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Best coffee shops in Cologne
Looking for a nice cup of coffee and a bite to eat in Cologne, Germany? Look no further.
Published February 8, 2022
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Shruti Gupta
Coffee experts@Era of We
Along with being one of the most populated cities in Germany, Cologne is one of the oldest cities located on the Rhine. Cologne is an exciting potpourri of culture, history, science, and youth. Boasting countless museums and art galleries along with the Cologne cathedral and the twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne, the city is bustling with a rich history.
It is also the home of the University of Cologne, one of Europe's oldest and largest universities; the Technical University of Cologne, which is Germany's largest university of applied sciences; the German Sports University of Cologne, and three separate Max Planck Institutes. There are a large number of students, intellectuals, athletes, pilgrims, and tourists marching all along Cologne, day in and day out.
A copious amount of coffee sustains all this intellectual and physical activity, and to the surprise of absolutely nobody, Cologne has a thriving cafe culture. Here are some of the best places to get a nice cup of coffee and a hearty bite to eat in the fabulous city of Cologne:
Kaffeebud Ehrenfeld:
A cozy little cafe in Glasstrasse, Kaffebud is a popular place for brunch for many residents, serving a variety of eggs, yogurts, and excellent selections from local roasteries. It's an ideal place to get a quick coffee takeaway or have a leisurely meal with your friends during their quieter hours.
The Coffee Gang:
The perfect place for espressos, macchiatos, and cappuccinos with excellent service as well. The cafe also has a remarkable selection of single-origin coffees that you should definitely try.
Saint Louis:
This cafe offers a selection of vegan and non-vegan snacks and desserts. With delicious coffee, fresh cakes are something you can't skip up out on. Located in the suburbs of Cologne, this place has garnered many regular visitors.
The Great Berry:
If you're one for good-looking textures and colors on your plate, this cafe should be your next go-to. Their smoothie bowls are to die for. Healthy and home-made, The Great Berry is ideal for your lunch and dinner scenes, along with a nice cup of coffee.
Cafe RICO:
Famous for German breads and cappuccinos, you must try the Bayerische Kaiserschmarrn here. Always packed for apparent reasons, Cafe Rico has a lovely ambiance and filling food.
Café Konditorei Wahlen:
The ideal place to get yourself a slice of apple pie and a cup of espresso, and treat yourself to a Kaffeestunde (afternoon tea/coffee or cake). Just 2-3 minutes away from the city center and home to the Hahnentor (a 13th-century gate that was a part of the city wall). A look inside the cafe will take you back to the 1950s and 60s with its high ceilings, chandeliers, gently faded carpets, and vintage furniture, all resembling the look of a German manor.
Along with its stunning interiors, the cafe has a vast selection of cakes and tarts. The beverages are served on silver platters trays, making one feel like royalty. This cafe will surely be a highlight of your trip to Cologne.
Fassbender:
With old-timey interiors and sumptuous brunch platters, the Fassbender has a history that deserves an audience. Enjoy a steaming hot cup of coffee, kick back and relax in its outdoor or indoor seating. Every sip will make you taste the quality ingredients that the baristas take pride in.
Suedgold:
tucked away on a side street close to the THS campus, this cafe is a popular place for students and locals. Decorated with old wooden school desks and sports equipment on the walls, Suedgold will take you back to the good old school days. Along with cheap and incredible coffee, the cafe also offers a wide range of breakfasts and fruit bowls. Gem of a coffee bar, it's a must-visit.
Espresso Perfetto:
Apart from being a specialty coffee shop, this cafe offers much more. The large walls inside showcase many new and old coffee machines. The baristas and the staff are fluent in English and can help you out. With great cakes, one can buy all kinds of coffee beans, cups, and even espresso machines—a true heaven for coffee enthusiasts.
Kaffeesapiens:
A tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe, which is hidden away in the streets of Cologne, but is well worth the effort to find and visit this place for coffee lovers. Its branding is centered around primates, both in the logo and their coffee names. Like Kaffeebud, they also source their beans from local roasters in Cologne.
Schamong:
One of Cologne's oldest coffee roasters, Schamong was established in 1949. Although today the place is a central meetup spot for hipsters, up-and-coming baristas, and coffee geeks, the steelware on the wall resembles the age of the establishment. It supplies a number of cafes in Cologne with its coffee while whipping up a mean batch of dark roasted coffee themselves.
Cafe Eichhornchen:
A picturesque place to grab a bite to eat and a quick cup of coffee if you're in Nippes, one of the trendiest parts of Cologne. This wonderful little cafe is right next to a church in a leafy square and boasts a fantastic collection of local roasts and a gourmet selection of pastries and breads.
Cafe Sehnsucht:
A small cafe started and run by foodies, this is an excellent place to cool your heels after a day of hiking through Cologne. Located in the hip neighborhood of Ehrenfeld, this cafe boasts of some superb roasts from Van Dyke, a local coffee roaster from Cologne. They bake their own cakes and breads, and their breakfast is simply to die for.
Miss Päpki:
A quaint little cafe with mismatched tables and chairs, some quality bone china, and doilies. Miss Papki's has a unique and eccentric vibe coupled with some amazing coffee roasted from Schamong and mouth-watering house pastries.
Van Dyck:
While primarily a roastery, it also has its own in-house coffee shop. The original one is located in Ehrenfeld. It's impossible to miss this café with their huge sign and a literal drumkit in the facade. However, they back their brand up splendidly with some excellent coffee. Primarily serving espresso-based drinks, their in-house roast Adorno is something to ask for when visiting.
Hommage:
While most of the coffee scene is confined to the western outskirts of the city, there are still some places in the old town. Near Friesenplatz, there's a small cafe called Hommage; they have their own house blends made from the various coffee roasters in and around Cologne, along with some lovely quiches. With great indoor and outdoor seating, the place even has a long queue of people waiting as it's quite famous. At Hommage, you can look forward to the friendly staff and true value for money. Also, the Michealangelo-esque ceiling will be sure to grasp your attention.
Heiland Kaffeemanufaktur:
Another coffee roaster in the Belgian quarter, it is a bright open cafe with delightful sunbeams filtering in. Their Ethiopian coffee is something you'll be raving about as well.
Salon Schmitz:
one of Cologne's most chill cafes, Salon Schmitz is a grand old cafe in Viennese tradition. Also, it's located in an area surrounded by clubs and theatres, so after some coffee and cake, you can head right out for a night out!
Ludwig im Meuseum Resturant & Cafe:
A place to get some great brunch once you're done touring the museum, Ludwig Café also offers some great coffee. The place has the added bonus of an amazing of the Hohenzollernbrucke and magnificent views of the Rhine river.
The next time you're in Cologne, keep an eye out for these cafés. Whether you're out in the morning to check off a traveler's bucket list or on an evening walk in the city, you can rest assured these cafes will be the best spot to take a load off. With their lovely roasts and freshly baked pastries, this list will come in handy!
About the author
Shruti Gupta
I like coffee and I like writing, reading, and traveling, all with a cup of coffee in my hand. My recommendation? Brew some coffee (nutty flavors preferred), make it strong, add a little cinnamon and brown sugar, and a touch of soy milk, you've got happiness in a cup! Best served chilled :)
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