Almost every (West) German town has an Italian restaurant. Italians were the biggest group of the first Gastarbeiter wave that helped the German Wirtschaftswunder to keep its momentum, and a good number stayed in the Federal Republic after their initial stint was over. Many an Italian opened a gelato place or a restaurant. At the same time, Western Germans could afford cars and vacations, and for many their first holiday abroad was south of the Alps in the country where lemons grow, to more or less quote good old Goethe. In bella Italia, they grew fond of pasta, pizza, and vino, if they did not totally fall for la dolce vita in Tuscany. At home, going to an Italian restaurant was a way to relive at least some of the culinary memories. And for many a German, the attitude of Italian waiters, the interspersed Italian bits and pieces like pronto, por favore, and ciao just belong to pasta, pizza, and vino.
These days, a good (and real, that is, Italian owned and run) ristorante (or trattoria or osteria) has more to offer than just pizza magherita or spaghetti carbonara. If you like different varieties of pizza and pasta with quality ingredients or other Italian specialties, and if you want half of your conversation with the waiters in Italian, then Al Dente in the Bursagasse is the way to go in Tübingen. Their prices may not be cheap for student standards (pasta and pizza, depending on the sauce and topping, start at about 8 Euro), but the food is delicious, regardless if you order penne alla vodka or pizza with spicy-hot peperoni sausage. A bowl with freshly-baked bread is served at every table, and their selection of Italian wine is sheer overwhelming.
Althoughb it might be best to reserve a table in advance, at least in the evening—both the first floor bar-style room and the downstairs wine cellar will most likely be packed. But even if you have to wait at the bar, a prosecco on the house will help shorten your waiting time.
[...] and pay the bill. For a real Italian dining experience in Tübingen, however, you will have to look elsewhere. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. Tagged budget, cheap, Italian, [...]