Brunch in Cologne

During her time with Cologne Tourist Board’s corporate communication department, our intern Lena Wolff sampled some of Cologne’s brunch locations for you. She had already gained some “brunch experience” in Berlin but what would Cologne have to offer in the way of late breakfasts?

Brunch – a wonderful combination of BR-eakfast and l-UNCH, usually in the shape of a sumptuous buffet. My idea of a great treat after a stressful week!
Join me as we check out five of Cologne’s countless brunch options.

Famillich (local dialect for “family”) certainly lives up to its name, offering something for everyone, young and old. At this bright and friendly café bistro in Cologne’s Eigelstein quarter, you can enjoy a relaxed brunch from 10 am to 2 pm at the weekend and on public holidays. The price is 15.90 euros or one euro per year of age for children up to the age of 10 (i.e. five euros for a five-year-old). I particularly liked Famillich’s cold hors d’oeuvres, like the Spanish tortilla or the yummy dips with house-baked bread.

+++ Unfortunately, Café Famillich is closed +++

Cologne’s Marriott Hotel also puts on a family brunch every Sunday, from 1.00 noon to 4.00 pm. At 65 euros, it’s one of the city’s more expensive brunch options but it includes activities for the children and drinks. Children up to the age of six eat free; older children up to the age of 12 eat for half the adult price. Before the buffet is actually opened at 12.30, guests can enjoy a pre-brunch glass of bubbly and a snack. At the rustic-style Cast Iron Grill, the focus is very much on lunch dishes. I sampled my way through the huge selection, from steak to various salads to fresh oysters, accompanied by jaunty piano music.

Good to know: The Cast Iron buffet primarily caters for meat eaters; the range of vegetarian dishes is quite small.

My brunch at the Cast Iron Grill was courtesy of the Cologne Marriott Hotel.

Cologne Marriott Hotel
Johannisstraße 76–80, 50668 Cologne
www.marriott.de/hotels/travel/cgnmc-cologne-marriott-hotel

Just off Chlodwigplatz, in the heart of the southern part of Cologne, is where you’ll find Ecco. They have a brunch buffet every day, from 10 am to 3 pm, with a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options. They can also conjure up special dishes for customers with a lactose or gluten intolerance. The normal price is 14.90 euros on weekdays and 18.90 euros on weekends but I was also intrigued to see they had a “speed brunch” deal. If you eat up within one hour, you only pay 10.90 euros on weekdays or 14.90 euros at the weekend.

Good to know: Ecco has a great range of coffee drinks, made using sustainable coffee beans.

ecco Restaurant
Kartäuserwall 7–11, 50678 Cologne
www.ecco-restaurant.de

To most people in Cologne, Herbrand’s is a well-known night spot. But the restaurant also does Sunday brunch, from 10 am to 2 pm, with a huge selection of hot and cold food. I felt the lunch dishes were particularly varied: seasonal vegetarian options, a range of salads, antipasti and more traditional fare. There really is almost too much to choose from! Plus, the price (24.50 euros) includes standard filter coffee, tea and a glass of orange juice.

Good to know: Make sure you leave space for the “make-your-own” waffles and crêpes!

Herbrand’s ehrenfeld
Herbrandstraße 21, 50825 Cologne
www.herbrands.de

This is one of Cologne’s later brunch options, making it perfect for those of you who like a lie-in! Right next to the cathedral, the Wartesaal serves its “chill-out breakfast” from 12 noon to 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays. For 26 euros, you get to sample your way through the wide range of hot, cold and sweet dishes whilst also savouring the building’s historical atmosphere. There are even two live cooking stations: I watched on as they made me an omelette with all my favourite ingredients and I could have had a sweet crêpe made too if only I had had enough room left!

Good to know: Take your time – you’ve got a whole five hours to try everything the buffet has to offer.

Wartesaal am Dom
Johannisstraße 11, 50668 Cologne
www.wartesaalamdom.org