Balthasar is an all-day cafe and brunch restaurant in Belgisches Viertel, Cologne.
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.
Must order: Strammer Max, the open-faced rye bread with raw minced beef, fried egg and radish
Tip: Late-sleepers favourite; breakfast served until 16:00. Arrive by 11:00 on Sundays for a reasonable wait.
Address: Aachener Str. 18, 50674 Koln, Cologne
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: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise and the pistachio pancakes with whipped ricotta and honey
Tip: Weekend queues form by 11:00. The pistachio pancakes sell out early; order at the counter when you arrive.
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: Build a plate from the hot buffet: grain bowls, roasted vegetables and daily soup
Tip: Lunch crowds peak at 12:30. Arrive before noon for the fullest buffet selection. Pay by weight at the counter.
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the iconic Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight daily; the neighbourhood.
Order: Bagel or club sandwich at lunch, transitioning to cocktails and snacks as the evening starts
Tip: The square is busiest on warm evenings; arrive by 19:00 for a terrace seat in summer.
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: Charcoal-grilled lamb skewer in a house-baked flatbread with tahini and herbs
Tip: Open until 01:00 on weekdays, 03:00 Friday and Saturday. The grill is visible from the street; follow the smoke.
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: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise and the pistachio pancakes with whipped ricotta and honey
Tip: Weekend queues form by 11:00. The pistachio pancakes sell out early; order at the counter when you arrive.
Wartesaal am Dom inside Cologne's main station serves Rhineland brasserie cooking and Sunday brunch in the grandly proportioned 1914 station waiting room.
Order: Rhine-sourced fish of the day and a glass of Rheingau Riesling in the restored vaulted space
Tip: The architectural setting is as much the draw as the food; worth visiting for the room alone at lunch.
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: Build a plate from the hot buffet: grain bowls, roasted vegetables and daily soup
Tip: Lunch crowds peak at 12:30. Arrive before noon for the fullest buffet selection. Pay by weight at the counter.
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the iconic Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight daily; the neighbourhood.
Order: Bagel or club sandwich at lunch, transitioning to cocktails and snacks as the evening starts
Tip: The square is busiest on warm evenings; arrive by 19:00 for a terrace seat in summer.
Little Green Kitchen on Unter Kahlenhausen in Cologne's Altstadt serves contemporary vegetarian and vegan food in a small, relaxed room; popular lunch spot.
Order: Seasonal soup with house bread and a slice of the daily vegan cake
Tip: Limited seating; takeaway is also available. Good for a light vegan lunch close to the Altstadt.
