19 editor picks in Cologne.
19 restaurants in Cologne, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Cologne.
Brauerei Päffgen in Cologne's Friesenviertel is the last independent house brewery in the city, founded by Hermann Päffgen in 1883; still hand-brewing.
OrderPäffgen Kölsch served at the bar with Tatar on dark bread; the only correct way to start an evening here
TipReservations 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.
OrderTea leaf salad with fermented Shan tea, crunchy beans and toasted sesame
TipOpen evenings only; arrive by 19:00 or book ahead as the small room fills quickly.
Haus Töller on Weyerstrasse in Cologne occupies a 14th-century building and serves Sauerbraten, Halve Hahn and pork knuckle in a genuinely historic Altstadt.
OrderRheinischer Sauerbraten with Rübenkraut and potato dumplings, the canonical Cologne home dish
TipEvenings only, Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays. Cash preferred. Arrive early or you risk not getting a table.
Brauerei zur Malzmühle on Cologne's Heumarkt has brewed Mühlen Kölsch since 1858 and once served Bill Clinton; consistently fresh pours in the Altstadt.
OrderHalve Hahn, the traditional rye roll with aged Gouda, alongside a freshly tapped Mühlen Kölsch
TipMonday to Thursday from 14:00, Friday to Sunday from noon. Less tourist-heavy than the Cathedral-adjacent Brauhäuser.
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.
OrderMargherita DOC with buffalo mozzarella, or the Diavola with spicy Neapolitan salami
TipNo reservations at busy weekend dinner times; arrive early or queue for a table.
Tanoshii on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers classic nigiri and maki alongside creative Asian-European fusion rolls and warming pho.
OrderCreative fusion rolls and warming Vietnamese pho alongside the traditional nigiri
TipClose to Rudolfplatz U-Bahn stop. Book ahead for weekend evenings.
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.
OrderHimmel un Ääd with Mettbrötchen to start; the Bratwurst platter for the table
TipOpen from 08:00 on weekends; the best terrace tables face the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen fountain.
C.C. Kowalski in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves regional, seasonal cooking in stylish surroundings; one of the Belgian Quarter's more polished kitchens.
OrderThe changing seasonal main with Rhineland-sourced meat or fish
TipGood wine selection; the room has a warm, neighbourhood bistro feel without tourist-trail pricing.
Peters Brauhaus in Cologne's Altstadt serves hearty Rhenish brewery food alongside Peters Kölsch 350 metres from the Cathedral in a wood-panelled room.
OrderHimmel un Ääd: blood sausage with mashed potato and apple sauce, the most Cologne dish on the menu
TipOpen from 11:30 daily; Sunday evening closes at 21:30. Traditional Köbes service, tall glasses, no pretence.
Tibet Momo on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves handmade Tibetan dumplings and hand-pulled noodles; one of the most distinctive.
OrderSteamed momo dumplings with minced beef and spiced filling, served with chilli sauce
TipCash only, no reservations. Arrive hungry as portions are substantial. Closed early afternoons.
Wen Cheng on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves hand-pulled noodles prepared in the restaurant window, a compelling spectacle paired.
OrderHand-pulled noodles in spiced beef broth, watched being stretched at the kitchen counter
TipLunch is the best time to visit; portions are large and prices are some of the lowest in the Belgian Quarter.
Chin Burger at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves Xi'an Chinese street food including hand-pulled biang biang noodles and roujiamo meat sandwiches from Shaanxi.
OrderRoujiamo, the Xi'an meat-in-bun sandwich, and the spiced lamb biang biang noodles
TipCasual counter service; no reservations. The lunchtime queue is worth joining.
Warung Bayu in Cologne's Brabanter Strasse serves traditional Balinese curries and vegetarian specialties; crispy pork and black sauce chicken lead the menu.
OrderCrispy pork belly with spicy black bean sauce, or the fragrant Balinese chicken curry
TipAffordable lunch and dinner; the vegetarian dishes are among the best Balinese cooking in the city.
Lua by Danny on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Vietnamese cooking with pho, spring rolls and fresh herbs at affordable.
OrderPho bo with beef, and the crispy spring rolls with fresh herbs and dipping sauce
TipCompact room; arrives early for the better tables. Affordable and filling for a weekday dinner.
Daikan on Maastrichter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel combines ramen, sushi and poke bowls in a modern Japanese-inspired room with a small summer.
OrderTonkotsu ramen with rich pork-bone broth and chashu pork belly
TipThe small terrace is one of the best spots on Maastrichter Strasse in summer; arrive early to claim a seat.
Gaffel am Dom occupies Cologne's main station forecourt, pouring Gaffel Kölsch from table taps opposite the Cathedral with Rhenish classics and Friday.
OrderRhenish Sauerbraten with raisin sauce and Kartoffelklösse, the defining Cologne Sunday dish
TipFriday evenings musician Björn Heuser leads free admission sing-alongs from 22:30; Saturday has Brauhaus Beats parties from 22:00.
Shanghai Küche on Limburger Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Shanghainese dishes beyond the standard German-Chinese offer.
OrderHongshao rou, red-braised pork belly slow-cooked with soy, sugar and Shaoxing wine
TipSmall and casual; bring cash. The dumplings sell out early on weekend evenings.
Belgischer Hof on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne serves Flammkuchen and seasonal brasserie dishes in a laid-back Belgian Quarter setting near Rudolfplatz.
OrderClassique Flammkuchen with crème fraîche, onion and smoked bacon
TipThe Flammkuchen are generous; two people can share one alongside a salad for a light dinner.
Adieu Paris on Aachener Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves plant-based döner and creative Middle Eastern fast food for the vegetarian Belgian.
OrderVegan döner in house-baked flatbread with grilled halloumi or seasoned falafel
TipGood for a quick lunch or early dinner; the seating is limited but the food is fast.
