taku is an east asian fusion fine-dining restaurant in Altstadt, Cologne.
taku in Cologne's Excelsior Hotel Ernst near the Cathedral holds one Michelin star for contemporary Asian cuisine; established and consistent fine dining.
Must order: The six-course menu with wine pairing; the 4-course option at €121 is the more affordable entry point
Tip: Located in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, one of Cologne's grand hotels from 1863. Dinner only, Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: Trankgasse 1-5, 50667 Köln, Cologne
Alfredo in Cologne's Altstadt is a Michelin-selected Italian restaurant near the Cathedral serving refined pasta and risotto in an intimate room.
Order: Pappardelle with braised duck, the dish that has defined this room since the 1970s
Tip: On select Friday evenings the chef, a trained vocalist, closes dinner with an aria. Book the musical soirée for something extraordinary.
La Société in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng holds one Michelin star, a refined French-influenced kitchen on Kyffhäuserstrasse in an elegant room.
Order: The seven-course menu at €190; a vegetarian version is available on request
Tip: Closed for annual summer break late July to early August. Wine by the glass from €15.
Pottkind in Cologne's Rheinauhafen is a Michelin-selected restaurant serving modern Rhenish cuisine with regional produce; one of the city's quietest gems.
Order: Counter seats at the open kitchen for the best view of the five-course carte blanche
Tip: No à la carte; the five-course menu changes several times a year. Tuesday to Saturday evenings only.
Zur Tant in Cologne-Porz holds one Michelin star for classic-French cooking on the Rhine's right bank; worth the 20-minute taxi ride from the centre.
Order: The five-course seasonal menu combining Rhine-valley produce with French-Mediterranean technique
Tip: Open Friday to Monday only. The riverside Piccolo bistro is a lower-cost alternative to the gourmet room upstairs.
La Cuisine Rademacher in Cologne's Dellbrück holds a Michelin star for contemporary European cooking; strong wine list and precise seasonal menu.
Order: The prestige menu using seasonal regional produce from Rhineland and Eifel farms
Tip: Lunch Wednesday to Friday offers better value than the dinner menu. Vegetarian menu available if requested at booking.
Alfredo in Cologne's Altstadt is a Michelin-selected Italian restaurant near the Cathedral serving refined pasta and risotto in an intimate room.
Order: Pappardelle with braised duck, the dish that has defined this room since the 1970s
Tip: On select Friday evenings the chef, a trained vocalist, closes dinner with an aria. Book the musical soirée for something extraordinary.
Le Moissonnier in Cologne's Agnesviertel holds one Michelin star; relaunched 2023 as a French bistro focused on classic lunch and Friday dinner service.
Order: Pâté de viande en croûte, fish soup with rouille, and the plat du jour
Tip: Open primarily for lunch Tue-Sat; Friday adds an evening service. The room is small and fills fast; book ahead.
