From colourful sushi creations to Persian classics to hearty burgers – Cologne has lots to offer in the way of delicious vegan dishes. Here are eight restaurants that prove how creative and varied plant-based meals can be.
A Persian feast at Zarathustra
Meat – in the form of lamb skewers, for instance – is practically a must in Persian cuisine. You’d think. But Zarathrusa in Cologne is proof that gourmet Persian dining can do vegan too. The stuffed vine leaves, potato and spinach fritters and vegan mince and fried aubergine kebabs don’t disappoint. Order the starter platter and dive headfirst into the aromatic world of Persian food with a breadth of flavour you’ll fall in love with.
Dasselstraße 4, 50674 Cologne; opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 12 noon – 11pm
Udum: Vegan sushi and tapas
The bright and colourful dishes at Udum in the Mauritius district look fabulous and the even better thing is they taste as good as they look! The sushi rolls with vegan salmon and tuna taste deceptively like fish. And the fact that the scrumptious fish tartare actually is vegan almost defies belief. If you’re not in the mood for sushi, there’s a large selection of vegan tapas. We recommend the crispy “shrimps” and “chicken drumsticks” or the steamed yeast rolls for brunch. Udum is the real deal – for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Am Rinkenpfuhl 55, 50676 Cologne; opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12 noon -11pm
Chum Chay: authentic Vietnamese & vegan
With over 1,700 Google reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars, there’s no denying Chum Chay does really good food. The menu is full of superb Vietnamese tofu dishes: some in a mild rice noodle soup seasoned lemongrass, some in a spicy veggie stir-fry. Located in the city’s Belgian Quarter, this restaurant has been delighting vegans – and anyone who loves good food – for years.
Friesenwall 29, 50672 Cologne; opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 12 noon – 10pm
In the city centre: Sattgrün
Right in the centre of town, the huge buffet at Sattgrün is the stuff vegan dreams are made of. Customers can choose from fresh salads, colourful curries, stews, roast vegetables, pasta and loads more. In fact, there’s hardly anything they haven’t got! You pay 12.90 euros for a small plate, 14.90 euros for a medium-sized plate or a bowl or 16.90 euros for a large plate. There’s also a varying selection of soups and homemade cakes. If the weather’s on your side, the large terrace is a nice place to sit as you tuck in but there’s plenty of space inside too.
Ludwigstraße 11, 50667 Cologne; opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 12 noon – 10pm
Razzo: Cologne’s first vegan pizzeria
Some people love the traditional, thin ones with a crunchy base. Others prefer a more aerated base and an American-style cheese-filled crust. In recent years, however, the Neapolitan pizza, which has a fluffy base and a high crust, has seen a surge in popularity. And that’s precisely the type of pizza that the team at Razzo concentrate on. They offer an incredibly creative selection of toppings – and they’re all vegan. From the pink truffle sauce to spicy “meat” balls and the house-made cashew ricotta to a sweet version featuring chocolate custard, salted pretzels, almonds and strawberries.
Belgian Quarter: Antwerpener Str. 38, 50672 Cologne; opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 12 noon – 3pm and 5 -10pm; Friday and Saturday, 12 noon – 10pm; Sunday, 1 – 10pm
Südstadt district: Bonner Straße 41, 50677 Cologne; opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 5 – 10 pm
Trash Chic: hearty vegan fare with an offbeat charm
Trash Chic is a vegan restaurant in Cologne’s Kalk district. In terms of atmosphere, the name really says it all. It’s a very pub-style vibe. The most popular dish is the “gyros platter” with fries, tzatziki and salad. Not only is it mouth-wateringly good, it’s extremely filling too. The gyros wrap with vegan feta and the vegan schnitzel are delicious as well. And then there’s the vegan burgers, available with chilli cheese or as a BBQ-style option. For after-dinner entertainment, why not have a couple of games of table football?If you can still move, that is!
Wiersbergstraße 31, 51103 Cologne; opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, from 5pm
Tô80 Vegan: Vietnamese street food
If you’re looking for authentic vegan street food, look no further than Tô80 Vegan in the city centre. Just a few years ago, it went by the name of Yen Sushi but the owner has changed her concept and now specialises in vegan cuisine. The highlights in this traditionally furnished eatery are the Banh Bao burger with mango, the vegan sushi and the bowls with crispy seitan (Tô is the Vietnamese word for bowl).
Händelstraße 28, 50674 Cologne; opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 12 noon – 11pm
Govardhan Restaurant: authentic Indian food, vegan-style
From outside, Govardhan Restaurant, an Indian restaurant in Cologne’s student district, doesn’t look like much but don’t be deceived! Inside, they have a wide range of vegan and vegetarian delicacies. And what’s even better is that all the vegetarian dishes are available in vegan options too. We can highly recommend the homemade seitan, which you can also get in a wrap or a kebab. On top of that, Govardhan has excellent curries, naan and soups, divine desserts and a vegan mango shake. This is truly authentic Indian cuisine – at fair prices in a casual atmosphere. Good to know: there’s a lunch buffet for 10.90 euros on weekdays.
Roonstraße 3, 50674 Cologne; opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 12 noon – 10pm
If you’re a sustainable shopper as well as a sustainable diner, take a look at this selection of second-hand shops. You can even pick up sustainable furniture and designer pieces in Cologne.
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