Früh am Dom is a cologne brauhaus restaurant in Altstadt, Cologne.
Früh am Dom in Cologne is the second-largest brewery pub in Germany, steps from the Cathedral, seating 1,500 and pouring Früh Kölsch all day.
Must order: Himmel un Ääd with Mettbrötchen to start; the Bratwurst platter for the table
Tip: Open from 08:00 on weekends; the best terrace tables face the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen fountain.
Address: Am Hof 12-18, 50667 Köln, Cologne
Chin Burger at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves Xi'an Chinese street food including hand-pulled biang biang noodles and roujiamo meat sandwiches from Shaanxi.
Order: Roujiamo, the Xi'an meat-in-bun sandwich, and the spiced lamb biang biang noodles
Tip: Casual counter service; no reservations. The lunchtime queue is worth joining.
Coco Viet on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers affordable Vietnamese street food: pho, banh mi and spring rolls prepared fresh daily.
Order: Banh mi with char siu pork and pickled daikon, one of the best-value lunches in the Belgian Quarter
Tip: Very small room; takeaway also available. Lunch only or arrive early in the evening.
Shaka Zulu on Limburger Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves South African-inspired sharing plates with braai-style grilled meat and chakalaka.
Order: The Communal Meal with braai-style grilled meat skewers, chakalaka relish and pap
Tip: Order the Communal Meal for the table rather than individual plates; the sharing format reflects how the food is meant to be eaten.
District 10 on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves creative Vietnamese street food with inventive appetisers and regional specialties.
Order: Crispy Vietnamese spring rolls with nuoc cham dipping sauce and fresh herb plate
Tip: Located on Brabanter Strasse with several other restaurants; District 10 stands out for the creative starters.
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.
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.
