Many restaurants in Germany offer a free item on their menu.  It is usually hidden away at one end of the children’s section and is called a “Räuberteller”.

It really is free and almost looks out of place being listed with € 0,00.

But what is it?

Put quite simply, a Räuberteller is a plate and a set of cutlery.  The word literally translates as “thief’s plate” and that is exactly what it is.

For small children who would not manage even a child’s portion of food (or prefer something else than the few items on offer), they can use the plate to eat small portions of food from their parents, grandparents, or other people who are in the restaurant with them.

This not only reduces the cost of the meal, but it also saves on waste if they are lacking in appetite.