Cologne’s cuisine is highly varied. With more than 3,000 gastronomic establishments to choose from, there is something to meet every taste. Alongside the hearty fare served up in the typical Cologne brewery pub, a whole range of new restaurants recently attract attention, providing pleasant and highly creative cuisine. Cologne’s culinary culture can also be explored at a host of specialist food shops and special gastronomic events.
Culinary Cologne – Food for the soul
Traditional brewery fare
The city’s numerous brew houses offer a fine taste of traditional Cologne culture and way of life. Many of these brew houses are centrally located in the triangle between the cathedral, town hall and Rhine promenade. Guests can pop in for a refreshing glass of the local brew, Kölsch, a top-fermented beer that may only be brewed in Cologne. Served up in the trademark slim glass (called a Stange) by a uniformed waiter (traditionally known in Cologne as Köbes), it is the perfect accompaniment to one of the specialties of Cologne cuisine such as Halver Hahn (cheese with a bread roll), Himmel un Äd (black pudding, mashed potatoes, fried onions and apple sauce) or Kölscher Kaviar (black pudding with raw onion).
A sociable dining culture
The celebrated Cologne way of life – friendly, sociable and outgoing – is very much on display in the city’s many restaurants and eateries. The international culinary scene is dominated by Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, but there are also restaurants from a host of other countries, ranging from Ethiopia to Vietnam. Alternatively, locals and visitors alike can sample German hospitality in countless bistros and cafés. Enjoy homemade cakes and sweet or savoury snacks, while watching the world go by or chatting to the people at the next table.
Outstanding starred restaurants
For a number of years now, Cologne’s culinary portfolio has been enhanced by a number of restaurants offering exclusive and creative cuisine. The city currently boasts ten Michelin-star restaurants, including the two-star Le Moissonnier. The Gault & Millau restaurant guide lists 20 Cologne restaurants for their outstanding cuisine with ratings of between 12 and 18 points. Alongside repeat awards for chefs who have retained stars over a number of years, restaurant guides also reward the boldness and creativity of new concepts, such as L’Escalier and Zur Tant.
Culinary finds
The people of Cologne have always appreciated good food. That’s why the city has a host of long-established and traditional shops with high-quality produce and goods. These include bakeries, cheesemongers, coffee roasters, butchers and delicatessen offering speciality and gourmet creations. Visitors of Cologne can also expand and refine their culinary repertoire under professional guidance at one of the many tastings and cookery events that the city has to offer. The choice is endless: courses for budding baristas, create your own cocktails, wine tastings, whisky seminars, culinary tours of Cologne and even instructions in how to roll a cigar.
For further information on Cologne, please visit cologne-tourism.com.
You may also like:
Destination Germany: Travel Resources
Architecture in Cologne
Of peat barges, pirate ships and container terminals – Maritime Bremen
Destination Peru: Travel Resources
Moving into the stratosphere with funny in-flight videos
Excelent!!