Originally Posted by
chiefkays
Thanks for the tips. I hadn't heard about the increase in theft and just read about the violence over last New Year's. We're staying in both Cologne and Dusseldorf over the course of the trip. We'll be at the ibis at the station in both cities. So I'll make sure to be super careful when walking around with bags.
Security has improved somewhat but from what I've heard from friends there is still theft and sexual harassment of women conducted by these North African gangs in the Cologne/Dusseldorf main station areas.
At Dusseldorf, where I last stayed at the IBIS this June, the immediate surroundings of the station are rather seedy with drug addicts, said gangs etc.
Better head over to the Immermannstrasse for some laid back German/European and Japanese (typical for Dusseldorf) restaurants and also the very nice butcher shop "Metzgerei Schmalzried" on the Oststrasse and near the crossing with Immermannstrasse.
Really tasty German sandwiches/rolls to be had with all imaginable meaty pork, beef and chicken delights. Local cops shop for their sandwiches here as a sign of quality...
In Cologne, apart from the Koelsch breweries, the best budget restaurant IMHO near the railway station is the "Weinhaus Vogel" at Eigelstein where I could eat every day just because of the atmosphere and customers. Lots of German fine wines also offered at reasonable prices and of course local beers too.
Another choice would be the Turkish restaurants at Weidengasse near Eigelstein. During the same trip in June had a perfect Adana Kebab skewer in a durum roll there while watching the lively street. You get a full offering of Turkish cuisine from humble soups to multi course menus in the various restaurants and fast food joints.
Wish you a nice trip to my German favourite cities.