Food & drink

Caminetto serves the best pizza in Cologne.

Anyone who's lived in London will know of Belgo - the chain of Belgium restaurants famous for their beer and mussels with chips.  This may have the same name - but its not the same chain.  This is something quite special - a little slice of the best of Belgium right here in Düsseldorf. It's a magical little bistro with lots of warm red colouring, typical bistro furniture, art nouveau lamps and a warm and cosy atmosphere.

One of Bonn’s popular meeting places for people of all ages. A good menu, heavy on the Italian; Pizza and Pasta but Tapas and steaks are also on the menu. Daily specials vary between €4.50-14.50 Euro. There is a good international wine list and as an added attraction on Mondays, at 7.30pm there is an English Stammtisch (reserved table) for those who wish to improve their English conversation. I was not impressed to see that, on the ground floor, smoking is permitted. In the summer there is a large terrace, ideally situated next to the Remigiusplatz flower market.

One of the first cafes I went to in Cologne was the Bauturm cafe on Aachener Strasse. I enjoyed a huge frothy coffee and a breakfast menu that set me up for the day. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere laid back and relaxed - perfect for a late Sunday morning brunch. Roll on a few years and nothing has changed at the Bauturm - the staff are as friendly as ever, and the breakfast menu is still exactly what you need after a night out on the tiles.

If you ask an Expat what they most like about Cologne they’ll say it’s a combination of two things – the wonderful Mediterranean vibe, mixed with that typical German “Gemütlichkeit”.  I have found a restaurant that combines those two very elements. It is called “EngelBät” and is located in the “Quartier Latin” which is near Zülpicher Platz, a little bit off the main road. EngelBät is the perfect place for a relaxing dinner after a stressful day.

You can have enough of Starbucks.  Now that they're on every corner the novelty has worn off - and in these tough financial times I am certainly less inclined to fork out €4 for a coffee.  Which is why you should try Cafecafe on Aachenstrasse.

Don't be put off by the name, this cool Düsseldorf restaurant and bar is anything but ugly.  Minimal, white and filled with light, the deco is modern with retro touches, the food is contemporary international and there are over 40 whiskeys to choose from, as well as cocktails and speciality coffee.  The menu is "klein aber fein" and changes regularly, but you might be able to look forward to some tasty homemade Spanish stew, or tagliolini with spinach and mascarpone, or the  heavenly quark soufflé.  Daytimes Ugly Deluxe is full of office workers and

If you'd really like to treat yourself and significant other, then why not visit the newly "Michelin starred" Villa Leonhart in Königswinter.  Their motto is "Gastronomy of the highest degree" and it's not only the food that is top notch, the villa itself is a temple of beauty and style. The Bauhaus villa was renovated and redesigned by Dutch artist Wouter Dolk, each room now gives emits oddles of twenties glamour and style.

What to eat for Christmas?  Stuck for a turkey?  Not sure what to do with your carp?  Crazy about Goose?  The great thing about being an "auslander" is that you can pick and choose your Christmas meal - or even indulge in all of them.

Yeah, I know, they scare me too, but don't let them put you off the food - it's oh so very good - and cheap (not a word you associate with Düsseldorf very often)!  For a hearty lunch that won't cost the earth, this is one of the best "imbiss" in the city.  The two ladies who run it, Darleen Christ and Nele Sonetatt, serve up the usual "frikadellen" and "wurst" as well as weekly specials such as venison goulash and even steak.  Don't miss the "retro-dog" - a bratwurst in a baguette with curry-mustard sauce - it's the house specialit