Brunch, when you’re ready: breakfast for sleepyheads

Ehrenfeld, Deutz, Südstadt or Sülz – Cologne’s Veedel, its local neighbourhoods, have got you covered. Across the city you’ll find plenty of all-day breakfast cafés that celebrate slow mornings. Sleep in first, then grab a strong coffee and a proper breakfast. Here’s our pick of the best brunch spots in Cologne and when to show up so you don’t miss out.

• LUMOS Ehrenfeld: shakshuka, pancakes & grilled sandwiches
• Café Heimisch: regional, fair & wide awake on Deutzer Freiheit
• Café Peva: eggs benedict & cheesecake
• Süd & Salzig: sweet & savoury, zero compromise
• Geschnitten Brot: Stullen-style breakfast deluxe
• Deli Sülz: brunch & local shopping

LUMOS Ehrenfeld: shakshuka, pancakes & grilled sandwiches

Hidden away between garages, the Sonicballroom, the Live Music Hall – all buzzing venues for concerts and long nights out – and a few office buildings, LUMOS in Ehrenfeld feels like a little secret spot.

Owners Max and Alisa serve up a colourful mix: shakshuka with organic eggs, homemade pancakes with maple syrup, grilled sandwiches with kimchi and pastrami. Everything looks as good as it tastes – and that’s saying something.

Breakfast hours: Tue–Fri until 12 noon | Sat–Sun until 3 pm
Address: Lichtstrasse 64, 50825 Cologne (Ehrenfeld)

Café Heimisch: regional, fair & wide awake on Deutzer Freiheit

Had a long night, couldn’t get out of bed, and suddenly it’s 5 pm – classic move. On the right side of the Rhine, good breakfast spots are still a bit few and far between. But don’t panic: over in Deutz, Café Heimisch has you covered.

Inspired by grandma’s recipes and using regional ingredients, this cosy café serves breakfast right up until closing time at 6 pm. Bread rolls, muesli, omelettes – all the breakfast staples you love are on the menu. And of course, the coffee’s excellent too. You’ll feel heimisch – right at home – in no time.

Breakfast hours: Mon–Sun until 6 pm
Address: Deutzer Freiheit 72, 50679 Cologne (Deutz)

Café Peva: eggs benedict & cheesecake

Breakfast all day, sounds good, right? Then make your way to Café Peva, tucked just behind Lutherkirche. Top picks: the eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce and the cheesecake with berry topping and a caramel base – creamy, homemade and exactly as delicious as it looks. Both dishes are freshly prepared and fairly priced, making Peva a great choice if you’re craving comfort food without breaking the bank. The vibe is calm and cosy, perfect for grey winter days when all you want is a hot coffee, tea or cocoa. But it’s just as lovely in summer, when the doors open wide and the smell of coffee drifts out onto the street.

Breakfast hours: Tue–Sun until 5 pm
Address: Martin-Luther-Platz 7–11, 50677 Cologne (Südstadt)

Süd & Salzig: sweet & savoury, zero compromise

Can’t decide between a sugar rush or an umami treat? Take both! At Süd & Salzig, brunch works like a mix-and-match menu: waffles topped with coconut yoghurt, fresh fruit and cocoa nibs, or the hearty version with fried egg, Gouda, tomatoes and spinach. Most of the menu is veggie or vegan, with plant-based feta, tempeh and “fake salmon” made from marinated carrots. And the location couldn’t be better: right on Bonner Strasse, one of the liveliest streets in the Südstadt. Perfect for a little people-watching between bites.

Breakfast hours: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun until 7 pm | Fri & Sat until 10 pm
Address: Darmstädter Strasse 1, 50678 Cologne (Südstadt)

Geschnitten Brot: Stullen-style breakfast deluxe

You think “Stulle” just means a boring slice of bread? Think again. At Geschnitten Brot, open sandwiches get the full gourmet treatment. Expect toasted sourdough topped with things like melted Taleggio, lemon ricotta, fried mushrooms and radicchio – the kind of combo that makes you Google the ingredients. Sweet tooth? You’re in luck: the café also serves homemade tarts and cakes. And if you’re coming with a friend, even better. Order the brunch menu for two, pay only for the savoury dishes and get a sweet one to share for free!

Breakfast hours: Fri–Mon until 4 pm
Address: Alteburger Strasse 28, 50678 Cologne (Südstadt)

Deli Sülz: brunch & local shopping

At Deli Sülz, right in the heart of the Veedel, you’re in good hands at any time of day. Lunch means fresh bowls, afternoons come with sweet pastries, evenings with tapas – and yes, there’s breakfast too. On weekends, you can enjoy it until 3 pm: think hearty French toast with cheese and leeks or vegan porridge with fresh fruit and agave syrup. And if you need a little walk after all that food, the nearby Beethovenpark is perfect for a stroll. Sounds like the ideal afternoon, right?

If you end up staying a bit longer, even better. Every Monday there’s something going on: from “Aperol & flea market” to drawing workshops. Another highlight is the Deli Shop, where you’ll find all kinds of regional and sustainable products: Cologne honey, handmade jewellery, homemade granola and pottery, all crafted with love.

Breakfast hours: Tue–Fri until 1 pm | weekends until 3 pm
Address: Berrenrather Strasse 221, 50937 Cologne (Sülz)