Student heartland around Zülpicher Platz, home to the bar mile, late-night kebab culture and Michelin-starred La Société in the same block as discount döner joints.
La Société in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng holds one Michelin star, a refined French-influenced kitchen on Kyffhäuserstrasse in an elegant room.
Order: The seven-course menu at €190; a vegetarian version is available on request
Tip: Closed for annual summer break late July to early August. Wine by the glass from €15.
Brauhaus Pütz in Cologne's Südstadt is a neighbourhood Brauhaus on Engelbertstrasse serving Kölsch, Halve Hahn and Rhenish classics in a traditional room.
Order: Bratwurst with Senf and Rievkooche on the side for the classic Kölsch starter plate
Tip: A residential neighbourhood Brauhaus without Cathedral-area tourist pricing. Good for a relaxed midweek lunch.
Habibi on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves fully loaded falafel wraps for under €5; the most reliable budget feed on the student strip.
Order: Falafel wrap with hummus, tabouli, pickled turnip and tahini, then accept the cinnamon tea
Tip: Open until 03:00 Friday-Saturday. The wrap costs around €5; bring cash for the counter.
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a neighbourhood Italian trattoria serving affordable pasta dishes to students since the 1980s.
Order: Spaghetti aglio e olio with good olive oil or the four-cheese pizza for a filling inexpensive dinner
Tip: Cash preferred. Large portions; one pasta course is usually enough for lunch. Busy during university term time.
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne is the student quarter's most acclaimed late-night pork gyros pita shop, open until 04:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Order: Gyros pita with tzatziki, onion and fries stuffed inside the bread
Tip: Open until 04:30 Friday-Saturday, until 00:30 Sunday-Monday. The Zülpicher Strasse location is perfectly placed for bar-hopping sustenance.
Brauerei Heller on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is an organic Kölsch brewery and Brauhaus; Heller Kölsch without additives in a student.
Order: Beef goulash with Spätzle and a Heller Kölsch poured from the tap at the table
Tip: Good local neighbourhood option near the student quarter and Michelin-starred restaurants on the same street.
Oruc Kebap on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves charcoal-grilled Turkish kebap and pide in a small, dependable room; late opening.
Order: Döner in dürüm wrap with lamb, salad and garlic sauce; a Cologne institution since 1988
Tip: Open until 03:00 Friday-Saturday, midnight other days. The Heinsbergstrasse corner is central to the Zülpicher bar-mile route.
ST LOUIS Breakfast on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a student-quarter institution serving generous American-style breakfasts from 09:00.
Cafe Engelbat on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a long-standing neighbourhood cafe serving breakfast, cakes and reliable espresso daily.
Kaffeemuhle on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a student-quarter cafe serving affordable breakfast and filter coffee in a relaxed neighbourhood.
Phaedra on Elsassstrasse in Cologne's Südstadt is a wine bar with 650-plus references covering classic and natural producers; Greek-inspired small plates.
Wine focus: Greek and Burgundy, 650+ references
Epicerie Boucherie on Elsassstrasse in Cologne's Südstadt is a French-style wine shop and bar serving vin naturel by the glass alongside charcuterie plates.
Wine focus: French Vin Naturel, biodynamic
Hellers Brauhaus on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is an organic Kölsch brewery and bar; Heller Kölsch from the tank in a lively student.
Habibi Falafel on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves fully loaded falafel wraps for under €5; best-value street food on the student strip.
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is the student quarter's most acclaimed pork gyros pita shop; open until 04:00 at weekends.
Oruc Kebap on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves charcoal-grilled Turkish kebap and pide; late opening on weekends in a dependable room.
Hellers Brauhaus on Roonstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is an organic Kölsch brewery; Heller Kölsch brewed without additives in a student neighbourhood.
Brauhaus Putz on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Südstadt is a neighbourhood Brauhaus serving Kölsch, Halve Hahn and Rhenish classics in a traditional interior.
CraftBeer Corner Coeln on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne is a specialist craft beer bar with 20 taps pouring German and international craft beers; full.
Habibi on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves a fully loaded falafel wrap with houmous, cabbage and hot sauce for under €5; the benchmark.
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves affordable Italian pasta to students and locals; Carbonara or Bolognese under €10.
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse is the benchmark late-night pork gyros pita shop; open until 04:00 on weekend nights and under €8 per serving.
Brauhaus Putz on Engelbertstrasse in Cologne's Südstadt offers a weekday lunch special of Kölsch and Halve Hahn for under €15; the cheapest full Brauhaus.
ST LOUIS Breakfast on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves generous American-style breakfasts and brunch plates from 09:00 daily.
Ferkulum on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's student quarter is open until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; the benchmark late-night pork gyros pita.
Habibi Falafel on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is open until 02:00 most nights; a fully loaded falafel wrap for under €5 at any late hour.
Oruc Kebap on Heinsbergstrasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng serves charcoal-grilled Turkish kebap until 02:00; late opening nightly and a dependable stop.