Cologne Brauhaus€friesenviertel
Brauerei Päffgen in Cologne's Friesenviertel is the last independent house brewery in the city, founded by Hermann Päffgen in 1883; still hand-brewing.
Order: Päffgen Kölsch served at the bar with Tatar on dark bread; the only correct way to start an evening here
Tip: Reservations by phone only from noon. Beer exclusively from the barrel. The Brauhaus is open from 12:00 daily.
Burmese€€belgisches-viertel
Mandalay in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is one of Germany's very few Burmese restaurants, serving family Myanmar recipes and fermented tea leaf salad.
Order: Tea leaf salad with fermented Shan tea, crunchy beans and toasted sesame
Tip: Open evenings only; arrive by 19:00 or book ahead as the small room fills quickly.
Japanese-fusion€€belgisches-viertel
Tanoshii on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers classic nigiri and maki alongside creative Asian-European fusion rolls and warming pho.
Order: Creative fusion rolls and warming Vietnamese pho alongside the traditional nigiri
Tip: Close to Rudolfplatz U-Bahn stop. Book ahead for weekend evenings.
Neapolitan pizza€€belgisches-viertel
Nennillo in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel fires Neapolitan pizza in a wood-burning oven at 500 degrees; fresh dough daily and authentic cornicione char marks.
Order: Margherita DOC with buffalo mozzarella, or the Diavola with spicy Neapolitan salami
Tip: No reservations at busy weekend dinner times; arrive early or queue for a table.
Contemporary German€€belgisches-viertel
C.C. Kowalski in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves regional, seasonal cooking in stylish surroundings; one of the Belgian Quarter's more polished kitchens.
Order: The changing seasonal main with Rhineland-sourced meat or fish
Tip: Good wine selection; the room has a warm, neighbourhood bistro feel without tourist-trail pricing.
Peruvian€€belgisches-viertel
Tigermilch Kitchen in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel brings Peruvian sharing plates to the Belgian Quarter: ceviche, anticuchos and chilli-citrus technique.
Order: Ceviche clasico with leche de tigre, sweet potato and choclo corn
Tip: Good cocktail list including pisco sours. The sharing format works best with four people.