Restaurant guide: gluten-free dining

Travelling or visiting new, unfamiliar places can be quite a challenge for people who suffer from gluten intolerance or, worse still, a coeliac condition – as I myself am all too aware. So I’ve put together a collection of my favourite gluten-free eateries in Cologne, with something for every pocket and time of day.

Located in the heart of the Ehrenfeld district, Edelgrün has a large selection of gluten-free products. From smoothie bowls to porridge to coconut yoghurt with gluten-free granola, there’s something for everyone. All the dishes are based on the “clean eating” concept, which means they don’t contain refined sugar. In addition to breakfast, Edelgrün also has a range of gluten-free meals at lunchtime and in the evening.

+++ Unfortunately, Edelgrün is closed +++

It may be small but it’s certainly big on taste – Café Hommage teams up delicious coffee with buckwheat crêpes of the sweet variety or savoury with goat’s cheese, walnuts and honey. Shabby chic and back-to-nature furnishings complete the feel-good atmosphere of this place, located near Friesenplatz in the centre of town.

www.facebook.com/hommage.koeln
Friesenstraße 75, 50670 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 8 am – 6 pm; Sun, 10 am – 6 pm

Mr. Kumpir, right in the middle of the Ehrenfeld district, dishes up amazing baked potatoes with a range of different fillings. You can choose from the ideas on the menu or make your own creation. In the non-vegan option, they take the potato flesh out, mix it with butter and cheese to make a sort of mash and put it back in again before adding the topping. But vegan options are also available. There’s a choice of different vegetables, fish, meats and sauces for the topping. Prices start at 4.90 euros.

www.mrkumpir.com
Venloer Straße 276, 50823 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs, 11 am – 11:30 pm; Fri – Sat, 11 am – 1:30 am; Sun, 11 am – 11:30 pm

If you’ve been yearning for a weekly dose of hummus, yearn no more. Mashery has a whole range of ingenious hummus combinations to enjoy with the staple pita or with green falafels, salad and haloumi cheese.

www.mashery-hummus.de
www.facebook.com/masheryhummus
Roonstraße 36, 50674 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 12 noon – 10 pm

This café, near Chlodwigplatz in the southern part of the city, has it all: a great interior, good, house-roast coffee plus a gluten-free chocolate and salted caramel cake to die for.

www.einbrand.com
www.facebook.com/einbrand
Bonner Straße 38, 50677 Cologne
Opening hours: Until the end of May, Mon – Sat, 10 am – 6 pm; June onwards, Mon – Fri, 8 am – 6 pm; Sat – Sun, 10 am – 6 pm

Be it burgers, steaks, salads, home-made lemonade or long drinks, Karl Hermann’s only serves the best and is a must for any burger fan. Awarded organic certification in May, you’ll find no antibiotics or other additives here. Gluten-free rolls come as standard and the staff can tell you anything you want to know about the products and any allergens in them.

www.karlhermanns.de
www.facebook.com/karlhermannskoeln
Venloer Straße 538, 50825 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs,11:30 am – 11 pm; Fr, 11:30 am – midnight; Sat 10 am – midnight; Sun, 10 am – 10 pm

Mama trattoria is a modern take on the trattoria, serving traditional Italian dishes such as pizza and pasta, including gluten-free versions. The food is always fresh, the quality good and the prices moderate.

www.mama.eu
Brückenstraße 5-11, 50667 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon – Sun, 11:30 am – 11:30 pm