A foodies guide to Dusseldorf, the German city with big flavours
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The German city of Düsseldorf is an international business and financial centre renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Better known for its expensive shopping street, Dusseldorf might not immediately spring to mind when planning a foodie trip in Europe.
This remarkably under-the-radar city surprisingly boasts a diverse and delicious selection of restaurants, markets, cafes, coffee shops and cookery classes.
Plenty of local produce, innovative cooking and traditional dishes will keep hungry travellers remarkably busy on a city break.
I’ve created a bumper Foodies guide to Dusseldorf so that you can discover the top places for food travellers and the best places to eat in Dusseldorf!
You can find loads of traditional German dishes in Dusseldorf, with many restaurants serving up the various specialities of the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.
Typical Dusseldorf dishes include ‘Himmel and Erde’. A dish made from black pudding, potatoes and applesauce and ‘Rheinischer Döbbekooche’ – Dusseldorf’s take on a potato cake.
Foodies Guide to Dusseldorf
I’ve included a wide range of foodie places and activities so that you can tailor your own Dusseldorf foodie trip itinerary.
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Amazon MusicEat sushi at Dusseldorf’s Japanese Quarter
The term’ Japanese Quarter’ might well conjure images of flashing neon signs, ostentatious manga shops and crowds of tourists – but that’s not the case in Dusseldorf.
This bland and quiet district has many understated Asian influences and restaurants and is largely centred around the street “Immermannstraße”.
Here you’ll find authentic sushi restaurants, Japanese bookshops, a Japanese hairdresser, a Japanese hotel, and Korean-owned supermarkets in this practical and reserved part of the city.
Discover the best Japanese Food in Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf has the largest Japanese community in Germany and one of the largest in Europe and so this quarter was created out of necessity, rather than as a tourist attraction.
You can spend an entire afternoon buying Japanese gifts and groceries, having a drink in the Hotel Nikko bar or seeking some excellent sushi.
Dusseldorf Sushi bars
Sushi lovers should head to Takumi at Immermannstraße. 28 – a wildly popular place for locals and noodle enthusiasts.
Expect to see all the seats and tables filled up by noon, with queues of ramen lovers waiting outside.
Another popular place is Naniwa, serving up ramen, sushi and Yaki Soba. There’s normally a large queue but it is totally worth the wait!
Natsu
If you prefer to avoid queuing up for your Sushi, head to Natsu to pick up a takeaway sushi box. These guys sell delectable Sushi, salad and sandwiches inside the luxury supermarket ‘Edeka-Zurheide’.
Natsu specialises in super fresh sushi creations, poké boxes and desserts. You can pick up a takeaway sushi platter or individually wrapped sushi such as maki and California rolls.
Wine tasting Dusseldorf
Sip a range of local wines at award-winning bar Eiskeller and watch those hours whizz by! It’s one of the best places for wine tasting in Dusseldorf.
There is a huge selection of wines in this cosy and stylishly decorated wine cellar. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide you through your wine tasting experience as you feast upon cheese plates and cold cuts.
Eiskeller Wine Bar
Despite the expert knowledge and impressive wine list, there’s no snobbery here, just enthusiasm and passion for quality wine and producers.
It’s the sort of relaxed atmosphere where I felt bold enough to proclaim that my favourite wine is ‘whatever is on offer in Aldi’ without feeling judged. It’s a fabulous place to try German wine in Dusseldorf.
Discover Fine dining in Dusseldorf
There are many fine dining restaurants in Dusseldorf where you can feast on delectable dishes in opulent surroundings.
When visiting a fine dining restaurant in Düsseldorf, keep in mind that the dress code is usually smart casual, and reservations are highly recommended – especially at Michelin-starred restaurants.
Additionally, prices at these fancy restaurants can be quite high, so it is important to be prepared to drop some serious cash.
Still want upscale dining? These are some of the best fine-dining restaurants in Dusseldorf include:
The Duchy – Restaurant and Raw Bar
Paris Club Restaurant
If you are wanting fine foods with a view then I would head to The Paris Club Restaurant located at the Dusseldorf 25hours hotel.
The Paris Club Restaurant is located on the 17th floor and offers fabulous views of Dusseldorf along with Modern French cuisine.
You’ll be totally convinced you are dining out in Paris [especially after a few French wines]. It also has the best views of Dusseldorf by far.
Typical menu offerings include ‘Boudin Noir’ – French blood sausage with apple, calvados and creamed potatoes, steak frites, tartare and escargots.
Almost all of the products on offer are sourced in France and waiting staff will advise you on menu choices and provide wine recommendations.
This is a truly wonderful dining space with huge glass windows, high ceilings and stylish decor.
MASH Dusseldorf
Steak lovers should check out MASH in the Old Town, this newly opened restaurant is located inside the historic building ‘Andreas Quartier’.
MASH is an impressive, upmarket steakhouse that has a distinctive ‘New York steakhouse’ vibe.
There is modern furnishing, exquisite lighting and beautifully prepared steaks. It’s the best steak house in Dusseldorf for sure.
Their selection of steaks includes Australian, German and Uruguayan steaks.
They also have 90-day Danish dry-aged and Japanese Wagyu from Kobe on the menu.
An award-winning wine list and a swanky bar also serve superbly shaken old-fashioned cocktails.
It’s pricey here but well worth the cost, it’s a really lovely place for cocktails in Dusseldorf too.
Dusseldorf Tea Lounge
Why have a bog-standard brew when you can have one poured for you by a tea master? Manager and tea master of Shennong Lounge, Justus Hopmann, will demonstrate how to pour the perfect tea using Taiwan tea ceremony techniques that he learned from Taiwan.
It’s the best teahouse in Dusseldorf and is a fab place to learn more about traditional tea culture.
Shennong Lounge Dusseldorf
The ceremony has several stages, pot and cups are warmed first, then the tea leaves are washed and rinsed, water is then poured from a specific height and the tea is brewed for a specified period of time.
The tricky part is putting the tea into a small cup, and then quickly flipping it over into the drinking cup.
If you have ‘butterfingers’ like me, perhaps find a responsible adult to do it for you!
If you simply wish to relax with a tea, then why not kick back and sip through a huge range of herbal teas including black, green, white and fruit and herbal teas. Coffee fans can also order cappuccinos and matcha latte!
Culinary tour Dusseldorf’s old town
Experience the culinary diversity of the Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Town) and eat your way around this historic part of the city with a Düsseldorf’s culinary soul food tour.
The benefit of booking a food tour in advance is that you can experience the foodie delights of Düsseldorf’s Old Town with an expert guide.
Düsseldorf’s old town is actually one of the largest food markets in the world. The culinary variety that is offered in the romantic alleys on a few square meters is revealed on an indulgent 3-hour tour.
On this excellent tour you can get to know the brewery culture and immerse yourself in the world of spices and Düsseldorf’s mostert.
You can also walk through our famous weekly market, Carlsplatz, and meet market traders who offer olive oil, wine and cheese from all over the world.
Uerige microbrewery
In the old town, you will find the iconic Uerige microbrewery, which has been brewing since 1862. It’s one of the best traditional pubs in Dusseldorf and can be visited as part of a Beer Walking Tour in Dusseldorf.
Their ‘Uerige beer’ is made from several malts including barley malt, caramel malt, roasted malt and is served in dinky, 200ml glasses that are quickly refilled by eagle-eyed bar staff.
Dusseldorf has managed to retain four historic pub breweries that are popular with locals and visitors.
Make sure to have a pickled egg with your beer and eat it ‘Dusseldorf style’ by removing the shell, cutting your egg in half, and adding salt, pepper, and vinegar before eating in one gulp. Trust me; you’ll need some stodge after a morning of beer sampling.
Carlsplatz market
Seek out the Carlsplatz market when in the old town for foodie finds, wine stalls, fresh fruit and vegetables.
You can sample olive oils, wines and cheese from all over the world and chat with friendly stallholders about their wares.
It’s one of the best markets in Dusseldorf and is a great place to go shopping, exploring or to relax with friends.
Schmittmann distillery
Gin lovers can partake in a guided tour and tasting session at the historic Schmittmann distillery. It’s my favourite place for gin tasting in Dusseldorf.
Schmittmann has been distilling gin since 1818 and sells a range of high-end booze including snaps and flavoured gins.
Their famous 1818 Finest Dry Gin includes botanicals such as Juniper berries, peel of citrus fruits and herbs and spices and is utterly divine.
Schmittmann distillery tour
During the tour, you can sample several different types of gin [and leave the tour rather squiffy as a result].
You can also learn more about the distilling process and the history of the Schmittmann distillery.
It is a ‘must-do’ activity for gin enthusiasts visiting the city, especially as you can buy a few bottles to take home from their on-site shop.
Baking class Dusseldorf
Try your hand at baking at the Sugarbird Cupcakes bakehouse and prepare to get covered in frosting!
Sugarbird has a very popular cafe in Dusseldorf selling delicious cupcakes.
You can visit their actual bakehouse location, where you can learn the tricks of the trade of creating colourful cake pops.
If you are looking for a baking class in Dusseldorf this is the one for you.
Enjoy a glass of fizz and a selection of highly Instagrammable Sugarbird cupcakes as you ‘apron up’ and start to prepare for your cake pop class.
This fun class is led by a professional cake pop maker, which is frankly a job title that I would kill for.
Sugarbird cake pop class
During the class, we were shown the two different ways cake pops can be made, either by rolling the mixture with your hands or, the lazy baker way, with the cake pop maker.
The balls are then baked and then the fun part really begins, dipping them and decorating them!
If you are an enthusiastic, rather than skilled baker like me, you might want to prepare for the mixture to end up on your face/in your hair/up the walls.
During the decorating process, you can keep it simple with some sprinkles or unleash your creative streak and start creating elaborate fondant decorations on the cake pops.
All the ingredients and tools in the bakery are available during the class, so you can really go to town on the decorations.
The best part is, you can take your creations away with you, to Instagram and of course, eat later.
Classes cost 89 euros per person and include all materials, drinks and a special ‘Sugarbird Cupcakes’ apron to take home with you.
Dusseldorf local produce
When on a foodie trip to Dusseldorf it is imperative to bring a large suitcase with you so that you can fill it to the brim with local produce.
There are many food speciality shops, market stalls and traders in Düsseldorf Altstadt [Old Town], selling an array of products.
Gewürzhaus Vogel
If you are looking to stock up on your spices then make sure you visit Gewürzhaus Vogel, a spice shop institution in Dusseldorf.
This wonderfully retro store has spices from A to Z, herbs and ‘ABB Mostert’, the oldest Düsseldorf mustard.
Löwensenf mustard shop
German Mustard fans can buy mustard from the Löwensenf mustard shop in the old town. It’s the best place to buy German mustard in Dusseldorf.
Löwensenf was founded in 1903 and makes the most incredible mustard.
The shop has mustard products to purchase, as well as the opportunity to taste mustard and learn more about how it is produced.
Killepitsch herb liqueur
Whilst out and about in the old town, why not get a traditional tipple and hunt down some Killepitsch herb liqueur? It’s a traditional German liqueur that is popular with locals.
This unique herbal liqueur was developed by the Busch family in Dusseldorf and has grown in popularity with liqueur fans.
Killepitsch is red in colour and is flavoured with fruits, berries, herbs and spices.
You can find Killepitsch at Et Kabüffke, a cosy and little bar situated at the heart of the ‘Altstadt’.
Pure Pastry pâtisserie
Those with a sweet tooth can find the most amazing cakes and pastries at ‘Pure Pastry pâtisserie’. Pure Pastry pâtisserie is located in the Carlsplatz market. Tim Tegtmeier is the chief pastry chef and cook here and has been awarded the accolade of Pâtissier of the Year.
Choose from breakfast pastries, desserts and dessert components, tarts, chocolates, ice cream and macarons at Pure Pastry.
You can either buy to take away or you can sit and enjoy your sweet treats in the market in the open air!
Hinkel bakery
Another great place for sweet treats is the wildly popular Hinkel bakery, founded in 1891 by Jean Hinkel, and it is still operational today. Some of the must-try items at the bakery include almond croissants and fruit tarts.
Here you can buy fresh bread, sandwiches, and homemade gingerbread! There’s normally a large queue inside, but if you are lucky, you can catch one of the staff outside giving out samples.
Dusseldorf coffee tasting
Consider yourself a coffee snob? It’s time to put your latte where your face is [that’s an expression right?] and give your expert opinion on the coffee at ‘Rösterei Vier’.
This uber hipster coffee shop is the embodiment of coffee culture. It has a stripped-back, almost Scandi-cool design and impossibly good-looking staff preparing pour-over coffee. It’s one of the best places for coffee in Dusseldorf.
Dusseldorf coffee culture
During your coffee tasting, you’ll be guided through the sourcing and roasting techniques as well as learning about the coffee farmers, blends and what makes a great cup of coffee.
You will then be invited to taste coffee using a teaspoon and to discuss your thoughts on the various blends.
A word of warning, after you have sampled around 8 cups of coffee, there’s the possibility you might start to get rather excitable.
Perhaps remind yourself to use an ‘indoor voice’ for the sake of other customers.
Traditional dishes you must try in Dusseldorf
- Rheinischer Sauerbraten
Rheinischer Sauerbraten is a traditional German dish that is made of marinated beef roast that is cooked with spices and vinegar. The dish is usually served with potato dumplings and red cabbage. The tangy flavor of the dish is what makes it unique and it is a must-try when you visit Düsseldorf.
- Himmel un Äd
Himmel un Äd is a traditional dish that’s very popular in the Rhineland region. The dish contains mashed potatoes, apples, and fried black pudding. The dish is served with a side of caramelized onions and gravy. It is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a cold day.
- Reibekuchen
Reibekuchen is a traditional German dish that is made of grated potatoes, onions, and eggs. The mixture is then fried until it turns crispy and golden brown. The dish is usually served with apple sauce or sour cream. It is a popular snack that is served at festivals and markets in Düsseldorf.
International Cuisine:
Düsseldorf is a city that has a diverse population, and this is reflected in the variety of international cuisine that is available in the city. Here are some of the international cuisine options you must try in Düsseldorf.
- Japanese Cuisine
Düsseldorf is known for having the largest Japanese community in Germany, and this is reflected in the many Japanese restaurants that are located in the city. From sushi to ramen, Düsseldorf has a variety of Japanese cuisine options that cater to all kinds of tastes and preferences. One of the most popular Japanese restaurants in Düsseldorf is Takumi, which is known for its delicious ramen.
- Turkish Cuisine
Düsseldorf has a large Turkish community, and this is reflected in the many Turkish restaurants that are located in the city. Turkish cuisine is known for its flavorful dishes, and some of the must-try dishes include kebabs, lahmacun, and baklava. One of the most popular Turkish restaurants in Düsseldorf is Anatolia, which is known for its delicious kebabs.
- Italian Cuisine
Italian cuisine is loved worldwide, and Düsseldorf has a variety of Italian restaurants catering to all kinds of tastes and preferences. From pizza to pasta, Düsseldorf has a variety of Italian cuisine options that are sure to satisfy your cravings. One of the most popular Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf is Pizzeria Trattoria Toscana, known for its delicious pizza.
Dusseldorf Germany FAQ
What are the best areas for dining out in Düsseldorf?
There are several neighborhoods in Düsseldorf that are known for their dining scenes, including the Altstadt (Old Town), which has a variety of restaurants and bars, and the Medienhafen (Media Harbor), which is known for its trendy and upscale restaurants. The Flingern neighborhood is also popular among locals and tourists alike for its variety of food options.
What is the dress code for dining out in Düsseldorf?
The dress code for dining out in Düsseldorf depends on the type of restaurant you are visiting. Casual restaurants generally have a relaxed dress code, while fine dining restaurants may require more formal attire. It’s always a good idea to check the dress code on the restaurant’s website or by calling ahead.
What are the typical dining hours in Düsseldorf?
In Düsseldorf, most restaurants are open from around 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM for lunch, and from around 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for dinner. However, many restaurants are closed on Sundays, and some may also close on Mondays or Tuesdays. It’s always a good idea to check the restaurant’s hours of operation before you go.
What is the tipping etiquette in Düsseldorf?
Tipping is not required in Düsseldorf, but it is customary to leave a tip of around 5-10% for good service. Some restaurants may include a service charge on the bill, so check before leaving an additional tip.
Are reservations necessary for restaurants in Düsseldorf?
Reservations are recommended for fine dining restaurants in Düsseldorf, especially on weekends or during peak dining hours. Casual restaurants generally do not require reservations, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead to check availability.
Can I pay with a credit card in restaurants in Düsseldorf?
Most restaurants in Düsseldorf accept credit cards, but checking beforehand is always a good idea. Some smaller restaurants or street food vendors may only accept cash, so it’s always a good idea to have some Euros on hand.
Recommended travel resources
Flights: To search for flight deals check out sites such as Skyscanner, Kayak and Travel Supermarket to compare the costs of flights. My top tip to save money is to fly mid-week and take just hand luggage if possible.
Accommodation: I love a nice boutique hotel on my travel and I regularly use Booking.com as they have fantastic flexibility and cancellation. I also recommend Trip Advisor and hotels combined for hotel browsing. Additionally, I use Airbnb and TrustedHousesitters for homestays.
Travel Insurance: I highly recommend you always get travel insurance for your trips. Check out my Travel Insurance Page to see why. I recommend World Nomads or Post Office travel Insurance.
Group Tours: I love booking group tours as a cost-effective and convenient way of discovering destinations. I recommend booking a small group tour with G Adventures.
Travel Guides: My favourite travel guidebooks are Bradt Guides, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides.
For more travel tools, head to my bumper travel resources page now!
