Day-by-day eating plans for Cologne. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

One Day: Classic Kölsch and Brauhaus Cologne ★ 4.2

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    {'venue': 'epi Boulangerie Patisserie', 'slug': 'epi-boulangerie-patisserie', 'description': 'Start with a croissant and cafe at the Breite Strasse boulangerie before the Cathedral morning crowds arrive.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'Rievkoochbud', 'slug': 'rievkoochbud-street', 'description': "Walk south to Vor Wieden for Reibekuchen at the city's most famous potato-pancake kiosk."}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Brauerei Paeffgen', 'slug': 'brauerei-paeffgen', 'description': "End in Cologne's oldest independent brewery at Friesenstrasse. Halve Hahn with Kölsch in the chestnut garden or the historic Aula."}

Weekend: Belgian Quarter and Fine Dining ★ 4.2

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    {'venue': 'Kaffeesaurus', 'slug': 'kaffeesaurus', 'description': 'Start at Friesenplatz with the T-Rex breakfast burrito and house-roasted specialty coffee.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'Hallmackenreuther', 'slug': 'hallmackenreuther-brunch', 'description': "Afternoon coffee at the corner of Brüsseler Platz; the best terrace in the neighbourhood for watching the Belgian Quarter's cosmopolitan crowd."}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Mandalay Burmese', 'slug': 'mandalay-gem', 'description': "Dinner at one of Germany's very few authentic Burmese restaurants: mohinga fish noodle soup and coconut curry on Brüsseler Strasse."}

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    {'venue': 'Salon Schmitz', 'slug': 'salon-schmitz-brunch', 'description': 'Weekend brunch in the 1950s salon at Aachener Strasse; the Frühstück platter with house coffee.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'HENNE.Weinbar', 'slug': 'henne-weinbar', 'description': "Afternoon wine tasting at the old town wine bar with a glass from Henne's carefully curated natural and classic list."}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Ox & Klee', 'slug': 'ox-und-klee', 'description': "Dinner at Cologne's only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the middle Kranhaus tower: the full eight-course tasting menu above the Rhine."}

Budget Three Days: Student Cologne ★ 4.2

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    {'venue': 'Backerei Zimmermann', 'slug': 'backerei-zimmermann', 'description': 'Start at Ehrenstrasse with a dark rye roll and coffee from the 1875 family bakery.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'Reibekuchen at Nippesser Wochenmarkt', 'slug': 'reibekuchen-nippes', 'description': "Take the U-Bahn to Nippes for the afternoon Wochenmarkt at Wilhelmplatz: market Reibekuchen, Turkish cheese stalls and the city's most authentic neighbourhood."}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Habibi Falafel', 'slug': 'habibi-budget', 'description': 'Student-mile falafel at Zülpicher Strasse. A fully loaded wrap under €5.'}

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    {'venue': 'Cafe Sehnsucht', 'slug': 'cafe-sehnsucht', 'description': 'Organic filter coffee and a slice of Rührkuchen at the eco-certified Ehrenfeld cafe.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'Braustelle Tap Room', 'slug': 'braustelle-tap-room', 'description': "Ehrenfeld's craft brewery tap room opens from 18:00; arrive for the first of the evening Helios Kölsch and a seasonal special."}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Ferkulum', 'slug': 'ferkulum-budget', 'description': 'Late gyros on the Zülpicher mile. The best pork gyros pita in Cologne under €8.'}

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    {'venue': 'epi Boulangerie morning visit', 'slug': 'epi-boulangerie-budget', 'description': 'Morning croissant and coffee at epi Boulangerie for under €8.'}
    Afternoon
    {'venue': 'Pommes Imperivm', 'slug': 'pommes-imperivm-budget', 'description': 'Afternoon Currywurst mit Pommes at Heumarkt 59 in the Altstadt.'}
    Evening
    {'venue': 'Mevlana Döner', 'slug': 'mevlana-doner-budget', 'description': "Take the U-Bahn to Keupstrasse for Cologne's most acclaimed döner. Worth the journey for the quality."}
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