Wetzlar's restaurant scene is concentrated in the Altstadt — most of the good places are within five minutes' walk of the cathedral. The local Hessian classics are Handkäs mit Musik (cheese marinated with onions, vinegar, and cumin), Grüne Soße (a seven-herb cold sauce served over potatoes or eggs), and Frankfurter Würstchen; the regional drink is Apfelwein (cider, often served in the traditional ribbed glass).
For everyday eating, the cafés and brasseries on the Kornmarkt have the most outdoor tables and a reliable mix of Hessian and international cooking. The Eisenmarkt has a smaller selection but better atmosphere.