Must-Try Dishes: Hannover Bockwurst - traditional smoked sausage with distinctive flavor, served with bread and mustard. Räucherfisch - smoked fish from local producers. Labskaus - sailor's stew with corned beef, potatoes, onions, traditional working-class fare. Spritzgebäck - crispy butter cookies, perfect with coffee.
Local Specialties: Hannover Brezel - twisted pretzel bread. Lower Saxon cheeses - regional dairy varieties. Herring preparations - due to proximity to coast, herring appears in many forms (pickled, smoked). Dark bread - Pumpernickel and Schwarzbrot are staples.
Beverages: Hannover beers - Herrenhausen, Binding are local breweries. Coffee culture - strong espresso and cappuccino served at modern cafés. Obstler - fruit schnapps, traditional digestif.
Dining Tips: Restaurants typically open lunch 11:30am-2pm, dinner 6pm-11pm. Markthalle offers quick, affordable local food. Beer gardens operate seasonally (April-October). Tipping: 5-10% expected at sit-down restaurants; round up at cafés. Reservations recommended for dinner, especially weekends.