Typical Food and Drink in Düsseldorf
Rhenish specialities
Rhenish Sauerbraten, Flönz (Blutwurst or black pudding) and thick pea soup, known in Düsseldorf as Ähzezupp, are all traditional mainstays. So is Halver Hahn (nothing to do with chicken, halved or otherwise, as German linguists might think). In fact it's a round and robust cheese with caraway seeds and onion, munched with a Röggelchen a small ryebread roll which goes down nicely with a drop of Alt, the mellow, dark beer still brewed according to ancient top-fermentation method.
Alt beer
Everyone succumbs to the seductive powers of Alt. Not only visitors to the Altstadt, the "longest bar in the world", where bars and traditional ale houses jostle for space. Alt goes down well all over Düsseldorf - and way beyond. As does the city's spicy Mostert (mustard), another strong favourite. Düsseldorf boasts down-to-earth pubs and cosy eateries, gourmet bistros and the true crème de la crème of restaurants, some of which enjoy top ranking among Germany's starred establishments.
Typical Dusseldorf: MUST VISIT
Brauerei Im Füchschen
Ratinger Str. 28, Tel. 13 74 70, www.fuechschen.de
Colourful and lively atmosphere. Anyone and everyone comes here to enjoy good-value meals and a genuine Füchschen beer. Some of the best knuckle of pork around.
Brauerei Im Goldenen Ring
Burgplatz 21, Tel. 86 32 53 13 , www.goldener-ring.com
Brauerei "Zum Schiffchen"
Hafenstr. 5, Tel. 13 24 21/22, www.brauerei-zum-schiffchen.de
Düsseldorf's oldest surviving restaurant and brewery pub, whose origins date back to 1628. (Not to be confused with noble eatery "Im Schiffchen" in Kaiserswerth). A true-blue Düsseldorf institution attracting a potpourri of guests.
Brauerei Schumacher
Oststr. 123, Tel. 8 28 90 20, www.schumacher-alt.de
The Schumacher brewery's "fountainhead" with pretty beer garden plus hearty dishes. Watch out for "Latzenbier", a speciality brew served up twice a year.
Brauereiausschank Frankenheim
Wielandstr. 12, Tel. 35 14 47 www.frankenheim-ausschank.de
Main base of the Frankenheim brewery, quiet and refined, with all the dignity of long-standing tradition plus a very wide choice of dishes.
Diebels Fasskeller
Bolkerstr. 14-16, Tel. 32 50 85, www.diebels.de
Lighter German cuisine in the Diebels brewery pub.
Hausbrauerei "Zum Schlüssel"
Bolkerstr. 43-47, Tel. 8 28 95 50, www.zumschluessel.de
A century and a half old and still going strong. Popular meeting place in the heart of the Old Town. In-house butchery. Recommended: knuckle of pork, cabbage, mashed potatoes. Rooms for 20 - 300 people.
Im Goldenen Kessel
Bolkerstr. 44, Tel. 32 60 07, www.schumacher-alt.de
Well-frequented, friendly establishment with delicious, down-home
cooking and Schumacher Alt beer.
Zum Uerige
Berger Str. 1, Tel. 86 69 90, www.uerige.de
The classic brewery pub - with unique "Uerige" beer to match, plus hot and cold dishes. Spartanic surroundings but much loved. Twice a year, there's "Uerige-Sticke" to be had, a Düsseldorf beer speciality.
Pub/restaurant closing times
Most Düsseldorf pubs and restaurants close at 1 am. Proper night clubs and
discos stay open later.
