Germany's reputation for efficiency has been taken to a new level after an inventor and amateur chef dispensed with the need for waiters by designing an automated restaurant.

The restaurant, in the southern town of Nuremberg, has caused such a sensation since it opened that its owner says it is now booked out for weeks in advance.

"On weekends we are booked out five times a day," said owner and inventor Michael Mack.

"People have a lot of fun, it's a real event."

While Michelin starred restaurants aspire to greatness with staff for a diner's every need, the Nuremberg eatery 'S Baggers is seeking accolades by dispensing with the human touch altogether.

Instead, its tables are fitted with touch screen computers which customers use to send orders directly to a kitchen installed above them, underneath the restaurant's roof.

There, human chefs whip up the order before placing the finished dish on a ingenious rail system, which uses the power of gravity to guide the order unerringly to the customer who placed it.

Mr Mack said he first came up with idea 10 years ago while rushing to and from his kitchen while serving guests at a dinner party.

He has now patented the system and fielded interest from abroad, as well as the world's biggest fast food chains.

But he insisted that the restaurant was not a glorified fast-food joint, and said customers could use their screens to inspect the organic ingredients in every meal, or even send emails or text messages.

Reaction in an online guest book appeared overwhelmingly positive, though some diners said they had been put off by the robotic atmosphere.

Nonetheless, Mr Mack said he was planning to open a second automated restaurant next year.

Above all, he said his idea showed that Germany's national trait could be harnessed in the kitchen.

"People will get more service, better food and more comfort for less money - thanks to the efficiency."