The Rhineland Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Rhineland - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Rhineland - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
Düsseldorf has one of the largest Japanese communities outside of mainland Japan, and Naniwa is a standout in the heart of the Japanese Quarter. Lines can stretch down the block, but service is quick and worth the wait for traditional soup and noodle dishes.
Locals and tourists mingle naturally at this proper, old-world Geheimtipp (hidden gem), near the open fireplace and antique winemaking equipment; as the night progresses, locals might unpack their musical instruments and start playing. The food is local and fortifying: sausages, cheeses, ham, and homemade soups served with the wines from host Arthur Schmitz's own estate. However, no beer served here.
For a classic brewery pub experience, look no further than this traditional German restaurant with its classic chequered flooring, wooden furniture, and welcoming owner. The hearty food here comes in large portions: if you're feeling hungry, order the Haxentopf "Spezial," chunks of pork knuckle meat braised with onions and vegetables and served in a cast-iron pan with potatoes and a fried egg; wash it down with a glass of Königsbacher Pilsener.
Located right on the bustling Drosselgasse, this quaint café offers a picture-perfect rendition of the town's most iconic refreshment: the Rüdesheimerkaffee. First created in the 1950s by German television chef Hans Karl Adam, the Rüdesheimerkaffee is made by flambéeing Asbach Uralt brandy and sugar in a specially made cup until the sugar dissolves, pouring strong coffee over it, and garnishing with mountains of whipped cream and chocolate flakes. The café also serves an excellent rendition of a Baumstriezel (chimney cake) and a wide selection of local spirits and wines to enjoy while watching people pass by outside.
Weekend brunch (served until 4 pm) can get busy at this café, located on a quiet square one block from the riverfront. Otherwise, the bistro—with its big windows and walls plastered with old movie and museum posters—is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the Altstadt.
This legendary brewery serves classic German comfort food along with its excellent namesake beers (both Altbier and Pils) in typically rustic dining rooms, as well as out in the spacious glassed-in winter garden.
For three decades, writers and artists from Cologne's elegant Agnesviertel neighborhood have been meeting at this cozy locale on a quiet, tree-lined street. Inside, the ambience—like a little corner of Montmartre—is just right for thinking deep thoughts, or simply chatting over a slice of chocolate cake. Even when the cake's all gone, night owls can enjoy the café's delicious Camembert and lingonberry blintzes.
Da Franco's location on a promenade right on the Rhine and the sunny outdoor terrace is a big plus for this Italian trattoria, serving a range of thin-crust pizzas and salads along with a varied menu of pasta and classic meat dishes: crab meat ravioli with a sage cream sauce, veal stuffed with Parma ham and mozzarella, squid-ink tortellini topped with roasted salmon, lake perch sautéed with anchovies and white wine sauce. Be sure to factor in some extra time to compensate for the distracted wait staff.
Ice-cream fans can't miss a visit to this ice-cream shop opposite the Liebfrauenkirche. Inventive flavors and natural ingredients mean that the cold sweets here, from bitter chocolate and fig or panna cotta caramel ice cream to sour cherry sorbet or eggnog gelato, are hugely popular: be prepared to stand in a long line, but the efficient, friendly staff will have you served as quickly as they can.
Beethoven was a regular at this tavern, which has been around since the late 14th century. Today it offers one of the best-value lunches in town, and the kitchen stays open until 1 am. The interior is rustic, the food hearty and nonfussy.
For real down-home German cooking, few places in Cologne compare to this time-honored brew house in the shadow of the Dom. It's often crowded, but the mood's fantastic. Bold frescoes on the vaulted ceilings establish that mood, and the authentically Teutonic experience is completed by such dishes as Hämmchen (pork knuckle). The seasonal beer garden is a great spot for people-watching.
For over 80 years, this rustic corner tavern, in the shadow of the lovely St. Gereon's church, has served solid German comfort food to a mostly local crowd. There’s fresh Kölsch on tap, and the service is remarkably friendly.
The Bastian family (also owners of the vineyard Insel Heyles'en Werth, on the island opposite Bacharach) runs this cozy tavern in a half-timber house dating from 1421. The "wine carousel" is a great way to sample a full range of wine flavors and styles (15 wines) alongside light snacks that include delicious Wildsülze (game in aspic), with potato salad, sausages, and cheese.
You'll find a roomful of locals at this welcoming Lebanese restaurant located in the city center just a few minutes walk from the river. Besides an extensive menu of delicious, freshly prepared Lebanese classics—small plates of authentic salads like tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, and fattoush, plenty of grilled meats and veggies, and some sinfully rich pastries served with traditional Lebanese coffee—the cozy atmosphere, personal service, and secluded garden make this an excellent choice for a well-priced lunch or dinner.
There's no better Bräuhaus in Cologne for drinking Kölsch, the city's home brew, than in one of the city’s oldest microbreweries. You won't sit long in front of an empty glass before a blue-aproned waiter sweeps by and places another one before you.
It's easy to see why this centrally located bistro-style restaurant (which means "flotsam") is so popular, starting with a tempting menu of super-fresh salads, sandwiches, small tapas plates, quality bistro fare, and a good selection of local beer and wine. Friendly service, a warm ambiance, excellent prices, and a quaint outdoor terrace in warm weather don't hurt either.
This wine estate's tavern and hotel, Boppard's oldest, is full of smiling faces: the wines are excellent, the food is simple and hearty, and the welcome is warm. Old chestnut trees shade tables in the courtyard. If you'd like to visit the cellars or vineyards, or have a wine tasting, ask the friendly hosts.
Hunting scenes and trophies line the wood-paneled walls of this cozy wine restaurant, named after the patron saint of hunters and built in 1689. Hearty portions of fresh, traditional fare (à la Wildschwein Würstchen, or wild boar sausages) are what you'll find on offer here.
This restaurant is a popular choice, not only for its old-world charm and ideal location on the central Marktplatz, but also for fresh, authentic dishes, attentive service, and outdoor seating. A good selection of German dishes hit the mark: tender veal or pork schnitzels topped with rich cream, mushroom, or horseradish sauce, steak cordon bleu stuffed with melted cheese, and a choice of fresh salads. All are best enjoyed with the local wines. An astonishing price-to-quality ratio is another great reason to dine here.
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