Breakfasts in Cologne, part 2

Here’s round 2 of my breakfast bonanza! Again, I took it upon myself to root out the best breakfast options in town. You won’t be disappointed…

dein&mein is the embodiment of a no-frills café. Indeed, no frills are necessary, because here the focus is clearly on home-made food, notably the delicious breakfasts and scrumptious cakes. So of course I try both. The “sweet” breakfast option consists of a slice of highly addictive fluffy yeasty bread, a bread roll and a helping of fruit salad and jam, all lovingly presented on a pretty cake stand. Once I’m done, the friendly server suggests I try their white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. I give in to temptation although all I can manage is a couple of forkfuls. Awesome!

dein&mein
Ewaldistraße 18, 50670 Cologne
cafe-deinundmein.de

I’m not even through the door and my senses are already on high alert. On my left is a long counter groaning under Simitzade’s fragrant and very good-looking home-made Turkish baked goods. But today I’m not here for takeaway; I take a seat and order à la carte. This Turkish bakery, one of two outlets in the city, pulls out all the stops when it comes to the perfect breakfast. The menu is extensive, and so it takes me a while to choose menemen, a classic dish involving pan-fried scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spices. The diners at the next table have opted for the generous breakfast buffet, which looks just as good. Never mind, I’ll just have to head back for another visit.

Simitzade
Neusser Straße 279, 50733 Cologne
www.facebook.com/Simitzadekoeln

From sweet to savoury: in Café Sehnsucht (Sehnsucht translates to “longing”), you tick any number of breakfast options on a list and your wish is fulfilled. I opt for French toast with bacon and maple syrup, which arrives accompanied by a cappuccino to lift my mood. Thankfully, I got here early and managed to grab a lovely spot in the sunlit conservatory – minutes later, all the tables are taken. Maybe it’s the genuinely friendly service, the delicious organic ingredients, or the simple but pretty furnishings. Or maybe it’s just the fact that this place manages to satisfy one’s longing for a truly good breakfast.

Café Sehnsucht
Körnerstraße 67, 50823 Cologne
www.sehnsucht-koeln.de

Add a drop of proprietor Carmen’s charm to a portion of her home-made jams and hey presto, you get Carmelädchen (Marmelade being the German for jam). Her café in the Südstadt is tiny but perfect. I’ve come for breakfast, because that is what Carmelädchen is best known for. Year-round, Carmen boils up the most outlandish jams you can imagine and serves up an impressive range of her delicious creations right here on site. Of course, she also does savoury breakfasts, but I’m in the mood for something sweet. And so a “jam bar” arrives at my table. Campari orange? Rosemary-infused pineapple? Or maybe a classic raspberry? I can’t choose, so I taste as many as five. A particularly nice touch is the option to do a good deed and pay for a fellow hungry diner’s breakfast too. Karma at Carmelädchen, so to speak. A great idea in a gorgeous café!

+++ Unfortunately, Carmelädchen is closed +++

Carmelädchen
Bonner Straße 80, 50677 Cologne

This jewel of a café is but a few weeks old, and I only came across it by coincidence because I was looking for a place that does eggs Benedict, that great breakfast classic. So here I am. The interior exudes Brooklyn coolness, and the delightful servers take great care of the many guests who populate the place despite it being a weekday to break their fast. My coffee arrives and it’s a thing of perfection, as are my poached eggs on delicious bread, accompanied by fresh salmon and a dollop of tasty hollandaise sauce. I just wish I could accommodate a portion of buttermilk pancakes on top…

Hinz & Kunz
Schallstraße 34, 50931 Cologne
hinzundkunz.cafe

From the transistor radio on the cake counter of this small bistro in Ehrenfeld float the dulcet tones of French chansons. I choose a seat on a cosy bench and page through the menu until a kindly server with a French accent helps me make my choice. And soon it arrives: a “tartine fourme d’Ambert”, a slice of bread au gratin with pear and almonds accompanied with a side salad dressed with an outrageously delicious vinaigrette. Of course the menu also lists sweet options, such as homemade cakes and galettes. Come here to eat like the kings of France – this place is merveilleux!

Madame Tartine
Venloer Straße 432, 50825 Cologne
www.facebook.com/madametartine.ehrenfeld/

Curious for more breakfast options? This way please!