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Culinary experiences in the Rhineland

Whether you are looking around the markets, trying some Westphalian ham on the bone or a full-bodied cheese, or visiting the chocolate museum - the Rhineland is a real paradise for connoisseurs. From the quaint pub on the corner to the finest star-rated restaurant, the west of Germany has a selection of food and drink to suit every taste.

Kölsch

Cologne is known as the „secret capital“ of beer, as scarcely any other German town or city has so many breweries. Kölsch, the local beer speciality, benefits from EU geographical indication protection, and you can currently enjoy 31 different labels in and around Cologne. If you wish to find out more about this top-fermented beer, the two-hour Kölsch tour offered by Cologne Tourism Office ticks all the boxes.

Himmel und Erde (mashed potato and apple sauce) as well as "Alt" Beer

The Düsseldorf Tourist Guides Association organises a historical culinary tour dedicated to traditional dishes such as Himmel und Erde (mashed potato and apple sauce) and other tasty treats. Alternatively, you can stroll through the lanes of the old quarter to learn more about Düsseldorf‘s top-fermented Altbier and visit a typical private brewery.

Westphalian ham

In the Rhenish city of Cologne, the famous Westphalian ham on the bone is said to have been sold as a speciality at one of the leading markets in the Middle Ages as early as the 12th century. Further evidence of this can be found in the „St. Maria zur Wiese“ church in Soest: a glass painting over the northern portal dating from around 1500 AD depicts the „Westphalian Supper“. Even Goethe once commented, „Instead of an Easter lamb, there was a ham on the table...“.

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