El Chango in Köln

Fantastic steaks, attentive service. Unfortunately, it was VERY busy during our visit... it took a bit longer than expected :-/

We're from Argentina. It was REALLY, REALLY good. Highly recommended. We were really craving some meat. We ordered the sirloin well-done, and they cooked it perfectly. The potato wrapped in foil is amazing. It comes with a spiced butter that's heavenly. The service was also excellent; you feel right at home.

Delicious appetizer (shrimp in garlic cream sauce). Good quality meat. Service was somewhat overwhelmed; they didn't bring the food as ordered (this also happened at other tables). The ambiance is rustic, but unfortunately showing its age (some chairs are very wobbly and worn out).

Unfortunately, tonight was a complete disaster. We waited over an hour for our food, and only after asking the server about it. I strongly suspect the order was simply forgotten in the kitchen. But that's not how it was communicated. The next table arrived about 45 minutes later and received their food 10 minutes after we did. The explanation given was that the upstairs dining room was full, which is why the kitchen couldn't keep up. But you can't use that excuse for steaks because steaks need time to reach the perfect doneness. And that's exactly what happened to us. It seems they just quickly threw the steaks on the grill and rushed them out. We ordered medium-rare, and they arrived completely rare. After we complained, they put the steaks back on the grill. And even then, the meat was still rare (see photo). The waitress, on the other hand, was friendly and very helpful. But that didn't help when the kitchen wasn't functioning properly. She also insisted that the steaks were cooked to the correct doneness. She then offered us coffee when the total bill came to €165 for three adults and two small children. I find that outrageous! Although we gave the waitress several chances to grill the steaks properly, we eventually gave up, especially since the children had school the next day. We expressed our dissatisfaction to two different waitresses several times, but unfortunately, they insisted on the full bill. We paid and left. The owner seems to have disappeared somewhere. It's a real shame how regular customers are treated. We also asked them to wrap the raw steak. They simply put it in aluminum foil and handed it to us without a bag or box. The car was a complete mess because the meat juices were leaking everywhere.

Dinner with friends. Steaks were very good. Side dishes could be improved.

Perfectly cooked steaks at a great price. €25.80 for a 300g sirloin steak with a baked potato is really cheap. Very friendly service. Hardly any waiting time.

Nice atmosphere, but my medium steak was still raw and bloody. €56 for a rump steak and potatoes is outrageous.

I ordered a medium-rare rump steak, but it arrived almost raw and inedible. The waiter pocketed the tip himself, could barely communicate, and couldn't do math. The ambiance was pleasant. Unfortunately, the food was a complete disaster.

Very good food. Nice ambiance and friendly service.

The best steakhouse in Cologne! Simply superb, amazing atmosphere, great waiters, amazing food.

Excellent food in an authentic setting. Fast and friendly service. Highly recommended.

Was für ein Fleisch. Einzigartig ein muss für köln. Mann muss dieses Fleisch gekostet haben. Die Nummer 79 auf der Karte empfehlenswert...

A very pleasant restaurant with good Argentinian cuisine. No frills. Very cozy atmosphere.

If you're going to eat steak in Cologne, then head to the Argentinian steakhouse "Chango" at Heumarkt. In my opinion, it's the best restaurant for steaks. Whether you choose sirloin, rump, or filet mignon, they all taste fantastic. No "waste/tendons/etc."—just perfectly grilled, delicious steaks. Add the baked potato "Papa Asada" and a salad, and I don't need anything more. The prices are reasonable and not exorbitant like in other steakhouses. This steakhouse has been around for as long as I can remember, which speaks volumes about its consistency and quality. I highly recommend it.

Highly recommended, absolutely friendly. Steak very tender, salad and side dishes perfect.

A long-established Argentinian steakhouse. The food was exactly as expected: authentic and delicious. The steaks were grilled to perfection. All in all, excellent, and highly recommended.

The smell at the door…. Oh my! Followed by a delicious Sangria. Then there was meat!

This is a place I always try to visit whenever I'm on a business trip to Germany. The steak is made with Argentine beef... the traditional steak is truly delicious.

An absolute insider tip if you're looking for a steakhouse in Cologne. Super delicious meat prepared on an open fire grill. We can 100% recommend this restaurant.

Exorbitant prices! Almost 58 euros for meat plus a dry side dish of broccoli. Never again.

For me, this is clearly the best steak in Cologne. It's sometimes difficult to get a seat, but that's due to the quality. The atmosphere is very quaint, and the small size of the space occasionally leads to a rather high noise level.

It was a nice place, I liked the beer. But the steaks weren't very good in my opinion. There were six of us, and everyone's steaks were cooked differently. And so, everyone's steaks were cooked for different amounts of time, and we were all standing around waiting for everyone else. This affected the taste. And there was a lot of confusion about who was whose. We couldn't figure out which was which.

We had a very good meal! Everything was perfect. We'd love to go back!

Excellent service and food. A little pricey for my taste.

Shut. When it should be open I drove all the way across town, to eat at this normally fantastic restaurant which was shut for no obvious reason.

El Chango is a culinary experience you won't soon forget – authentic, vibrant, and full of flavor! Anyone looking for a true South American atmosphere and first-class food will be completely delighted here. The warm, inviting atmosphere awaits you as soon as you enter: rustic decor, loving details, and relaxed yet professional hospitality. The team is attentive, personable, and manages to make every guest feel welcome – without any pretense. El Chango impresses across the board when it comes to culinary delights. The meat quality is outstanding – tender, grilled to perfection, and perfectly seasoned. The side dishes are also creative and harmoniously balanced. Whether empanadas, grilled vegetables, or homemade dips – everything is prepared with care and dedication. The wine selection is as harmonious as it is high-quality. The evening atmosphere is particularly noteworthy: atmospherically lit, pleasantly lively, yet not loud. Ideal for a relaxed dinner with friends, family, or business associates. Conclusion: El Chango not only offers excellent food, but also a well-thought-out overall experience. Everything here is just perfect – from the cuisine to the service to the atmosphere. Five stars – with complete conviction.

I came to try the restaurant because of the good reviews, and it was a good decision. During the week, they have a daily menu that costs €20, which is perfect. The meat, like a true Argentinian, was impeccable. Highly recommended.

A beautifully cooked medium rare!

El Chango is a cologne staple every time we visit cologne the steaks are superb the atmosphere is great and the staff are all welcoming. We visit with a group of 8-10 every year and are never disappointed with the food quality, all food is cooked on a charcoal grill and the jacket potatoes are always well cooked and seasoned,

Very friendly staff, the food was really delicious. The price was around 60 euros per person. The meat was particularly good – I definitely recommend it!

A very nice, rustic steakhouse where you can enjoy delicious food 😋. The rump steaks are amazing 🔨, as is the selection of side dishes. Highly recommended 👍 PS: Make a reservation in advance if possible.

First-class grilled meat, especially the steaks, is excellent. Authentic atmosphere and friendly service. The prices are absolutely reasonable for this type and quality of meat. There are a few seats available on two floors, but it's best to reserve in advance.

Very tasty and very friendly service!

I was in the mood for steak so decided to try El Chango as it has a great rating and is close to my hotel. I arrived just after their doors opened. Though heavily booked they kindly squeezed me in. Argentinian Steakhouse. I had sirloin medium rare. Steak presented on its own. No fringes. Perfect steak perfectly cooked. Delicious. Separate plate was an equally delicious tomato onion salad with an excellent house made vinaigrette. Excellent knowledgeable staff. Very fairly priced for a high quality meal.

A very pleasant atmosphere with excellent service. The food was delicious. I'd go back anytime.

An absolute highlight for Cologne when it comes to food!

Delicious food, friendly chat with the owner, always happy to come back

Absolutely understandable good reviews, but unfortunately I have to deduct a point because we waited over an hour for the starter when the restaurant wasn't full, and then a bit longer (about 30-40 minutes) for the main course. Prices are high, but that's normal for a very good piece of meat. All the service staff were very friendly, and the food was very, very good. For starters, I had the cream of fish soup with shrimp (to die for) and the 300g fillet steak (also amazing). My colleagues were also very satisfied with the food, and everyone was full. We'd be happy to go again.

The orders were brought 1.5 hours after I ordered. This is a very bad place in terms of service. I definitely do not recommend it.

The place is very typical and spartan. They are a bit slow in the service, but it is really worth it. Excellent quality meat, fabulous appetizers and good house red wine. There is no parking in the immediate vicinity, but there is an U-Bahn (subway) station 20 meters away. The restaurant is divided between the ground floor and the first floor. At the entrance on the right you can see the grill. In addition to meat they offer fish. The staff is friendly and speaks primarily Spanish, English and then German.

Nice local or typical Argentine, the staff is friendly and multilingual, the meat is really excellent!! Perfect for an evening with friends or even, as in our case, for an informal business dinner. Recommended!

Very good steaks, pure flavor, tender as butter. Great service. Quaint restaurant, very friendly.

The fillet steak for almost €50 was still raw (grilled on the outside, still cold on the inside), the interior, especially the very uncomfortable chairs, is definitely no longer up to date. Unfortunately we didn't feel comfortable there.

Unfortunately very disappointing. Very rarely have I had such a bad meal. I ordered my steak well done. When the steak arrived it was bloody. We called the waiter. Instead of taking the steak with him, he argued at the beginning and was of the opinion that the meat was done. I once worked in a restaurant myself. I know very well when a steak is not done. In addition, if a guest says he doesn't want to eat the steak like that, the waiter should accept that too. He couldn't answer the question of what dressing goes with the salad. Instead said I “believe…”. But belief is not knowledge! I ordered my side salad without onions. The salad with onions and then extra fried onions were brought. We made it clear to the waiter that we didn't order that. He didn't understand that. Unfortunately we had communication difficulties. He could understand broken German, which is why we even spoke to him in English. That was probably the reason why the order wasn't what we wanted. The pepper sauce didn't taste good at all. The crowning glory was that the fried onions were added to the bill and the waiter refused to take them off the bill on the grounds that we had ordered them. It finally came out. But something like that is not acceptable. Bad price for the food! Never again.

There were two of us there. The Kölsch was really poorly tapped. The corn on the cob was first forgotten, then served cold and put on the grill again. A steak was not prepared as ordered and was also grilled again. At a steakhouse in this price range, it can be good salt and pepper. You can get pepper if you ask, but unfortunately the mill drawer is full of old pepper. Of course, one of the desserts was wrong and the other was way too sweet. The quality of the steaks is okay, hence 2 stars. Of course there was no excuse for all the mishaps. It used to be a very good steakhouse, but unfortunately there isn't much left of it. The facility is getting old. Probably "still" living from tourism and bachelor parties in the old town.

Very cool restaurant and the food was delicious. Price performance very good. The homemade herb butter is very tasty!

Very good food!! Very good attention

Wow, what a pleasant surprise after a long day at work. The rustic ambience with lots of visible dark wood and the view of the large charcoal grill at the entrance radiate authenticity and coziness. The service is extremely friendly and courteous even late at night, always with a winning smile on the face and very quick and precise service despite the full house. That really impressed me. While eating, I spontaneously fell in love. The prawns in cream, the flambéed fillet steak with Madagascar pepper and mushrooms were absolutely on point. And a baked potato that was neither dry, baked, nor too raw - but with the butter, it rounded off the steak dish in a nice, tender and creamy way. Not to forget the appetizer with a pleasantly fresh, spicy, slightly spicy salsa. A poem. I was really knocked out. Today, now my spirits are back and I also have a smile on my face again. Thanks for that, very clear recommendation.

The waitress had above-average arm hair and therefore unintentionally seasoned our beautiful fillets There was more hair on it than on the cow that ended up on the plate

At the end of our trip to Cologne we had lunch at Chango. Very good meat dishes, freshly prepared on the grill. Prices are of course high, but the steak was really good. The bratwursts were also really tasty (and spicy). For starters we had the prawns and garlic sauce, highly recommended. The design of the restaurant is adventurous and very cozy, exactly how we like it.

Visit El Chango every other year when I cologne for a trade fair. Managed twice this year. Fantastic steak.

No podía entender a los camareros debido a la ocupación del lugar de trabajo, son increíblemente groseros con la gente y no amables. Las ensaladas no son agradables, las carnes elegidas no eran buenas, es solo un buen lugar para tomar fotos. El servicio es demasiado lento que esperamos 20 minutos para la cerveza.

A clear recommendation from me to my companion! Delicious food (small appetizers, grilled meat and vegetables, shrimps, house wine), pleasant atmosphere, cozy rooms, nice and attentive staff - everything was great

The classic! Steaks and other Argentinian delicacies in an authentic atmosphere for 40 years. If you want to eat a real steak, you can get it here!

Excellent steak, perfectly prepared, great sauce and grilled corn. I definitely recommend...👌

It may be a bit salty and small in quantity for Korean tastes, but the gambas and steaks are very good, and the servers are very gentle. Great steak and foods. Perfect service with gentle man.

Unfortunately the food was very disappointing. The carpaccio, which you would assume was fresh, came frozen to the plate. The steaks were ok. The ambience is very nice and the service was quick and very attentive. Unfortunately that wasn't enough. We were primarily there for the food and unfortunately it wasn't convincing. Very unfortunate

A great Argentinian, the host is authentic, they know what they are doing, the price-performance ratio is right. We had a great evening that left nothing to be desired. Thanks to the El Chango team

Very good Argentinian restaurant, the meat was top as was the service!

Because of the good reviews, we decided to try out El Chango with a group of 6 people. Except for the starter, which was initially delivered incorrectly and then with wilted lettuce, the food was OK. The meat was delicious and grilled perfectly. What was absolutely wrong was the service: - Although we made a reservation by phone two days in advance, our reservation could not be found. We were lucky that there was still a table available on the upper floor. - The waitress didn't respond to questions when ordering or only after asking them several times - Waiting times for drinks and food were extremely long - Both waitresses on our floor were constantly standing together, talking or using their cell phones, and didn't respond to waves or calls, which made it almost impossible to order more drinks. - Paying was pure chaos. We were 3 couples and therefore didn't want a total bill for the entire table but rather one bill per couple. The operation was completely overwhelmed by this requirement. We then received 6 individual receipts, i.e. one receipt per person, but the content was completely wrong. We then had to compile and calculate our bills ourselves because the lady was unable to do so. It seems that El Chango is mainly geared towards a tourist business where guests only come once anyway. Overall, the food was OK for a steakhouse, but there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to service. Too bad.....

Very cozy restaurant, nice atmosphere, great service and fantastic food. Gladly again

Everything was delicious and the service was fast and friendly. The atmosphere is very cozy and calm, the soft music gives it the touch.

Super delicious food, spectacular meat. Excellent attention. I totally recommend it

El Chango in Cologne is a real highlight for anyone who wants to enjoy good food in a great ambience. The restaurant impresses with a stylish and cozy atmosphere that invites you to linger. The food is excellent – ​​high quality, fresh and prepared with a lot of love. Meat lovers in particular will get their money's worth here. The staff is extremely friendly, attentive and ensures that you feel completely comfortable. The combination of excellent service, delicious food and the unique atmosphere makes El Chango an absolute recommendation. A cool Cologne restaurant that you should definitely try! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Top address in Cologne!

Yes, great restaurant...delicious food...grilled in front of you

My wife, our son and I had dinner here at El Chango on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. Since it was carnival time, we had booked a table in advance and that was a good thing because the restaurant was full. This must have been due to the good quality of the food. So we were in the right place and yes, it was a great evening. We had an excellent meal and the quality of the meat was fantastic. We all ate a rump steak (350g and 220g). The boss and his employees were very friendly and very attentive despite the crowd. After the meal, including dessert, we had a brief conversation with the patron, Mr. Ramon Lima. My wife and I realized that we had eaten in this exact restaurant about 30 years ago and were so impressed even then. Back then, a real gaucho in traditional costume played the guitar and sang a few songs. A little music would have rounded off the evening, but we are still thrilled and would go here again and again for a steak dinner. Highly recommended.

An absolute top restaurant with excellent steak quality. We have been there many times and are always thrilled.

I would like to thank El Chango in Cologne for an incredibly accommodating and friendly experience! 🙏✨ I had a voucher from 2017 that I hadn't redeemed to this day. Although vouchers usually expire after three years, I was told without hesitation that I could redeem it - after eight years! 🎉 This shows how much customer satisfaction is valued here. A huge thank you for that! ❤️ The entire experience was great. 👌 The staff was always friendly, attentive and took excellent care of us. The noise level was pleasant, and the decor combines Bavarian charm with Argentinian decor in a way that creates a particularly cozy atmosphere. 🪵🇦🇷 🍤 It was a culinary highlight! As a starter we had prawns in cream sauce – a real treat! There was also fresh bread, homemade herb butter and a slightly spicy salsa 🌶️ - perfectly balanced. For the main course we had rump steak and fillet steak with baked potatoes - both cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. 🥩🥔 The portions were more than sufficient and we were completely impressed by the quality of the food. I really enjoyed my time with you and am glad to have been a guest in your restaurant. 💕 Thank you for this great experience – hopefully see you soon! 😊 Best regards, Steve

I like to give 5 stars Perfect meal. One of the best steaks I've eaten. Wonderful crust, great braised aroma, eternally tender meat and also my desired medium rare. Service was also very pleasant. Marcello is a top guy. As for the location. Beautifully quaint and rural :) You think you are in the tourist area but you feel very comfortable and remote. Perfect for me The house wine also tastes great with the steak 👍🏼

das essen war sehr lecker besonders die tacos und guacamole waren fantastisch das personal war sehr aufmerksam und der service war schnell die atmosphäre im restaurant war sehr angenehm allerdings kann es zu stoßzeiten etwas voll werden

das essen war wirklich lecker die tacos und guacamole waren hervorragend die zutaten waren frisch und von hoher qualität das ambiente des lokals war lebendig und angenehm

The restaurant offers an all-round experience with a rustic charm that goes perfectly with the cuisine. The steak was tender, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The shrimp cocktail also impressed with its freshness and harmonious sauce. The bread served with delicious herb butter was the icing on the cake. A harmonious ambience and high-quality food make this restaurant a clear recommendation.

El Chango is an absolute top address for steaks and fish specialties. From A to Z it is super authentic Argentinean. The furnishings are rustic yet cozy. The service is very friendly and absolutely professional. And the food is terrific. We had four steaks. Medium-Rare, Medium, Medium-Plus and Welldone. All came perfectly served. The side dishes and starters are also outstanding. I have rarely eaten as well as I did at El Chango. Always worth a visit. It is advisable to reserve in advance.

Zeer goede keuken en zeer vriendelijke mensen. Ze zijn meerdere talen machtig. Duits,Engels,Spaans. Aanrader als je iets anders wilt dan Duitse kost

The meat god at the Heumarkt. Simply always good!

I have eaten the BEST steak here so far. THIS IS MY BEST RECOMMENDATION!

We had 38 hours here and it’s been great. We walk into this gorgeous place filled with people and plants. There is Argentinian music playing: atmosphere locked in. We sit down and the server is beyond kind. Asked us our language (English like the dummies from USA that we are). He explains the menu. Makes us feel so comfortable and welcomed. Service: fantastic. Then we get the food. We split a 400 gram skewer. Me and my mom tore this UP. Has grilled peppers and onions on it. More than enough and the meat MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH (got medium rare). The food looked and smelled so delicious, we couldn’t take a photo. We’re from New Orleans and this place delivered; we know good culinary delights. Food: mouth watering. I loved it here.

Perfect location and delicious food 😋

Steak restaurant in the city center. Cozy rustic restaurant on two floors. Service was quick and friendly. The steak with baked potato from the charcoal grill was good, but you should make sure that if you want it medium rare, it is served that way.

Recomendado por nuestro hotel que amablemente reservó una mesa para nosotros. Nada especial en el exterior, pero un lugar interesante en el interior con mucho ambiente. Nuestro camarero, Marcelo, hablaba muy buen inglés, era educado y servicial. Mi filete era excelente, al igual que los kebabs de mi esposa. Mis hijas filete era más raro de lo que esperaba y un poco gordo. Las bebidas eran razonables, así como el precio.

Best steaks in cologne area ! Totally recommended

Great steaks, for me the best in Cologne!

A cozy restaurant. Some of the tables were a bit close together at the top and there was a lot of decoration :D The employee who assigned us the table was incredibly friendly and in a good mood! The food was really great, steak medium, juicy and tender. The dips with bread were also really tasty. Price/performance ratio is also right, definitely worth a visit!

Amazing food and very tasty steaks. Garlic shrimps very super tasty as well. They give you bread and garlic/krauter butter at the start which is so good and you wanted to come back just for that. Overall a great restaurant and they keep the same unique taste over years.

Great steaks, great service, you may need to book as it’s popular

The owner and personnel are friendly. The food is very tasty and fresh.

Delicious steaks in a rustic atmosphere.

Always a must when I'm in Cologne.

Very good quality - attentive service - cozy atmosphere - authentic

Incredibly great restaurant with meat that is so delicious that you seriously have to ask yourself what you have ever eaten so far. Really a must for all food lovers!

I love this restaurant because the steaks are absolutely top quality and grilled to perfection. All the waiters there are as nice and helpful as you could hope for. This restaurant is an absolute recommendation! Don't be put off, the shop is a bit cluttered, but I think that's part of the charm of the whole thing.

Great service and great steak, everything was great

Very good steaks.Pretty much the best in Cologne.We've been eating there for many years.Very good

Based on numerous recommendations, we visited El Chango and reserved a place there. It's very often full, so you probably wouldn't be able to get a table without a reservation. The service was very nice, but I was actually disappointed with the dishes. In my opinion it is not the best steakhouse in Cologne, as some people praise it. I actually prefer something else that is nearby. And I found the prices a bit high. That's why I only give it 3 stars.

Nice tasty food. I don't think you should skip this restaurant if you are in Cologne. It is located in a side street of the large Heumarkt square - so we have often walked past it without realizing that it is one of the better restaurants in Cologne. Especially if the Brauhaus food comes out of your nose: El Chango is a great option. The steak was super tender, the corn on the cob was grilled really well (I don't think I've ever had it grilled so well & tasty anywhere) and the starters/desserts we had were really great. (Including empanadas, Jamon, piementos, carpaccio - Dulce de Leche & lemon iced cream served in an actual big lemon. Whenever you asked for Pepper - you get this ancient peppermil, which only enhanced the authentic feeling. Amazing. 5 star. And then I'm just talking about the food. The service was also really great, we had a good chat with the server, he was able to serve 75% of our diverse group in their own language, if we had had another Spanish person, that number would have been even higher, a nice extra. I will definitely come back here again. The food was too good, I didn't have time to take pictures.

Para cenar tuvimos sirloin y lomo, las carnes de primera calidad, y cocciòn perfecta, eramos 20 personas y todo llegó al mismo tiempo. Excelente servicio

Great steakhouse, attentive service and great food

Simply a gem! Perfect food and service. Nice evening. Thanks!

Best steak I've eaten in a long time. Buttery tender. Plus great service in a rustic atmosphere. Super recommended.

In one word, magnificent The quality of the hands, the cooking level and the taste are excellent, especially the gambas with sauce are incredibly delicious, highly recommended..