Like most European cities, Cologne is stuffed full of cafés. Some are old-fashioned Viennese cake palaces, others are arty political hotbeds and still other are the best possible mix between old and new. All seven of these cafés serve excellent coffee and a delectable array of food.
Café Bastard
Cafe, European, $$$
Save Place
Tucked away off Ehrenstrasse between Friesenplatz and Rudolfplatz, Café Bastard is a little oasis in the middle of the city. Excellent coffee and cold drinks along with light lunch items and late opening hours make this a great ace up your sleeve. There’s also a mammoth terrace, so there’s always somewhere to sit.
This café, a stone’s throw from the cathedral, is a time warp full of delicious cakes and adorable old people. It’s one of the oldest cafés in the city, and they take great pride in their products and service.
In the super-trendy north-Cologne neighbourhood of Nippes, this tiny little café is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon coffee and a bit of cake. Right next to a church in a leafy square, there’s plenty of space to sit outside if the weather is good.
This lovely little café in the super-hip neighbourhood of Ehrenfeld is the perfect place to spend a day. The coffee is roasted just down the street and the breakfast is to die for.
Doilies, bone china and mismatched tables and chairs; Miss Päpki has the Victorian tea lady/hipster chintz vibe down pat. Service is excellent, the breakfast is delicious and the coffee is from Schamong, Cologne’s oldest coffee roaster.
One of Cologne’s special treats, Salon Schmitz is a grand old café in the Viennese tradition, without all the snobbery. It’s in an area surrounded by clubs and theatres, so you can head straight out for a great night out after your coffee and cake.
