Habibi ★ 3.9
Habibi on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves a fully loaded falafel wrap with houmous, cabbage and hot sauce for under €5; the benchmark.
Eat well in Cologne for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Mevlana Döner ★ 3.9
Mevlana on Keupstrasse in Cologne-Mülheim is the city's most acclaimed döner; a full dürüm with salad costs under €7 and draws customers across the city.
Borsalino ★ 3.9
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves affordable Italian pasta to students and locals; Carbonara or Bolognese under €10.
Tadim Damak ★ 3.9
Tadim Damak on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is open 24 hours and serves lahmacun and Turkish tea for under €5; the cheapest reliable feed.
Ferkulum ★ 3.9
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse is the benchmark late-night pork gyros pita shop; open until 04:00 on weekend nights and under €8 per serving.
Reibekuchen at Nippesser Wochenmarkt ★ 3.9
Reibekuchen at Nippesser Wochenmarkt at Wilhelmplatz costs €3-4 per pancake; thick, crispy potato pancakes from the most authentic neighbourhood market.
Pommes Imperivm ★ 3.9
Pommes Imperivm at Heumarkt 59 in Cologne's Altstadt serves Currywurst mit Pommes for under €8 from a counter open until 03:00 on weekend nights.
Brauhaus Putz lunch special ★ 3.9
Brauhaus Putz on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Südstadt offers a weekday lunch special of Kölsch and Halve Hahn for under €15; the cheapest full Brauhaus.
Tibet Momo ★ 3.9
Tibet Momo at Aachener Strasse 11 in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves a plate of handmade Tibetan dumplings for €9; one of the best-value lunches.
Sattgrün buffet ★ 3.9
Sattgrün on Friesenwall in Cologne serves a daily-changing vegan lunch buffet at around €15 per plate by weight; organic ingredients and a varied seasonal.
Kolsch at Brauerei Paeffgen ★ 3.9
A Kölsch and Halve Hahn at Brauerei Paeffgen on Friesenstrasse costs under €10; the best-value Brauhaus experience at Cologne's oldest independent house.
Nennillo Pizza al Taglio ★ 3.9
Nennillo on Limburger Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves Neapolitan pizza al taglio by the slice for around €12 per plate from a wood-fired oven.
Grabz Smashburger ★ 3.9
Grabz Smashburger on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves a smash burger and fries for around €14; one of the Belgian Quarter's best.
Kebapland ★ 3.9
Kebapland on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld serves a full döner plate for around €13 from a proper Turkish charcoal mangal; best-value grilled meat.
epi Boulangerie morning visit ★ 3.9
epi Boulangerie on Breite Strasse near Cologne's Cathedral serves a croissant and coffee for under €8; the best-value morning stop in the city centre.