Lommerzheim is a traditional german pub restaurant in Deutz, Cologne.
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.
Must order: The Kotelett, grilled pork chop with mustard and rye bread; the reason people queue for over an hour
Tip: Cash only. Arrive before 18:00 on weekdays or face a long wait. Traditional Kölsch service: glass replaced automatically until you put a coaster on top.
Address: Siegesstr. 18, 50679 Koln, Cologne
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: The Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte and a pot of Darjeeling at a terrace table facing the cathedral portal
Tip: Opens at 08:30. The terrace fills quickly in summer; arrive before 10:00 for a front-row cathedral seat.
Brauhaus Pütz in Cologne's Südstadt is a neighbourhood Brauhaus on Engelbertstrasse serving Kölsch, Halve Hahn and Rhenish classics in a traditional room.
Order: Bratwurst with Senf and Rievkooche on the side for the classic Kölsch starter plate
Tip: A residential neighbourhood Brauhaus without Cathedral-area tourist pricing. Good for a relaxed midweek lunch.
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: 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.
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.
