It’s much more fun to snack your way through the menu and debate afterwards which plate was the best! We’ve picked 5 places for tapas in Cologne that make choosing even harder – but in the best possible way.
5 tips for tapas in Cologne:
- Al Salam: modern Arabic cuisine on Eifelplatz
- Henne Weinbar: tapas meets fine dining
- Anju: Korean food for sharing in Ehrenfeld
- Phaedra: premium Mediterranean mezze in the Südstadt
- Salera: bacon-wrapped dates, Manchego and chorizo
Al Salam: modern Arabic cuisine on Eifelplatz
Al Salam has been a go-to in Cologne for as long as anyone can remember. It serves modern Arabic cuisine unlike anything you’ve probably tried before. Palestinian-style corn-fed chicken with braised onions, sumac, taboon bread and pine nuts – or perhaps rack of lamb with jewelled rice, za’atar and almond chimichurri, and tamarind and pomegranate jus? Why not just order both and share them with your friends?
And don’t worry: vegetarians and vegans have plenty to choose from too. Think creamy hummus with fried mushrooms, almonds and pickled vegetables, white summer courgette with bulgur and barberries, or tajine with artichoke, fennel, preserved lemon and chickpeas. Luckily, no one has to choose just one!
Al Salam, Eifelplatz 4, 50677 Cologne, opening hours: Wed–Sun 5 pm–11 pm, Wed + Thu 12 noon–2.30 pm
Henne Weinbar: tapas meets fine dining
Fancy a few small plates with a side of style? Henne is just the place. Prawn toast with saffron mayo and marinated fennel? Absolutely! Fried chanterelles with sherry, rocket and Belper Knolle cheese? Yes, please! Melted Taleggio with potato rösti, pickled morels and Madeira? Is that even a question?
Henne combines the laid-back attitude of a tapas bar with fine-dining quality and culinary skill. We love it. And the unlimited salted butter, too.
Henne Weinbar, Pfeilstr. 31–35, 50672 Cologne, opening hours: Mon–Sat 12 noon–midnight
Anju: Korean food for sharing in Ehrenfeld
Anju is the Korean word for small dishes served with beer or soju. The alcohol is optional, of course – the friends are not. Fill the table with as many dishes as you can and dig in. Cosy pub vibes in the heart of Ehrenfeld meet fried dumplings, fiery kimchi and marinated tofu.
The fried rice cakes with gochujang sauce are just as much of a must-eat as the lotus roots braised in soy sauce. Kimchi jjigae, the bubbling, fiery tofu stew, shouldn’t be missed either. And anyone who doesn’t order the kimchi pancake clearly needs to rethink their life choices.
Plenty of the dishes are meat-free, too, and the choice is seriously impressive. One small survival tip: keep an eye on the spice level!
Anju, Subbelrather Str. 269, 50825 Ehrenfeld, opening hours: Tue–Sun 6 pm–10 pm
Phaedra: premium Mediterranean mezze in the Südstadt
Among Cologne chefs, Phaedra is THE place to go for grilled fish and seafood. You won’t find souvlaki or Metaxa sauce here. Instead, head chef Konstantin Tzikas serves mezze that are fancy and frankly out of this world. The quality of the produce is outstanding, while the cooking is creative and distinctly Mediterranean. Think crispy fried calamaretti with herb mayo and fresh lemon, or crisp rösti topped with smoked eel, pickled cucumber, tarama and trout roe.
And while we’re at it: the wine list is one of the most exciting in the city, with more than 800 listings. And if you fancy something more than a table full of mezze, the four-course menu is also available as a vegetarian option.
Phaedra, Elsaßstr. 30, 50677 Cologne, opening hours: Wed–Fri + Sun 5.30 pm–midnight, Sat 4 pm–midnight
Salera: bacon-wrapped dates, Manchego and chorizo
Seriously craving some classic Spanish tapas? Want to dunk bread in aioli, tuck into pimientos, fried anchovies and tortilla de patata, with a jug of sangria on the side? We’ve got you covered!
Salera in the Agnesviertel is a Cologne institution for Spanish food. Warm, uncomplicated and delicious. There are more than 25 different tapas on the menu, and the fried chorizo is an absolute winner. Plus, the veggie selection is particularly good: mushrooms stuffed with spinach and cheese, artichokes, pointed peppers with goat’s cheese cream, chickpea salad and plenty more besides.
Tip: on Friday lunchtimes, Salera turns into a little takeaway serving fried cod, chips and remoulade. It’s the legendary fish & chips window – highly recommended.
Salera, Balthasarstr. 1, 50670 Cologne, opening hours: Tue–Sat 6 pm–midnight
Trend alert: aperitivo bars
After-work drinks, but make them classy: here are 5 of our favourite places for relaxed drinks and small bites.
We love this Italian food-and-drink tradition, and Cologne is finally catching on: aperitivo bars are coming to the city! Think laid-back drinks accompanied by ambitious little bites that go far beyond crisps and pretzel sticks. It’s the perfect sweet spot between restaurant and cocktail bar.
alvhina Wein- und Kaffebar
Portuguese wines, a ridiculously good grilled cheese sandwich and a hidden courtyard in the Südstadt – we’ll take all three.
Wallczka Bistro
Wallczka’s outpost in the Kwartier Latäng serves classic cocktails with a twist alongside seriously good lángos.
A ver
This vermouth bar in Sülz is the undisputed editorial favourite. Gildas, loaded crisps with pickled artichokes and a glass of vermouth over ice. That’s all we need.
Tavata
Of course Ehrenfeld needs a bistro bar! There’s a great selection of drinks, a small wine list and delicious small plates of fried anchovies, caponata and meatballs. Bonus: a gorgeous courtyard where you’d least expect to find one.
Frohnatur Bistro & Bar Bar Bar
Fancy feeling like a Parisian hipster, but only have a Friesenplatz budget? Frohnatur is stylish but relaxed. Expect natural wine, oysters and seasonal small plates.
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