23 editor picks in Cologne.
23 cafe places in Cologne we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Cologne | Cafe across every city.
Cologne's cafe life is concentrated in the Belgisches Viertel, where the pavement tables of Brusseler Platz set the tone. Hallmackenreuther and Salon Schmitz on Aachener Strasse are the social mainstays, while The Coffee Gang on Maastrichter Strasse leads the specialty-coffee end and Cafe Reichard by the cathedral in the Altstadt keeps the grand old coffee-house style alive. Vegan options like Little Green Kitchen sit comfortably in the same crowd.
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.
OrderStrammer Max, the open-faced rye bread with raw minced beef, fried egg and radish
TipLate-sleepers favourite; breakfast served until 16:00. Arrive by 11:00 on Sundays for a reasonable wait.
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the definitive Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight daily; the neighbourhood.
OrderBagel or club sandwich at lunch, transitioning to cocktails and snacks as the evening starts
TipThe 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.
OrderSeasonal soup with house bread and a slice of the daily vegan cake
TipLimited seating; takeaway is also available. Good for a light vegan lunch close to the Altstadt.
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.
OrderVegan cinnamon roll with oat-milk glaze and a flat white made from house-roasted beans
TipPopular for weekend brunch; the cinnamon rolls and Berliner sell out early. Arrive before 10:00 for the full selection.
Kaffeesaurus at Friesenplatz in Cologne roasts its own beans and serves the T-Rex breakfast burrito alongside specialty espresso in a playful Belgian Quarter.
Salon Schmitz on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a 1950s-styled salon serving weekend brunch, Frühstück platters and wine from morning.
Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the signature Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight; the best people-watching seat.
Cafe Caprista on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves generous brunch plates, afternoon cakes and espresso in a warmly lit room.
Balthasar on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a cafe-bistro with all-day brunch, cakes and wine; popular with a Belgian Quarter crowd.
vevi Cafe on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is an organic, plant-forward cafe serving breakfast bowls, grain lunches and vegan cakes.
Cafe Sehnsucht on Körnerstrasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is an eco-certified neighbourhood cafe serving organic filter coffee and fresh Rührkuchen from 08:00.
Hommage at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves specialty coffee and French-style pastries in a light-filled room; the croissants and filter coffee draw the crowds.
ST LOUIS Breakfast on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a student-quarter institution serving generous American-style breakfasts from 09:00.
The Coffee Gang on Maastrichter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a specialty coffee bar serving guest-roaster filter and espresso in a minimal room.
Cafe Reichard on Unter Fettenhennen beneath Cologne's Cathedral towers is the city's most famous Konditorei, serving Kaffee und Kuchen since 1855.
Cafe Buur on Maastrichter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves Australian-influenced brunch plates and flat whites from 09:00 at weekends.
Cafe Engelbat on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a long-standing neighbourhood cafe serving breakfast, cakes and reliable espresso daily.
Cafe Art at Lenauplatz in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a neighbourhood cafe-gallery serving coffee, breakfasts and light lunch with rotating exhibitions.
Cafe 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.
CafeCafe on Maarweg in Cologne's Ehrenfeld serves organic, Fairtrade coffee and house-baked cakes in a family-friendly room with an extensive brunch menu.
Kaffeemuhle on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a student-quarter cafe serving affordable breakfast and filter coffee in a relaxed neighbourhood.
Cafe Schmitz am Hansaring in Cologne is a second location of the Belgian Quarter institution serving Frühstück platters and cakes near the Hansaring stop.
Starbucks at Domkloster in Cologne is the Cathedral-side branch with a large terrace directly opposite the Dom; the only Starbucks in Germany.
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