Hotel Restaurant Piärdestall Hövelhof

In its tasteful, beautifully decorated dining rooms, Gasthaus Spieker serves regional cuisine with a Mediterranean touch. The appealing menu whets the appetite with dishes such as "Spieker's fish soup" with trout from the Ems River and prawns, or medium-rare lamb rump with rosemary and lemon zest, thyme and red wine sauce, French beans with bacon, and potato gratin. If you fancy enjoying an extra glass or two of wine, there are also a number of well-appointed guestrooms.

A porthole window in the entrance area provides a peek into the kitchen, setting the stage for an evening of gastronomic pleasure from the moment you arrive. Once seated at your impeccably laid table, you can appreciate the elegant setting and attentive and professional service overseen by your host and sommelier, Laura Simon. With her refreshingly straightforward manner enhancing the welcoming ambiance, chef-patron Elmar Simon creates contemporary dishes rooted in classic cuisine. There are two set menus: one with meat and one vegetarian. The courses from both can also be ordered à la carte.

Hotel Waldkrug is a traditional family business in a green and leafy location, and its restaurant is tastefully designed with modern touches. The menu includes good modern bistro dishes in a French vein – think beef carpaccio, Caesar salad or grilled steaks – but also traditional regional dishes, such as beef consommé with marrow dumplings, or schnitzel. In addition, they have pretty terraces at the front and to the rear of the building. The cosy Barstube in the front area is another really lovely option.

This restaurant serves up modern cuisine that combines influences from different countries and changes with the seasons. Dine à la carte or opt for a set menu comprising four or six courses. On Sunday evenings, a surprise menu is another appealing option. The clean-lined modern interior design and friendly service make for an inviting atmosphere. The terrace is particularly lovely in summer.

This family-run restaurant is now in its third generation. Whether you sit in the rustic-style dining area with its regulars' table or in the pleasant conservatory, you are assured of friendly service. The menu features home-style, regional and more sophisticated dishes. Order à la carte or opt for one of the daily specials on the blackboard. In summer, make a beeline for the outdoor seating area, which is shaded by old trees.

It's a good idea to book, because this lively bistro in the middle of town has more than its fair share of regulars! The Mediterranean-inspired cuisine also has regional influences. The quality of the ingredients is first rate, from the fresh pasta with porcini to the cod and the tender venison fillet. The modern interior decor is pleasant – the floor-to-ceiling shelf with decorative wine bottles draws the eye, as does the open kitchen with one striking red wall. In summer, the terrace in the pedestrian area is very inviting. Incidentally, ĝui means "enjoy" in the international language of Esp