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Dining in Europe > Nuremberg Nuremberg has managed to emerge as a hip city in the last few years and as far as dining and drinking is concerned, it now has no problem with being placed on par with cities such as Munich and Berlin. Nuremberg is the soul of Franconia and as is to be expected, its the perfect place to enjoy this regions cuisine. Nonetheless, it also has a very cosmopolitan feel about it, so you can also enjoy culinary specialities from an array of other countries. There are also numerous watering holes with a great atmosphere ' they'll soon make visitors feel at home. Dining Enchiladas is one of the citys favourite restaurants. The menu is full of tasty Mexican dishes and during the happy hour (starts at 5pm), the place tends to get packed ' hardly surprising when cocktails are being served at half price! You can also eat Spanish fare at Tabasco, with the restaurants main speciality being a delicious Paella. If you prefer a nice juicy steak, then the staff at Enchiladas are waiting to take your order. Asian and Oriental Cuisine is also well represented in Nuremberg. The Tadsch Mahal Indian restaurant serves up a range of tasty curries (great for homesick Londoners!). If you decide to eat at this restaurant, which is situated between the Hauptbahnhof and the traffic-ridden Plärrer, be sure to try some of the Indian Tea Liqueur. The Fulihua offers a splendid mix of comfort and good Chinese cuisine whilst Thai food is served at the Rainbow Garden. The service at both of these restaurants is excellent and the Fulihua is also popular for private functions. If you want to try Ayuverdian and vegetarian cuisine, then go to the Ceylon Lavinia. Even though Nuremberg is not the largest of Germanys cities, it can boast a range of exquisite Japanese restaurants, such as the Restaurant Ishihara or the minimalist Sakura on the edge of the Old Town. The local business community likes to impress its visitors here! Nurembergs small American community and the locals, enjoy frequenting the Mississippi Queen, where real Southern Food is served on an old Steamer. It doesn't take you up the river but be warned, you'll soon think you're on the high seas when the weather is bad and the boat starts rocking. The Carlos Lounge is known for its exotic fish dishes but if this sounds a bit too adventurous for you then you could always pop in at the more traditional Fischküche Pirckheimer, situated in the north of the city. All of the dishes are made from scratch so expect a wait between ordering and being served. Nurembergs most famous food is of course roasted sausages but there has been an ongoing debate as to who first made this type of pork delicacy ' the Franconians or the Thuringians! You can actually catch the aroma of sausages being made on the grill whenever you walk through the Old Town and before you know it, you'll want to tuck into some yourself. It has to be said that most of the places that do sell this Nuremberg speciality are very good, but only a few restaurants have acquired cult status. The Bratwurst Friedl is a firm favourite with the locals. The house speciality is '8 vom Rost' ('Eight from the Grill'), which is served with salad and Schäufle. Other restaurants worth a trip are the innovative Blauer Zipfel and the Bratwursthäusle, near the famous Hauptmarkt. Upon visiting Nuremberg, you should also find out what Franconian cuisine as a whole has to offer. You won't be disappointed ' the fare is hearty and certainly pleases the palate. The Alte Post is always a sterling choice and at the Heilig Geist Spital you can enjoy the historic surroundings. For a more interesting meal, go to the Nassauer Keller, located in the cellar of one of the citys oldest houses, the Nassauer Haus. Drinking Wherever you choose to eat, order a beer ' this is Bavaria after all, the part of Germany where beer is considered liquid nutrition. Local beers include Tucherbräu, Lammsbräu (organic), Wolfhöher and Laufer Weibier. During the summer, you can enjoy the atmosphere at the Wiesn Beer Garden, and if you drive through Zirndorf, try Zirndorfer Helles. Franconia is of course also one of Germanys main wine growing regions and you may be pleasantly surprised after ordering a glass of 'Wein' ' not all of it tastes like Liebfraumilch. Once you have laid your appetite to rest, its time to hit the bars. The Kloster Bar has décor that would be more at home in a thrift shop but it does contribute to the extremely cosy and interesting atmosphere. The Keller Barbetrieb, which as its name suggests is in a cellar is also popular with the Bohemian crowd. Visitors with a taste for a good night out will relish the Ruhestörung in the historic Weigerber Gasse. Or alternatively, put those dreams of the Caribbean on hold and enjoy some authentic Cuban Jazz at the Cohi Bar near the Hauptbahnhof. Those in the know tend to meet at the Wax Lounge, whilst business types frequent the Grand Hotel Atelier - Gastrobar, part of the citys plushest hotel. One of Nurembergs nicknames is the Gingerbread City. Gingerbread has been baked here for a very long time and it forms part of the German staple diet during the festive season. The most famous gingerbread producer in Germany, Lebkuchen Schmidt, keeps a shop near the Haupmarkt but, predictably, you can purchase Lebkuchen at numerous market stalls and in any grocery shop. Entertainment in NurembergBavarias second largest city is full of things to do at all times of the day and throughout the year. If you want to be up to date with whats going on once you're in Nuremberg, buy a copy of the 'Plärrer' the citys main magazine. Events The biggest annual event is of course the Christkindlesmarkt, which is one of the oldest Christmas markets. It attracts people from all over the world, as does the Toy Trade Fair. In the summer, the city is especially charming and events such as the Altstadtfest (Festival of the Old Town) and the Bardentreffen highlight its historic feel. If you're into sport then why not visit during the Cycle Rally or the Norisringrennen? Theatre and Dance The Städtische Bühnen are the citys main meeting point for culture, with most dance performances taking place in the Opera house. The plays that are staged here range from classic to modern. There are also a host of excellent fringe and independent theatres, the most famous of which is no doubt the Gostner Hoftheater. The performances at the Burgtheater, the small Altstadthofbühne and the Theater Pfütze, are also very popular. Opera and Classical Music Nuremberg is not known as having an operatic traditon as such, but the quality of opera here is still very high. The main venue is the Opernhaus, which is part of the Städtische Bühnen. The Pocket Opera Company has also become famous in recent years for its innovative approach to opera and the company often stages modern pieces. The biggest annual event for classical music fans is the Internationale Orgelwoche and a range of splendid concerts can also be visited at the Tafelhalle. Rock, Pop and Jazz The ruins of the St. Katharina monastery provide the perfect backdrop for concerts in the summer. Most of the artists who display their talents during the programme of events are representatives of the jazz, cabaret and classical scenes and greats such as Tim Fischer and Ladysmith Black Mombazo have performed here. Jazz is the centre of attention during the East-West Jazz Festival and live music can also be heard at the Starclub. When a really famous group, such as the Rolling Stones, comes to town, the Frankenstadion is usually the venue. Museums and Galleries The citys most renowned museum is the Germanic National Museum in the Lorenz Quarter. Its fascinating, focusing primarily on German history and culture and should most definitely be incorporated into any schedule. To learn more about the city, visit the Town Museum. The Transport Museum and the Toy Museum are especially enjoyable for children. Nurembergs patrician past is brought to life in the Tuchers Little Castle and the Neunhof Castle. Fans of modern art and design should not miss the Neues Museum für Kunst und Design, which only opened in April 2000, or the Kunsthalle. Cinema Todays cinematic landscape is dominated by the CineCitta Multiplex, which has no less than ten cinemas plus a host of restaurants and shops. There are, however, also other large cinemas such as the Atlantic and the Admiral, both of which are in the Old Town. The Metropolis has more of an art-house feel to it and often screens smaller-budget films. The Drive In Cinema (Autokino) in the Northern Part of the city is popular in the summer and if you're after foreign language films, the Roxy is for you. Nightlife and live music If you thought heavy metal and rock was declining in popularity, then you obviously haven't been to Nuremberg recently. The Rockfabrik is dedicated to airing this kind of music but don't despair, house or hip-hop fans are also catered for. The huge Planet Dance is a favourite as is the legendary ad 1. For an intimate, more upmarket night out, do as the locals and spend an evening in the Viper Room, If you want to see up and coming bands, visit the Starclub. If you're in the city during the summer, then an unmissable event is Rock im Park, a three day music festival. It is necessary to but tickets in advance for this event. Parks and leisure The City Park is not a vast leisure area, but is popular nonetheless, particularly with families. It is beautifully landscaped, but like all parks, it should be avoided after dark. The Volkspark Marienberg is an expansive outdoor area which is especially popular with families. The locals come here to cycle, run and in the summer, people meet up to have a barbeque. Children and adults alike enjoy visiting the Zoological Garden and the Planetarium. Dining in Europe > Nuremberg
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