Mid-Range in Cologne: 40 editor picks

40 mid-range places in Cologne, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Cologne, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Cologne food.

Kaffeesaurus ★ 4.8

agnesviertel · Friesenplatz 15, 50672 Koln

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 ★ 4.8

belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 28, 50674 Koln

Salon Schmitz on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a 1950s-styled salon serving weekend brunch, Frühstück platters and wine from morning.

Schamong Kaffee ★ 4.8

ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 535, 50825 Koln

Schamong Kaffee on Venloer Strasse in Cologne has roasted its own beans since 1949, making it the oldest specialty roastery in the city; the Altstadt cafe.

Balthasar ★ 4.8

belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 18, 50674 Koln

Balthasar on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves a generous weekend brunch with egg dishes, smoked salmon and fruit plates.

epi Boulangerie Patisserie ★ 4.7

altstadt · Breite Str. 29, 50667 Koln

epi Boulangerie Patisserie on Breite Strasse near Cologne's Cathedral bakes Viennoiserie and croissants using French technique, with butter croissants.

Hallmackenreuther ★ 4.7

belgisches-viertel · Brusseler Platz 9, 50674 Koln

Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne is the iconic Belgian Quarter terrace cafe, open from breakfast to midnight; the best people-watching seat.

Brauerei zur Malzmuhle ★ 4.7

altstadt · Heumarkt 6, 50667 Koln

Brauerei zur Malzmühle at Heumarkt 6 in Cologne has brewed Mühlen Kölsch since 1858; the second-oldest brewery pub and one of the most consistent Altstadt.

Kaffeesaurus ★ 4.7

agnesviertel · Friesenplatz 15, 50672 Koln

Kaffeesaurus at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves the T-Rex breakfast burrito alongside house-roasted specialty coffee; one of the most popular brunch spots.

Backerei Wiens ★ 4.6

nippes · Escher Str. 75, 50739 Koln

Backerei Wiens on Escher Strasse in Cologne's Nippes bakes traditional German breads and Brötchen from long fermentation doughs; a neighbourhood institution.

Balthasar ★ 4.6

belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 18, 50674 Koln

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 ★ 4.6

belgisches-viertel · Brusseler Str. 29, 50674 Koln

vevi Cafe on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is an organic, plant-forward cafe serving breakfast bowls, grain lunches and vegan cakes.

ERNST Kaffeeroester ★ 4.6

suedstadt · Bonner Str. 56, 50677 Koln

ERNST Kaffeeroester on Bonner Strasse in Cologne's Südstadt roasts single-origin filter coffees in a converted workshop and hosts regular tasting sessions.

Rosebud Bar ★ 4.6

belgisches-viertel · Heinsbergstr. 20, 50674 Koln

Rosebud Bar on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng has operated since 1991; a neighbourhood bar with a curated cocktail list and reliable crowd.

Fruh am Dom ★ 4.6

altstadt · Am Hof 12-18, 50667 Koln

Früh am Dom at Am Hof 12-18 near Cologne's Cathedral is the second-largest brewery pub in Germany, seating 1,500 and pouring Früh Kölsch from early morning.

Tigermilch ★ 4.6

belgisches-viertel · Brusseler Str. 12, 50674 Koln

Tigermilch Kitchen on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves Peruvian-inspired weekend brunch with ceviche and tropical fruit.

Hallmackenreuther ★ 4.6

belgisches-viertel · Brusseler Platz 9, 50674 Koln

Hallmackenreuther on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is the neighbourhood's landmark terrace for weekend brunch; full Frühstück from 09:00.

Hommage ★ 4.5

agnesviertel · Friesenplatz 10, 50672 Koln

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.

Holm Kaffeeroesterei Cafe ★ 4.5

suedstadt · Lindenthalgurtel 61, 50935 Koln

Holm Kaffeeroesterei on Lindenthalgürtel in Cologne roasts its own beans in a cafe and coffee school; the in-house roasts cover espresso and pour-over filter.

Monkey Bar Cologne ★ 4.5

altstadt · Im Klapperhof 22-24, 50670 Koln

Monkey Bar in Cologne's Friesenviertel at Im Klapperhof mixes cocktails and hosts DJ nights; a reliable Belgian Quarter evening starting point.

Braustelle ★ 4.5

ehrenfeld · Christianstr. 2, 50825 Koln

Braustelle on Christianstrasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld is the neighbourhood craft brewery producing Helios Kölsch and seasonal specials; tap room Tue-Sat.

Grabz Smashburger ★ 4.5

belgisches-viertel · Brusseler Str. 43, 50674 Koln

Grabz Smashburger on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves American-style smash burgers with crispy patties and house sauces.

ST LOUIS Breakfast ★ 4.5

neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 25, 50674 Koln

ST LOUIS Breakfast on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves generous American-style breakfasts and brunch plates from 09:00 daily.

Mandalay ★ 4.4

belgisches-viertel · Brüsseler Strasse 53, 50674 Köln

Mandalay in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is one of Germany's very few Burmese restaurants, serving family Myanmar recipes and fermented tea leaf salad.

Tip: Open evenings only; arrive by 19:00 or book ahead as the small room fills quickly.

epi Boulangerie Lindenthal ★ 4.4

agnesviertel · Neusser Str. 32, 50670 Koln

epi Boulangerie Lindenthal on Neusser Strasse brings the French bakery chain's Viennoiserie and sourdough to Cologne's Lindenthal neighbourhood.

Cafe Konditorei Fassbender ★ 4.4

altstadt · Schildergasse 46, 50667 Koln

Cafe Konditorei Fassbender on Schildergasse in Cologne's city centre is a traditional Konditorei serving Torte slices, Mohnkuchen and Kaffeekranz.

ST LOUIS Breakfast ★ 4.4

neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 25, 50674 Koln

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 ★ 4.4

belgisches-viertel · Maastrichter Str. 47, 50672 Koln

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.

Gaffel am Dom ★ 4.4

altstadt · Bahnhofsvorplatz 1, 50667 Köln

Gaffel am Dom at Cologne's main station forecourt pours Gaffel Kölsch from 10-litre table taps facing the Cathedral; Friday sing-alongs from 22:30.

Bar Rix ★ 4.4

belgisches-viertel · Friesenwall 58, 50672 Koln

Bar Rix on Friesenwall in Cologne is a natural wine bar hosting Tuesday and Wednesday evening tastings; a focused list of low-intervention wines from small.

Peters Brauhaus ★ 4.4

altstadt · Mühlengasse 1, 50667 Köln

Peters Brauhaus on Mühlengasse in Cologne's Altstadt serves Peters Kölsch alongside Rhenish classics 350 metres from the Cathedral in a wood-panelled room.

Brauhaus Sion ★ 4.4

altstadt · Unter Taschenmacher 5-7, 50667 Köln

Brauhaus Sion at Unter Taschenmacher in Cologne's Altstadt has operated since 1318; renovated in 2012, one of Germany's most moody Brauhäuser.

Sattgrün ★ 4.4

belgisches-viertel · Friesenwall 29, 50672 Koln

Sattgrün on Friesenwall in Cologne is the city's leading vegan restaurant; a daily-changing menu that is one of Germany's most impressive plant-based.

Salon Schmitz ★ 4.4

belgisches-viertel · Aachener Str. 28, 50674 Koln

Salon Schmitz on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is a 1950s-styled salon serving Frühstück platters and brunch from 10:00 daily.

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.

Tip: Evenings only, Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays. Cash preferred. Arrive early or you risk not getting a table.

Brauerei zur Malzmühle ★ 4.3

altstadt · Heumarkt 6, 50667 Köln

Brauerei zur Malzmühle on Cologne's Heumarkt has brewed Mühlen Kölsch since 1858 and once served Bill Clinton; consistently fresh pours in the Altstadt.

Tip: Monday to Thursday from 14:00, Friday to Sunday from noon. Less tourist-heavy than the Cathedral-adjacent Brauhäuser.

Bremer Stadtmusikanten Backstube ★ 4.3

ehrenfeld · Venloer Str. 135, 50823 Koln

Bremer Stadtmusikanten Backstube on Venloer Strasse in Cologne's Ehrenfeld bakes organic sourdough loaves, rye rolls and Dinkel breads for the neighbourhood.

Mid-Range in Cologne