Julia Komp’s guide to Cologne

Discover the best restaurants in Cologne, Germany with these tips from local chef Julia Komp of Sahila.

Award-winning chef Julia Komp traveled to and worked in over 30 countries before opening Sahila in Cologne. There she takes diners on a trip around the world, with each course representing a traditional dish from a different country, including Morocco, Thailand and Korea, using authentic flavors but local products where possible. The restaurant has one Michelin star.

Here, Komp recommends her favorite places to eat in Cologne.

“It's like a brauhaus, a traditional German place. They serve beer, they have quick service and they have German food that changes seasonally. For example, sauerbraten – braised horse or beef in a sweet and sour sauce with raisins. This is very classic.”

“Gruber’s is an Austrian restaurant. They have the real schnitzel and a really a nice terrace, very green and calm in the middle of the city. As well as traditional Austrian food they also have a fine dining fine-dining menu.”

"A young talented chef and a young team. The location is small and they serve the best products. Think French technique and Asian/fusion flavours."

“This is the restaurant of the Excelsior Hotel Ernst. They change their menus regularly and follow the seasons. If you want to eat nice asparagus in April or May, go here. The chef seasons his food very well.”

“This is a small French restaurant. I love the artichokes, which you eat in the French way with a nice dipping sauce. This restaurant [reminds me] of holidays in my childhood. They cook real food and it’s very good value.”

“Phaedra is in the south of Cologne. They cook Mediterranean food with Greek influences, with an à la carte with plates for sharing and a small set menu. They have seats outside.”

“Ito belongs to a group of restaurants in Cologne. They serve sushi, sashimi, and a tasting menu. It’s very fine food, of course fresh fish and people who know how to cut sashimi.”

“Puls is the second restaurant of Daniel [Gottschlich] of Ox & Klee. The ambience is like a bar and they have lots of small things on the menu. You can order beef tartare, croquettes, or real plates. Last time I was there, they had hot Caesar salad. The menu is great.”

“A nice place to have a coffee or aperitif. It's more about the location but they serve a burger and steak and they have oysters from time to time, fish soup. They are a little bit French, very modern. Everybody will find something on the menu they like.”

“They’re just open for lunch. Typical French food, with a menu that changes daily. They used to have two stars and the quality and the cooking is amazing.”

“It's the same kitchen [as Sahila] and we serve the same quality of meat and fish. You always  get a mezze, where you can find things like hummus, baba ganoush, falafel and then you can choose between a menu where you get soup, a main dish and a dessert or just the main dish and you can order à la carte as well. A nice ambience with high quality food.”