As a native of Düsseldorf, one naturally has a completely different relationship to the most beautiful city on the Rhine and thus also to the DOX Restaurant. When you enter a restaurant and can look directly at the television tower, see the Frank Gehry buildings in the media harbor and on the horizon the Ferris wheel “Wheel of Vision”, you have arrived. If you are then still greeted friendly when entering the restaurant and charmingly guided to the table, it can only be a beautiful evening. My location for the evening – the DOX Restaurant in the Media Harbor Duesseldorf and it was to be a really exclusive trip and an exclusive weekend in the Hyatt Hotel…
DOX Restaurant Duesseldorf Media Harbor
DOX Restaurant Information:
- Dinner:
18-22.30 - Business-Lunch:
12-14.30 - Address:
Speditionstraße 19
40221 Düsseldorf
Germany - Phone/Reservation:
+49 211 9134 1775 - Current menu
- Website DOX-Restaurant
Update March 2023: In 2022, the DOX Restaurant & Bar was renovated. The concept as well as the menu are completely changed. Instead of Japanese/international cuisine, DOX Restaurant & Bar offers a fusion of American/French cuisine. Thus, the rating and impressions portray the experience before the renovation. I have not yet been able to form an impression of the new DOX Restaurant & Bar.
Walking through the DOX Restaurant, one immediately notices the open kitchen with chef Paul Hoffmann, who has been in charge of the restaurant since 2014 and offers guests a bit of Rhenish cheerfulness with his manner. Right next to the open kitchen, which does not let any smells into the restaurant thanks to an ingenious concept of different air pressure areas, the large “chefs table“.
I, too, always enjoy it when a group can take a seat there, get ready for a nice evening or have the last conversations of the business meeting. From six guests, the long table is available and is separately attended to once again by a separate staff member. The possibilities of the kitchen quite versatile, either one chooses as a guest in the DOX restaurant from the all regularly changing menu or also uses the “Share Your Plate” offer. A cross-section of the menu is kept ready to share and you automatically get into conversation.
I like this concept in particular also as an “icebreaker” at events on the first evening, you get to talk and it becomes much more often a casual evening and usually a very good event the next few days.
You might just have to decide for yourself in advance, would you rather enjoy the view of the Medienhafen and the world famous TV tower or do you enjoy the interesting view of the open kitchen.
If you go a bit further into the restaurant, the “Japanese island” in the DOX restaurant stands out directly, which seem to be made out of one piece. A Japanese sushi master prepares there fresh sushi and Japanese specialties and also a small look over the shoulder is once allowed. (Maybe I should ask for a sushi course and refresh my knowledge…).
For me as a Düsseldorfer of course no surprise, but Düsseldorf has the third largest Japanese population in Europe (after London and Paris) and so it was also possible for me to learn “Japanese” as a language in school.
Looking from fresh nigiris, makis and sashimis over the illuminated large wine rack to the back of the restaurant, one notices the illuminated large white staircase leading to the upper floor. If the restaurant seems like a quiet oasis with fine woods, dark hues and classy style elements, the staircase draws attention.
From the outside you could already see it – a silver pebble “Pebbles” as an event location, whether for a nice cocktail evening, a dinner with friends or a conclusion after a great dinner with DJ, the Pebbles is once again a special location, just like the two “Private Dining” rooms with about 65sqm space each, which are located at the end of the DOX Restaurant.
Modern cuisine and hip guests
My table by the window then directly gave me a piece of home feeling – a view from my table of the illuminated TV tower and the Gehry buildings. The water in the media harbor reflected so beautifully the impressions of the city and also a look at the menu made the decisions really hard.
The orientation of the cuisine the way I like it. It does not always have to be experimental dishes and combinations. You can reinterpret special and traditional dishes with a lot of little things and give them a modern touch.
Looking over the tables in the DOX restaurant and seeing guests with different dishes everywhere, it’s really hard to decide. The guests seemed very satisfied and this is also confirmed by countless reviews in the various online portals and so it is not surprising that even on weekends in the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf the restaurant is filled to capacity again and you read everywhere the recommendation – “definitely reserve a table”.
The audience in the DOX restaurant as colorfully mixed as the menu – many local guests who regularly meet with friends or end the evening with the partner, to American and many Asian guests who enjoy the combination of international cuisine and Asian influences (and capture with photos).
What I appreciate in this restaurant again, as in many other places in Düsseldorf, is the clothing – one is simply a touch better and trendier dressed, a bit hipper and the shoes of the ladies may also once have 10 or 12cm heel. Dusseldorf is simply a fashion city and this is also possible in the restaurant, but so is a pair of blue jeans with blouse or shirt – or a comfortable sweater. One should simply “feel good” as a guest.
Feel good at DOX Restaurant Düsseldorf
The staff’s interaction with the guests is professional and polite, but also with the Rhenish and friendly manner. They say directly what they think, give good recommendations and are always open to honest feedback.
My request for a non-alcoholic evening was answered directly with pleasant alternative suggestions, at neighboring tables the various wines were explained to the guests understandably and with good knowledge. That’s the way to like it!
Of course, I always want to present you beautiful dishes that look great on a photo and where you would like to sit directly opposite me and so you often ask, directly for recommendations from the kitchen and in Düsseldorf it is then answered with a smile and a nice saying … 😉 So makes an evening but also fun… and I was looking forward to a special selection, which was recommended to me by the chef Paul Hoffmann.
If you are already a guest in the third largest Japanese colony, many Japanese even here order their sushi regularly and exchange with the sushi masters, of course sushi as an appetizer may not be missing.
The composition, as I like it with sushi as an appetizer, a combination of nigiris, makis, inside-out with salmon and tuna, plus a vegetarian option, some pickled ginger and wasabi and I’m happy. The taste a dream and I have directly considered whether I order for the next evening not directly a sushi platter to my room with a view. (Whether I did it, I tell you then in the next part …)
As a second appetizer then fresh tartare with quail egg and again a special taste experience. I have in recent months more often chosen fresh tartare as an appetizer and experienced Asian interpretations, as well as the classic preparations and the tartare in the DOX restaurant was really excellent. Very light in taste and also here a clear recommendation from me (!).
The main course then for two people and a nice interpretation of “sea bream in a salt coat”, served in a bread dough, accompanied by calamari, cherry tomatoes, basil and sea fennel. Very light and perfect for the evening! Beautifully arranged on the plate, with the dorado kept warm on the table. Perfectly solved (!)
What always ends an evening for me, of course, are desserts and desserts. I could also start a multi-course meal with dessert and end it with salad or soup. Desserts are simply part of it for me and just when you already hear different recommendations, everyone talks about the good Patîsserie, so of course I had to try it.
Chosen was the famous “DOX chocolate ball” and the DOX interpretation of a “baked apple”. The chocolate ball completely closed and filled with a beetroot sorbet. If the ball is then doused with hot chocolate, it opens and you have the hot/cold combination. (How it works you can soon see in the video on YouTube).
The baked apple in addition divided on the plate and the perfect mood for the Christmas markets in Düsseldorf and surrounding area. First, still delicious to dine at DOX Restaurant and then walk along the Rhine and finish the Christmas market and the evening with fresh almonds.
Conclusion – DOX Restaurant Düsseldorf Media Harbor
After the menu and the beautiful cross-section of the cooking skills of Paul Hoffmann as Chef de Cuisine and his team, I can absolutely understand why the restaurant is so well filled every day, many guests dine here regularly and even hotel guests already look forward to dinner at the DOX Restaurant upon arrival.
Where many restaurants in hotels have problems with occupancy, one should really follow the suggestion and reserve a table for the evening (see BOX above left). The DOX Restaurant in Düsseldorf has established itself with a very pleasant service and a great selection of dishes and is also for me one of the highlights in the Rhineland. I will definitely like to come back again!
I’m already thinking about ordering the “Hyatt Gourmet Club Card” for myself personally, as it gets a great combination and a nice offer. The “Hyatt Gourmet Club” includes twelve complimentary meals when dining with a second person (full-paying), a complimentary night’s stay at one of the member hotels, exclusive discounts on room rates, as well as a day pass to the hotel spa and a bottle of champagne, and discounts on cooking classes. A great idea, whose price of currently EUR 259.00 can also be a nice Christmas gift.
It is relatively rare that one can completely convince me with a restaurant concept in one evening. Besides great food, fair prices and a great view, good service is simply part of it for me. I’m curious to see how the Glashaus at the Hyatt Cologne will tie in with this.
When during dinner I am already thinking about whether I will go directly to the restaurant again the next day, order food for my room with a view or when I will be in Düsseldorf next time, then a restaurant has convinced me without reservation and I can therefore recommend the DOX Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf – without reservation – and will be happy to come back.
