The best street food venues of type "International Cuisine" in Cologne
In this small, friendly snack bar, every dish is a firework of flavours. Excitingly spiced curries and authentic Bengali street food such as bhel puri or deep-fried lentil balls invite you on an exciting gastronomic journey of discovery through South Asia.
A pop-up becomes a restaurant! After a successful interim year in the Bredouille wine bar, the Herbig-Krings duo have taken the plunge and have opened their own restaurant. Since April, their delicious rib sandwiches have been served in the city centre of Cologne. Pairings with select natural wines.
The dishes served in sharing dishes bring original Peruvian classics and well-balanced fusion dishes to the table, such as "ceviche chifa" with tuna, tosazu, radish and nori leaf or rump steak with bone marrow, aji amarillo and red wine vinegar-soy sauce.
Chronic lack of fries? The jolly frittendoktor on Neusser Straße knows how to cure this deficiency. The Belgian-style double-fried potato strips are served with various homemade sauces, accompanied by burgers - vegetarian and halal.
American BBQ paradise in a cosy, rustic restaurant with terrace and playground. Fathers' dreams come true here. While kids play on the slide, parents enjoy pulled pork, ribs, brisket, burgers, wings and bratwurst. All-you-can-eat is served regularly.
Raph's BBQ Deli, the small city cousin of the BBQ Diner in Widdersdorf, takes sandwiches out of the snack corner and turns them into a handy gastronomic delight. Former top chef Saloum Raphael Doucouré attaches great importance to quality, creativity and fun - in equal parts.
Cologne's new hot spot for Tibetan cuisine is located in the centre of the city and is therefore perfect for a pleasantly invigorating lunch break or an uncomplicated dinner. The delicious noodle dishes, salads and momos - stuffed steamed dumplings - are all homemade.
Not for calorie counters. Whether it's the original Philly, Mushroom or Chimichurri Cheesesteak, the ribeye steak with grilled onions and plenty of cheese sauce, Biggie Double Cheese Smash Burger or Halal Hotdog with Mexican Fries - no half measures are taken here.
American comfort food with a diner vibe. Right on Rudolfplatz, you can savour US classics such as Mac 'n' Cheese, Chicken & Waffles and Tuna Melt for breakfast. If you prefer something more classic, order the Miami Omelette, Eggs Benedict, French Toast or Banana Walnut Pancake.
The sweet takeaway café with street terrace on Friesenplatz is a minor sensation. In just a few months, 25-year-old owner Bastian Staunau has put the shop on the road to success with baked oats, bagels, egg dishes, açai bowls and freshly squeezed juices.
With two locations and a mobile food truck, the two minced meat aficionados Jacques and Lukas delight the cathedral city dwellers with chilli variations that warm the belly and the soul. The creations, some of which are vegan, are inspired by influences from all over the world.
Indian with a twist: this uncomplicated snack bar in Mühlheim serves evergreens such as aloo gobi, tikka masala and vindaloo either as a classic curry dish with basmati rice and naan or as a "naanizza" on a naan base with extra toppings and cheese baked pizza style.
Tradition? Obligatory! For many exiled Cologne residents and initiated visitors, a load from the goulash cannon is part of a visit to the cathedral city. The audience is a colourful mix, the ambience is rustic. If you're still hungry after a second helping, grab another can.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: This small snack bar serves perhaps the tastiest chicken wings in town. Whether Korean with a glaze made from fermented soya beans, garlic and honey, teriyaki style or BBQ marinade, the sauces are all homemade. Vegan wings? Also available.
If you've never eaten injera before, you should definitely try the leavened flatbread made from teff flour at this small Ehrenfeld snack bar. The mixed injera platter is a good introduction to the various traditional dishes and flavours of Ethiopian cuisine.
Trendy bagel spot with a large selection of super-hip matcha drinks - this is a place to go big, not small. When it comes to toppings, the combination of date curry cream cheese and pastrami is particularly impressive and can be jazzed up with other add-ons as the mood takes you.
For over two decades, this simple Iraqi snack bar has been spinning falafel, topping dürüm and filling kebab pockets. Its shawarma is flavoured with a fabulously good marinade. No wonder there are often long queues at lunchtime. The catering is also very popular.
The latest addition to the Kebabland family is - as the name suggests - all about bread, wine, fish and ... we'll add: hospitality in action. Fried sea bream, calamari and salmon: the dishes are kept simple, with parsley, sumac and lemon adding flavour.
Fries without a chip shop? Here you can enjoy hand-carved Belgian fries with homemade sauces, crispy bitterballen, kipcorn, kibbeling and frikandel speciaal in a cosy atmosphere. And a Belgian beer to go with it! There are over 40 varieties to choose from.
A cocktail bar with a slight South American flavour - unfortunately, the tacos and quesadillas of the early days are rarely found on the menu. Nachos with guacamole, Gambas Mazatlan or the grilled avocado with vegetables go just as well with the mezcal-based drinks such as the pisco sour.