The best local restaurants in Dusseldorf serve delicacies from the Rhineland and beyond, thanks to the city's status as an international business hub. Dusseldorf is home to Germany's largest Japanese expat community, which is reflected in its diverse food scene. Many of Dusseldorf's restaurants double up as microbreweries, making them popular with locals looking to unwind after a long day in the office.

Whether you want to dine in a tavern that once hosted Napoleon Bonaparte, dig into ramen on a Japanese-style terrace or grab ready-to-eat international delights from a historic food market, Dusseldorf has you covered. Read about our favourite local haunts to plan your culinary adventure in Dusseldorf.

  • 1

    Brauerei Zum Schiffchen

    A historic tavern that lays claim to being Dusseldorf’s oldest diner

    Brauerei Zum Schiffchen
    • Essen
    • Nachtleben

    The Brauerei Zum Schiffchen is said to be the oldest restaurant in Dusseldorf, having served customers ranging from Napolean Bonaparte to Japanese princess Hisako in its near 400-year lifetime (so far). While modernised for today’s clientele, it retains a rustic charm, locally adored for its heritage, as well as house-brewed beers and German dishes like pork knuckle.

    Brauerei Zum Schiffchen is open every day except for Sunday. Without a reservation, you can expect to wait for up to 1 hour for a table at dinnertime any day of the week. This centrally located restaurant is just a short walk from landmarks like the Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and the 16th-century Marktplatz square.

    Lage: Hafenstrasse 5, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Friday from 5 pm to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight (closed on Sunday)

    Telefon: +49 (0) 211 132421

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  • 2

    Uerige

    A popular brewery and local hangout serving German pub grub

    Uerige
    • Essen
    • Nachtleben

    Uerige is one of Dusseldorf's most popular brewpubs, where the locals meet up to blow off steam with regional beers after a hard day's work. Besides serving refreshing beers and providing a cosy atmosphere in all 6 characterful rooms, it celebrates German pub grub, with menu favourites including tasty variations of soups, sausages and tartar.

    If you fancy a healthy bite while dining at Uerige, we recommend ordering the delicious red beet carpaccio with goat’s cheese. The super-light and creamy panna cotta always goes down a treat for dessert. You can also book tours of this traditional brewery to learn about the beer-making process.

    Lage: Berger Str. 1, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Daily from 10 am to midnight

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 866990

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  • 3

    Takumi

    The go-to ramen restaurant for Dusseldorf’s Japanese expat community

    Takumi
    • Essen
    • Nachtleben

    Takumi is a ramen restaurant that’s always busy with locals and Dusseldorf’s Japanese expat community seeking a taste of home. In the casual dining area or on the patio, you can feast on ramen varieties such as tantanmen (Japanese-style Sichuan ramen) and tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet). You can also order dishes like teriyaki chicken, plus a range of imported and local drinks.

    For an authentic taste of Japan in Dusseldorf's Takumi restaurant, we recommend ordering the Japan-imported Sapporo ramen, which swims alongside veggies, pork bones, and a range of other ingredients in a hearty broth. Be prepared to wait in long lines for a delicious meal at Takumi regardless of when you visit – waits can exceed 1 hour on Saturday evenings.

    Lage: Immermannstrasse 28, 40210 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Monday from noon to 10 pm, Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 9.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 1793308

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  • 4

    Schweine Janes Altstadt

    A casual diner with homestyle fare and an impressive altbier menu

    Schweine Janes Altstadt
    • Essen
    • Nachtleben

    Schweine Janes Altstadt is a casual eatery with indoor and outdoor tables, famous locally for its homestyle grilled delights that include steaks and pork knuckle. On top of delectable German fare, it is one of Dusseldorf’s best restaurants to enjoy an altbier, which is a type of top-fermented beer brewed in the Rhineland and a must-try beverage while staying in the city.

    You’ll find Schweine Janes Altstadt in the heart of Dusseldorf’s historic centre, right next to landmarks like the Marktplatz and the Rathaus. A stroll along the Rhine Promenade is a great way to unwind after dinner.

    Lage: Bolkerstrasse 13, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Sunday–Thursday from noon to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 2 am

    Telefon: +49 (0) 211 131449

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  • 5

    Carlsplatz Markt food stalls

    Ready-to-eat local and global delicacies plus over 60 market stalls

    Carlsplatz Markt food stalls
    • Essen
    • Shopping

    The Carlsplatz Markt (Carlplatz Market) demonstrates Dusseldorf’s prestige as a top destination for foodies. Located in the central square of the Altstadt (Old Town), it is home to over 60 market stalls selling culinary delights ranging from regional vegetables to freshly caught fish, but the food vendors that exemplify Dusseldorf homestyle cooking are the main draw for visitors.

    In addition to a range of German specialities, ready-to-eat lunch options include Turkish, Indian, French and Italian delicacies at the Carlsplatz Markt. You might want to get there early before the tastiest grub gets snapped up.

    Lage: 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)

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  • 6

    Sattgrün

    A vegan buffet restaurant with an organic wine menu

    Sattgrün
    • Essen

    Sattgrün is a healthy vegan restaurant with 3 locations in Dusseldorf, with the busiest overlooking the harbour. Rather than ordering your favourite dish, you simply decide on the size of your plate and pile on buffet delights to your heart’s content.

    All food options are made from plant-based foodstuffs and are free of genetically modified ingredients. Also on the menu are homemade cakes, soups and salads, plus a range of regional organic wines and beers.

    Lage: Brückenstrasse 12, 40221 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Daily from noon to 10 pm

    Telefon: +49 (0) 211 15923290

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  • 7

    Bibimcup

    One of Dusseldorf’s top-rated Korean restaurants

    Bibimcup
    • Essen

    Bibimcup is a Korean restaurant that showcases the Asian influences on Dusseldorf’s food scene. Menu favourites at this stylish, black-toned diner include noodles, Korean dumplings, and the signature bibimbap, which is a rice-based dish with toppings like soy sauce, kimchi, and gochujang (red pepper sauce). On warm days, you can enjoy its delicacies on the terrace.

    You don’t usually need to reserve a table on a weekday at Bibimcup, though we recommend booking in advance on Saturday if you’d rather avoid a 30-minute wait. The restaurant is conveniently located on the doorstep of the Oststrasse subway station.

    Lage: Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 3, 40210 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Monday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 54475785

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  • 8

    Curry

    Homemade currywurst by the harbour

    Curry
    • Essen

    Grab a table at Curry for some of the tastiest currywurst in Dusseldorf. This casual restaurant is situated near the city’s harbour, offering scenic ocean views. Besides sausages, this restaurant home-makes dishes ranging from coleslaw to French fries. You can wash your meal down with a beer, regional wine, champagne, prosecco, or soft drink.

    Curry is just across the street from Gehry Bauten, an attraction of 3 contemporary buildings famous for their geometric architecture. Despite its popularity, the restaurant doesn’t usually require bookings.

    Lage: Hammer Str. 2, 40219 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Daily from 11.30 am to 10 pm

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 3032857

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  • 9

    What’s Beef

    Organic burgers with a focus on environmental sustainability

    What’s Beef
    • Essen

    What’s Beef proves that hamburgers don’t necessarily need to be considered junk food. At this esteemed burger joint, all ingredients are locally sourced and organic to reflect the restaurant’s philosophy of environmental sustainability. Besides premium burgers that are made on the same day as the beef is delivered, menu options include spareribs and steaks.

    The highlight is undoubtedly the premium wagyu burger, which goes great with one of the restaurant’s freshly made shakes. You’ll find What’s Beef in the heart of Dusseldorf’s Japanese quarter, with the nearest subway station being Oststrasse.

    Lage: Immermannstrasse 24, 40210 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 36779196

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  • 10

    Brewery Schumacher

    Serving homemade German beer and cuisine for nearly 2 centuries

    Brewery Schumacher
    • Essen
    • Nachtleben

    Brewery Schumacher is one of Dusseldorf’s oldest restaurants and brewhouses, producing its own delicious, deeply coloured beer for over 175 years. The family-owned venue retains a traditional charm, serving typical German favourites like specially prepared goulash, Rhine Valley soups and pike-perch fillet.

    Brewery Schumacher is just down the road from the Oststrasse subway station, and it’s only a 5-minute walk from Dusseldorf Train Station. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant opens until midnight. There's usually no need to reserve a table in advance.

    Lage: Oststrasse 123, 40210 Düsseldorf, Germany

    Öffnungszeiten: Tuesday from 4 pm to 11 pm, Wednesday from 11.30 am to 11 pm, Thursday–Friday from 11.30 am to midnight, Saturday from 11 am to midnight, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Telefon: +49 (0)211 8289020

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    Foto von Dan K (CC BY-SA 2.0) bearbeitet

Joshua Saunders | Freie(r) Autor(in)