Indonesian€€belgisches-viertel
Bali on Brüsseler Platz in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Indonesian and Balinese dishes in a romantic basement with home-style cooking.
Order: Babi guling, the Balinese roast pork, and the sayur lodeh coconut vegetable stew
Tip: The basement room is intimate and warmly lit; book ahead for a table on weekend evenings.
Balinese€belgisches-viertel
Warung Bayu in Cologne's Brabanter Strasse serves traditional Balinese curries and vegetarian specialties; crispy pork and black sauce chicken lead the menu.
Order: Crispy pork belly with spicy black bean sauce, or the fragrant Balinese chicken curry
Tip: Affordable lunch and dinner; the vegetarian dishes are among the best Balinese cooking in the city.
German-French€€belgisches-viertel
Belgischer Hof on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne serves Flammkuchen and seasonal brasserie dishes in a laid-back Belgian Quarter setting near Rudolfplatz.
Order: Classique Flammkuchen with crème fraîche, onion and smoked bacon
Tip: The Flammkuchen are generous; two people can share one alongside a salad for a light dinner.
Rhenish German€€altstadt-sued
Haus Töller on Weyerstrasse in Cologne occupies a 14th-century building and serves Sauerbraten, Halve Hahn and pork knuckle in a genuinely historic Altstadt.
Order: Rheinischer Sauerbraten with Rübenkraut and potato dumplings, the canonical Cologne home dish
Tip: Evenings only, Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays. Cash preferred. Arrive early or you risk not getting a table.
German brewhouse€€altstadt
Peters Brauhaus in Cologne's Altstadt serves hearty Rhenish brewery food alongside Peters Kölsch 350 metres from the Cathedral in a wood-panelled room.
Order: Himmel un Ääd: blood sausage with mashed potato and apple sauce, the most Cologne dish on the menu
Tip: Open from 11:30 daily; Sunday evening closes at 21:30. Traditional Köbes service, tall glasses, no pretence.
Vietnamese€belgisches-viertel
Lua by Danny on Brabanter Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Vietnamese cooking with pho, spring rolls and fresh herbs at affordable.
Order: Pho bo with beef, and the crispy spring rolls with fresh herbs and dipping sauce
Tip: Compact room; arrives early for the better tables. Affordable and filling for a weekday dinner.