INSIDER TIPS
DÜSSELDORF ON A DIME
STRIKE
With 15 shops across Germany, STRIKE is a sustainable clothing company offering some of the country’s best secondhand old-school and vintage finds. Their Düsseldorf location is just a quick 15-minute tram journey from Max Brown Midtown.
NANIWA
There’s a high chance you’ll have to wait for a table, but it’s so worth it. This is by far the best ramen restaurant in town. They also serve sushi and Japanese snacks, which are just as delicious.
SALON DES AMATEURS
Founded by three Düsseldorf Academy artists, this spot is one of Germany’s most progressive dance clubs. The crowd is as eclectic as its music and acts, which skew heavily towards non-mainstream electronic and improvisational sets. We also love the ’60s vintage-inspired interiors, for their extra dose of unique contrasts.
IM FÜCHSCHEN
This brewery is as committed to Düsseldorf beer as they come. Brewed according to a secret family recipe, their beers have been appreciated by Düsseldorf drinkers since way back in 1848. Don’t miss out on their popular Füchschen Pils, a staple on the menu since 2017.
PICKUP VINTAGE
Looking for original Hawaiian shirts, ’50s dresses or vintage satin baseball jackets? This is your place. PickUp Vintage offers one of the best vintage selections in town.
NEUREICH
Frank Thoelen and his family open their doors to their home every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 18:00 to present an eclectic selection of classics, from the Baroque to the present, with an emphasis on the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Go early to get the best pieces before they’re gone.
SEVEN SUNDAYS
We love Sundays, and that’s why we can’t get enough of Seven Sundays. If you snoozed past our breakfast hours, drag yourself over to this all-day breakfast café and treat yourself to a stack of pancakes, paired with a healthy serving of granola, fresh fruits and a fresh juice. Rise and shine!
AEST SHOP
Are you still looking for that perfect pair of jeans? At AEST, you’ll find a hand-picked selection of sustainable fashion, accessories and shoes. Treat yourself to a fresh and guilt-free outfit for your evening plans.
SHARI’S KITCHEN
The face behind Shari’s Kitchen wasn’t supposed to end up in the world of food. After a long period of traveling the world, Shari started to become interested in how good food connects people. She opened a restaurant by accident, and it quickly became a hotspot for delicious international cuisine. Stop by for a special and heart-warming experience, and make sure to sit outside if the sun is out—their terrace is the nicest one in town!
INSIDER TIPS
ARTS & CULTURE
LITTLE TOKYO
Did you know Düsseldorf has the largest Japanese community in Germany? Stroll around Düsseldorf’s own Japan Town and visit the Japanese restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, shops, cafés and whathaveyou. We love Takumi and Maruyasu for their very affordable and delicious Japanese delights.
KAISERWERTH
Kaiserswerth is a quiet suburb of Düsseldorf with a rural atmosphere. The most famous sight is the Ruin of Kaiserpfalz, a castle complex from the 12th century. The cobble-stoned streets are lined with Baroque buildings in which one can find gift shops, delicacy stores and boutiques. It’s a more relaxed alternative to Düsseldorf’s busy Old Town.
FILMMUSEUM DÜSSELDORF
The Filmmuseum, located at the heart of Düsseldorf’s Old Town, is an interactive cultural experience for film and culture lovers. It has a black box that is ‘the cinema’ of the museum and shows the entire history of film. It’s only a 15-minute walk away from Max Brown Midtown.
SAMMLUNG PHILARA
Gil Bronner’s impressive private museum, Philara Collection, is located in a former glass factory that the property developer bought and rebuilt extensively over the course of two years. It is hidden in the shabby backyard of Flingern’s Birkenstraße. A 550-square-metre sculpture terrace is as much a part of the building renovated by Sieber Architects as the restaurant and event space Glas Lennarz. The heart of the collection is, of course, the works of art on display in the 1700-square-metre exhibition space.
LANGEN FOUNDATION
This contemporary art exhibition space, event space and architectural gem is located at the gates of Düsseldorf on the grounds of a former NATO rocket station. When you take a trip here, you should give yourself plenty of time to experience the special interaction between architecture, art and nature. It was designed by the self-taught Japanese star architect Tadao Ando, who was deeply impressed by the history of the land.
VELVET
Over 12 years ago, petrol pumps stood in the middle of what is now Velvet’s dining room. Cornelius Ewest and his team have integrated the charm of a vintage gas station into their modern café. Whether you’re having a business meeting over lunch meeting a friend for a morning coffee, you’ll feel at home here. In addition to extremely good coffee, you should definitely try the homemade iced tea or the spicy ginger lemonade. After the drink, you can do some shopping in the concept store, Beyond, just next door, which is incidentally run by Ewest’s girlfriend.
K21
K21 is the sister museum of K20 and displays contemporary art is a stunning architectural space. The 5300-square-metre building was the seat of the North Rhine-Westpahia parliament until the late ’80s and opened as the museum in 2002. It’s our favourite museum in the city.
BASEDONART
BASEDONART is an artist-run gallery based in Düsseldorf’s Flingern, the neighborhood with the highest density of galleries in the German region. It is the place to meet for students of the famous University of Arts, and they will always welcome you. The only gallery of its kind in Düsseldorf, BASEDONART, specializes in exhibiting international contemporary art in combination with pre-modern Asian art and ancient pottery.
INSIDER TIPS
INDULGENCES
THE OAK’S BAR
Located in the heart of Düsseldorf’s old town, this local watering hole serves delicious wine and cocktails in a cosy, listed building with a welcoming atmosphere. If you’re a gin lover, check their website to sign up for weekly gin tastings every Wednesday night.
KONDITOREI HEINEMANN
Founded in 1932, Heinemann is possibly Düsseldorf’s longest-standing confectionary offering traditional tarts, pies, cakes, truffles, and chocolates. Best known for their Champagne Truffles, everything is still made by hand, and devilishly tasty too.
MANDELBRENNEREI GAGLIARDI
Around 1927, this simple ‘sweet and eat’ spot sells three things: fresh coffee, gingerbread hearts and more roasted almond flavours than you knew existed. And that’s all it needs. Stop by for a little pick-me-up as you explore the rest of Old Town’s charm.
BEUYS BAR
A bar for everything—to go out with friends, have a date or invite your partner for very special longdrink. It’s open from Tuesday through Saturday and you can find every kind of drink, from classics to specials.
ZWEIERLEI
Düsseldorf just got a new spot to enjoy delicious and extravagant food. The chefs are well-known in Düsseldorf and now have their own proper restaurant. Both chefs stand for creativity and firmly believe that this should be part of every meal. You can taste their passion for food and will have an unforgettable evening.
BAR CHÉRIE
Set in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Altstadt, you can find the lovely Bar Chérie in between all the beer bars with traditional Düsseldorf beer. Besides a good glass of French wine, you can grab a quiche lorraine or mousse au chocolat to feel a little bit Parisian in Düsseldorf. The bartenders are always welcoming you and sometimes drink a glass with you. It is definitely a place to indulge in Düsseldorf.
BABA GREEN
If you want to cheat on your diet, this place couldn’t be more perfect. This go-to for kebab and falafel always uses the freshest ingredients, and they give traditional dishes a modern twist.
EISKELLER
This wine bar is perfect for nice cheese and wine with friends. Don’t worry about that extra glass or buttered slice of bread, it’s all worth it at this bar that feels like a private wine cellar.
PURE PASTRY
We love ourselves a little treat in the form of freshly baked croissants or a creamy macaron. In case you share this passion, Pure Pastry might make your day in Düsseldorf even better. Just 12 minutes away from Max Brown, there’s no reason not to treat yourself.
INSIDER TIPS
CONSCIOUS Düsseldorf
LANGBRETT
LANGBRETT is a group of surfers and nature lovers who produce uncompromisingly sustainable clothing under fair conditions. If you are a nature and sport lover, you will enjoy their clothing, which is long-lasting and durable. As their motto says, “buy less but better”.
CUP FOR CUP
If you love coffee on the go but also want to be considerate of the environment, then CUP FOR CUP has the solution. They developed an easy return-reuse system for sustainable coffee-to-go. You can find them in several outlets such as cafes, bakeries and even petrol stations throughout the city. On their website, you will find which outlets participate.
MANKO CAFE + WORKSHOP
A space for the important things in life. Here you can work freely, have meals made from locally sourced ingredients, think ahead and be creative.
ROBERTA
This fair and organic fashion shop in Düsseldorf isn’t comparable to other fair fashion shops—it is totally unique. The owner, Daniela, has an art background and decided to leave the art business to give the Düsseldorf’s luxury shopping area a new face. Here you can find some great, fairly produced pieces.
GREEN KARMA
Entering Green Karma makes you feel zen right away. Here, you’ll not only decrease your stress level because of the beautiful interior, but also you’ll nourish your body with all the good stuff there is, from healthy bowls to sweet treats and yummy juices.
UNVERPACKT
For a sustainable start to the new year, we all should reduce our plastic use in our daily routine. The plastic-free supermarket Unverpackt Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf Stadtbezirk 2 allows us to shop 100% plastic-free and sustainable by providing glass boxes or paper bags. You also can bring your own boxes and bags and enjoy a seasonal dinner.
GREEN GUERILLAS
In this shop, you won’t have worry about making good or bad choices—you’ll always make the right one. At Green Guerillas they only sell fair, sustainable and quality clothing. Happy shopping!
GREENTREES THE JUICERY
This juicery’s motto is “#TYBLAT,” which means “treat your body like a temple.” We couldn’t agree more. From their immune-boosting fresh juices to their soul-nourishing bowls, it’s all executed with love.
WALK ALONG THE RHINE RIVER PROMENADE
What’s greener than using your very own feet as transportation? This promenade will lead you along Old Town and Carlstadt. There are several little shops and cafés that welcome you to sit and enjoy the view.
INSIDER TIPS
FANCY Düsseldorf
SCHEE
Run by two brothers and their friends, this is the go-to spot to find something stylish to take home from Düsseldorf. With prints from aspiring artists around the world, plus endless unique gifts, homeware and accessories, each item is carefully curated, high in quality and always special.
BREUNINGER
Shop ’til you drop, but make it fancy at Düsseldorf’s most luxurious department store. Located within the prestigious “KÖ-Bogen” architectural project with 13 houses, 1,200 brands and 25 restaurants, bars and confectionaries, you’ll be spoilt for choice without going far.
KÖNIGSALLEE
No luxury list is complete without the Königsallee, which takes the cake for Düsseldorf’s most famous shopping street. A hotspot for the very fortunate, head there to people-watch, or peruse the luxury stores, picturesque surroundings and flashy cars.
WAYA KITCHEN
If you’re ever looking for something to do, Waya Kitchen in Düsseldorf’s Flingern is always a good place to find yourself. Check out the inventive mix of Asian/Latin American food made by the well-known Düsseldorfer Nicolas Wiedmann-Harland. You’ll always enjoy your evening in this down-to-earth atmosphere.
LIVE LAB STUDIOS
This new concept store in Düsseldorf is opening mid-February 2020, and you don’t want to miss it. They will showcase new sustainable luxury goods and are committed to unique quality. As the founders want to take care of every single client personally, you have to book an appointment via their website.
YAKI THE EMON
Best dish for weekend evenings: okonomiyaki! Just a few minutes away from Max Brown Midtown, you will find the delicious Japanese pancakes on your hot stone plate, (which you can get vegetarian/vegan as well). We recommend a good glass of Japanese wine with it as the selection of wine at Yaki the emon is just like in your local wine bar.
YABASE
Some people claim this is the best Japanese restaurant in Germany, but we’ll let you decide for yourself. It is definitely worth the wait. From the menu to the staff, you’ll get the full, authentic Japanese experience.
FRITZ’S FRAU FRANZI
This Michelin-starred restaurant serves you a night to remember. The menu is small but the dishes are grand, which they sum up as “a world cuisine with an experimental touch.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
INSIDER TIPS
Dog-Friendly
Volksgarten Düsseldorf
Pack up snacks, grab your nosy four‑legged travel companion and explore Volksgarten in all its beauty.
Cafe Huftgold
If you’re on vacation, treating yourself is a must. At Hüftgold your pup is welcome to tag along as you’re enjoying the most delicious creations.
Rosies
Food and drinks all day—what you see is what you get. All the delicious things to be enjoyed, day and night, dogs always welcome.
Dogsmopolitan
Is your furry friend a real trendsetter? You better not miss out on checking in at Dogsmopolitan then. They’re always a trend ahead.
Nooij
Take your doggo for a nice 15‑minute walk to Nooji Dutch Deli, for a real Dutch experience
in the middle of Düsseldorf.
Die Pfotenbar
At Pfoten Bar you’ll find the really good food for your furry nose. Here only the best products get a spot in their shelves.
Florapark Dusseldorf
A nice little walk away from Max Brown Midtown, you’ll find Florapark—a green oasis to get some fresh air with your four‑legged friend, right in the middle of the city.
Dogs Deli
If your dog loves shopping as much as you do, Dog’s Deli provides everything the two of you are looking for.
Vet Zentrum Düsseldorf Mitte
And in case your pup is not feeling well, we also got your back: Vet Zentrum Düsseldorf will make sure they’re back on track hopefully soon.