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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.

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.

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.

Dating from the 16C, Detmolder Hof not only offers comfortable classical accommodation, but it is also home to Jan Diekjobst's restaurant, which is worth seeking out in its own right. After stints at Victor's FINE DINING by Christian Bau in Perl-Nennig and The Table Kevin Fehling in Hamburg (and others), here the chef cooks up a modern take on classic cuisine. The dishes, prepared with carefully selected ingredients, are available as a three-, five-, or seven-course set menu; the vegetarian version has three or five courses. À la carte dining is also possible. From Thu to Sat, there is also a

Among Detmold's restaurants, this spot on the outskirts of the Old Town is a fantastic find. Chef-patron Daniel C Fischer presents ambitious dishes that meld French and Far Eastern elements with a modern twist. The set menu comes in a four- or six-course format, and can be extended to nine courses with advance notice. The wonderful food is complemented by dedicated, friendly service and expert wine recommendations. The chefs bring their dishes to your table personally. The intimate restaurant's chic, modern design creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. There is also a lovely terrace for an ap