Fine dining in Cologne isn’t limited to upscale restaurants – sometimes it’s refreshingly laid-back and no dress code required. We introduce three side ventures by renowned local chefs that deliver star-level flavour without the formal fuss.
Street food with a view: Maximilian Lorenz’s “ML Straßenküche”
Between Cologne Cathedral and the Rhine lies Maximilian Lorenz’s own gourmet stretch: a trio of culinary ventures including his Michelin-starred restaurant “maximilianlorenz”, which also boasts 17 Gault Millau points, the wine tavern “heinzhermann” – where fine wines meet global flavours – and, most recently, his “ML-Straßenküche“ . This is what fine dining looks like in Cologne.
His street food spot is open for weekday lunches only, serving a daily changing, Asian-inspired “Omakase Lunch” – meaning the chef calls the shots. Dishes are prepared in an open kitchen and can be enjoyed indoors, outdoors or to go.
What’s on the menu?
Maximilian’s dishes aren’t just quick, affordable, healthy and fair – they’re also crafted with serious skill. You might find rotating soups, sushi rolls, momos (steamed dumplings) or salad bowls – like one with wakame, spinach, gouda, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. The à la carte selection includes sushi or bowls like the teriyaki chicken one, with add-ons like edamame, Thai cucumber, cherry tomatoes and peanuts. And on top? The house-made ML special Asia sauce. A signature “Lecker Lorenz” lunch experience – incredibly tasty and easy on the wallet.
What’s the vibe?
“Openness, variety and surprise” – that’s how Maximilian Lorenz describes his ML Straßenküche. It’s a low-key, down-to-earth space where he gets to break free from the Michelin mould and let his creativity run wild.
Address:
Straßenküche Maximilian Lorenz
Johannisstraße 64
Opening hours:
ML Straßenküche
Mon–Fri: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
ML-Restaurant
Tue-Sat: 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Star-level breakfast: Sonja Baumann and Erik Scheffler’s “NeoBiota”
Tucked near Barbarossaplatz, Neobiota is the brainchild of Bonn-born Sonja Baumann and Erik Scheffler from Chemnitz – a Michelin-starred spot with zero snootiness. Just like their name (“neobiota” = newcomers to the ecosystem), these two are here to shake things up. With their cheeky motto “Brunch is dead”, Sonja flips the breakfast game on its head from 10 am to 3 pm – before Erik takes over to switch on the star for the evening shift.
What’s on the menu?
Sonja’s love of nature and her passion for all things Nordic shine through in every dish. From savoury to sweet, hot or cold – everything is seasonal and available à la carte or as a three-course set. Classic breakfast staples like Bircher muesli, warm and fluffy yeast buns with changing fillings, or shakshuka (spicy tomato and egg dish) get a fresh, creative twist at Neobiota. And when it comes to bread? Expect thick slices piled high with flavour.
One signature dish you don’t want to miss: the pancakes. Choose between the fluffy Japanese version or the denser American style – both served with pear-cranberry compote, yoghurt foam and granola. However you stack them, they’re an unforgettable highlight.
What’s the vibe?
At NeoBiota, breakfast is the new lunch – perfect for late risers and midday brunchers alike. This Cologne hotspot serves star-level fare with zero pretension: no dress code, no crisp white tablecloths. And yes, the dream team behind it ranks among the “100 Best Chefs of Germany.”
Address:
Restaurant NeoBiota
Pantaleonswall 27, 50676 Köln
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am – 3 pm breakfast
7.00 – 11 pm dinner
A mezze journey east: Julia Komp’s „Yulia Mezze Bar“
Julia Komp has travelled to nearly every country represented on the plates at her Mezze Bar Yu*lia . As a teenager, she often visited Tunisia with her granny – a formative experience that sparked her deep love for the flavours of the eastern Mediterranean. Today, as a globe-trotting gourmet and top-tier chef, she channels that passion into a vibrant celebration of Middle Eastern cuisine.
What’s on the menu?
The Rhineland-born chef is passionate about sharing the culinary culture of Mediterranean countries with her guests. That means food as celebration, and joy as something to be shared. Her cosy, travel-souvenir-filled spin-off Mezze Bar Yu*lia brings a tapas-style experience to Cologne, with a variety of small plates made for sharing. Diners are taken on a flavour journey through Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and Greece – all in one go.
Curious where the name comes from? Yu*lia is a blend of Julia’s name and that of her culinary partner, Yunus Özananar. The menu features two curated mezze selections and plenty of bite-sized delights to share. Fancy a taste? Try the Tameija – Egyptian-style falafel made from fava beans. Another standout: a fragrant couscous with fennel greens, fish and just the right touch of heat.
What’s the vibe?
Julia’s signature style is light, fresh and full of aromatic depth. Most of the ingredients come from just around the corner – sourced within 30 kilometres and brought to life with the deep aromas of oriental spices. The wine list includes special finds from Israel, Morocco and Lebanon. On sunny days, guests from both restaurant concepts can enjoy the leafy courtyard and terrace – a little oasis of the Orient in the heart of the city.
Address:
Restaurant Mezze Bar Yu*lia
Kämmergasse 18
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday: from 5 pm
Saturday: 12:30 – 3 pm and from 5 pm
Address:
Sahila – The Restaurant
Kämmergasse 18
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday: from 6:30 pm
Saturday: 12 – 3 pm (kitchen closes at 2 pm) and from 6:30 pm
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