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.