Germany Guide
Lower Saxony
Eating
1 Atrium Karmarschstr. 42 
0511/300 80 40 The atrium is that of the Altes Rathaus, the food is Mediterranean in an airy courtyard which weds a historic setting to smart bistro-style dishes – a fine lunch spot. Opening time: Closed Sun
2 Basil Dragonerstr. 30 0511/62 26 36 One of Hannover's flagship restaurants, its clientele as sophisticated as the setting canopied by lofty brick vaults of a Royal Prussian stables. Menus that range freely across Eurasian and New World continents are created from whatever is freshest that season. Take tram #1 or #2 north of the Hauptbahnhof to "Dragonerstrasse". Opening time: Eve only, closed Sun
3 bell'Arte Kurt-Schwitters-Platz 1 0511/809 33 33 Stylish restaurant of the Sprengel-Museum beloved by an arty, older crowd for an excellent Italian menu and a classic panorama over the Maschsee from its terrace. Opening time: Closed Mon
4 Besitos Goseriede 4 0511/169 80 01 Funky courtyard place in the Steintor area that segues from Spanish restaurant serving tapas and mid-priced grilled fish and meats to a cocktail bar. There's a touch of industrial chic to its main room and a courtyard space in summer.
5 Biesler Weinstube Sophienstr. 6 0511/32 10 33 Lamb from the Lüneburg Heath in rosemary juice and roast zander epitomize the classic upmarket dishes prepared using the finest fresh ingredients in one of the city's oldest restaurants. Opening time: Closed Sat lunch & all day Sun; Aug & Sept closed Mon
6 Brasserie Bruxelles Ernst-August-Platz 10 0511/353 08 08 Well-priced Belgian dishes – beef risolles with cherries and chips with everything – in a beautiful Jugendstil brasserie. Opening time: Closed Sun.
7 Broyhan-Haus Kramerstr. 24 0511/32 39 19 Named for a Hannover brewer of the 1500s, this is as traditional a tavern as you could want. Expect the likes of leg of boar in hazelnut sauce and pork fillet in a rich red-wine sauce on a menu that changes once a century.
8 Clichy Wiessekreuzstr. 31 0511/31 24 47 Behind an unpromising exterior on a side street behind the Hauptbahnhof lies a classy, small French restaurant that comfortably marries tradition with modern decor – fish of the day is ever reliable. Opening time: Closed Sun
9 Die Insel Rudolf-von-Bennigsen-Ufer 81 0511/83 12 14 The gourmet international menu is hailed by many locals as Hannover's finest (mains around €22), decor is understated class and the location is beach-side at the south end of the Maschsee – the sybaritic summer lunch par excellence.
10 
Pier 51 Rudolf-von-Bennigsen-Ufer 51 0511/807 18 00 A glass box on a pier midway down the east bank of the Maschsee that's both a hip restaurant preparing modern international dishes and a cool Manhattan-styled bar. Has a great terrace and a beer garden with wicker Strandkörbe beach-seats in summer.
11 Spandau Engelbosteler Damm 30 0511/12 35 70 95 Popular retro-modern place near the university, 10min north of Steintor, that serves fresh pan-global dishes at student prices: tasty Thai veggie curries.
12 Der Gartensaal Trammplatz 2 At the rear of the Neues Rathaus overlooking the Maschteich lake and as elegant a lunch spot as you can find in Hannover. Cooking is modern German: grilled Rotbarsch in Pernod sauce.
13 Holländische Kakao-Stuben Ständehausstr. 2–3. Be prepared to wait for a table on Saturdays because it can feel as if all Hannover has come to this Dutch-styled historic café, all Delft tiles and blue-and-white china. Award-winning gâteaux and eleven varieties of cocoa make the wait worthwhile. Opening time: Closed Sun
14 Markthalle Karamarschstr. 49 Not a café per se, but a pan-global food hall of Imbiss-style places that are an excellent spot for a quick, quality bite.
15 Tee Stübchen Am Ballhof 10 Enchanting family-run throwback to nineteenth-century café society, all pea-green panelling and snug candle-lit niches. Over forty teas, all served in bowl-like cups, and tasty, home-made apple cake.