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A charming rural house near the River Elbe, beautiful flower arrangements, bright colours, a pleasant atmosphere and fine cooking - you probably don't need any other reasons to visit Landhus Dill. Located on a street lined with lavish 19th century villas and beautiful parks, an afternoon drive or short walk on one of the smaller roads, which run along the river bank and hillside could culminate in a pleasant meal at Landhaus Dill.

The décor is all country-house style with floral printed drapes, mellow colour schemes, ornate candle stands and plenty of flowers reminiscent of a garden. While enjoying a delicious lunch watch the river steadily flowing past and on a warm Hamburg night, head to the charming terrace area, hidden from the nearby street by a high hedge, for a romantic al fresco meal.

Although the cuisine is characteristically German, the French and Austrian theme is hard to avoid. The kitchen's loyalty to the seasons is displayed in dishes such as spring salad with crayfish tails and Barbary duck breast with oranges, pepper sauce and potato crowns. From the gourmet menu you could choose ravioli filled with lobster foam, sugar peas and chilli sauce or the carpaccio of monkfish and salmon with olive oil, lemon and pak choi salad. Finish with marzipan stuffed with fresh dates with caramel sauce and cinnamon ice-cream, and mango sorbet filled with Prosecco or ripened cheese.

Lunch on some spaghettini with braised tomatoes, basil and scoured Parmesan and veal rump roast in the oven with its own sauce and served with young vegetables and fried potatoes. For desserts there is Tahitian vanilla-walnut parfait with strawberry-orange salad and caramel sauce. Little ones have their own menu where they can choose a Viennese style prime boiled cutlet with chips or creamed turkey with chopped carrots and fried potatoes.

There are 200 different wines to choose from, alongside some fine bins from Austria and Italy, another reason why every diner at Landhus Dill is truly spoilt for choice.

Turkish immigrants may well deserve credit for pioneering the döner kebab business in Berlin but Hasir is not your average kebab joint; it's where Berliners and tourists alike could just get a little slice of Turkey. This family run business with six outlets across Berlin has been introducing customers to a riot of flavours in all their dishes from the grilled lamb fillet to the mandatory humus and kuver.

The one at Mitte takes the cake for resembling a glamorous market with shimmering gold effect walls and subdued brown tints. While Hasir in the Adalberstraße is where it all started and at the Ocakbasi next door, meat dishes are char-grilled before serving. Pop a question to the chef in the open kitchen just in case curiosity gets the better of you. At Wilmersdorf, the décor is replete with Oriental touches and draws in prominent people from the world of politics, culture and business. The interior at Schöneberg is designed in a Turkish style with large murals and chequered floors while at Spandau it's all mellow with soft lighting and earthy hues.

The buzz in the restaurant is reflected in the kitchen where chefs are busy crafting Turkish delights such as lamb chops with rice, fried potatoes and salad, medallions of veal with mushroom sauce. Chicken schnitzel is roasted in a pan with tomatoes, sweet pepper, onions and mushroom and served in a clay pot.

Grilled delicacies include minced meat served on pita bread covered with a spicy sauce and topped with yogurt and herbs, and beyti, minced lamb barbequed on a skewer, seasoned with slices of radish, spicy onions, parsley, pepperoni and grilled tomato. Seafood is not forgotten on the menu; expect to see poached sea bass with tomato sauce, green pepper and garlic and giant prawns with mushrooms in a white wine sauce.

Desserts include Middle Eastern favourites like pastry of dough threads in honey syrup and nuts filled with almond crème and the Turkish rice pudding, while those who are less adventurous could settle for a very special crème brûlée.

A world famous cathedral, walkways along the River Rhine, exciting arts and cultural scene and plenty of local haunts well-known for beer, homemade schnapps and pork roasted with mustard - yes, all this and more in one of the most happening cities in Germany - Cologne. Occupying a historic site, which was once home to the Town Hall, The Intercontinental Hotel combines contemporary design with historical elements and the result is a chic yet comfortable place with the facilities that fit the standards of a modern day traveller.

Taking its name from the mulberry tree, the impressive Maulbeers Restaurant in warm red, orange and cognac hues sets the tone for a fine dining experience. The illuminated pillars draw instant attention , together with the large windows and the flicker of countless candles.

Executive Chef Jörg Stricker and his team at the kitchen are totally unafraid to experiment and offer a classic cuisine combination of German with a hint of the Mediterranean. So you might find a fillet of veal alongside scampi, roasted mulberries, glazed roots and potato cakes. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy some delicious food and uncomplicated service in a delightful ambience.

The menu opens with dishes such as tiramisu of duck liver with pumpkin chutney, herb salad and brioche and summer green salad with rose hip dressing and baked Munster cheese. This could be followed with rocket tagliatelle with roasted stone mushrooms, chanterelle and white tomato foam; roasted pickled fillet of beef with turnips, vanilla carrots and Bamberger croissants, and grilled slices of tuna with artichokes in a root vegetable and pearl barley risotto.

Caramelised brambleberry with cream cheese mousse and crème Catalan with plums and rosemary ice cream make for some original dessert ideas.

Experience a unique lifestyle at the Intercontinental within its 250 guest rooms and luxury suites, well-equipped conference rooms, health club and beauty studio and a first rate gastronomy concept.

The Albergo can be described as a temple of luxury right in the heart of Western Berlin?s Wilmersdorf district. Don?t get confused by the name of this former Russian Orthodox cathedral that refers to a small guesthouse in Italian, for the handsome, dignified building has an interior that is in complete contrast to its rather austere Venetian red façade. Artists from Florence have transformed this unique hotel into a gallery and the rooms into works of art.

Every detail, from the Florentine murals and terrazzo floor to thirty-six stylish red and gold bedrooms, baroque wall mirrors and individually produced cherry wood period furniture pays tribute to Italian renaissance.

The charming atmosphere of the Albergo restaurant with its sumptuous breakfast buffet offers a wonderful start to the day.

Santini is often referred to as the culinary heart of Albergo. Whether you wish to enjoy a relaxing lunch in the terrace garden or dinner in the opulent interior of a gourmet restaurant, the venue represents Italy?s love of life in its purest form.

After having fresh pasta or a delightful three-course meal, you could retire downstairs to the wine cellar and sample the large selection of Italian wines sitting by the fireside. Dining at Santini may well turn out to be an experience to remember.

Ma is a Chinese word for horse and with a century old clay horse standing majestically in the middle of the room, made during the Han dynasty in China, you don't have to look too far to see how the restaurant got its name. Located at the rear of Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Tim Raue's new venture at this upmarket spot demonstrates that he has come a long way since his days at Restaurant 44 in Swissôtel Berlin, where he honed his culinary skills.

The Asian inspired interior of slate, bronze, jade and cashmere fabrics add character to the place; while the cosy brown and yellow sofas may help you linger a little longer. Look outside and you might notice an abundance of creepers descending down the glass windows, lending an earthy and bright feel.

Raue's passion for freshness and harmony of flavours is reflected in his food. He manages to achieve that delicate balance by combining the natural sweetness of fruit with a bitter note of fresh herbs and plants in meat, fish and vegetables dishes. To help guests understand how the tender Kobe-style beef comes only with a fork and spoon watch the chefs in the open plan kitchen slice the well-marbled meat, which is then slightly blanched and immersed in soy broth poured from a teapot.

There's foie gras with shiso herbs, red grapes and Sichuan pepper and soft shell crab with leeks and ginger amongst starters. Watch taste and textures combine in main courses of fish maw and scallops with green paprika and coriander; lobster with cinnamon blossom pink lady and apple jelly, and ox tongue with mustard, pear, kohlrabi and cumin. Pigeon is cooked Cantonese style with jus from dried mushrooms and green beans.

Sweet treats include raspberry tapioca with milk ice and tarragon foam and Mallorquin peach with passion fruit, basil and raspberry ice cream. The cordial service by Anne-Marie Raue and her team sustain the warmth and friendliness of this place, which could appeal to just about anyone - whether it is a guest at Hotel Adlon Kempinski, a tourist or just about any Berliner.

Hamburg, also known as the green port on the river, is often referred to as one of the most charming cities of Germany. With an abundance of beautiful art, culture, music, theatre and dining, it's not surprising that even the normally reluctant Hanseatic inhabitants take pride in what their city offers to the world.

Da Mingo, situated at the corner of David and Fredrick Street in the heart of St Pauli has made its mark as an appealing destination to spend an evening of relaxation and enjoyment. Customers are provided with excellent food and great entertainment at prices that never fail to surprise. The ambience is always  cheerful and very welcoming with red and gold interiors and dark wood furniture. There are many options for those with time to linger at lunch or after dinner.

You could watch the Bundesliga, Formula One or English football over pitchers of beer at the lounge at weekends or even take a two hour historical 'hurentour' into the closed world of prostitution. A tempting three-course meal called the red light is offered there on Saturday.

Customers get to sample some of the finest meat, fish and vegetarian dishes from a menu that changes everyday. Mingo stays open from noon till four in the morning at weekends, so no one there is in a hurry. Pizzas and pastas vie with steaks and salads, introducing diners to many flavours of the Mediterranean.

Meats start with pork tenderloin that appears with mushroom cream, tender Argentinean steaks, roast leg of deer and Barbary duck breast straight from the grill accompanied by onions, baked potato, sour cream and fresh garlic baguette and chicken breast fillet stuffed with bacon that comes to  table with cheese, rice and olives.

The pizzas are more straightforward with choices such as the vegan with seasonal vegetables, lucci with ham, salami and mushrooms and the popular Mediterrano with tomatoes, mozzarella, rocket, Parma ham and Parmesan. An array of fish and seafood from salmon to plaice and shrimps to crabs is served with bacon and a mixed salad or spinach in penne.

The desserts head off with homemade tiramisu, lemon mascarpone with fresh fruits or ice cream with fruit of the season. An extensive range of cocktails and beers that are served on tap and by the bottle complement the food.

St Pauli is a melting pot of diverse influences, trends and styles - there is much more to it than strip shows and sex shops - and Da Mingo is surely one of the most exciting destinations around.

Berlin’s very own little piece of Italy can be found at the Pestalozzistr in the Ristorante Biscotti, a delightful restaurant where the atmosphere is soothing, relaxing and well, positively humming with serenity. If you’ve always loved Italian food, then you can throw caution to the winds and continue your love affair there, amid the mellow and warmly lit interior, or outside if you prefer a more casual ambience with the wooden chairs, trellises and overflowing potted plants.

Ristorante Biscotti opened in 1993 and since then they have accumulated many admirers, some of them celebrities from the media and television, who have become regulars and keep coming back again and again to sample the delicacies prepared by the chef. The cuisine represents a cross section of the culinary specialities from across various Italian provinces, particularly the South.

Simple and concise, the menu begins with starters of carpaccio of beef, or tuna and squid and an unusual combination of beets and scampi. You could supplement this with a rocket or spinach salad, or maybe try the renowned caponata Siciliana, made with aubergines and celery.

The main course is another compilation of some delectable dishes such as potato gnocchi in pink sauce; spaghetti with garlic oil; linguine with scampi and rocket or tagliatelle with spicy sausages. Fresh ingredients are the key, lending an undoubtedly distinctive appeal to make it into a most marvellous meal.

Further down there are some luscious desserts that will make you forget your calorie counting resolutions. Tiramisu, pannacotta and sorbets make their presence felt alongside zabaglione with raspberries, ice cream in an espresso-Cointreau sauce and an assortment of cheeses.

The wine cellar is cosy and stylishly designed and you can hold small and intimate events there, or just relax while sipping on the fine wines and beers on offer. The selection is made up from a huge number of carefully chosen bottles from all regions of Italy and includes newcomers as well as classics.

Ristorante Biscotti represents everything that is well loved about Italian restaurants and food, from its easy going atmosphere, to its classy look, and of course the beautifully prepared cuisine. This is one place that notches top points for the simple but perfect execution of everything that you want.

If you fancy tucking into some exotic curries whilst on a visit to Frankfurt or looking for some delicious Indian food, then Jewel of India might just be the place. Located in the heart of the banking district and close to the trade grounds, localites may vouch for the fact that this is a great place, if a tad pricey, though watch out for their special menu of the day, which represents excellent value, however, the feisty menu and the appetizing spread of authentic Mughlai fare will also help you get your money's worth.

The interior is well laid out with interesting artwork, subtle lighting and the gentle flicker of candle light, all of which could set the tone for a pleasant meal. The décor takes in all the finer points of Indian heritage and culture, so here's a place for those looking to treat themselves to some royal food with soothing music in the background.

The cuisine focuses primarily on the North-Western princely states of erstwhile India, while those from the other regions are not completely forgotten. Their house speciality of grilled king prawns in a mild sauce and green peas with potatoes and fresh mushroom curry is refreshingly tasty. The chef recommends an assorted silver platter or the 'thali' of the king's feast of grilled meat, a selection of curries; vegetables and rice while the queen's feast, or begumi khazana, is an array of vegetarian delights with lentils, rice and dessert.

Among the starters there are onion rings fried in batter, succulent lamb mince rolls and creamy tomato soup. Choose from a variety of flavoursome curries such as fish fillet cooked in a creamy coconut and mustard gravy, chicken cooked with green peppers and lamb in almond gravy; these could be accompanied with steamed rice. Soak up the flavours of the tandoor sizzlers of fillet of salmon grilled with fresh herbs, chicken breast marinated in saffron and yogurt and lamb cubes doused in Indian herbs and spices.

Sweet treats include gulab jamun, milk dumplings in a light sugar syrup and rasmalai, cottage cheese dumplings in cardamom, pistachio and saffron milk. The team at Jewel of India hope that diners will appreciate their journey through the Mughlai cuisine of India and enjoy the palate tingling experience.

Who says you need to go to New York to view the Manhattan skyline? See a scaled-down replica, towering over River Main with a design reminiscent of the 1930s style New York skyscrapers, right here in Frankfurt at the The Lindner Hotel and Residence Main Plaza. Living in one of their 118 gracefully decorated bedrooms, suites, maisonette-apartments or even the penthouse, most of them with a kitchenette, may prove to be a memorable experience.

Lovers of light Californian cuisine may find solace in the New Brick Californian Restaurant where you could watch Head Chef Heiko Mattschall, through their open plan kitchen, dutifully crafting a rich breakfast buffet, a delicious lunch or an evening meal. The colour scheme is an elegant red, grey and wooden tone, which beautifully contrasts the soft ceiling lighting and the dark wood panelled, glass fronted kitchen area. In summer step in to the cobbled square for some refreshing cocktails, while watching a boat slip by along the river a few meters away.

The five conference rooms are equipped with all mod cons and fitted with high quality furniture and light, tasteful fabrics bringing in a slight breather to the most heated of business meetings. Once you?ve clinched that all-important deal there?s a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, a modern gym as well as massage area all waiting to be experienced.

Right here at the Sachenhausen Main embankment, the majestic looking Lindner is an oasis of calm where the busy guest may find just about everything except the commonplace.

This charming, cozy tavern situated in a half-timbered house with white walls welcomes you with Mediterranean and regional dishes. The stylish inn serves cold beer and a good selection of wines to accompany the daily changing bill of fare which is prepared from the best of local produce. The service is cordial and attentive making it a popular among the locals. The lovely summer terrace offers a beautiful surrounding to enjoy lunch.

The menu trawls through the fare of choice providing a large canvas on which gastronomes can try various combinations to achieve a different experience each time.

The house specialty of prawns in olive oil with fresh herbs and chili peppers and French onion soup with cheese could be the beginning for some, while diced tomatoes with basil vinaigrette grilled on white bread slices and beef Carpaccio with parmesan cheese and basil cream could appeal to others.

Hot appetizers such as baked camembert salad with cranberries and bouquet, and fried goat's cheese on tomato slices with basil-honey vinaigrette are also on the carte de jour.

Those who prefer salads can order mixed salad bowl with roasted turkey breast strips and balsamic dressing, market-fresh salad greens, Angus beef with fried fillet strips balsamic dressing and the special colourful salad with roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions and roasted turkey breast strips.

Steaks are represented by Angus rump steak grilled, with foil potato, crème fraîche, herb butter and mixed salad and grilled turkey steak. The favorite dish among the regulars is the grill plate, barbecued pork, with herb butter, aioli, crispy fried potatoes and mixed salad.

Mains could also include roasted fillet of zander in a spicy white wine sauce, basmati rice and vegetables or Scottish salmon fillet, pan-fried with lemon butter sauce. For a taste of Italian food you could try grilled tenderloin tips with beef and mushroom and spaghetti with grilled scampi in tomato sauce.

The needs of vegetarians are attended to with spaghetti in cream sauce, truffle oil and parmesan cheese, and tagliatelle with spinach in cream sauce and parmesan cheese.

Desserts are a gala affair with exotic gems such as caramel apple slices with almond-brandy-splitter and vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream with hot sour cherries and cream and small cheese platter consisting of spicy gorgonzola, French brie, parmesan and goat's cheese with homemade bread and butter.

The wine list contains a good selection and sommeliers are at hand to advise you in choosing wine matching your food.