Things to do in Stuttgart
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Markthalle
Self-caterers can try the Markthalle, which sells picnic fixings and has Italian and Swabian restaurants.
reviewed
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D'Besa am Kelterplätzle
From about October to March, wine growers throughout the region attach a broom (Besen) to the front of their homes to indicate that they're open for business as a Besenwirtschaft, a small restaurant where people can drink and purchase the new vintage. They also serve lunch and dinner.
The meals usually feature typical Swabian dishes like Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup), Gaisburger Marsch (a stew of sliced potatoes, noodles and beef) and the evil-sounding Schlachtplatte (sauerkraut with pork belly, liver, lard, sausage and smoked meat, served with peas and other vegetables). Some Besenwirtschaften open every year, but most don't. D'Besa am Kelterplätzle is open every year, a…
reviewed
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Weingut Ruoff
From about October to March, wine growers throughout the region attach a broom (Besen) to the front of their homes to indicate that they're open for business as a Besenwirtschaft, a small restaurant where people can drink and purchase the new vintage. They also serve lunch and dinner. Some Besenwirtschaften open every year, but most don't. Weingut Ruoff, in a fabulous house built in 1550 (take the S1 to Obertürkheim), is one of the few that's open every year.
Meals usually feature typical Swabian dishes like Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup), Gaisburger Marsch (a stew of sliced potatoes, noodles and beef) and the evil-sounding Schlachtplatte (sauerkraut with pork belly, liver…
reviewed
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Stuttgarter Weinwanderweg
The Stuttgarter Weinwanderweg is the name given to two walking trails that head through vineyards so lush and pastoral that you'll hardly believe that some of the world's most advanced motorcar factories are just over the hill.
One begins 3km due north of the Hauptbahnhof at the Pragsattel light rail station (on the U5 or U6 line) and goes northeast to the Max-Eyth-See. The other is a circuit that takes you from the Obertürkheim train station (on the S1), 6km east of the Hauptbahnhof, via Uhlbach (served by buses 62 and 65 from Obertürkheim) to Untertürkheim (also on the S1) and, if you like, back to Obertürkheim.
reviewed
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Max-Eyth-See
On warm summer days, Stuttgarters young and old - including Turkish families with portable barbecue equipment - flock to the Max-Eyth-See, a lake and park right on the Neckar (and on the U14 line). The water is hardly pristine, so swimming is out, but there's a great bike path here - in fact it's part of the Neckartal-Radweg.
Along the river, the steep hills still have some older terraced-style vineyards; many of the little Wengerter Häuschen (tool sheds) that dot the hillside are over 200 years old and are protected landmarks.
reviewed
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Königstrasse
The focus of Stuttgart's commercial life is the pedestrians-only Königstrasse, a spotlessly clean and conspicuously well-heeled shopping precinct that stretches for a bit over 1km southwestward from the Hauptbahnhof. Halfway down (and contiguous with the Oberer Schlossgarten) is the Schlossplatz, Stuttgart's main public square and a showcase for its cultural riches. In the middle stands the König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, flanked by fountains representing the eight rivers of Baden-Württemberg.
reviewed
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Landesmuseum Württemberg
At the turreted 10th-century Altes Schloss, the Landesmuseum Württemberg homes in on regional archaeology and architecture. The historic booty comprises Celtic jewellery, Neolithic pottery, diamond-encrusted crown jewels and rare artefacts like 35, 000-year-old figurines carved from mammoth ivory. Time your visit to see, from the arcaded courtyard, the rams above the clock tower lock horns on the hour.
reviewed
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Grabkapelle Württemberg
When King Wilhelm I of Württemberg's beloved wife Katharina Pavlovna, daughter of a Russian tsar, died at the tender age of 30 in 1819, the king tore down the family castle and built this domed burial chapel. The king was also interred in the classical-style Russian Orthodox chapel decades later. Scenically perched on a vine-strewn hill, the grounds afford long views down to the valley.
reviewed
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Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten
Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten is a quirky mix of zoo and botanical gardens. Kid magnets include semi-striped okapis, elephants, penguins and a petting farm with Poitou donkeys. Greenhouses sheltering tree ferns, camellias and Amazonian species are among the botanical highlights. Sniff out the gigantic bloom of the malodorous titan arum in the Moorish Villa.
reviewed
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Mercedes-Benz Museum
A futuristic swirl on the cityscape, the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Museum takes a chronological spin through the Mercedes empire. Look out for legends like the 1885 Daimler Riding Car, the world's first gasoline-powered vehicle, and the record-breaking Lightning Benz that hit 228km/h on Daytona Beach in 1909. There's a free guided tour in English at 1.45pm.
reviewed
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Weber
Jazzy beats play in this hip bistro, sporting a sleek interior with teak tables, olive-black colours and woven screens. Presented in a vinyl cover, the menu gives local flavours a Mediterranean twist - think ostrich filet with lemon Schupfnudeln (potato noodles). Brunch favourites include luxus Eier (luxury eggs) with truffle oil and parmesan.
reviewed
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Délice
Save your appetite for dinner (presuming you've booked well ahead) at this vaulted Michelin-starred restaurant. Viennese master chef Friedrich Gutscher uses organic ingredients in taste sensations such as tender pigeon breast on boletus potatoes and curd ice cream with rose water. The sommelier will talk you through the award-winning riesling selection.
reviewed
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Olivo
Chef Marc Rennhack's Franco-German cuisine is fresh and innovative. The culinary heavyweight packs a Michelin-starred punch with seasonal signature dishes like meltingly tender Charolais beef with scallops, and pollack with boudin noir. Crisp white linen and warm orange tones create a slick, modern setting.
reviewed
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Schillerplatz
Schillerplatz (square) was named after the poet-dramatist Friedrich Schiller, whose statue stands in the centre. Through the archway just east of the Alte Kanzlei (Old Chancellory) is the Altes Schloss, adorned with a large statue of Eberhard, Württemberg's first duke and founder of Tübingen University.
reviewed
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Staatsgalerie
The neoclassical meets contemporary Staatsgalerie bears British architect James Stirling's curvy, colourful imprint. Alongside big-name exhibitions, the gallery harbours a top-drawer collection of 20th-century art, showcasing works by Rembrandt, Monet, Dalí and pop idols Warhol and Lichtenstein.
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Bitter Sweet
Prettier than a little girl's bedroom, this pastel-washed, flower-strewn cafe is shoehorned into a courtyard in Bohnenviertel. Marcel keeps the scones, tarts, aromatic speciality teas and good vibes coming. It doubles as a shop selling homemade jams, chocolate and old-fashioned hard-boiled sweets.
reviewed
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Königsbau Passagen
Just to the north of Schlossplatz (square) is the classical, colonnaded Königsbau, which houses an upmarket shopping mall, the Königsbau Passagen.On the top two floors of the complex's western Stilwerk section are more than a dozen of Germany's most stylish interior-design shops.
reviewed
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Speisenmeisterei
Decorated with two Michelin stars, this is Stuttgart's best restaurant and a fitting spot to live out any royal fantasies set in play by the decor. Housed in a castle southeast of the city, the lavish dining chambers drip baroque furnishings. It's haute cuisine in haute style.
reviewed
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Calwer-Eck-Bräu
Dark polished wood and leather banquettes create a cosy feel in this 1st-floor brewpub. Loosen a belt notch for Swabian-Bavarian dishes like Maultaschensuppe (ravioli soup) and Weisswurst (white veal-pork sausage), which pair nicely with cloudy pilsners.
reviewed
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Porsche Museum
Like a pearly white spaceship preparing for lift-off, the barrier-free Porsche Museum is every little boy's dream. Groovy audioguides race you through the history of Porsche from its 1948 beginnings. Break to glimpse the 911 GT1 that won Le Mans in 1998.
reviewed
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Weinstube Schellenturm
Since casting off its Schellen (shackles) as a jail, this turreted 16th-century tower has been reincarnated as a wine tavern. Ascend the spiral staircase to feast on regional treats such as hazelnut Spätzle and herb-crusted lamb under wood beams.
reviewed
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Zap Club
In the cellar of the Schwabenzentrum (around the corner from Josef-Hirn-Platz), this sprawling disco has very modern decor and a cocktail bar. Attracts mainly a younger, 18-to-26 crowd. Over-30s get a discount on Wednesday. Hosts live music about once a week.
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Taxi Tour
Many people highly recommend taking a 2.5-hour taxi tour (in English, French, Spanish or German) with Anselm Vogt-Moykopf, a knowledgeable and easy-going fellow who really loves the city, its architecture and taking people to beautiful, out-of-the-way spots.
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Tausche
Berlin's snazziest messenger bags have winged their way south. Tausche's walls are a technicolour mosaic of exchangeable flaps: from die blöde Kuh (the silly cow) to Stuttgart's iconic Fernsehturm (TV Tower). Pick one to match your outfit and mood.
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Hüftengold
Rumour has it that when the boss fell pregnant, she named her other baby, this lounge cafe, Hüftengold (love handles). Bag a log stool in this retro sylvan wonderland for cocktails, chill-out grooves and cosy evening chats by candlelight.
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