Food.
Dusseldorf is known for its Rhenish way of life, which is largely influenced by the free French mentality. A significant impact was the occupation of the Rhineland by the French during the Napoleonian Wars.
The Rhenish cuisine and many breweries reflect this joie de vivre. But also the numerous cafés, coffee shops, bistros and bars should be mentioned. To meet after a shopping expedition for tarts or cakes and coffee belong to the Rhenish way of life like potato pancakes and Altbier.
The substantial Rhenish kitchen is not for calorie counters. Here you can enjoy black pudding with onions, Flöns mit Ölk or roasted black pudding with stomped potatoes and applesauce, Himmel und Ähd. These names must be translated for the visitor because they are hard to be understood if one is not originally from the Rhineland.
The best known feature of Rhenish cuisine are Rhenish mussels, Muscheln rheinischer Art,. These Mussels are cooked with vegetables and white wine and served with typical German black bread, Schwarzbrot. Most specialities are to be found on the menus of the old beer breweries. These house breweries and their Altbier are remarkable symbols of the soul of the city. But of course, besides home cuisine, one can enjoy star cuisine at all kinds of restaurants throughout the city.
