Cologne in Germany is cool. The 4th biggest city in Germany has so much to offer.
Aldstadt (Old Town) in Cologne is where you'll find the Dom Kirke and Museum Ludwig amongst other. Go and see the Alter Markt square for a taste of local cuisine at one of the traditional breweries or cafes.
You should explore trendy, fun and urban Belgisches Viertel, a neigbourhood for students and fashionista's with really cool restaurants and bars. You can shop till you drop on the Ehrenstraße where you'll find some of the well known stores but also a few smaller boutiques.
From the Belgische Viertel you can walk to Ehrenfeld. I went to this up and coming area a few years ago and loved this multicultural neigbourhood full of pop-up stores, coffee barista bars and fashion boutiques. From the Venloerstrabe turn right on the Körnerstraße where you'll find VAN DYCK Espressobar, Cafe Sehnsucht and Zwoo Coffee Roasters.
Hotels | Coffee | Breakfast | Restaurants | Boutique Shops | Wine Bars | Things To Do
Boutique Hotel Maison Marsil - Maison Marsil is a beautiful small boutique hotel in the Hahnenviertel area in the centre of Cologne. Read more about my stay at Maison Marsil Cologne.
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Best Coffee Cologne Germany
Anguli Coffee & Tea - Hipster Cafe Anguli Coffee in Cologne for your caffeine fix, with pastries and cake.
The Coffee Gang Cafe - A speciality coffee & brew bar in Cologne with cake, pastries and sandwiches.
Bakerei Die Mehlwerkstatt - the perfect combo of a bakery and a coffee.
Ernst Kaffeerösterei - At Ernst you will get sensory exciting coffee. A populair place in Cologne with two outlets, a kaffeebar in Sülz and a kaffeebar in Südstadt.
Goodchild Cafe - For such yummy pastries. At the Goodchild Cafe you will probably get the best croissants in town.
Hallmackenreuther - Barista Coffee, Drinks, Food and Art.
Holm Kaffeerösterei Café -Holm Kaffee is cool with Speciality Coffee, pastries and cake. Love this place.
Jlöcklich Barista Café - for coffee and pastries.
Madame Tartine - yummy coffee and cake.
Radix & Anima - A concept of Specialty Coffee and Natural Wine with a Weinhandel. I think Radix & Anima is cool. Recommended.
Cafe Soleil - A cosy cafe for coffee and/or lunch in Ehrenfeld, Cologne.
VAN DYCK Roastery - a lovely hipster coffee (roastery) in Ehrenfeld, Cologne. Inside its a white and clean store where you will queue for your coffee. If you are lucky there is a spot outside to finish your freshly made brew,
Breakfast Cologne Germany
Cafe Restaurant Balthasar - A bit more high end for breakfast with a nice atmosphere. Two locations in Cologne.
Cafe Goldmund - Go to Cafe & Restaurant Goldmund for delicious breakfast, lunch, coffee, wine and books. Casual atmosphere with an extenstive collection of books lining the shelves around you.
Cafe Goldjunge - For the best All Day breakfast and coffee in Cologne, as they themselves claim. With 4 cafe's in Cologne, you might want to try it out.
Cafe Sehnsucht - Start your day with French Toast for breakfast. A busy cafe on the Körnerstraße in Ehrenfeld, Cologne. Very popular and also nice for coffee and cake or an afternoon lunch. Your coffee is from VAN DYCK roastery and your bread freshly baked from the local bakery. Whats not to like?
Cafe Restaurant Wallczka - For breakfast, brunch or dinner. Classic dishes with an aperitif or wine. International mezze combined differently. Barista-style coffee. Experimental and down-to-earth. In a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. From morning till night.
Best Restaurants in Cologne
Die Fette Kuh - The Best Burgers of Cologne.
Restaurant La Fonda - Experience modern European cuisine and an exclusive ambience in one of Cologne's most beautiful locations.
Restaurant Il Baguetta - Delicious Italian food in Restaurant Il Baguetta. You can also try restaurant Tanica, Da's Lupo or Rosticceria Massimo.
Restaurant ITO - Michelin star restaurant with Japanese Cuisine.
Da’s Lupo Restaurant - Cozy restaurant with brick walls. From the same owners as Il Baguetta, Tanica and Rosticceria Massimo
Restaurant Neni - Along with the Monkey Bar, NENI on the 8th floor is a culinary highlight of the 25hours Hotel The Circle. The Molcho family’s eastern Mediterranean cuisine awaits you with diverse, exotic flavours and with an emphasis on local products as key components of the dishes. In NENI’s relaxed atmosphere you can share Jerusalem dishes, hummus, falafel etc in Balagan style. Floor-to-ceiling windows and the terrace provide an impressive view of Cologne.
Café Restaurant Noa - For lunch or dinner.
Restaurant Tanica - We had a lovely Italian dinner and German wine (not sure if that is a good combinationn ;-) in this cute restaurant. Red brick walls, candle light and a cosy athmosphere. Coveniently located close to Hotel Marsil.
Boutique (Fashion) Shops Cologne, Germany
Fairfitters - A cool Eco Fashion Concept Store with sustainable Fashion. I like this store in the Belgisches Viertel.
Tøndel - If you’re into vintage design furniture and Scandinavian interior, Tøndel is for you. In this shop you will find high-quality vintage and contemporary furniture pieces and accessories by Normann Copenhagen, Hay, Muuto and more.
Winebar Cologne, Germany
Die Bredouille Weinbar - A new convention-free wine bar in the Belgian Quarter. For wine and some small bites. Often fully booked, so I recommend to make a reservation.
Henne Weinbar and Restaurant - Cool winebar and restaurant in Cologne. For when you have something to celebrate.
Things To Do in Cologne
No visit to Cologne is complete with paying a visit to the awe-inspiring and mesmerizing Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is hard to miss as it dominates the skyline of Cologne. Climb up the stairs for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. If you are into architecture, than also visit St. Martin's church. For other views go to the 103 meter high Köln Triangle, where you can take the lift, and view the historic centre of Cologne. Walking Tour 1 is 2,5km (30 minute walking distance) around the Dom and Aldstadt.
One of the other nice things to do is to visit the Ludwig Museum, which houses a collection of modern and contemporary art with the biggest pop-art collection outside the United States. With works by Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein on display, this is a must-visit museum. Perfect for a Sunday when the stores in Cologne are closed.
Have you already walked across the Hohenzollern Bridge? It is around the corner from the Dom Cathedral. Stroll along the Rhine River and take a detour through Aldstadt.
Odonien Beergarten in Cologne is a scrapyard and full of entertainment. What to think of art in an open-air studio, a legendary festival, experimental music, theatre, comedy, open-air cinema, a sculpture park, a flea market and a party venue.
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