Cologne Brauhaus€€altstadt
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.
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.
Xi'an street food€belgisches-viertel
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.
Vietnamese€belgisches-viertel
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.
South African€€belgisches-viertel
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.
Vietnamese street food€belgisches-viertel
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.
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.