The clock is ticking – Dmexco is but a few short weeks away and aside from booking flights and hotels, you’ll be thinking about places to go for dinner. So whether you’re looking to escape the craziness and dine alone, or you need somewhere to entertain clients, we’ve rounded up three restaurants that should suit all budgets.
Hey, big spender: Taku at Excelsior Hotel Ernst
If you want five-star luxury, this is the place to go. Situated next to Cologne’s iconic cathedral, not too far from the Messeplatz, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst was designed and built by Carl Ernst, "Royal Restorer of the central station" – and it’s suitably regal in its grandeur.
Having experienced their private dining experience here last year during an intimate roundtable dinner debate, we know the food is first rate. But don't just take our word for it; in the autumn of 2009, the renowned publisher "Busche" elected the hotel’s Asian restaurant, Taku, as "foreign restaurant of the year" – and in 2011, it netted its first Michelin star. Naturally, you can’t be a pauper if you want to dine here, but if you have a generous expenses account, then look no further.
Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Trankgasse 1-5 / Domplatz, D-50667 Köln
excelsiorhotelernst.com
T: 49 (0)221 270 1
Stuck in the middle with brew: Peters Brauhaus
Literally called ‘Peter’s Brewhouse’, this brewery combines German micro-brews with local specialities, in a suitably storybook setting. The interior harks back to the Brothers Grimm, with painted glass ceilings, mahogany furniture and a house made out of wood, while the menu is equally traditional – with lashings of pork and sauerkraut and of course the Kölsch. And if you feel like a beer flavoured sausage, you can have one on the side! Best of all, it’s not too pricey – and it’s had rave reviews from several well-known travel websites.
Peters Brauhaus, Mühlengasse 1, Köln
peters-brauhaus.de
T: +49 (0)221 2573950
Cheap and cheerful: Die Fette Kuh
The name literally means "The fat cow’, so we couldn’t not include this restaurant. It’s a beef bonanza with burgers, hot dogs and more burgers, all chargrilled to your liking; think of it as a very upmarket Wimpy bar, with gratifyingly low prices. Reviewers rave about the special Philly steak burger – a massive steak slathered in caramelised onions, mushrooms and cheddar cheese.
Die Fette Kuh, Bonner Str. 43, Köln
diefettekuh.de
T: +49 (0)221 37627775
Photo by designsquad licensed under CC BY 2.0
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