Restaurant tips Cologne

Here you will find some non-binding restaurant tips! But how do you put it so beautifully: the tastes are different ! Just test it yourself.

Information and tips from Ferienwohnung-Koeln.com

I found my personal favorites on my own trips. Here is a small selection of them! Bon appetit wishes Michael Weihofen!

Vapiano

The Vapiano in Cologne Deutz is a very inexpensive option to have a meal in a restaurant. Whereby the term restaurant is a bit too much for this modern variant of the "fast-food restaurant". You order your food and then have to pick it up yourself at a pick-up point that is actually somehow reminiscent of a canteen.

All people stand in the queue with their digital collection boxes and then go to the square happily with their pizza or pasta . This of course saves staff again and this is ultimately reflected in the price.

The food and drinks are offered at reasonable prices , although the quality cannot, of course, compete with a top restaurant. Of course, a lot is also a matter of taste, but I would say the quality and taste are just "normal". You shouldn't expect miracles or a particularly great taste experience.

The Vapiano joke

There is a little "mean" joke on the subject of Vapiano: "If you have no money for a restaurant and are too good for Mc Donalds, you just go to Vapi ..." The rooms are designed and should be really great want to convey a Mediterranean flair, which has clearly succeeded . Cozy seating and light wood tones determine the visual appearance. In other words, it's cozy. Only the large crowd (which is due to the canteen concept of the restaurant) leads to some unrest. So if you are looking for an inexpensive alternative to eat a pizza or pasta in a restaurant, you will be happy here.

Contact and address

Vapiano Cologne Deutz

Constantinstraße 83-85, 50679 Cologne

Phone: 0221/8008833

El Gaucho

The El Gaucho used to be one of the best (maybe even the best Argentinean steak restaurant in Cologne ). It was on Rudolfplatz directly under the IBIS Hotel located there. If you went down to the lower area and got into the restaurant rooms, you plunged into a different world: Brown, rustic furniture and furnishings immediately conveyed a cozy atmosphere. And when you then saw the countless pictures, photos and signatures of celebrities from all over the world hanging on the walls, you knew straight away: the store is something very special.

He was too! Great wines and great steaks and meat were a matter of course in this shop. Combined with in-house sauces, it was a real taste explosion on the tongue and you were therefore happy to pay a little more. The prices were not extremely expensive, but were at the upper limit and so I often dined there with my buddy for 100 euros for two people.

History of El Gaucho

The restaurant was founded in 1972 by Carlos Santtillán , whom his friends only called "Don Carlos" . The steaks in the restaurant were so good that you couldn't get a table almost every day of the week without a reservation. Celebrities such as: Uwe Seeler, Diego Maradonna, Lionel Messe, Gabriela Sabatini or the racing driver brothers Michael and Ralf Schumacher were among the well-known regular guests. I myself should experience the boss myself once, when he entered the restaurant in his poncho and sat on his regular stool at the bar to watch what was going on in his restaurant. In 2014 Carlos Santtillán died of a heart attack at the proud age of 80 .

His son took over the business. Unfortunately, he had the idea to move from Barbarossaplatz to Hohenstaufenring to carry out a revolution. New rooms, new concept? Ultimately, this idea has failed until today (April 2016), because after leaving the old rooms, the new rooms could still not be completed. A construction site can still be seen from the outside. The condition has been going on for a year now and all regular guests were pissed off and switched to the only competition (El Chango).

We do not know what happened to the staff. When the restaurant will reopen is also still unknown. The restaurant's website still says: closed due to renovation. Register for the newsletter to receive more information ?! Update: The restaurant has now reopened!

Someone builds something incredibly successful and then someone comes along and leads everything into the abyss ?!

Contact and address

El Gaucho Cologne

Hohenstaufenring 29-37, 50674 Cologne

Telephone: 0221 246797

El Chango

And here comes the only real competition that there was for the El Gaucho back then: The (now) best Argentinian steak house in town, right near the Heumarkts down in the old town on the Rhine. The best steaks in the cathedral city are prepared in Bolzengasse. Iconic rooms and also a light Mediterranean flair ensure a cozy atmosphere. The staff is friendly and there is a similar family situation here as well: The father opened the shop and the son is currently still mainly running it and is also a waiter in the restaurant.

If you are lucky, you can also see the "boss" of the house in the restaurant, as he sits on his stool in the kitchen to watch the staff and look through the open door into the restaurant. He still knows many of his regular guests personally and takes the time to greet everyone with a handshake and have a little small talk. That of course makes the restaurant and the whole situation there incredibly authentic and personable!

The best steaks in Cologne!

The steaks and the other dishes are absolute top class and combined with a very good wine, you can experience a culinary highlight there. In this restaurant you can almost only get a table with a reservation, so planning is essential. At the moment, the influx is of course much larger, as El Chango has now inherited all of the regular guests who have migrated to El Gaucho. I hope that there might be another family restaurant in town soon, but nothing seems to be planned.

The quality of meat, drinks and other dishes in this restaurant is absolutely top class and definitely justifies the price. This is not too high, but you shouldn't expect canteen prices here. This is simply not possible with such top quality. The location is of course ideal for the residents of our holiday apartments, because you can walk comfortably over the Deutzer Brücke to the Heumarkt and you can reach the steak house in about 8 minutes. There you can dine and (without a guilty conscience, because you still have to drive your car) drink the delicious wine (or a Kölsch)! An absolute recommendation for our guests! Enjoy your meal!

Contact and address

El Chango Cologne

Bolzengasse 9, 50667 Cologne

Telephone: 0221 2581212

Restaurant Athens

This cute Greek restaurant can be found right on Heumarkt and in the middle of downtown Cologne. It's cozy and child-friendly.

The equipment

The restaurant has a cozy interior , which is also created by the natural stone walls. The ambience is casual and relaxed. It is also well suited for groups. In summer there is even an outdoor restaurant in front of the restaurant on the sidewalk. The toilets are kept simple. The restaurant is handicapped accessible as it is located on the ground floor and a wheelchair user can easily drive into the restaurant.

The operation

The service is friendly and nice . At such a central point in the city, there is sometimes a lot of hectic, which is simply smiled away. It is a family business.

The food

The food is really very good . It is served quickly and is of good quality. The vegetables and the potatoes were very tasty. The lamb was on point and very tender! Just perfect! At a very reasonable price of 19.99 euros, one can only express praise. The portions are adequate and absolutely well sized.

The drinks

In addition to the Cologne cult drink Kölsch, there are of course other beers and delicious wines.

My conclusion

Anyone who wants to eat delicious food in the middle of the city and is looking for great food at a fair price, is absolutely right in the Athens restaurant .

Dragon City

A really great Chinese restaurant - also for the small budget - is the "Drachen City" in downtown Cologne. It is a bit out of the way, but it is really a little insider tip! If you are on the Schildergasse, then you have to go to the height of the "Sportscheck". It is hidden there at Perlenpfuhl 6, 50667 Cologne. You can eat a la carte there, but it is perhaps much more interesting for families to take advantage of the all you can eat buffet.

Clean and tasty

I don't want to write that much ... Definitely give it a try if you like to eat Chinese too. My son likes it Asian and that's why we browsed the internet and - thank God - found this great little restaurant. What speaks for it:

1. clean
2. affordable buffet for 9.90 euros (MON-FRI) per person
3. delicious
4. with starters, main course and even salad and dessert
5. The decor is good and clean

Here are some original pictures that speak for themselves! We recommend Drachen City !

Contact and address

Dragon City

Perlenpfuhl 6, 50667 Cologne

Web: ww.drachen-city.de

Phone: 0221 30183150

Cafe, Bistro, Restaurant Borsalino

Yes, you read that right. It is all in one! In the middle of the student quarter on Zülpicher Straße in Neustadt Süd . The area is "laid back", "young" and "uncomplicated" ... so no fancy Micki district and just "easy going"! It's just great to sit there on a beautiful sunny day and watch the carefree students enjoy their life! It's infectious and puts you in a good mood!

The Borsalino has outdoor spaces (tables and chairs) on the sidewalk of Zülpicher Straße and you can relax in the fresh air and enjoy the great dishes or a delicious Kölsch. In summer the doors and windows are opened so that you can still sit inside and still have an "open air feeling". Simply great!

The interior is well divided and actually has a more relaxed bar style. But there are enough tables and chairs and you still don't have the feeling of sitting in a decent restaurant. A large bar area rounds off the offer and is a starting point in the evenings if you want to drink a delicious cocktail.

We are happy to sit in the Borsalino and order a great dish . Because here the food is almost free! In the lunch menu you get pizzas (large ones) for 4 euros and you even get a salad! The offer also exists for pasta dishes! The price is incredibly cheap and the quality is really very good . Only the salad may not always be that crunchy, but what do I expect for 4 euros ?! My daughter's pizza was amazing and my daughter loved it! Also my wife with her lasagne! Just delicious! My son had a schnitzel with french fries and salad ... and that for only 6.90 euros! Super tasty and super big! See photo!

Personally, I always like to order the Argentinian hip steak , which always costs 11.90 euros and is absolutely awesome! with salad and french fries. The steak is delicious and is brought to the table as desired (medium etc.). Where can you get such a hearty menu for this price? Only at Lommi you can get a similar full plate for the same price. Take a look at the photo! And of course I also forgot the pizza rolls, which of course are also brought to the table with delicious sauces .... free of charge! And when the waitress is in a good mood, there is often even a free one Cappuccino on the house!

The restaurant is an absolute recommendation from Ferienwohnung-Koeln.com and we can really only recommend it!

Contact and address

Restaurant Borsalino

Zülpicher Str. 7, 50674 Cologne

Web: ww.restaurant-borsalino.de/

Telephone: 0221 248852

If you have decided on a Cologne apartment directly in the city center, then we look forward to your inquiry. Because we rent holiday apartments in Cologne with the best location! Short distances to the attractions of Cologne!

Update 2019! More information!

Restaurants, pubs and snacks : There are of course numerous good restaurants in Cologne. In our list you will find even more restaurants in different price categories, different national cuisines, alternatives, in the city center and other parts of the city. Here are 12 of our new favorite restaurants, pubs or snacks!

Grandma Kleinmann's restaurant

Located on Zülpicher Straße, in KwartierLateng, the rustic restaurant has been here since 1949 and is a Cologne institution. It is named after the cook and landlady Paula Kleinmann, who unfortunately has already passed away. As expected, the cuisine here is hearty. Whether Rhenish sauerbraten, the diverse variations of delicious schnitzels and seasonal dishes with e.g. Kale, asparagus and chanterelles, the price-performance ratio and the cosiness are right. Here in the student quarter, young and old, students and retirees, families and friends meet - and it is usually very crowded - a reservation helps!

Category : hearty, kölsch, German

Zülpicher Strasse 9

50674 Cologne (South)

0221 23 23 46

ww.beiomakleinmann.de

Mon: closed

Tue-Thu: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Fri-Sat: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sun: 5 p.m. to midnight

Hayati

This wonderful oriental "snack restaurant" is located on Severinstrasse. The friendly atmosphere and the seating, in addition to the culinary enjoyment, ensure a good stay. Vegetarians get their money's worth here. The Lebanese dishes, the fresh ingredients, falafel, shawarma, halloumi, humus, wonderfully fresh salads and ingredients are available here for an unbeatable price. At lunchtime it can of course get quite crowded. Another plus point are the large and deliciously arranged platters, which you can order here for any celebration.

Category : Arabic, Lebanese, suitable for vegetarians

Severinstr. 52 c

50678 Cologne (Südstadt)

0221 29 81 79 57

ww.facebook.com/hayati.koeln

Mon-Sun: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

1980 Cafe & Banh Mi

Small but nice and cozy café-restaurant with magically friendly service and delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes. Here you will find the hearty Banh Mi, baguette sandwiches with various spicy fillings. Perfectly located in the city center, near the Mauritius Church. The coffee specialties and the cake are also recommended.

Category : Asian, Vietnamese, suitable for vegetarians

Bobstrasse 28

50676 Cologne (city center)

0221 60 60 68 60

ww.cafe-1980.de/

Mon-Fri: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. (kitchen until 9:30 p.m.)

Sa: closed

Sun and public holidays: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (kitchen until 6.30 p.m.)

Shaka Zulu

Located near Friesenplatz, the colorfully furnished Shaka Zulu is a culinary change. Here you should dare to order a selection of the various dishes as tapas portions. There is also rice or corn porridge, wines, cocktails, and much more ... Since the Shaka Zulu is in great demand, a reservation is recommended.

Category : African, suitable for vegetarians, vegan and gluten-free dishes

Limburger Str. 29

50672 Cologne (city center)

0221 16862814

ww.shaka-zulu.de

Mon-Thu: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Fri-Sat: 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Sun: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

A very nicely decorated Thai restaurant , with wonderfully prepared dishes and very friendly staff. There is an extensive menu and very tasty traditional Thai cuisine. Reservation is recommended.

Category : Asian, Thai, suitable for vegetarians, vegan and gluten-free dishes

Lindenstrasse 81

50674 Cologne (city center)

0221 80162378

bangkok-thai-restaurant.de

Mon-Fri: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Wed-Fri: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sat-Sun and public holidays: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Pasta Bar di Caruso

Small, chic and family restaurant on Barbarossaplatz . Great things are conjured up in the small, romantic rooms. The menu is also small, but is changed regularly and the fresh, homemade pasta is a poem, as are the antipasti, the dolci and the wines. You should reserve in advance!

Category : Italian, Mediterranean, suitable for vegetarians, vegan and gluten-free dishes

Salierring 46

50677 Cologne (city center)

0221 938 63 11

ww.pastabar.de

Sun-Mon: closed

Tue-Sat: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Zippiri Gourmet Workshop

The prices and the cuisine are clearly upscale here . But there is a lot on offer for the eyes and the palate. The menu may seem small at first glance, but you are rewarded with very good quality and freshness of the ingredients. The service is friendly and the interior is cautiously chic. Anyone looking for something special for a special occasion is right here. The restaurant is close to the Zoobrücke and is therefore north of the city center.

Category : Italian, Mediterranean, fine cuisine, suitable for vegetarians, gluten-free dishes

Riehler Str. 73

50668 Cologne (Agensviertel)

0221 92 29 95 84

zippiri.de/de/gourmetwerkstatt/

Wed-Mon: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Sun: 12 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Kuchi Mami

Centrally located, between the cathedral and the city museum, the Kuchi Mami offers visually and culinary successful Asian cuisine in a solid ambience at a fair price. From sushi to spring rolls to Asian classics, well-balanced menu.

Category : Asian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, suitable for vegetarians, vegan and gluten-free dishes

Komödienstr. 43

50667 Cologne (city center)

0221 34662157

kuchimami.eatbu.com

Mon-Fri: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sat-Sun: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mad Dogs

Fancy good fast food ? The delicious hot dog is available in many variations near Rudolfplatz: 10 different sausages, also vegetarian or vegan. The fast food restaurant is small and cool. The special fries and green stuff bowls are also delicious.

Category : American, German, fast food, suitable for vegetarians, vegan dishes

Aachener Str. 14

50674 Cologne (city center)

0173 983 78 66

maddogs.business.site/

Fri-Sat: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sun-Thu: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kaizen

If you can ignore the fact that it is a bit narrower and louder here, you can eat delicious here. The authentic Japanese cuisine offers everything from duck carpaccio with pomegranate sauce to salads and tempura to grilled beef, fried chicken, veggie dragon rolls, maki, nigiri and sashimi as well as delicious desserts, e.g. Tempura Motchi ice cream.

Category : Asian, Japanese, sushi, suitable for vegetarians, vegan and gluten-free dishes

Lindenstrasse 67

50674 Cologne (city center)

0221 231 625

ww.restaurant-kaizen.de

Tue-Thu: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Fri-Sat: 6 p.m. to midnight

Sun: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The fat cow

The fat cow is now an institution in the south of Cologne's inner city . A very good quality of meat from Lower Rhine grazing animals, the buns are freshly baked every day, and the potatoes for the fries are from the region. And for the vegetarians: there is a separate grill. It's a shame that the rooms are very small and don't invite you to linger. Highlight: "Burger of the week".

Category : American, suitable for vegetarians

Bonner Str. 43

50677 Cologne (Südstadt)

0221 37 62 77 75

Mon-Sun: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

ww.diefettekuh.de

Bulgogi house

Here you can get active yourself: at a charcoal grill set into the table especially for Korean BBQ , everyone is grilled together. The specialty “Bulgogi” translates as “fire meat”. You should definitely make a reservation here, because not only the service is particularly good here, but also the entire menu palette - and the experience of barbecuing at the table rounds off a successful evening here.

Category : Asian, Korean, barbecue, suitable for vegetarians, vegan options, gluten-free options

Neusser Str. 654

50737 Cologne (Weidenpesch)

0177 514 79 20

bulgogi-haus.de

Tue-Sun: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Mon: closed

Ferienwohnung Köln presents Vietnamese food

Today we want to introduce you to the Vietnamese restaurant BUN-PHO, which is located near Cologne's Neumarkt, on a side street called Fleischmengergasse. The restaurant is well equipped and the service is quick and friendly.

The menu has a nice selection of dishes, which you can try out at reasonable prices. As a rule, each dish costs around 10 €, and there are certainly some dishes that are a bit more expensive. In addition, drinks are served at reasonable prices as well as cheap side salad and other delicious things.

The restaurant does not necessarily have a luxurious interior, but you can eat comfortably and well there. Ferienwohnung Köln recommends the restaurant as it has fair prices and fast and friendly service. The restaurant is perfect if you want to interrupt your shopping tour in Cologne to have a bite to eat. As you can easily see in the pictures, the portions are big enough and every guest should be full. The Köln Ferienwohnung wishes you a lot of fun and a good appetite while testing.

The Cologne holiday apartment introduces: the Sattgrün restaurant

More and more people in our society want to eat healthily and more consciously . So it is not surprising that more and more healthy and vegan restaurants can be found.

The restaurant Sattgrün Cologne is meanwhile the 5th offshoot of the restaurant chain Sattgrün. This already has three restaurants in Düsseldorf and one location in Essen. The Sattgrün restaurant can be found in Cologne not far from Hohe Straße. It is wonderfully quiet and even has a large outdoor catering area in a quiet square. The restaurant itself has a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. The idea of the restaurant is to offer healthy food at an affordable price. So you can put together your meal there in a buffet form. You decide on one of three plate sizes and can fill it to the brim with various delicacies at the buffet. Then pay for this plate at the checkout. You can also get drinks, coffee, soft drinks, various wines and a nice selection of cakes.

The food was very tasty and on the photo you can see the plate size medium which you can buy for just under 10 €. The portion is large and perfectly adequate to fill you up in a healthy way. It was really fun to put a sort or two small bites of each dish on the plate. So you can enjoy many different types of other delicacies. We strongly recommend the restaurant because it works with a great price-performance ratio. The Ferienwohnung Köln wishes you a good hunger and lots of fun testing.