Trying to find a place to eat in Cologne but don’t know where to go? Check out this post if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Cologne Germany!
As someone who has been to Cologne twice, I will say the restaurants there are always worth a stop. One time, I went to this really great Italian restaurant with this prospective host family I was meeting and the food was phenomenal. So phenomenal, I ended up telling my prospective host mom that a light dinner was all I needed that night.
So, if you’re in Cologne and you’re looking for a phenomenal place to eat, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights different cuisines you can find in Cologne as well as the restaurants that serve the best!
German Language & Culture Series
P.S. This is a post in my German Language & Culture series. Here is the complete series:
German Addresses: German Address Format: How to Mail a Letter to Germany
German Time: The Non-Native Speaker Guide to Telling Time in German
German Greetings: The 10 Most Common German Greetings and Introductions
German Numbers: The Ultimate Guide for Learning German Numbers 1 to 100
German Alphabet: The Best Alphabet Guide of All Time
German Days of the Week: A Beginner’s Guide to the Days of the Week in German
German Emails: The American Guide to Writing German Emails
German Body Parts: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Body Parts in German
German Vegetables: The Ultimate Guide to Vegetables in German
German Pronouns: The American Guide to Learning German Pronouns
German Colors: Colors in German: A One Stop Resource
German Fruits: Fruits in German: What You Need to Know
German TV: 10 German TV Shows You Need to Watch
German Curses: German Swear Words: What You Need to Know
German Idioms: 10 German Idioms Every American Should Know
Best Restaurants in Cologne Germany Map
Please feel free to add this map to your Google Maps account for future reference. You can do this by clicking on the star icon next to the map name so that you can view it on your phone or on a computer.
German Cuisine
Famous for its Kolsch Beer (beer originating from Cologne), Cologne is also known for having its own brand of Brauhaus cuisine that isn’t served anywhere else in Germany. Its Brauhaus cuisine, for those who are not familiar, includes but is not limited to dishes like Halve Hahn or Himmel un Ääd for example. So, if you’re looking to try the best restaurant for traditional German cuisine in Cologne, I highly recommend trying out these few places:
Bei Oma Kleinmann (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Bei Oma Kleinmann, for example, is a great restaurant to go to for traditional German cuisine. Since it’s loosely translated as “At Grandma Kleinmann’s” in English, many visitors expect the restaurant to serve hearty, simple home cooking with the main focus on a typical, kid-friendly German dish known as Schnitzel. “At Grandma Kleinmann’s”, you can order Schnitzel from pork or veal as well as a variety in cheese or celery with other sauces or toppings.
So, if you’re looking to get a quick fix of German food in Cologne, you can’t miss out on Bei Oma Kleinmann. Carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans can eat very well here together so you don’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions.
Brauhaus Päffgen (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Brauhaus Päffgen is another great place to go to in Cologne for German cuisine. The brewery itself is known as the oldest one in Cologne and it still brews at its original location in Friesenviertel. When it comes to the food, the Halven Hahn with rebra horn and butter is also a hit which is just the Rhenish expression of a rye roll with cheese and spice ingredients.
So, if you’re looking to eat a German restaurant with the best beer, I highly recommend visiting Brauhaus Päffgen. There are also some other brewery dishes you can try here that include but are not limited to Bratwurst, thick beans, goulash, and fried potato dishes.
Brauerei zur Malzmühle (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Brauerei zur Malzmühle is another great place to go to in Cologne for German cuisine. Known as a family brewery, the Brauerei zur Malzmühle is now being run by its fifth-generation, the Schwartz family. The pride and joy of the brewery is of course its mill Kölsch which in there is made with the best ingredients, according to old family recipes.
So, if you’re looking for another old brewery in Cologne to try for German cuisine, I highly recommend visiting the Brauerei zur Malzmühle. The seasonal dishes there include Rhenish sauerbraten and Haxe and they always say that once you enter the establishment you’re treated as part of the family.
Italian Cuisine
In addition to traditional German cuisine, Italian food is also another hit when you’re looking for places to eat in Cologne. In fact, as stated previously, I actually had the pleasure of eating at an Italian restaurant recently in Cologne and it would do you a disservice to not share some other restaurants that meet the bar. So, if you’re looking to try the best restaurant for Italian cuisine in Cologne, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the best Italian restaurants you need to try:
Caruso Pastabar (best restaurants in cologne germany)
The Caruso Pastabar is a great place to go in Cologne for Italian cuisine. It was started by co-owners, Anna and Marcello, after moving from Naples to Cologne and since then, has now been there home and also the place where they fulfilled their dream to open their own restaurant. Together, they are focused on creating a relaxed atmosphere in their restaurant where innovative Italian cuisine is cooked with fresh pasta.
So, if you’re looking to try a restaurant in Cologne with some authentic Italian food, I highly recommend visiting Caruso Pastabar. Today, Anna and Marcello still remain as authentic as possible since they use recipes from old family traditions.
Il Valentino (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Il Valentino is another great restaurant to go to in Cologne for Italian food. The Italian cuisine they serve here comes right from the homeland, Italy, and everything’s always baked with cheese and love. In fact, at this establishment, the crispy pizza comes right from a stone oven delivered directly to your plate.
So, if you’re looking to try some original Italian dishes at the heart of Cologne’s old town, I highly recommend visiting Il Valentino. The dishes there are always made from the freshest ingredients and typical, warm hospitality.
Da Damiano (best restaurants in cologne germany)
The Da Damiano is also another great restaurant to go to in Cologne for Italian food. Many people specifically come here to try three things: the Patatas Bravas, a well-prepared fillet steak and a Beef Carpaccio. In fact, one food critic of this place actually recommends the wine list if you’re there since it can satisfy all the needs of every guest. In addition, the critic also said many people will love it here due to the restaurant’s hospitable staff and great service.
So, if you’re looking to try an Italian restaurant in Cologne where the ambience is coherent, I highly recommend visiting Da Damiano. The atmosphere there is very homely from what I’ve heard and the decor is just beautiful.
Asian Cuisine
Known for its diverse culinary scene, Cologne is also a great city to visit for some lovely Asian food. In fact, I’ve even been told out of all cuisines, the Asian cuisine there stands out as a popular choice among locals and tourists alike. So, if you’re looking for the best Asian restaurant to eat at in Cologne, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the best Asian restaurants in Cologne you need to visit:
Ramen Bar Takezo (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Ramen Bar Takezo is a great restaurant to go to in Cologne for Asian food. The restaurant focuses on Japanese cuisine specifically serving dishes like Miso-Ramen, Chashu, and fried corn. In fact, many people also praise the establishment for its spectacular atmosphere and great service too.
So, if you’re looking for a Asian restaurant to go to with your coworkers in Germany, I highly recommend the Ramen Bar Takezo. It’s the perfect place to go to after a hard working week and your colleagues will most definitely enjoy it.
Kaizen (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Kaizen is another great restaurant to go to in Cologne for Asian food. The restaurant itself is located in the Belgian Quarter of Cologne and it’s known for preparing various sushi dishes with great care and passion. In the end, Kaizen’s goal in general is to make sure its customers have a fantastic culinary experience with Asian food they won’t be able to find anywhere else.
So, if you’re looking to have a unique experience at a Asian restaurant, I highly recommend visiting Kaizen. The restaurant only uses high-quality ingredients when it comes to making their dishes, turning them into edible wonderful delicacies.
Great Wall (best restaurants in cologne germany)
The Great Wall is another great restaurant you can go to in Cologne for Asian food. The restaurant specifically focuses on Chinese cuisine which also includes Szechuan, Huaiyang and Hunan cuisine. In fact, The Great Wall’s main goal is to share genuine Chinese food culture with people from all over the world. With that in mind, they regularly offer seasonal dishes, delicious specialties and festive dishes of different styles and flavors.
So, if you’re looking to try some authentic Chinese food in Cologne, I highly recommend visiting The Great Wall restaurant. The restaurant itself has three floors with a beautiful ambience, offering more than enough space for you and your loved ones.
American Cuisine
If you’re feeling nostalgic of American food, you’ll have nothing to fear if you’re in Cologne. From burgers to french fries, Cologne has it all. So, if you’re looking for the best American restaurant to eat at in Cologne, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the best American restaurants in Cologne you need to visit:
Die Fette Kuh (best restaurants in cologne germany)
Die Fette Kuh is a great restaurant to visit in Cologne for American food. As a burger joint, they have plenty of burgers you can choose from that include BBQ cheeseburgers, chili cheeseburgers and teriyaki burgers. Each burger is made with 120 or 200 grams of beef but their “Mörder-Börger” is their highlight with a whopping 400 grams of meat.
So, if you’re craving a burger while you’re in Cologne, I highly recommend visiting Die Fette Kuh. This restaurant also has great options for you to choose from if you’re vegan as well as many dips and sauces for your convenience.
485 Grad (best restaurants in cologne germany)
485 Grad is another great restaurant you can go to in Cologne for American food! The establishment itself is known as a pizza joint specifically where one can get wood-fired pizza. In fact, the reason the restaurant is called 485 Grad also has to due with the fact that its roots come from the original pizza Napoletana and its traditional production process from the 18th century.
So, if you’re looking to try a wood-fired pizza that stands out from most American restaurants, I highly recommend visiting 485 Grad. Yeast, salt, water and flour are the basis of their pizza dough which they cover with their heart and soul.
Hard Rock Cafe (best restaurants in cologne germany)
The Hard Rock Cafe is another great American restaurant you need to visit. The cafe itself is situated near the world-famous Cologne Cathedral in the historic heart of Cologne. In fact, its mission is to offer its guests and locals a unique experience by providing them with a diverse menu they can eat from as well as access to exclusive merchandise products in their Rock Shop.
So, if you’re looking to shop and eat at an American restaurant, I highly recommend visiting the Hard Rock Cafe in Cologne. Their legendary flavors are always the focus on their menu from their Legendary Burger all the way to their homemade cocktails.
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the best restaurants in Cologne Germany! Please let me know in the comments down below which restaurant you would like to visit the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂
Love this post? Pin it for later!
Hey! Great post! I loved my recent trip to Cologne – what a welcoming city. I agree with a lot of your restaurant recommendations including the traditional Brauerei zur Malzmühle – a city institution (I loved it). I’m adding some of your other recommendations to my list to try next time I’m there. I took German as a second language in school, and it’s always fun to try it out when visiting Germany.
Hey Tanya! I’m glad you liked the post. I’m also happy to hear you know German. I feel like very few high schools offer it but it’s such a direct language 😅