Restaurants in City Center (Dusseldorf)

Miles Smiles

Situated close, but not too close, to the pulsating nightlife scene in the heart of the old town, Miles Smiles is a pleasant jazz bar that also serves up tasty dishes like Liver in Sage Sauce and Taglierini with Turkey Breast. The atmosphere is laid back, with many people coming here for a bite to eat before or after a binge at the bars around Karlplatz. A good late-night alternative to a hot dog or kebab.

La Bouillabaisse

Marmoud Marnaoui has taken Dusseldorf by storm with his minimalist, intimate and exceptional fish restaurant. Guests have the added pleasure of being able to watch the chef in action in the open-plan kitchen. The fish soup with saffron is legendary, although the elaborately prepared perch in and turbot on grilled tomatoes (EUR 17) are equally excellent. The wine list is limited to a few select tipples; the Italian Chardonnay goes down very nicely with the fish. Reservations are essential.

Pssst! Bandido

Fancy a few tacos, tortillas, enchiladas or nachos? If the answer is yes, then you have come to the right place. The chef rustles up a spectacular selection of classic and more adventurous and sometimes very hot Tex-Mex dishes. The fruity guacamole is highly recommended as a starter. Guests can cool off their taste buds with a bottle of Sol beer or warm them up again with a glass of tequila. Soft drinks are also available.

Yabase

This inner city Japanese restaurant with its dark furniture and its light walls has a very contemporary Japanese ambiance, in contrast to many of Dusseldorf's Japanese restaurants, which have the over-elevated charm of a Japanese 'canteen'. The service team are friendly and remarkably patient with uninformed Europeans inquiring after the menu. In Yabase, you will find fantastic Sukiyaki served along with Japanese favorites, Sushi and Tempura. They also serve Pils and Sake. Green tea, however, is on the house!

Positano

The Positano is one part of a small family with three restaurants. Those three are owned by the same person and they are just a stone´s throw apart from each other. The siblings are the La Piazzetta and the Rossini. Mr. Fusco loves the Italian cuisine and he is always engaged to offer guests the best what Italy has to offer. This turns out well all the time. You can enjoy your fresh made meal in a decent atmosphere and Mr. Fusco has the best Italian wines. The cooks not only have a preference for delicious starters and desserts, they create first class main courses as well. A highlight is the Lambcarree which is gratinated with a paste of basil and other herbs. During lunch time it is almost always fully booked, because of business men who are eating with partners or clients. In the evening the situation is not very different. So it is recommended to book a table in advance.

Caliga

Whether or not you are a guest of the luxurious Inter Continental Hotel, you can dine in the elegant in-hotel restaurant Caliga. Pamper yourself after a busy day in the vibrant Koenigsallee area and unwind with a blissful glass of wine. When you are out to impress, be it a big-shot business colleague or someone special, this is the place to go to. A wide range of culinary preparations are available for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. This trendy restaurant is synonymous with fine dining.

Nippon Kan

Recently renovated, Dusseldorf's oldest Japanese restaurant now looks as spic and span as ever. The clientele mainly consists of business people and members of the local Japanese community who flock here for the great sushi, sashimi and tempura specials. Newcomers to the Japanese cuisine should go for the set meals, which offer a selection of different Japanese dishes. The staff are, as you would expect, extremely friendly, efficient and discreet.

Chanakya

Chanakya was a well-known Indian philosopher whose role as a statesman contributed to the renaissance of the old Indian way of life. True to its name, those who step into this restaurant are transported back in time. Stunning ivory ornaments, magnificent wall hangings and antique Asian furnishings, give this place the unmistakable aura of a Maharaja's palace. The food is similarly indulgent, with fantastic stews and tandoori dishes as well as top-class vegetarian specialties. The murgh bhajiya which is marinated chicken fried in batter, is a popular starter.

Hyuga

This 'tunnel-shaped' pub on Kloster strasse is a good port of call for connoisseurs of real Japanese food. The mostly eastern business customers pay little attention if any to the lack of homely atmosphere, nor the rather Spartan interior design.The magical dishes that are conjured up by the chef is much more the focus of attention and these are consistently of a very high quality and taste divine. The menu includes: various Tempura, Sushi and Sashami munus as well as a very good range of Japanese soups. Successful business deals are often celebrated by Japanese business men with a Kirin beer or a strong Rice brandy.

Happy Meeting

Although this Chinese, located in the oldtown, already has almost half a century's service under its belt (it was opened in 1952), one would never guess its age. It is fair to say that in this establishment there is no such thing as 'cutting edge' interior design, however, the variety and quality in different dishes is clearly the restaurant's selling point. For example, the Dim Sum starters and main courses are always freshly prepared and generously portioned. Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit different, their menu contains a number of seasonal specialities.Regulars enjoying a few drinks over their favorite dish is a common scene in this establishment.

Tsun-Gai

This small, minimalistic-decorated Chinese restaurant is hidden away in a side street between Graf Adolf Straße and Oststraße. Tsun-Gai is a top tip for insiders and lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine. The nimble staff serve the regulars daring Asian dishes at extremely palatable prices. How about pickled chicken's feet as a starter followed by a spicy duck dish? Customers can accompany their meal with rice wine, beer or soft drinks.

Kikaku

They say 'Time is of the essence', yet if you fancy getting your daily protein intake in Düsseldorf's best Sushi restaurant, patience is probably a better plan. It is a typical scene to see Japanese and Sushi lovers all clustered at the entrance waiting to be led to their tables by the mysteriously silent waitresses. Mind you once customers are seated the pace picks up a touch.Sushi sets are delivered in a flash, as are other Japanese seafood treats, such as jellyfish in vinegar. The staff are efficient down to the last detail: no sooner is the last drop of Sake drunk, or the last mouthful of tender fish swallowed, but the bill is on the table. Must be the huge demand.