The Rhineland´s unique dialect and easy-going attitude to life are not the region´s only distinguishing features.
Rhineland also has its own special cuisine with appetizing names such as Kölscher Kaviar (Cologne Caviar) and Himmel und Äd (Heaven and Earth).
If you want to try these traditional Rhineland specialties, you should head for an authentic brevery pub-restaurant, especially in Cologne´s old city around the Groß St. Martin church.
You can fill the gap in your knowledge of these traditional and down-to-earth meals in the best possible way in one of these brewery-run restaurants.
Reading the Fooderkaat (Cologne´s dialect word for menu), you´ll discover more original delicacies such as Halver Hahn or falsches Kotelett.
After tasting traditional local food, your palate might cry out for something a little finer.
Luckily Cologne has a gastronomic choice that not many other cities can match.
Diners can take a culinary journey to places such as Asia, Africa or Latin America without leaving the city limits.
For example in Ehrenfeld there are many small, distinctive restaurants with international cuisine such as the "Kleine Schwarze" or the "Meer sehen".
Not far away, there´s another culinary highlight in the Mediapark – the spectacular "Osman 30" with a lounge and restaurant on the 30th floor of the Kölnturm.
If you dare to go to such dizzy heights, you´ll enjoy a Mediterranean three-course meal and will also be rewarded with a great panoramic view.
After a culinary voyage around the world, you can travel to the stars in Bergisch Gladbach, just 20 km away.
Here there are two of Germany´s top gourmet restaurants, both with three Michelin stars. These are Lerbach and Vendôme in the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg.
The champagne flows freely and there is real caviar to pamper the palate.
A few kilometers further, in Bonn, the choice of places to eat out is just as rich and varied with chic restaurants spread around the city.
You´ll find a large number of restaurants beside the Rhine. No need to ask why – diners here get the best view of the Rhine and Siebengebirge hills served up without any extra charge.
