A walk along the Luegallee

Oberkassel, how does that sound to you? Like a promise, right? And you're absolutely right. Because even those who have never been to Düsseldorf have often heard of the jewel on the left bank of the Rhine. The special thing about it: In this district - specifically on Luegallee, the main thoroughfare with streetcar tracks and an avenue in its middle - stores for everyday needs mix with understated luxury. From several supermarkets to opticians, stationery stores and pharmacies to the post office, you will find everything you need. Once you've stocked up on essentials, head to owner-run boutiques, galleries and studios to get your hands on objects of desire - such as high-quality, handmade jewelry. What can we say? It's probably no coincidence that the district reads "upper class" when just one letter is moved to another place. 

The tour starts not far from Belsenplatz, in front of "Maison La Mesa". Once up the Luegallee- to the Rhine and down again on the opposite side to the Kellermann Gallery, it will take you around 60 minutes.  

Maison La Mesa, Luegallee 126 

More than 20 different types of vermouth alone, fine hand soaps from France, tableware with marine motifs, leather key cases and diaries that seem almost too good to use: If you are looking for products that are not part of every other store or online store's range, take a look at Maison La Mesa. Here you can buy pretty souvenirs for all rooms in the house, which the owners Sabine Hammann and Arnd Waleczek collect from many different countries.  

If you want to make your loved one happy, don't hesitate to pop into Blumenlanden Pure (Luegallee 104). A large selection of flowers awaits outside the store, ranging from tulips to fir branches, depending on the season. Particularly popular: dogs or chicks made of plastic grass, which enhance the entrance to the house, balcony or garden. 

Stappen Düsseldorf, Luegallee 50 

Admittedly no longer an insider tip, but a restaurant that we don't want to leave unmentioned at this point. After all, Stappen is a favorite restaurant for many Düsseldorfers, who can't get enough of tranche of beef fillet with basil tortelloni and asparagus, turbot tartare with bouillabaisse, garlic mayo and parmesan chips or Havelland apple pork cheeks with spring leek and ginger marinade. On the terrace of the house, which is located on the street, you let passers-by enjoy the aroma of your dish wafting over Luegallee. Which certainly explains the rush on the tables. David Büchner and Franz-Josef Stappen, owners of Stappen, also regularly organize special culinary events such as the big fish dinner with champagne accompaniment. So we wouldn't be surprised if your name soon appears regularly on the reservation list. 

Why is Luegallee one of the most beautiful streets in Düsseldorf, apart from its many plantations? Because of its Art Nouveau houses! Since the beginning of the 20th century, they have enriched the district as architectural highlights. Grab your camera or cell phone and capture your favorites. 

Hamburg Mode, Luegallee 42 

How many items does every German own on average? That's right, around 10,000! And quite a few of them can probably be found in your closet, right? We understand - especially if you head for Hamburg fashion. Checked, striped, polka-dotted or plain, Luisa Hamburg offers almost the entire range, from shoes to hats, to make your wardrobe a success. A special feature that can be recognized from the streetcar by the store windows: This boutique likes to be colorful! Most of the clothes come in every conceivable shade and can also be ordered online. 

If you also love discovering second-hand treasures, dash across the street to Mulier (Luegallee 15). Johanna Roberz has been running the store for special designer treasures from Chanel to Dior and Versace since 2013, which are just waiting to be worn - in the truest sense of the word. Because the next highlight requires fine evening wear if desired. 

Theater an der Luegallee, Luegallee 4 

Almost hidden and yet impossible to miss, you will find yourself in front of a gate at the beginning of Burggrafenstraße. And thus the entrance to what is probably one of the smallest theaters in Düsseldorf, if not North Rhine-Westphalia. However, this in no way means that the actors at the Theater an der Luegallee have to hide from those of larger theatres - on the contrary! Raven-black crime comedies fill the program here as well as mystery thrillers, musical evenings and readings. Since 1980, Hildegard Knef has taken center stage with her chansons, while a few weeks later Roald Dahl's stories delight audiences. Director Christiane Reichert keeps you up to date on current and upcoming performances on the website. Great gift idea: theater vouchers for a play of your choice. 

Prinzinger by Saittavini, Leostrasse 1a 

Like the Stappen just mentioned, Prinzinger by Saittavini is also an icon of the Oberkassel culinary scene. The family actually owns a large number of restaurants and stores in Luegallee, and this restaurant attracts crowds of guests simply because of its location - and because of the almost 500 wines on offer. At lunchtime, it's time to discuss the business figures over spaghetti alle vongole, while in the evening grandpa's 90th birthday, golden wedding anniversary or first anniversary is celebrated. If you want to take a seat on the terrace on Luegallee and sample some of the 325 kilos of prawns eaten every year, make sure you arrive early. A hotspot as it is written in the book. 

Fancy a digestive round? No problem at all! The Rhine breeze is already blowing in front of the restaurant. In fact, it's less than a five-minute walk to the Rhine meadow, where walkers, cyclists and joggers gather in almost any weather. Walk down to the riverbank to skip a few stones and marvel at the panorama with the Opera House and Kunstpalast to the left and the Old Town to the right. Once you've run back to Luegallee, you can enjoy an espresso in the ... 

Café de France, Luegallee 7 

It never hurts to have a second living room, and for many Düsseldorf natives and newcomers alike, the Café de France embodies just that. They sit in the café for hours on end, taking a break from everyday life and taking their minds off things over a good coffee. Or to indulge in profound conversations about the big questions in life. In contrast, because it's so heavenly good, the food is eaten with complete concentration, regardless of the time of day or night. After the breakfast menu (such as scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or blueberry pancakes?), can it be poulard saltimbocca on a white wine sauce with market vegetables and cauliflower puree for lunch? Or would you prefer fish soup à la Marseillaise? The wild garlic risotto also deserves a chance ... In any case, keep an eye on the daily changing menu. Don't miss out on your next favorite dish.  

For dessert, it's off to a few houses ... 

Guiseppes Dolceria Vineria, Luegallee 11 

Hopefully you've already noticed from the previous lines: Oberkassel clearly stands for Düsseldorf's dolce vita. That's why, logically, an ice cream parlor of excellence should not be missing. With this in mind, we would like to introduce Guiseppe's Dolceria Vineria. Whether you like it chocolaty-sweet, lemony-sour or nutty-tart, don't hesitate to order a large portion in a cone or cup every day from mid-January to the end of October, gluten- and lactose-free on request. What makes Guiseppe Traina's dessert so special? His three main ingredients: "the right balance, absolute passion and great attention to detail". If you can't tear yourself away, just stay until the evening: aperitifs and savory snacks are on the menu then. 

Are you out and about on Luegallee on Tuesdays or Fridays? Bingo, then visit the market on Barbarossaplatz. It actually starts just a few meters away from St. Antonius Church. You'll find fresh flowers, coffee, cheese, soups and meat at fair prices. In spring, you can enjoy a row of cherry trees between the church and the square, whose blossom provides thousands of photos year after year. 

Gossens bookshop, Luegallee 109 

The Gossens bookshop is a true institution. Bernd Gossens, his daughters Katja, Christina and Lisa and a team of employees have been selling everything that book lovers desire here since 1968, when Kurt Georg Kiesinger ruled the country as the third Federal Chancellor and the left-wing student and civil rights movements were at their peak. You will find a wide range of works on Düsseldorf in general and Oberkassel in particular on site. If you are also looking for the latest John Grisham, want to try your hand at Moroccan cuisine recipes or want to take a stack of weekly newspapers and magazines home with you for an evening of undisturbed reading, you have also come to the right place. The very friendly team will also help you with any questions you may have about any genre. You'll be delighted to press your nose against the shop windows, which staff member Nicole often decorates with a theme, such as Portugal, equal rights or various publishers celebrating anniversaries, such as Diogenes or Oetinger. 

If you just happen to want to take up yoga, get rid of your barely used keyboard or find someone who can help you brush up on your Spanish, be sure to check out the notice board just around the corner from the bookshop. Normally often found in the entrance area of supermarkets, this is where the people of Oberkassel exchange information. Continue directly opposite in ... 

Helmus butcher's & delicatessen, Cheruskerstraße 107 

... and getting a taste for it here is - unfortunately or fortunately - anything but difficult, as the XXL shop windows provide a view of several counters full of delicacies. There is meat, of course, but also pasta, lemonades, jams and other selected specialties that confirm the saying "Food and drink keep body and soul together". Stephan Helmus and his staff have received many awards for their craftsmanship, so it's worth buying truffle salami, Gallica poularde and Parma ham, among other things. You can also pick up a cheap lunch here. A store that exudes the charm of corner stores that have unfortunately long since disappeared.  

Gallery Kellermann, Cherkuskerstraße 105 

He is one of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, which means that buying a work by Gerhard Richter is reserved for a small number of very wealthy people. But, as we all know, it costs nothing to look, so we recommend a visit to Galerie Kellermann, just three steps away from Helmus. With a bit of luck, you might discover a portrait of the Cologne painter with a signature or be amazed by Andy Warhol's prints, works by Joseph Beuys' or up-and-coming colleagues like Babak Saed. And maybe you'll even invest in the very first piece of your very own collection of modern and contemporary art.  

Cover picture: Düsseldorf Tourismus