarket Hierarchy: Which One to Choose

Cheapest (Budget Options): Aldi and Lidl are your best friends. Both have nearly identical prices. Average basket: €30 to 40/week for one person. Everything you need is there, and their own brands are high quality. Go here first.

• Aldi: Often slightly cheaper on basics, no-frills layout, limited selection but enough
• Lidl: Slightly better variety, often has weekly specials. Both have weekly offers on different products, check their apps.
• Rewe/Penny: Mid-range prices. Go here if you need something specific Aldi doesn't have.
• Edeka: Most expensive chain, but has the best fruit/vegetables and local brands. Use only for specific items.
• Bio Company / Biomarkt: Organic only, most expensive. Skip this unless you have specific needs.

2. Shopping Strategy: Budget to Premium

€40/week budget (Bare minimum): Rice, pasta, canned beans, potatoes, eggs, cheap bread, canned tomatoes, seasonal vegetables (carrots, cabbage). Aldi/Lidl only.

€60/week budget (Comfortable): Add: chicken thighs (cheap protein), fresh fruit (apples, bananas), cheese, yogurt, oats. Mix Aldi + occasional Rewe.

€80+/week budget (Varied diet): Add: salmon, beef, fresh vegetables, better bread, coffee, snacks. Use all supermarkets.

3. Free Food Apps & Discounts

Too Good To Go: Restaurants and bakeries sell leftover food at 50% off. You pick it up at closing time. Save €5 to 10/week easily. Download it.

Aldi/Lidl Apps: Check weekly offers before you shop. Sometimes there are deep discounts (€0.99 for butter, etc.). Sign up for push notifications. Aldi and Lidl Plus have the current coupons.

Studentenwerke Mensa: If your school has a canteen (Mensa), lunch is subsidized to €3 to 5. Student ID = massive discount. Use it.

4. Eating Out: When It's Actually Cheap

Döner kebab: €4 to 6 for a meal. Cheapest option outside home cooking. Quality varies by neighborhood.

Asian restaurants (Vietnamese, Thai): €5 to 8 for noodles/rice. Often excellent value and quality.

Pizza: €6 to 9, often large enough for 2 meals. Order on Lieferando.de, Wolt or Uber Eats.

Avoid: Coffee shop chains (€4 to 5 per coffee), 'healthy' lunch spots (€10+), Restaurants in touristy areas (€15+). Cook instead.

5. Finding 'Home' Food

Miss Ugali or Posho? German supermarkets sell Polenta (yellow maize) which is similar. For white maize meal, plantains/Matooke, or Berbere/Pilau/Shito spices, go to an Afro Shop or large Asian supermarket. German food is mild, bring your spice mix if you can. And don't be shocked if roommates eat cold bread/cheese (Abendbrot) for dinner, that's normal here.

6. Food Culture Shock: Cold Dinners & Once-a-Day Cooking

Many Germans eat one hot meal (usually lunch) and a cold dinner (Abendbrot: bread, cheese, cold cuts). People often cook 2 to 3 times a week and eat leftovers. Daily rice is rare. If you need hot dinners for comfort, meal-prep on weekends and reheat, it's normal to microwave at work or home.