40 cheap eats places in Cologne, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Cologne: the places editors actually return to. All Cologne food.
Backerei Zimmermann ★ 4.8
belgisches-viertel · Ehrenstr. 75, 50672 Koln
Backerei Zimmermann on Ehrenstrasse in Cologne has baked dark rye breads, Brötchen and Mettbrötchen since 1875; one of the oldest family bakeries.
Brauerei Paeffgen ★ 4.8
agnesviertel · Friesenstrasse 64-66, 50670 Köln
Brauerei Paeffgen on Friesenstrasse in Cologne is the last independent house brewery in the city, founded by Hermann Päffgen in 1883; still hand-brewing.
Kebapland ★ 4.8
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 385, 50825 Koln
Kebapland on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is the city's most praised charcoal mangal address; listed on Cologne Tourism for authentic lamb grill.
Tadim Damak ★ 4.8
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 383, 50825 Koln
Tadim Damak on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is open 24 hours; lahmacun and chicken shish at any hour; the most reliable late-night feed.
Haus Toller ★ 4.8
suedstadt · Weyerstrasse 96, 50676 Köln
Haus Töller on Weyerstrasse in Cologne occupies one of the oldest buildings in the city; cash only, no website, evening-only Rhenish classics in a historic.
Habibi ★ 4.8
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 28, 50674 Koln
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.
Cafe Caprista ★ 4.7
belgisches-viertel · Flandrische Str. 15, 50674 Koln
Cafe Caprista on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves generous brunch plates, afternoon cakes and espresso in a warmly lit room.
Pommes Imperivm ★ 4.7
altstadt · Heumarkt 59, 50667 Koln
Pommes Imperivm at Heumarkt 59 in Cologne's Altstadt serves Currywurst mit Pommes from a late-night counter; open until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Rievkoochbud ★ 4.7
altstadt · Vor Wieden 3, 50676 Koln
Rievkoochbud at Vor Wieden in Cologne's Altstadt has fried thick, crispy potato pancakes for over 60 years; the most famous Reibekuchen kiosk in Rhineland.
Ferkulum ★ 4.7
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 37, 50674 Koln
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's student quarter is open until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; the benchmark late-night pork gyros pita.
Lommerzheim ★ 4.7
deutz · Siegesstr. 18, 50679 Koln
Lommerzheim in Cologne-Deutz has served the city's most argued-over pork chop since 1959; cash only, closed Sundays, unchanged since Mick Jagger ate there.
Mevlana Döner ★ 4.7
nippes · Keupstr. 47-49, 51063 Koln
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 ★ 4.7
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 7, 50674 Koln
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves affordable Italian pasta to students and locals; Carbonara or Bolognese under €10.
Antep Mangal ★ 4.6
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 357, 50823 Koln
Antep Mangal on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is a Turkish charcoal grill open until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; authentic Gaziantep-style lamb.
Habibi Falafel ★ 4.6
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 28, 50674 Koln
Habibi Falafel on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves fully loaded falafel wraps for under €5; best-value street food on the student strip.
Antep Mangal ★ 4.6
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 357, 50823 Koln
Antep Mangal on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is open until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; authentic Gaziantep-style charcoal lamb and chicken.
Tibet Momo ★ 4.6
belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 11, 50674 Koln
Tibet Momo at Aachener Strasse 11 in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel has 12 seats, no signage and no reservations; handmade Tibetan dumplings at a hidden.
Wen Cheng Hand-Pulled Noodles ★ 4.6
belgisches-viertel · Flandrische Str. 2, 50674 Koln
Wen Cheng on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves hand-pulled lanzhou noodles in the window; a full bowl with sides under twelve euros.
Tadim Damak ★ 4.6
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 383, 50825 Koln
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 ★ 4.6
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 37, 50674 Koln
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.
Brauerei Päffgen ★ 4.5
friesenviertel · Friesenstrasse 64-66, 50670 Köln
Brauerei Päffgen in Cologne's Friesenviertel is the last independent house brewery in the city, founded by Hermann Päffgen in 1883; still hand-brewing.
Tip: Reservations by phone only from noon. Beer exclusively from the barrel. The Brauhaus is open from 12:00 daily.
Bastians ★ 4.5
altstadt · Auf dem Berlich 3-5, 50667 Koln
Bastians at Auf dem Berlich in Cologne's Altstadt is one of the city centre's most reliable traditional bakeries, serving Mettbrötchen and rye breads.
Cafe Sehnsucht ★ 4.5
ehrenfeld · Kornerstr. 67, 50823 Koln
Cafe Sehnsucht on Körnerstrasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is an eco-certified neighbourhood cafe serving organic filter coffee and fresh Rührkuchen from 08:00.
Brauerei Paeffgen ★ 4.5
agnesviertel · Friesenstrasse 64-66, 50670 Koln
Brauerei Paeffgen bar on Friesenstrasse is the city's oldest independent Brauhaus; hand-brewed Kölsch served by kobes from the historic chestnut garden.
Pommes Imperivm ★ 4.5
altstadt · Heumarkt 59, 50667 Koln
Pommes Imperivm at Heumarkt 59 in Cologne's Altstadt serves Currywurst mit Pommes from a late-night counter open until 03:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Reibekuchen at Nippesser Wochenmarkt ★ 4.5
nippes · Wilhelmplatz, 50737 Koln
Reibekuchen at Nippesser Wochenmarkt at Wilhelmplatz costs €3-4 per pancake; thick, crispy potato pancakes from the most authentic neighbourhood market.
Pommes Imperivm ★ 4.5
altstadt · Heumarkt 59, 50667 Koln
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.
Lommerzheim ★ 4.4
deutz · Siegesstr. 18, 50679 Koln
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.
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.
Tadim Damak ★ 4.4
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 383, 50825 Koln
Tadim Damak on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is a 24-hour Turkish cafe serving lahmacun, pide and chicken shish at consistently low prices.
Ferkulum ★ 4.4
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 37, 50674 Koln
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is the student quarter's most acclaimed pork gyros pita shop; open until 04:00 at weekends.
Kebapland ★ 4.4
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 385, 50825 Koln
Kebapland on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is the city's most praised Turkish charcoal mangal; open until midnight daily, later at weekends.
Habibi Falafel ★ 4.4
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 28, 50674 Koln
Habibi Falafel on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is open until 02:00 most nights; a fully loaded falafel wrap for under €5 at any late hour.
Brauhaus Putz lunch special ★ 4.4
neustadt-sued · Engelbertstr. 67, 50674 Koln
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.
Kebapland ★ 4.3
ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 385, 50825 Koln
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.
Tip: Open until 01:00 on weekdays, 03:00 Friday and Saturday. The grill is visible from the street; follow the smoke.
Well Being ★ 4.3
belgisches-viertel · Brabanter Str. 48, 50672 Koln
Well Being on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves modern Vietnamese cooking with vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked throughout.
Tip: Lunch is busiest; the gluten-free menu items are clearly marked. Book ahead for weekend evenings.
Cafe Engelbat ★ 4.3
neustadt-sued · Engelbertstr. 7, 50674 Koln
Cafe Engelbat on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a long-standing neighbourhood cafe serving breakfast, cakes and reliable espresso daily.
Mevlana Döner ★ 4.3
nippes · Keupstr. 47-49, 51063 Koln
Mevlana Döner on Keupstrasse in Cologne-Mülheim is the city's most celebrated döner restaurant, operated at the heart of Cologne's Turkish community.
Oruc Kebap ★ 4.3
neustadt-sued · Heinsbergstr. 1, 50674 Koln
Oruc Kebap on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves charcoal-grilled Turkish kebap until 02:00; late opening nightly and a dependable stop.
Tibet Momo ★ 4.3
belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 11, 50674 Koln
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.
Cafe Caprista ★ 4.3
belgisches-viertel · Flandrische Str. 15, 50674 Koln
Cafe Caprista on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a neighbourhood brunch room with generous egg plates and reliable espresso.