Bistros, trattorias and the everyday places where Cologne actually eats.
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Cologne actually eats.
26 places
Order The Kotelett, grilled pork chop with mustard and rye bread; the reason people queue for over an hour
Lommerzheim in Cologne-Deutz has served Kölsch and the city's most argued-over pork chop since 1959 in a room unchanged since opening; cash only, no pretence.
Order The Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte and a pot of Darjeeling at a terrace table facing the cathedral portal
Café Reichard on Cologne's Unter Fettenhennen, beneath the Cathedral towers, is the city's most famous Konditorei, serving Kaffee und Kuchen since 1855.
Order Bratwurst with Senf and Rievkooche on the side for the classic Kölsch starter plate
Brauhaus Pütz in Cologne's Südstadt is a neighbourhood Brauhaus on Engelbertstrasse serving Kölsch, Halve Hahn and Rhenish classics in a traditional room.
3 of the casual dining on this list are in Ehrenfeld. So are these tours and tastings.
Order Strammer Max, the open-faced rye bread with raw minced beef, fried egg and radish
Balthasar on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a neighbourhood cafe-bistro serving all-day brunch, cakes and wine in a warm reliable room.
Order Charcoal-grilled lamb skewer in a house-baked flatbread with tahini and herbs
Kebapland on Ehrenfeld's Venloer Strasse is Cologne's most praised charcoal döner address, serving lamb and mixed kebab from a proper Turkish mangal grill.
Order Eggs Benedict with hollandaise and the pistachio pancakes with whipped ricotta and honey
Café Caprista on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves generous brunch plates and all-day cakes in a warmly lit neighbourhood room.
Order Rhine-sourced fish of the day and a glass of Rheingau Riesling in the restored vaulted space
Wartesaal am Dom inside Cologne's main station serves Rhineland brasserie cooking at lunch and dinner in the grandly proportioned 1914 station waiting room.
Order Build a plate from the hot buffet: grain bowls, roasted vegetables and daily soup
Sattgrün on Friesenwall in Cologne is the city's leading fully vegan restaurant, serving a daily-changing organic menu for lunch and dinner from regional.
Order Bagel or club sandwich at lunch, transitioning to cocktails and snacks as the evening starts
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the definitive Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight daily; the neighbourhood.
Order Seasonal soup with house bread and a slice of the daily vegan cake
Little Green Kitchen on Unter Kahlenhausen in Cologne's Altstadt serves contemporary vegetarian and vegan food in a small, relaxed room; popular lunch spot.
A sample of Cologne hotels from our booking partner, who list 346 here. Live prices and availability open on their site.
Centro Hotel Arkadia
Located in Cologne (Muelheim), Centro Hotel Arkadia is within a 5-minute drive of LANXESS Arena and Cologne...
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Köln Aachener Weiher WG 1-4
With a stay at Kln Aachener Weiher WG 1-4 in Cologne (Innenstadt), you'll be within a 10-minute walk of Vol...
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Novum Hotel Silence Garden Köln-Brück
With a stay at Novum Hotel Silence Garden Kln-Brck in Cologne (Brueck), you'll be a 1-minute drive from Ber...
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Ferienwohnung Bankwitz
With a stay at Ferienwohnung Bankwitz in Cologne (Innenstadt), you'll be a 3-minute walk from Cologne Synag...
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Order Lahmacun, the thin Turkish flatbread with minced meat and herb topping, with ayran on the side
Tadim Damak on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is a 24-hour Turkish cafe serving lahmacun, pide and chicken shish at very low prices around the clock.
Order Currywurst scharf with the house-made curry ketchup and a cone of fried potatoes
Pommes Imperivm at Heumarkt 59 in Cologne's Altstadt serves Currywurst mit Pommes from a compact counter; open until 03:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Order Vegan sushi rolls with roasted sesame and pickled ginger alongside the warming pho broth
Udum at Am Rinkenpfuhl in Cologne's Altstadt is a plant-based Vietnamese and Asian vegan cafe; bowls, vegan sushi rolls and warming pho broth, fully vegan.
Order Falafel wrap with hummus, tabouli, pickled turnip and tahini, then accept the cinnamon tea
Habibi on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves fully loaded falafel wraps for under €5; the most reliable budget feed on the student strip.
Order Sauerbraten Kölner Art with raisin sauce, potato dumplings and braised red cabbage
Gildenhaus in Cologne's Altstadt near Alter Markt is a traditional Brauhaus in a guild hall building with Rhenish classics and Kölsch in a historic room.
Order Spaghetti aglio e olio with good olive oil or the four-cheese pizza for a filling inexpensive dinner
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a neighbourhood Italian trattoria serving affordable pasta dishes to students since the 1980s.
Order Reibekuchen with apple sauce on the side, served hot from the fryer in a paper cone
Rievkoochbud at Vor Wieden in Cologne's Altstadt has fried thick, crispy Reibekuchen potato pancakes for over 60 years; the most famous kiosk.
Order Classic smashburger with double patty, American cheese and house sauce
Grabz Smashburger in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves American-style smash burgers with crispy patties and house sauces; one of the neighbourhood's best.
Order Gyros pita with tzatziki, onion and fries stuffed inside the bread
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne is the student quarter's most acclaimed late-night pork gyros pita shop, open until 04:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Order Beef goulash with Spätzle and a Heller Kölsch poured from the tap at the table
Brauerei Heller on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is an organic Kölsch brewery and Brauhaus; Heller Kölsch without additives in a student.
Order The Freigeist unfiltered Kölsch brewed on the premises, with house-baked pretzel bread
Braustelle in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is the neighbourhood craft brewery on Christianstrasse producing Helios Kölsch and seasonal specials; tap room from 18:00.
Order Döner in dürüm wrap with lamb, salad and garlic sauce; a Cologne institution since 1988
Oruc Kebap on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves charcoal-grilled Turkish kebap and pide in a small, dependable room; late opening.
Order Rührei mit Lachs, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and a filter coffee
Café Eigel near Cologne's Cathedral on Domstrasse is one of the Altstadt's oldest independent cafes, serving filter coffee and Kuchen in a traditional room.
Order Caramelised tofu with rice and seasonal greens, and the warming pho with rice noodles and fresh herb plate
Well Being on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves modern Vietnamese cooking with vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked throughout.
Order Vegan cinnamon roll with oat-milk glaze and a flat white made from house-roasted beans
Hempies on Ehrenstrasse in Cologne's Neustadt serves organic, plant-based wraps, bowls and smoothies from a hemp-forward menu; an eco-certified quick-service.
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