Exploring Cologne's Food And Drink Prices

Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city and is fairly affordable, especially compared to the rest of Western Europe. For budget-minded travellers, daily costs range from €48-€75, not including accommodation. A typical fast-food meal costs around €11, while a mid-range restaurant meal for two is roughly €67. A beer is usually €3-€5, and a bottle of wine is about €5-€9. Basic groceries are also inexpensive, with a loaf of bread costing around €2, a litre of milk €1.20, and a bottle of beer from a known brand €1.70.

Eating out: €15-€25 for a meal with beer

When eating out in Cologne, you can expect to pay around €15-€25 for a meal with beer. This price range can get you a full meal with beer at any of the city's brewhouses, which serve traditional Rhineland foods. Some recommended brewhouses include Hofbräu Früh (Fruh Brewhouse), Gaffel am Dom, and Sion.

For this price, you can also enjoy Indian, Asian, Turkish, or Greek cuisine at several restaurants in the city. Some recommended budget-friendly spots include Lommerzheim, Max Stark, Puszta Hutte, Habibi, and Kebapland.

If you're looking for a quick bite, street vendors and kebab/falafel stands offer meals within the €15-€25 range. You can also try the local brewhouse favourite, Mettbrochten, for about €3 per serving.

Groceries: €1.50 for a litre of beer, €5-€9 for a bottle of wine

When it comes to groceries in Cologne, a litre of beer will cost you €1.50, while a bottle of mid-range wine will set you back €5-€9.

For beer lovers, Cologne is the birthplace of "Kölsch" beer, which is served everywhere in the city. Most bars serve it in small glasses, so your beer is always ice-cold. Waiters will keep bringing you a new glass when you're almost finished, unless you tell them to stop.

If you're looking for other alcoholic drinks, a bottle of imported beer (0.33 litre) will cost around €1.50-€2.20, and a bottle of wine (1 litre) of drinkable quality is priced at €5-€9.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, a 1.5-litre bottle of water is priced at €0.68-€0.99, while a 1-litre carton of milk will cost around €1.10-€1.30.

In terms of food items, a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) will cost approximately €1.50-€3.50, and a 1-kilogram packet of popular yellow cheese is priced at €12-€14. Chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, 1kg) will cost around €2-€3, while beef round (1kg) or equivalent back leg red meat is priced at €2.50-€3.60.

So, whether you're toasting with a glass of Kölsch or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, these are the prices you can expect to find in Cologne's supermarkets and grocery stores.

Fast food: €9.80 for a McDonald's combo meal

Fast food in Cologne is generally affordable, with a typical combo meal at McDonald's or Burger King costing around €9.80. This price point is consistent with other fast-food options in the city. For instance, a cheeseburger will cost you approximately €2.90, and a portion of French fries is likely to be priced between €3.30 and €5.00.

If you're looking for a quick bite on a budget, Cologne offers a range of street food and takeaway options, including falafel, kebab, and schnitzel, which can be found for as little as €3-€6.

For those who prefer to dine at restaurants, a mid-range restaurant meal for two will typically cost around €60, excluding drinks. However, if you're travelling on a tighter budget, there are plenty of affordable eateries in Cologne, with some offering meals for as little as €12-€15, including traditional German fare and international cuisine like Indian, Asian, Turkish, and Greek food.

When it comes to drinks, a pint of beer at a restaurant will usually cost between €3 and €5, while a bottle of wine can be purchased for €5-€9. If you're looking for a caffeine fix, a cup of coffee will typically set you back around €2-€4.

So, whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a leisurely meal, Cologne offers a range of options to suit different budgets, with fast food being the most affordable choice, especially at well-known chains like McDonald's.

Budgeting: €48-€75/day for budget-minded travellers

For budget-minded travellers, it costs around €48-€75 per day to visit Cologne. Here is a sample daily budget for €75/day:

Attractions

Cologne has a good number of museums and galleries, and entry fees are reasonable. The city is home to many impressive cathedrals, churches, and beautiful architecture. Cologne also has multiple festivals throughout the year, so there is a good chance something will be going on during your visit. Here is a list of attractions and their prices:

• National Socialism Documentation Center: €4.50
• Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum: €7
• Köln Triangle: €5
• Roman-German Museum: €9
• Chocolate Museum: €14
• Cologne Cathedral: Free
• Cologne Botanical Gardens: Free
• Walking tour: Free (but you should tip the guides around €5) or €20+ (for paid tours)
• Bike tour: €35-€45

Food and Drinks

Cologne is known for its traditional Rhineland foods, including himmel und ad mit flonz (fried black pudding, mashed potatoes, and applesauce), sauerbraten (meat marinated in vinegar, usually served with red cabbage), and halver hahn (gouda and a rye roll). Other German favourites like currywurst, bratwurst, and liverwurst are also readily available. These meals are usually affordable if you find restaurants catering to locals.

Breakfast

Many hostels offer a free simple breakfast, typically consisting of cereal, bread/croissant, and drinks. For a sit-down breakfast, expect to pay €4-€12. Here are some budget-friendly breakfast spots:

• THE COFFEE GANG
• LizBAT Koln: Serves crepes
• Zeit Fur Brot: Cakes, muffins, Apfelstrudel, coffee, and other baked goods
• Backerei & Cafe Merzenich: Serves sandwiches, cakes, donuts, waffles, pastries, and coffee

Lunch and Dinner

For lunch and dinner, you can choose from a variety of cuisines, including Indian, Asian, Turkish, and Greek, with prices ranging from €5-€10. Traditional German meals at brewhouses will cost between €15-€25 with beer. Here are some recommended budget-friendly spots:

• Lommerzheim: Authentic German restaurant popular with locals for its quality food, great beer, and reasonable prices.
• Max Stark: Serves large portions of authentic German food and plenty of Kolsch beer.
• Puszta Hutte: Specialises in bread, beef, and beer.
• Habibi: Serves super tasty hummus, falafel, shawarma, and other Turkish dishes.
• Kebapland: Known for its amazing kebabs.
• Beef Brothers: Offers tasty burgers and beer.
• 1980 Cafe & Banh Mi: Serves great Pho and Vietnamese sandwiches.

A pint of beer will cost €3-€5 at a bar, while beer from a grocery store will be around €1.50. A bottle of drinkable wine is €5-€9.

Transportation

Cologne is a walkable city, but it also has a good public transportation system of buses and subway/trams. Basic single tickets cost €2.50, while a 24-hour unlimited ticket is €7.30. The KölnCard, valid for 24 or 48 hours, offers unlimited public transit use and reduced admission fees for attractions and museums. It costs €9 for 24 hours or €18 for 48 hours.

Accommodation

Cologne's hotels are usually affordable, but rates can double or triple during trade shows. Hostel prices range from €22-€35/night, while a decent budget hotel will cost around €75-€125/night. Here are some recommended hostels:

• Die Wohngemeinschaft
• Weltempfänger Backpacker Hostel

Alcohol: €3-€5 for a pint of beer

When it comes to alcohol in Cologne, you can expect to pay around €3-€5 for a pint of beer. This price range is applicable to both draught beer and bottled beer, with imported beer typically being more expensive than domestic beer. Beer from the grocery store is even cheaper, costing around €1.50.

Cologne is the birthplace of "Kölsch" beer, which is served everywhere across the city. Most bars serve Kölsch beer in small glasses to ensure that it remains ice-cold. Waiters will also continue to bring you a new glass when you're almost finished unless you tell them to stop.

If you're looking for a drink with a higher alcohol content, a bottle of wine (mid-range) will cost you around €5-€9, and a bottle of popular spirits like whisky, rum, vodka, or gin will cost you around €15-€20.

Frequently asked questions