Heaven and earth: mashed potato (earth) with unsweetened apple puree (heaven) and blood sausage or fried liver and onions. A Rhenish classic eaten in Cologne since at least the 18th century.
Himmel un Ääd combines root vegetables from underground with fruit from the tree, the dialect name 'sky and earth' capturing the contrast. The dish entered Cologne kitchens during the 18th century when apples were a year-round Rhenish staple and potatoes had settled into the regional diet. The pairing with Blutwurst (blood sausage) became canonical in the 19th century working-class Brauhäuser. Lommerzheim, Haus Töller and Brauhaus Pütz still serve it on every winter menu.
3 editor picks for Himmel un Ääd in Cologne, ranked by editorial score. All Cologne signature dishes · Himmel un Ääd across every city.
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.
Haus Töller ★ 4.3
altstadt-sued · Weyerstrasse 96, 50676 Köln
Haus Töller on Weyerstrasse in Cologne occupies a 14th-century building and serves Sauerbraten, Halve Hahn and pork knuckle in a genuinely historic Altstadt.
Brauhaus Pütz ★ 3.8
neustadt-sued · Engelbertstrasse 67, 50674 Köln
Brauhaus Pütz in Cologne's Südstadt is a neighbourhood Brauhaus on Engelbertstrasse serving Kölsch, Halve Hahn and Rhenish classics in a traditional room.