The best street food venues of type "Levante cuisine" in Cologne

A kingdom for a perfect falafel. They taste especially good at Ehrenfeld’s chickpea master’s spot. Even though the old snack bar was legendary, the new location is larger and more modern. Shawarma and other specialties are given a slightly European twist here.

On the top floor of the 25hours Hotel, you not only have a beautiful view of the city, but you can also work your way through the menu Balagan-style. The appetizers—baba ghanoush, grilled artichoke hearts with labneh, and Levantine beef tartare—are particularly impressive.

A modern, clean shawarma spot on Ehrenstraße. The lamb and chicken used for the shawarma are marinated in lemon juice and Middle Eastern spices, and the herb falafel is served crispy and fresh in wraps and bowls. Homemade sauces, vegan options.

Habibi is a cult favorite—so you’re happy to overlook owner Fuad Taih’s lack of innovation. Here, tried-and-true beats innovative—whether it’s the falafel, Guru, Habibi, or Aljazeera platters, the latter of which has been a hit since 1997 with its spinach-and-feta-stuffed puff pastry rolls and halloumi cheese.

A long-established, quaint specialty restaurant in a prime location in the Old Town on Buttermarkt. For years, this restaurant has been serving fresh, authentic Lebanese classics of consistently high quality—colorful, healthy dishes featuring meat and fish, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and halal options.

Authentic Middle Eastern fare on the bustling Aachener Straße food scene. The fryer is running hot here seven days a week. The sabich—a pita sandwich filled with eggplant and hummus, among other ingredients—is a fresh alternative to falafel, halloumi sticks, and Mama-Style fries.

A simple neighborhood restaurant serving Lebanese specialties that are best enjoyed with a large group. That way, you can take your time sampling the various hot and cold mezze. Lamb, chicken, and beef skewers are grilled on a lava stone grill.