Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [400]
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Eating & Drinking
Münsterplatz and Markstätte are peppered with pizzerias, snack bars and gelatarias. Watch out for rip-offs around Stadtgarten.
La Bodega ( 277 88; Schreibergasse 40; tapas €2.50-6; 5pm-1am Tue-Sat) Squirreled away in Niederburg, this candy-bright bodega, with a pocket-sized terrace, whips up tapas from papas canarias (Canarian potatoes) to stuffed calamari.
Wessenberg ( 919 664; Wessenbergstrasse 41; mains €7-16.50; 9am-1am Mon-Thu, 9am-2am Fri, 9am-3am Sat, 10am-1am Sun) An art-slung interior, inner courtyard and clubby beats draw a lively crowd to Wessenburg. There are wines to match the global menu skipping from Thai curries to herby gnocchi.
Brauhaus Johann Albrecht ( 250 45; Konradigasse 2; mains €8-16) This step-gabled brewpub pairs light, hoppy beers with roll-me-out-the-door fare like fat pig trotters with sauerkraut. Sit on the terrace in summer.
Rambagh Palace ( 254 58; Brückengasse 1, 1st fl; mains €9.90-15.90; 6-11pm Tue-Sun; ) Bursts of hot pink and strings of beads add a bohemian touch to this Indian restaurant, occupying a former Gothic church. The Sri Lankan chef uses fresh, organic ingredients in his just-right curries and so-smooth lassis.
Hafenmeisterei ( 369 7212; Hafenstrasse 8; mains €10.90-22.50; 11am-1am, to 2am Fri & Sat) Hafenmeisterei blends beach-shack breeziness with a cool lounge vibe. Reggae grooves play as chefs sizzle up wok and fish dishes in the open kitchen. Chill with a glass of red on the lakefront terrace.
Steigenberger Inselhotel ( 1250; Auf der Insel 1; mains €23-31) Whether you have seasonal cuisine like halibut with asparagus or simply a coffee, you get the same unbeatable lake setting on the terrace of this former Dominican monastery. Don’t miss the frescoed cloister.
Shamrock ( 246 22; Bahnhofstrasse 4; 5pm-1am Mon-Thu, 4pm-1am Fri & Sun, 2pm-3am Sat) Shamrock is the go-to pub for the craic, with Guinness, karaoke, live music, the works.
Seekuh ( 272 32; Konzilstrasse 1; 6pm-1am Sun-Thu, to 2am Fri, to 3am Sat) The rough and ready ‘lake cow’ is a Konstanz favourite for its beer garden, cheapish drinks and occasional gigs.
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Entertainment
For the low-down on local nightlife see www.party-news.de (in German).
K9 ( 167 13; www.k9-kulturzentrum.de, in German; Obere Laube 71) A happening cultural-events venue with concerts from klezmer to traditional Mongolian, as well as club nights and salsa parties.
Cuba Caliente ( 0151-5564 8937; www.cuba-caliente-konstanz.de, in German; Hussenstrasse 4; 9pm-late Wed-Sun) The gyrating hips don’t lie at this sweaty salsateca, pumping out salsa and merengue (sometimes live) most nights, plus electro and hip hop on Thursday and Friday.
Klimperkasten ( 234 08; Bodanstrasse 40; 10am-1am, to 3am Sat) Indie kids, garage and old-school fans all hail this retro cafe, which gets clubbier after dark when DJs work the decks. Occasionally hosts gigs.
Das Boot ( 0172-724 2031; www.dasboot.de, in German; Am Hafen) A docked BSB ferry morphs into a disco on many Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm to 4am.
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Getting There & Away
Konstanz is Lake Constance’s main ferry hub; for ferry options Click here.
By car, Konstanz can be reached via the B33, which links up with the A81 to and from Stuttgart near Singen. Or you can take the B31 to Meersburg and then catch a car ferry.
Konstanz’ Hauptbahnhof is the southern terminus of the scenic Schwarzwaldbahn, which trundles hourly through the Black Forest, linking Offenburg with towns such as Triberg and Villingen. To reach Lake Constance’s northern shore, you usually have to change in Radolfzell. The Schweizer Bahnhof has connections to destinations throughout Switzerland.
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Getting Around