Schlechtrimen
Traditional. Bakery at the front, living room at the back – or at least that’s what the solid wall unit displaying books, candlestick holders and glasses would have you believe. Upon entering, all eyes automatically turn to the lavish breakfast buffet, which has everything from honey and jam to smoked fish and scoops of ground pork. This is good old-fashioned German breakfast at its best – and even includes orange juice you can squeeze yourself. The variety of bread on offer is impressive. In this traditional Kalk institution, they really pull out all the stops when it comes to traditional baking. The grain-free dark bread is a huge hit with us – as is the waitress, who, despite the stress, always manages to keep a smile on her face. Having eaten our fill, we linger for a while longer to finish our coffees. Text by Valeria Scalerandi
Outdoor seatin, Kalker Hauptstr. 210
Vevi
Vegan. Anyone strolling along Brüsseler Strasse would find it hard to pass by this lovingly designed terrace with its wooden seating and tables, plants and colourful fabric garlands. And we are no exception, spontaneously deciding to take a seat and order cappuccinos with almond milk. The small café fills up quickly and there are no tables free outside either. But the owner has everything under control and even finds the time for a chat at the coffee machine. The lavender and lemon cake is soft and delicious and the Hubertus Sandini, a crusty warm spelt bread roll topped with homemade hummus, walnuts and tasty basil tofu makes a great afternoon snack. Everything here tastes so good that non-vegans won’t even notice the lack of meat and dairy! Text by Tobias Pastoors
Outdoor seatin, Brüsseler Str. 29
Café Walter
Regional. “Wo ist Walter?” is the German version of “Where’s Wally?” and we managed to find him here at Café Walter, amid south Cologne’s countless pubs and cafés. With “Where’s Wally?” books on the windowsill, Edison lamps and hanging plants, Café Walter could be a Pinterest pin, albeit a more cluttered, appealing and appetising one. The Walter breakfast (served until 5:00 pm!) is testament to the kitchen’s eye for detail: the tower of cooked ham, cheese, salads, a perfect fried egg and cress on toasted rustic bread is fresh and tasty, with each of the individual components coming together to form the perfect combo. After sipping a perfect latte made with beans from the Holm roastery in Frechen, it’s official: this little café has won our hearts forever! Text by Valeria Scalerandi
Outdoor seating, An der Bottmühle 13
Hanimeli
Turkish. We can barely contain our foodie excitement as we enter and find ourselves standing right in the middle of the buffet. Freshly baked, golden-yellow Turkish bread specialities are piled high. And there’s also a great choice of desserts made with semolina and coconut. Salads, dips, roasted vegetables and various egg dishes cover the entire counter. We try a bit of everything – the slightly sweet fried bread with a little honey, spicy couscous, green and black olives and scrambled eggs with sucuk sausage and menemen, a popular Turkish omelette-like dish with scrambled eggs and tomato. The small, vibrant restaurant, where owner Elif Tatli and her team cook up a storm to prepare everything fresh in advance, starts filling up. Our recommendation: get here early to avoid disappointment! Text by Valeria Scalerandi
Keupstr. 33
Café Fleur
Casual. The last time we were here, we could have been forgiven for thinking we were in Paris. But today, following extensive renovations, this café feels more like a chic, meticulously designed hotel lobby in Düsseldorf, complete with lounge vibes. The small but appetising breakfast menu includes all the usual suspects, from bircher muesli to croissants and jam. We decide on the vegan option with crudités and three types of homemade spread. The hummus is lovely and creamy, with a slight hint of garlic, while the beetroot-horseradish dip is fresh with a pleasant kick. The tomato spread is wonderfully tart and makes the ideal topping for the square-shaped seeded crusty bread rolls. And the latte and refreshing rhubarb juice spritzer manage to hit the spot too! Text by Valeria Scalerandi
Outdoor seating, Lindenstr. 10