Whenever you find yourself wandering through the cobblestone streets of Bavaria’s second-largest city, your hunger will eventually lead to one thing: the Nuremberg bratwurst. These little delicacies are more than just a local snack; they are a culinary phenomenon.
Especially when you realize that there are well over three million units produced daily and an annual export figure that reaches close to a billion. These small sausages carry the culinary legacy of Nuremberg to every corner of the world. And I’m not exaggerating when I say this.
However, to truly understand what this dish is all about, you have to skip the modern restaurants and go straight to the source.
This is what I did when I went to Nuremberg for the first time during the summer of 2025. I was in town to see London’s famous Royal Albert Hall organist Anna Lapwood play at the ION music festival at Saint Sebald Church, and I chose to spend a few days in town. When I started putting together a plan to explore the city, I was happily surprised to see so many interesting places to visit; I even wrote a full article about it.
One of these places was the oldest bratwurst kitchen in town: Zum Gulden Stern.
Why Zum Gulden Stern Is the Heart of Nuremberg Bratwurst
If you are looking for the ultimate authentic experience in Nuremberg, a visit to Zum Gulden Stern is mandatory. This restaurant with low ceilings and a medieval atmosphere has been operating since 1419. This isn’t just a restaurant; this is the oldest historical bratwurst kitchen in the world that still exists in its original location.
While many buildings in Nuremberg were lost in time or in wars, the Zum Gulden Stern still stands in the same place as a surviving piece of 15th-century history. And it’s wonderful to be able to go there and try their Nuremberg bratwurst.
There the Nuremberg bratwurst is treated with the kind of reverence that it deserves. And they were awarded many times for its quality! Every sausage that leaves the kitchen is produced by butchers that are still using the ancient recipes just to ensure that what lands on your plate is a direct link to the history of the city. That makes the sausages even tastier in my opinion.
But, you might be wondering by now, what makes the Nuremberg bratwurst an official city delicacy? It isn’t just about the flavor; there is way more than that, and it even involves the law. Since 2003, these sausages have fallen under the EU status known as PGI, which means that they are a Protected Geographical Indication. Which makes these sausages the same level of protection as the Parma Ham, Champagne, and Grana Padano.
If you decide to make some Nuremberg bratwurst and want them to have the official seal, you have to follow a set of rules and guidelines. The main one is that every single step of the processing must take place within the city limits of Nuremberg. Besides that, the ingredients that need to be in the sausage are specific: sheep intestines, pepper, salt, and a large amount of marjoram.
An interesting historical anecdote comes into play here. Even though the tradition behind the Nuremberg bratwurst is local, the spice trade behind its flavor is global. Historically speaking, these spices arrived in town through the trade routes that came from the Orient and the empires to the south, like the Venetian. Which proves that Nuremberg has always been a hub of international flavor.
Small Sausage, Big History: Why are Nuremberg bratwurst so small?
I still remember seeing the small Nuremberg bratwurst in the supermarkets when I moved to Berlin back in 2012. And I always wondered about their small size. This is their most striking feature, and there are some legends and stories behind it.
Each sausage is no more than 9 centimeters long and weighs roughly 25 grams. And some legends explain the small size in different ways. One of them says that the small size of the Nuremberg bratwurst allowed innkeepers to slide the sausages through the keyholes of tavern doors to feed hungry travelers after the medieval curfew had begun.
Another story says that prisoners were fed by sliding the sausages through extra holes that were drilled into the cell walls. This story gets more complex since it even involves names like Hans Stromer, who was sentenced to life in the debtor’s tower. His only wish while in jail was to receive two Nuremberg bratwurst every day. During the 38 years he was in prison, he reportedly consumed close to thirty thousand sausages, which were all passed to him through a keyhole.
Are these stories true? I have no idea, but I love the stories I read when I was researching to write this article.
But it seems like the real reason behind it is more practical. Historical records recommended that, as ingredient costs rose, butchers reduce the size of their sausages while maintaining the original price as a way to keep their business profitable. That sounds closer to the truth to me.
Where to Find the Most Authentic Nuremberg Bratwurst
When you visit the Zum Gulden Stern, expect an experience that is delightful tradition. The sausages are grilled over an open fire and served on pewter plates. You can order Nuremberg bratwursts in sets of 6, 8, 10, or 12 and pair them with classical German side dishes like sauerkraut, potato salad, or freshly grated horseradish.
With main dish prices starting around €10, this is an affordable place to taste the history of Nuremberg. And if you want to experience the authentic culinary heart of Franconian cuisine, there is no better place to start in Nuremberg than the smoky and historical halls of the world’s oldest bratwurst kitchen.
Your Guide to the Iconic Nuremberg Bratwurst and Why Zum Gulden Stern is the Heart of Nuremberg Bratwurst
Zirkelschmiedsgasse 26
90402 Nürnberg
