Hannover's dining scene reflects both its working-city pragmatism and the influx of trade-fair visitors from around the world. Currywurst — famously a favourite of former chancellor Gerhard Schroder during his years as Lower Saxony's prime minister — is the unofficial local dish, and the beer gardens around the Maschsee and the Old Town serve hearty Lower Saxon plates of pork, dumplings and Grunkohl (kale and sausage stew, best in winter). Lister Meile and the streets around the Steintor are where you will find most of the city's Italian, Turkish, Indian and Vietnamese restaurants.