Breakfast in Cologne – Our favorite cafés for the perfect morning
Do you love a hearty breakfast in a great atmosphere in Cologne as much as I do? Perfect! Then here are a few tips on where you can spend the perfect morning. These are my favorite cafés:
St. Louis Breakfast
If you’re a late riser or a late breakfast lover, then St. Louis is the place for you. This cozy yet stylish café serves breakfast from early until late. Whether it’s sweet pancakes, healthy bowls, hearty and vegan specialties, delicious sandwiches, cocktails, coffee and much more – at St. Louis, you’ll find everything you need. Because they know how to make a good breakfast. It is a breakfast club after all! But we also like to come to St. Louis for lunch, because the WTF rösti, the shakshuka or an avocado bread is always a good choice for any time of the day. We also love the great atmosphere and buzz at the St. Louis Breakfast. The café is very Insta-worthy, whether inside or on the beautiful terrace.
St. Louis, Meister-Gerhard-Str. 30, 50674 Cologne
Café Buur
Boho style, Bali feeling, coziness and simply an incredibly delicious breakfast in Cologne! That’s what you’ll find at Café Buur. We particularly like the healthy smoothie bowls and the pancakes. At Café Buur, you can also enjoy unusual breakfast creations from all over the world all day long.
If you arrive directly at 9 a.m., you have a good chance of getting a table. Otherwise, especially at weekends, you should be prepared to queue to get in. But it’s worth the wait! And reservations are not accepted anyway.
Café Buur, Cologne Richard-Wagner-Straße 28, 50674 Cologne
Hinz & Kunz
Lovingly prepared dishes that make breakfast-loving hearts beat faster are definitely worth the trip to Hinz & Kunz. Whether it’s a breakfast classic with bread rolls, sausage, cheese, jam and boiled eggs, muesli with fresh fruit, creative pancake variations or a variety of selected egg dishes – there choice is yours!
This small, cozy corner café in Cologne-Lindenthal has a lovely outdoor terrace, which we particularly like in summer. But beware, depending on the time of year (late summer) there is unfortunately a lot of wasps which make it almost impossible to sit outside!
It is worth making a reservation here, as they only have a very limited number of seats available, at least in the indoor area.
Hinz & Kunz Café, Schallstraße 34, 50931 Cologne
Incir Brunch & Cafe
Right on the beautiful Zündorfer Groov is a real insider tip for all breakfast lovers: the Inchir Brunch & Café. As soon as you arrive, you feel a bit like you’re on vacation – boho vibes, views of the greenery, relaxed music. But the real highlight is, of course, the breakfast. It’s Turkish-style, fresh, colorful and really delicious.
The menu includes various egg pans, gözleme, toasts, a few sweet treats and, of course, all those little bowls of olives, cheese, jam etc. Whether inside in the cozy café or outside on the terrace with a view of the greenery – the day definitely starts with a smile here.
If you’re traveling with kids, there’s a large playground right next door – which makes breakfast even more relaxing. And if you don’t fall straight into a food coma afterwards, it’s worth taking a walk along the Rhine or playing a round of mini golf opposite – perfect for digesting and taking a deep breath.
Incir, Kirchstraße 18, 51143 Cologne
Café de Paris
Fancy a short trip to France? Café Paris impresses with its wonderful ambience and lovingly designed interior. But that alone would not be enough for me to recommend Café de Paris here. Of course, the breakfast variations are also excellent!
The selection is generous. Croques and croissaints, tartines, bowls, French toast, breakfast burgers, pancakes, eggs and mixed breakfast platters. There is everything you wish for and more. My favorite for a special morning: scrambled eggs with freshly sliced truffles and truffle butter, a croissant and a glass of Cremant. Oh, là là!
Here, too, you should definitely book well in advance if you want to have breakfast at the weekend. However, I can also recommend eating at Café Paris at other times of the day. They also have excellent lunch and dinner choices and we have never been disappointed.
From the terrace you can watch the hustle and bustle of Ehrenstraße. Breakfast in Cologne with a touch of Paris .
Café de Paris Cologne, Benesisstraße 61, 50672 Cologne
Bistro Matilda
There are cafés that are nice. And then there are cafés like Bistro Mathilda in Cologne-Sülz, where you get the feeling as soon as you walk in: I could spend half the day here. And let’s be honest: who hasn’t “accidentally” stayed until 3 pm for Sunday breakfast?
Mathilda is just such a place. Lovingly furnished, somewhere between Scandinavian minimalism and a charming flea market find, and with an outdoor terrace that is the best place in the neighborhood in summer. The cappuccino tastes twice as good there.
Whether you’re the sweet type (Team Croissant with butter & jam) or prefer a hearty breakfast (Team Mashed Avocado Stulle) – at Mathilda you’ll be full and happy. And if you’re undecided, no problem: there are different breakfast variations, from classic to fancy. So, head to Sülz for a great start to the day!
Bistro Matilda, Zülüicher Str. 312, 50937 Cologne
Balthazar
The trendy café/restaurant Balthasar is located on the busy strech of Aachener Str. in the Belgian Quarter, where many cafés and restaurants are lined up. We particularly like the buzz and the good atmosphere, whether indoors or outdoors. An incredibly extensive breakfast selection and delicious freshly squeezed juices are on offer.
You can find all the breakfast classics, but also great dishes that you won’t find in every breakfast restaurant. For example, the Sri Lankan Omelette, the Salmon Burger, the Acai Superfood Bowl, Proats or Baked Oatmeal. Yuuum! Breakfast is served daily until 4 pm. Reservations on weekends are strongly recommended.
Balthasar in the Belgian Quarter, Aachener Str. 18, 50674 Cologne
Moxxa Caffè
Moxxa, which is located right next to Balthasar, is not just a café, but first and foremost a coffee roastery. Therefore t’s no surprise that the baristas spoil you with the most delicious coffee specialties. You can even find the good old filter coffee here (still my all-time favorite!).
When it comes to breakfast choices, you can dig in properly at Moxxa. Whether avocado slice, early pretzel burger or lumberjack breakfast, everything is catered for. Products used come from the region or even from their own cultivation. The cakes come fresh straight out of Moxxas own bakery. What more can you ask for?
moxxa.caffè | Die Rösterei, Aachener Straße 22, 50674 Cologne
[noa]
You can only have breakfast at [noa] at the weekend, until 4 pm. Perfect for all late risers. The breakfast menu includes a few good old classics, such as the French breakfast or muesli with yoghurt and fruit. But the breakfast variations from [noa] are also characterized by a few more unusual combinations. Here you can order a country bread with merguez sausages, date cream, rocket, feta cheese and tomatoes, or a French toast with camembert and jam.
We love sitting outside on the small terrace or in the front room of the restaurant. Unfortunately, we find the back of the restaurant a little uncomfortable, but that’s ultimately a matter of taste.
Restaurant [noa], Maastrichterstraße 3, 50672 cologne
Augustin
When you enter the Augustin, the first thing you do is look up. Why? Because the countless chandeliers immediately attract everyone’s attention. A cosy atmosphere for breakfast at the Augustin is guaranteed, but the inner courtyard is also very inviting for an outdoor breakfast when the weather is nice.
Augustin is actually the restaurant in the Hotel Hopper, but it’s not just hotel guests who can have breakfast here. For 22 euros you can help yourself to the buffet – coffee, tea and juice included. The selection is not necessarily incredibly extensive, but you will find everything you need for a classic continental breakfast.
As many cafés only open at 9.00 or 10.00 a.m., Augustin is a good alternative for all early birds, as you can dine here from 7.00 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 8.00 a.m. at weekends. Wednesday to Friday it is only open from midday.
Türnich Castle
If you are looking for a special breakfast, Schloss Türnich near Kerpen is a great option. It is only around 20 to 30 kilometers outside Cologne and offers a charming atmosphere surrounded by greenery, perfect for a relaxed start to the day and a long walk after dinner. The café at Schloss Türnich offers a variety of culinary delights with a focus on fresh, regional dishes – many of which are home-grown and organic.
The breakfast selection is quite small, but of excellent quality. A variety of homemade cakes can also be a delicious addition for sweet lovers. The castle café also offers a cozy atmosphere and a beautiful terrace where you can have breakfast outside when the weather is nice. It’s a great way to get away from it all and start the day in a special environment!
Club Astoria – Sunday brunch
If you love an extended brunch on Sundays, with all the trimmings, then head to Club Astoria! From 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. you can enjoy an amazing buffet there every week. The buffet offers everything and more! You can help yourself to a rich selection of breakfast classics, slurp oysters and have fresh egg dishes prepared at the cooking station.
From lunchtime, there is also a large selection of hot dishes, as well as a waffle station, various desserts and a self-service ice cream counter. Coffee, tea, juice and Prosecco are also included in the price. We think the price-performance ratio at Club Astoria is more than fair, and the service is fast and courteous.
A well-rounded experience and we can only warmly recommend a visit. In addition, there is the beautiful location in the middle of the city forest at the Adenauer Weiher, which invites you to take a (probably well needed) walk afterwards. We recommend that you book early.
If you’re looking for a change from breakfast in Cologne and fancy breakfast with a sea view, then check out one of the many great boho beach clubs in Holland. They are definitely always worth a trip. Not just for breakfast!
