Hallmackenreuther is a cafe bar restaurant in Belgisches Viertel, Cologne.
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the iconic Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight daily; the neighbourhood.
Must 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.
Address: Brüsseler Platz 9, 50674 Köln, Cologne
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.
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: Lahmacun, the thin Turkish flatbread with minced meat and herb topping, with ayran on the side
Tip: Open 24/7 every day. The freshly baked flatbreads are best straight from the oven, around midnight to 02:00 on weekends.
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: Currywurst scharf with the house-made curry ketchup and a cone of fried potatoes
Tip: Open until 22:00 most nights, until 03:00 Friday and Saturday. Close to Malzmühle and Heumarkt tram stop.
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: Vegan sushi rolls with roasted sesame and pickled ginger alongside the warming pho broth
Tip: Book ahead for weekend evenings; the room is small and the regulars fill it early.
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: Falafel wrap with hummus, tabouli, pickled turnip and tahini, then accept the cinnamon tea
Tip: Open until 03:00 Friday-Saturday. The wrap costs around €5; bring cash for the counter.
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: Sauerbraten Kölner Art with raisin sauce, potato dumplings and braised red cabbage
Tip: Centrally located and less crowded than the major tourist Brauhäuser; a solid choice for a full Rhenish meal.
