Cologne might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of culinary destinations in Europe—but that’s exactly what makes eating here so fun. When I first moved to Cologne from Chicago, I knew one of the biggest adjustments would be with the restaurants. Chicago is world-renowned for incredible cuisine, but I had heard almost nothing about the restaurants in Cologne. Luckily as it turns out, that was mostly a marketing issue.
Cologne’s food scene flies under the radar in the best way, quietly serving up everything from traditional Rhineland classics to handmade hummus, Neapolitan pizza, and Michelin-star magic.
I’m a local foodie and tour guide based in Cologne, so I have eaten my way around this city (purely for research, of course). In this blog post, I am sharing my secrets! I’ve curated a selection of my absolute favorite spots that locals love and visitors usually miss. Whether you’re here for a weekend, a semester, or a local looking for new foodie inspiration, this guide will help you taste the best food that Cologne has to offer. Don’t forget to wash down all the delicious food with Cologne’s favorite local beer — Kölsch.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and since I moved to Germany 5 years ago, I have absolutely fallen in love with German bread. Germans are VERY good at baking bread! I start most of my days with a visit to a local bakery or coffee shop. As a result, I have tried a number of the best coffee shops, bakeries and breakfast joints in Cologne.
To avoid this post getting too long, you can find my AM food & drink guides below:
Kebabland
Perhaps the best kebab in Cologne, Kebapland is a beloved street food stand in the hip Ehrenfeld neighborhood. Kebapland’s recognition is so notorious that they don’t even have a website! What is so special about this place is the wood fired grill. All of the meat is, giving everything a rich and full smoked taste. You’ll have the option to choose between a few different meats (like chicken, lamb, or sausage), which are then cooked on long skewers over a wood fire. You can opt for dine in at one of the 5 small tables inside, or you can get kebab to go. There is almost always a line here, but it moves quickly.
- Neighborhood: Ehrenfeld
- Address: Venloerstrasse 385
- Website: None
Rievkoochebud potato pancakes
If you’re in Cologne and not eating potato pancakes, then you’re doing it wrong. Reibekuchen is a must-try dish in Cologne! Reibekuchen is a fried potato pancake that is served with a dipping sauce. They are crispy, pillowy and flavorful all at the same time. My favorite spot is Rievekoochebud Reibekuchen. You can get a sneak peak of it on my TikTok video! This street-window is a local institution, serving up potato pancakes the old-school way—fresh off the griddle and straight to your paper plate. Whether you go with a classic apple sauce or the intense garlic aioli, it’s hearty, greasy, salty perfection in every bite. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go snack, especially if you’re wandering the Altstadt.
Jakob’s Gyros
This spot might not look fancy, but Jakobs Gyros knows exactly what it’s doing—and that’s serving outrageously good Greek street food, fast. The gyros are juicy, the pita is warm and soft, and the tzatziki is thick, garlicky perfection. It’s the kind of quick bite that hits especially hard after a long day of exploring, or let’s be honest, a few too many Kölsch the night before.
Mangal
If you love doner kebab, Mangal is a must! This local chain pumps out my favorite kebab in Cologne. Their pillowy pita dough is always hot and freshly baked, serving as the perfect vessel for their perfectly flavored spit-roasted kebab. They offer chicken or lamb topped with optional cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, salad and cheese. Their sauces are also super good, including spicy chili sauce, thousand island cream and tzatziki — I usually order all three of them on my kebab!
One of the biggest lessons that I have learned about German cuisine since moving to Cologne is that it is very regional. Cologne is in the Rhineland region of Germany, and as such, the local cuisine is Rheinisch. From crispy Heaven and aaaad (a hearty mash of potatoes, apples, and blood sausage) to the popular bar snack Halve Hahn (cheese plate with raw onions and crunchy rye bread), Cologne is full of comforting German restaurants and the wood-paneled charm of a classic Brauhaus. Add in the ritual of sipping cold Kölsch from tall, skinny glass, and you’ve got a dining experience that’s as cozy as it is culturally rich.
60 Seconds to Napoli
Renowned for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas, the pizzas are baked to perfection in just 60 seconds in a traditional wood-fired oven. Each pie achieves the characteristic thin crust with a char, topped with fresh ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. Located directly in Heumarkt, try to grab a table outside for excellent people watching.
Antica Pizzeria Nennillo
Nennillo is slinging some of the best Neapolitan-style pizza in Cologne. All of their ingredients are produced & imported in Italy and honestly? It could hold its own in Naples. With pillowy crusts, just-charred edges, and tasty toppings like fresh shaved black truffle or spicy ‘nduja, every pie feels like a love letter to southern Italy. A personal favorite is the Ciccio, which has mortadella, pistachio cream and ricotta fondue. The spicy Rot & Böse is another highlight. Also, it has one of the best gluten-free crusts ever, according to my family friend with Celiac.
Sardinia Ristorante
An unassuming neighborhood joint, Sardinia focuses on regional Italian cuisine from the island of Sardinia. Freshly made pastas are perfectly sauced in seasonal and classic flavors, like ricotta ravioli or beef bolognese. My favorite dish at Sardinia is the shaved truffle tagliatelle. When you order it in the restaurant, the server wheels out a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano and toss the creamy sauce and pasta in the wheel together as the cheese melts into the sauce. It’s like a dinner and show!
485 degrees
For wood-fired pizza in Cologne, look no further than 485 degrees. This straightforward pizza joint in Sudstadt tops their pizzas with a range of classic and modern toppings, in creative combinations. I often read the menu and want to try so many of the pizzas! They also offer plenty of veg and vegan friendly pies. The pizzas are quickly fired in the open kitchen’s wood fired oven and served bubbling. The patio is small, but plenty of interior seating. They also offer pizza for pick up.
Il Bagutta
For that cozy trattoria feel, Il Bagutta delivers rustic Italian cuisine with serious heart. You’ll find flavorful antipasti, handmade pasta, and perfectly charred lamb chops served in a warm, family-run setting that feels like a little slice of Italy. It’s small and tables are close, but I love the intimate feeling about it. This is a place where your glass of wine never seems to empty.
I absolutely love Asian food, so I’ve got lots of recommendations for Asian food in Cologne. Compared to other German cities with good Asian food such as Düsseldorf or Berlin, Cologne doesn’t have the all-time best Asian food. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good places for a hot bowl of Pho or a fresh plate of sushi. As long as you know where to look, Cologne has an impressive selection of spots for top Asian food. I’ve got an entirely separate blog post with 10+ Asian restaurants in Cologne sorted by region, like Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese.
Kilim
For comforting Turkish cuisine in a setting that feels like a family kitchen, Kilim hits the spot every time. This Mülheim staple serves juicy grilled meats, fluffy pide, and rich lentil soups that warm you from the inside out. The menu is huge, the portions are hearty, and the vibe is always buzzing with a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors. Don’t skip the meze platter or the freshly baked bread—it’s all made with serious care and flavor.
Habibi
Eating at this vegetarian Lebanese joint almost feels like a rite of passage in Cologne. It is really loved by locals. Habibi has a no-frills vibe with insanely generous portions, and the kind of hospitality that feels like a hug. The falafel is crispy, the garlic sauce is addictive, and their signature wrap—stuffed with grilled halloumi, pickles, and fries—is one of the best handheld meals in the city. It’s exactly the kind of place you’ll want to come back to after a night out.
Kunefem Damla
Dessert lovers, consider this your holy grail. Künefem Damla is where Cologne’s sweet tooth goes for a fix künefe—that glorious Turkish dessert of shredded filo dough, gooey cheese, and sticky syrup, served hot and melty from the pan. You can get it with pistachios, chocolate, or ice cream on the side if you’re feeling extra (and let’s be honest, you are). It’s rich, indulgent, and unlike anything you’ll find at a typical German café.
- Neighborhood: Mülheim
- Address: Keupstraße 92, 51063 Cologne
- Website: None
Mashery Hummus Kitchen
Hummus as a main course? Mashery says yes—and honestly, it makes a very convincing case. I love the branding of this laid-back vegan-friendly spot. It is cute & colorful with options for dine in or take out. The menu features a variety of meze small plates, or creamy, dreamy hummus bowls loaded with toppings like roasted cauliflower, slow-cooked mushrooms, or za’atar-spiced eggplant. Add a side of fluffy pita and a fresh lemonade, and you’ve got one of the most satisfying (and photogenic) meals in Cologne.
Cologne might be known for its laid-back atmosphere and casual locals, but tucked away in lesser corners are some truly impressive fine dining gems. For foodies looking to splurge a little, celebrate something special, or simply see how refined German cuisine can get, these are my favorite fine dining spots in Cologne. Whether it’s Michelin-starred tasting menus, innovative farm-to-table concepts, or artfully plated dishes that look (almost) too good to eat, Cologne’s upscale restaurant scene blends elegance with creativity and no pretentious vibes.
Tiger milk
The first time I went to this Peruvian restaurant, I’m pretty sure we ordered nearly every single dish on the menu. The menu features hot and cold Peruvian dishes, such as ceviche and lomo saltado, with a surprising number of vegan and vegetarian friendly selections. In fact, the mushroom ceviche was one of my favorites! The flavors here are clean and bright with a craftful hand for spice. Don’t, I repeat do NOT, miss the Pisco Sour. This one is nearly perfect, exactly how I remember from my time living in Chile and Peru. These pisco sours are so good, you’ll accidentally drink four.
Belgian court
Walking in through the perfectly manicured flowers and living archways into Belgisher Hof makes you feel as though you are walking into your own private garden party in the heart of Cologne’s most bustling neighborhood. It is a simple yet beautiful layout for a restaurant. The food offers a pretty classic Belgian brasserie menu, as well as German flambée. The wine list is excellent, especially for French wines.
Los Carnales Taqueria
My husband and I have a rule – we don’t eat Mexican food outside of North America. But, we break that rule for Los Carnales. It’s legit! From food truck to restaurant, Los Carnales specializes in street food style tacos. Their menu is super vegetarian and vegan friendly. It actually started as a vegan food truck. The beautifully styled restaurant directly on the Rhine River feels a world away, and has all the nostalgic symbols of Mexico that I miss – colorful candy skull mural, papel picado garlands and an abundance of agave and aloe plants. Meat eaters can look forward to creations with carne asada, pastor and pibil, while veggies will love the napolitos and soy tinga. When the weather’s nice, their massive riverside patio is perfection.
WALLCZKA
Offering top-rated cuisine in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, WALLCZKA is a restaurant that comes up often on “Best of Cologne” lists. With a focus on using locally-sourced ingredients, the menu features a mixture of traditional and contemporary pan-European cuisine. You’re asked to eat family style with small plates, so it feels almost like a German version of tapas. From hearty meat dishes and fresh seafood to copious vegetarian and vegan options, there’s something to satisfy every palette. To top it all off, the restaurant’s friendly and attentive staff ensures that you’ll have an enjoyable dining experience.
