Magdeburg's restaurant scene is functional rather than exceptional — a university city with a range of German and international options but nothing to travel specifically for. The city center around the Breiter Weg and the area around the cathedral has the main concentration of restaurants and cafes.
German staples — Schnitzel, Bratwurst, and Saxon regional dishes — are available throughout, and the city has a number of decent beer halls serving hearty food. The Hasselbachplatz area south of the center has a more lively cafe and bar scene popular with students from the Otto von Guericke University.
Given Magdeburg's history as part of East Germany, the restaurant landscape went through significant change after reunification in 1990. The best places today tend to be independent restaurants and cafes rather than chain establishments, with a good sprinkling of Turkish and Vietnamese food reflecting the city's demographics.