Cologne Brauhaus€friesenviertelDaily from 12:00
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-viertelDaily 18:00-23:30
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.
Asian fusion€€belgisches-viertelDaily 12:00-22:00
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-viertelMon-Sun 11:00-23:00
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.
German€€belgisches-viertelMon-Sat 12:00-00:00; Sun closed
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-viertelTue-Thu 18:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 18:00-01:00; Sun 18:00-22:00; Mon closed
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.