The Best Food and Drinks to Try in Cologne, Germany
When it comes to German food, there are so many options to fit everyone’s tastes. If someone told me that a decade ago, I would have laughed. When I moved to Germany for college, I literally packed a whole suitcase full of American and English snacks because I thought I was going to starve. I had eaten at lots of German restaurants in the US, but none of them tasted good to me. Boy, was I wrong about German food. Germany has some of the best food I’ve had in Europe, even beating Italy at times. So, let’s talk about some of the best foods to try in Cologne and around Germany.
#1 - Himmel un Äd mit Flönz
This dish is often called “earth” and “heaven” because it uses black pudding and mash that represent “earth” with apple sauce, which represents “heaven.” It’s usually topped with friend onions. Honestly, this seems like a very English dish to me. I am not a black pudding fan, but my husband loves it and enjoys this dish. It is a Cologne specialty.
#2 - Soorbrode
This meat is marinated in raisins and vinegar before cooked and is usually served with red cabbage and potato dumplings. Very tender meat that just falls off the bone. The sweetness from the raisins provides some nice contrast from the savoury taste of the meat. The meat will usually be horsemeat or beef, so it can vary.
#3 - Schweinshaxe
This is a giant pork knuckle. For those who are big meat-eaters, this is a dream come true for you. It is usually slow-cooked and still contains the bones. The meat just falls off the bones like butter. It is served with the typical German sides to complete the dish.
#4 - Schnitzel
Most people should know this one. Schnitzel is a meat cutlet (usually pork) that is coated in breadcrumbs and pan-fried. It can come in many varities, such as with sauce, other cuts of meat, or put in other dishes like salads or pastas. For us personally, we like it with a good squeeze of lemon and put in a brotchen (roll). You can find schnitzel everywhere around Germany.
#5 - Sauerbraten
Contrary to what some believe, the schnitzel is not the national dish of Germany. That would belong to this one - sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is meat that is heavily marinated… I’m talking up to 10 days. It is marinated in vinegar, wine, herbs, and spices. The meat is sliced up and served with hearty gravy and potato dumplings. It is very rich in flavour, so it will fill you up just after a few bites.
#6 - Currywurst
Another beloved dish that you can find almost anywhere in Germany. This is German bratwurst that is covered in a savoury curry sauce and curry powder and is usually accompanied by fries. You can find stands throughout Germany that sell these, and they are usually reasonable in price.
#7 - Fleischsalat
Literally translated as German meat salad - this dish is one of my favourites. It’s weird because I’m a casual vegetarian, but I really love meals that include sausages for some reason. This is a salad that consists of cold cuts such as bologna or German sausages that are thinly cut or shredded and drenched with vinegar along with onions, gherkins, tomatoes, cheese, and seasonings. It may not sound super good, but you really should give it a try. You’ll be surprised how good it tastes!
#8 -Apfelscnecken
It’s not just meat-heavy dishes and salads that take over Cologne. There are some good and unique pastries that you have to try while you’re here. One of the best pastries you should try while here is apfelschnecken. Literally translated as “apple snail donut,” this is pastry that swirls around to resemble a snail shell. It has chopped pieces of apple and is dusted in sugar. Try and get this fresh and hot for best results. It is life-changing.
#9 - Kölsch
Kölsch is the beer you will want to drink while here in Cologne. It is the local beer that you will find all throughout your stay here. It is considered a cross between lager and ale. It is warm fermented before being placed in a cold climate. Definetely refreshing on a warm summer day in Cologne!
#10 - Apfelschorle
For those who do not drink or simply don’t care for the taste of alcohol (like me), apfelschorle is the answer to good drinks in Cologne - and all throughout Germany. It is basically apple juice mixed with carbonated mineral water. It is kind of like non-alcoholic apple cider. Very good and refreshing! Kids love it too!
