The cathedral city of Cologne is renowned for its open-minded vibe, almost-Mediterranean flair and friendly, sociable inhabitants. Wherever people come together, food and drink are never very far away. And in that respect, the city has a great deal to offer. But first and foremost, it’s known for rustic Rhineland fare and of course the world-famous local beer, ‘Kölsch’.
For centuries, Cologne has been a melting pot of cultures, which has also greatly benefited the city from a culinary perspective. And so, as well as Turkish and Italian cuisine — which the new arrivals brought with them from their homelands in the 1950s and 60s and are meanwhile every bit as popular as the local dishes of ‘Flönz’ (blood sausage) and ‘Sauerbraten’ (marinated pot roast) — you can find culinary imports from all over the world here.
Colognians are also exceptionally open to new trends. The choice of vegetarian and vegan options is increasing, as is the environmentally conscious trend towards seasonal, regional and organic ingredients. This has also inspired the city’s haute cuisine establishments, where a new generation of bold, experimental chefs are drawing on ideas from all over the world. And the less stuffy approach to dining out, minus strict etiquette and starched tablecloths, really suits Cologne down to the ground — at the end of the day, it’s the enjoyment factor that counts here.
We hope that this guide gives you an overview of Cologne’s culinary scene and also encourages you to embark on a foodie discovery tour of your own.
Enjoy every mouthful of your stay in our city!
Your culinary cologne team