Cologne Cathedral Surroundings: Best Places To Eat

The Cologne Cathedral is surrounded by restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, from local German dishes to international fare. For those seeking a fine dining experience, Hanse Stube in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst offers innovative French cuisine with regional influences and an impressive wine list. The Michelin-starred Taku, also located in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, serves East Asian fusion cuisine in a modern, elegant setting. If you're craving Italian, Da Damiano serves modern Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting, while SAUSALITOS Köln Heumarkt offers a fun, festive atmosphere with Californian-Mexican cuisine and cocktails. For a more casual meal, Brauerei zur Malzmühle is a 160-year-old brewery serving hearty regional fare, and Fette Kuh is a popular grill joint with a variety of burgers and hot dogs. Früh am Dom is another traditional German restaurant and brewery located near the cathedral, with a beer garden for outdoor dining in the warmer months.

German, European, and international cuisine

If you're looking for German, European, and international cuisine near the Cologne Cathedral, here are some great options:

Servus Colonia Alpina

A restaurant serving delicious German and European dishes. Try their cheese fondue, served with fresh vegetables, bread cubes, and white wine, or their meatloaf with potato bacon salad. They offer a wide range of beverages, including wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options. The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere and is located in the Altstadt/Nord area.

Gilden im Zims 'Heimat kolscher Helden'

Located in the heart of Cologne's Old Town, Gilden im Zims offers traditional German cuisine with a cosy atmosphere. Sample their Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast) or Schnitzel Wiener Art (breaded pork schnitzel), paired with their locally brewed Kölsch beer.

Hanse Stube im Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Directly opposite the Cologne Cathedral, Hanse Stube is an elegant French restaurant offering innovative cuisine with regional influences. Chef Joschua Tepner creates unique taste experiences, blending tradition and innovation. The restaurant has won several awards for its excellent cuisine and first-class service.

Wartesaal am Dom

Wartesaal am Dom offers a fantastic fresh menu and a gorgeous historic setting with incredible views of the Cologne Cathedral. Head chef Chris Houber prepares seasonal dishes with the freshest ingredients, alongside a regular year-round menu. Their wine list features wines from around the world.

PULS

PULS is a restaurant in the heart of Cologne's Old Town, offering creative à la carte dishes with a casual ambiance. They cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant transforms into a cool bar in the evening, offering unique cocktail creations.

Restaurants in or near hotels

There are several restaurants in and near hotels close to Cologne Cathedral.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Hanse Stube, located in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, is a gourmet French restaurant with a Michelin star. It offers innovative French cuisine with regional influences and an impressive wine list. The interior features mahogany panels, niche tables, and a Mediterranean patio for summer dining.

Taku, also located in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, is a Michelin-starred restaurant serving East Asian fusion cuisine. The chef, Mirko Gaul, reimagines the flavours of haute cuisine from Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The restaurant features calm colours and light installations, reflecting the ambience of Asia.

Hilton Cologne

Konrad Restaurant, located in the Hilton Cologne, offers a breakfast buffet and cross-culture haute cuisine. The à la carte menu includes Cologne-style potato fritters and lava-grilled steaks, alongside fresh fruits and baked goods.

Hotel Konigshof The Arthouse

Callas Am Dom is a restaurant located in Hotel Konigshof The Arthouse.

Ibis Koeln Am Dom

Excelsior Hotel Ernst Koeln is a restaurant located in the Ibis Koeln Am Dom hotel.

Other restaurants in or near hotels

Wartesaal am Dom is a restaurant that was originally the waiting room for the Cölner Central Station in Köln. It offers a seasonal menu with fresh ingredients and a generous wine list.

Gilden im Zims 'Heimat kölscher Helden' is a brewery located in a hotel. It has a spacious and bright interior with long counters, benches, and tables, as well as cosy corners and retreats.

Mama trattoria Köln is an Italian restaurant located in a hotel, featuring modern design, friendly staff, and a menu of traditional Italian dishes like pizza and pasta.

Fine dining

If you're looking for a fine dining experience near the Cologne Cathedral, here are some great options to consider:

Taku im Excelsior Hotel Ernst:

A Michelin-starred restaurant serving East Asian fusion cuisine in a modern, Far Eastern ambience. The cooking style of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul reimagines the flavours of haute cuisine from Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The restaurant has been awarded 16/20 points at the Gault Millau. The interior creates an elegant and Asian-inspired atmosphere with calm colours and light installations.

Le Moissonnier:

A charming concoction of a classy restaurant serving creative French cuisine and a weinladen with a complementing selection of vintage French wines. Le Moissonnier has been accoladed with two Michelin stars and is one of the top restaurants in Cologne. The restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu and an extensive selection of wines.

Hanse Stube im Excelsior Hotel Ernst:

Located directly opposite the Cologne Cathedral, Hanse Stube offers innovative French cuisine with regional influences. The gourmet restaurant has been awarded several prizes for its excellent cuisine and first-class service. The interior is characterised by timeless elegance with cosy sofa corners, filigree wooden chairs, and various contemporary and historical paintings adorning the wood-panelled walls. The restaurant offers a well-curated wine list to complement the dishes.

Wartesaal am Dom:

This restaurant offers a fantastic fresh menu and a gorgeous historic setting with incredible views of the Cologne Cathedral. It was originally the waiting room for the Cölner Central Station in Köln. The head chef, Chris Houber, prepares a seasonal menu with fresh ingredients while also offering a regular year-round menu. The wine list at Wartesaal am Dom features wines from around the world.

Shaka Zulu:

Shaka Zulu presents a unique offering of African cuisine in a setting decorated with African artefacts and warm tones. The menu includes specialties from different parts of the continent, such as flavorful tagines, well-spiced meats, and vegetarian options. The staff is happy to guide diners through the menu to ensure an exotic and memorable dining experience.

Budget-friendly options

If you're looking for budget-friendly options near the Cologne Cathedral, there are a few great choices to consider.

One popular option is Bei Oma Kleinmann, a family-run restaurant with a quirky, carnival-like atmosphere and a menu that feels like a visit to grandma's house. The restaurant is known for its giant schnitzels and other classic, hearty staples. It's located in the historic square of the city and is a local favorite, so reservations are recommended.

Another excellent choice is Lommi, a beloved restaurant that has been a fixture in Cologne since 1959. Lommi maintains a beer hall atmosphere with long, wooden tables meant for sharing. It offers budget-friendly prices, a regional menu, and its famous Koteletten—huge pork cutlets with fried onions.

For a quick bite, there's also McDonald's, located just 0.1 miles from the cathedral.

Other budget-friendly options in the area include the Ibis Hotel Köln Am Dom, the CityClass Hotel am Dom, and the Hotel Brandenburger Hof, all of which are within a few minutes' walk of the cathedral.

Michelin-starred restaurants

There are several Michelin-starred restaurants near Cologne Cathedral, each offering a unique dining experience. Here are some options to consider:

Taku im Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Taku is an award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurant that serves East Asian fusion cuisine. The restaurant's interior evokes a modern, Far Eastern ambience with calm colours and light installations reflecting the atmosphere of Asia. Chef Mirko Gaul's innovative cooking style reimagines the flavours of haute cuisine from Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list, with a focus on organic wines.

Le Moissonnier

Le Moissonnier is a charming restaurant that combines a classy dining experience with a weinladen, offering a selection of vintage French wines. Its understated and unpretentious interior gives it a casual European charm. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars for its creative French cuisine and wide-ranging menus.

Hanse Stube im Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Hanse Stube is a gourmet restaurant located directly opposite the Cologne Cathedral. It offers innovative French cuisine with regional influences and has been awarded several prizes for its excellent cuisine and first-class service. The interior is characterised by timeless elegance, with cosy sofa corners, filigree wooden chairs, and contemporary and historical paintings adorning the wood-panelled walls. The restaurant also offers two exclusive side rooms, the "Mirror Salon" and the "Fish Salon", which can be booked for small banquets.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a renowned establishment near the cathedral, housing two restaurants: Taku and Hanse Stube. While Taku offers East Asian fusion cuisine, Hanse Stube specialises in innovative French fare. The hotel itself provides a luxurious dining experience, with elegant ambience and impeccable service.

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