Enjoyment, design, and heart

Cologne's restaurant scene is a mix of tradition and hipness, where there is always something new to discover. I would like to share a few places that, for me, embody the best of the city, its individuality, creativity, and warmth.

First, I recommend La Fonda Restaurant at Gereonskloster, the most beautiful square Cologne has to offer. Here you can meet artists, collectors, and gallery owners for lunch or dinner—it's a bustling meeting place! The cuisine combines international and regional specialties with vegan and vegetarian options that blow me away every time. A classic is the oriental-inspired roasted cauliflower and the exquisite Himmel & Ääd. Fresh, diverse, perfect for long meals and inspired conversations.

Another hotspot for the creative scene is Salon Schmitz, also known as Metzgerei Schmitz: the former butcher's shop in the red-light district is now an art-loving meeting place in the trendy Belgian Quarter. The atmosphere is relaxed, the beer, spritz, and bitters are homemade, and the food is rustic-urban with a dash of sophistication. Whether it's sausage platters or creative cocktails, it feels like a private salon in the city.

A great place for foodies is L'Imprimerie with its cool loft atmosphere. The French-Belgian cuisine is excellent—melt-in-your-mouth duck liver, perfect mussels, everything of the highest quality.

And last but not least, Em Hähnche, one of Cologne's last traditional corner pubs. The landlord taps the Kölsch himself, the chicken is golden brown and juicy, and the guests are like one big family. No starry glamour, but lots of heart – my retreat after hectic days.

We already mentioned the Belgian Quarter, where I often start my evening at Hallmackenreuther. I really like the sixties charm with retro furniture and vinyl records. Next stop is Little Link, also in the Belgian Quarter. The bar is always packed, which is no surprise given the excellent cocktails. Can it be topped? Yes, at Seiberts Classic Bar & Liquid Kitchen, a paradise for cocktail nerds. Every drink in this intimate bar is a work of art in itself, and the bartenders are true alchemists. These bars make Cologne's nights unforgettable — cheers!

As a lover of photography and design, I am naturally always on the lookout for new objects, ideas, and inspiration. One place that often delights me is Boucherie in the Belgian Quarter. Covering 400 square meters, it is a vintage paradise where you can find beautiful retro armchairs and mid-century lamps, as well as old photographs and neon signs. The founder, Marc Bouchet, worked for many years as a film architect in the film and advertising industry and therefore knows where to find the most unusual objects. Modanese Wood & Wine combines two worlds that harmonize well with each other: fine Italian wines and restored antiques and vintage wooden furniture. The concept store at St. Apernstraße 66-68 is truly unique with its blend of rustic charm and fine wines. If you're drawn to books on art, design, architecture, and photography, you can't miss the Walther König bookstore. The shelves are overflowing with inspiring books—I could browse here for hours. I also enjoy visiting Klaus Bittner's bookstore, which has been an institution in Cologne for over 40 years, offering friendly advice and surprising reading tips.

Finally, a note on our own behalf for the trade fair days and the period afterwards: Under the title “Everyday sculptures,” QVEST, together with buendel-Clara Twele, is presenting a special exhibition at Qvest the room (naturally also a must-see for lovers of special interior design, ). The exhibition focuses on different perspectives on the ubiquitous presence of sculptures in our everyday lives and the increasingly fluid boundaries between art and design. On display are the spectacular carpet designs by REUBER HENNING, the individual objects by Analog Glas, and the minimalist, timeless furniture by Lehni, among other things. The opening is on November 8, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at Albertusstrasse 18 with a talk on “Collectable Interior Design.”.

Autor: Olaf Schlippe