Gaffel am Dom in Köln

We went there because a German lady recommended that restaurant. We got there, found our table and waited for around 15 minutes. No waiter ever came. We saw many waitresses and tried talking to them but they all ignored and walked past us. Another waiter only waved us hello but never came. I told a lady “excuse me, can you please…” and as soon as she heard me talking, she just started speaking german and walked away… it wasn’t only rude but stupid because I clearly didn’t speak German so whatever she said I couldn’t understand. We got tired, stood up and left!! The worst part is it is the most German-ish restaurant in a very busy touristic spot!!

The place was empty. We sat down and only saw waiters walking by. After five minutes, we asked a waitress if she could take our order in English, and she replied in German (my girlfriend speaks a little German) that one of her colleagues would come later to take our order. I then called another waiter, who just looked at me, said hello, and left. It was a terrible experience unlike any other I've ever had anywhere. We left. Terrible service, lack of willingness to serve, and friendliness. Not at all recommended.

Found exactly what I expected from a Cologne brewery: rusticity and atmosphere

This is Germany!!!! Great food. The place is just beautiful. The staff is top. "Zier gut!!!" It's the third time I have been there and I'll be back next year fir sure. Strongly recommend! Cheers!

A typical restaurant next to the cathedral, for a traditional meal... but the beers look like toys...

Excellent German tavern that makes you feel like you're in Cologne. Beer glasses that come automatically when they're empty, sausages, and pork knuckle—very classic and authentic.

An institution near the cathedral. The Wiess is unbeatable! But it doesn't quite deserve five stars. The service is nice, but somehow it lacks a cozy feel.

The staff is very friendly and the food is delicious.

I've been coming here for decades, even in larger groups. Today, after a 50 km bike ride, we stopped in again. We (a friend and I) sat at a table outside on the very edge and positioned our bikes to one side of the table. There were no other tables on that side and there was plenty of space for potential passersby. After a while, a female waitress came and greeted us with the words, "The bikes have to go!" Her tone and facial expression were completely unacceptable. After we asked, she turned around and simply left us sitting. Two women at the next table were also obviously shocked. We then went to Früh, where we were able to park our bikes without any problems and received very friendly service. What a shame!

The Kölsch was quick and good. The food was also relatively quick. It tasted good. It was also well presented. There was a lot of Kölsch. FC won. 2.40 for the Kölsch

Rating only for service and ambiance, as we didn't eat. We managed to get a table on a warm summer day. Fast service, friendly, and reasonable prices for the prime location.

I visited this restaurant on August 19, 2025. While I was looking forward to authentic German food, the service experience was incredibly poor and left me feeling very upset and disrespected. 1. Ordering Issues: After being seated, we were completely ignored for a long time. We tried to make eye contact and make ourselves heard, but were repeatedly ignored. 2. Yelling by Staff: When we finally flagged down a male server to get his attention, he didn't come to our table but instead yelled at us from across the room (essentially, that we should put our hands down and wait). This type of communication was extremely rude and impolite and left us feeling deeply embarrassed in public. 3. Significantly different treatment: The most unacceptable thing was that we observed the same waiter behaving completely differently—politely, patiently, and smilingly—to all the other guests (apparently locals) at the surrounding tables. This stark contrast makes it clear that we were treated differently. I hesitate to jump to conclusions, but this deliberate unfriendly treatment, which seemed to be due to our Asian appearance, makes me suspect that racist motives may have played a role. I can no longer objectively evaluate the meal itself, as the terrible service ruined the entire meal for me. We left quickly, feeling extremely uncomfortable and humiliated. This was the most unpleasant restaurant experience of my trip. I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone and will never set foot there again. I hope management takes this issue seriously and trains its staff in basic etiquette.

Terrible place, you will wait for your food for 40-50 minutes and the food itself is quite mediocre. At the end they try to scam you with the final bill so make sure to double check everything. But the worst is the staff, very rude, inattentive and you have to chase them for everything (to get seated, to make order etc.) Don’t recommend for sure, just avoid this place.

I love German and Austrian beer halls so took my daughter here to experience a German Beer hall. It wasn’t busy , there were many empty tables. We grabbed a table . Then waited and waited to get served. No one showed any interest in attending to us so we walked out. I can’t comment on the food as we never got served.

The waiter insiated I order beer snd forgott my water. Not the end of the qorld. Tge bill was 22 euros I iffered 15% tip the waiter was undulted and wanted to round up to 30 euros. Fine, I guess. The food is very good. Even at e0 euros goid value of food and liwest oruce fir dinnr since arriving in Europr.

Excellent place to have a beer... An iconic place that I couldn't miss when I arrived in Colonia. 🍻

The waitresses are usually friendly, but unfortunately ours today wasn't in such a good mood 😅 Still, as always, a good visit... always delicious, always top-notch...

Very loud and crowded.... Food is overpriced, better to go to a nice restaurant on the Rhine...

Highly recommended. Despite the crowds, the service is fast and friendly. The food is traditional; my roast beef with onions was very tender and flavorful. The ambiance is classic, as befits a brewery. Keep it up!

Nice restaurant right by the cathedral. Unfortunately, they're a rip-off with the water: no rental water (which I'd gladly pay for), but instead a bottle for €7.50.

Had late lunch with family in July25. Waiter approached an elderly British man next to us and during the billing enquired whether he was British and he the elederly man responded tht he is 'Afghanistani'. Me & my family had a giggle & wondered why did he say that. Found out the reason later: Same waiter asks if we are locals from europe (we are from Oz) blah blah and during electronic bill insists that tip MUST be 8%, 12% or 20%. I asked if I could choose a monetary amount. He said 'Nah'. Now I know why the Britisher said 'Afghanistan'. Management must curtail such practices by its staff & insist that the bill be paid at the counter or print on menu that tips are 'voluntary'. Noticed this trend applied only to non-europeans.

I like to sit here and dine while looking at the Episcopal Church. The restaurant waiters are very good and the food is delicious. The pig's feet are large and delicious.

Given the good reviews, I went to this pub restaurant. My husband's entrecote was very good, while my wiener schnitzel was absolutely not up to par. The dessert and local beer were very good. What left me very perplexed, however, was seeing little mice running back and forth inside the restaurant. I mentioned this to the waiter, but he wasn't surprised at all. In fact, he told me it was completely normal in Cologne. Well, I don't know about you, but in Italy, if we see a mouse in a restaurant, the next day the NAS arrives and bye-bye.

Beer in a rakı glass :) nice place, delicious kölsch

Mettbrötchen and Kölsch with a view of Cologne Cathedral and service that is on the ball 😉

The traditional Kölsh Bier was good, the Mett (raw pork) was delicious, and the staff was friendly. Atmosphere included a number of locals, so not just a tourist place next to the Köln Dom (Cologne Cathedral). Higly recommend.

The staff were very friendly and the menu was extensive, so it was a great experience, but then a mouse 🐭 ran near our table, and the couple sitting across from us moved to the terrace seats.

Where should I even begin?😂😂 I always enjoyed coming here until this happened: I had arranged to have dinner with a friend, and the restaurant was practically empty. We were allowed to sit wherever we wanted. Then, because of the bench, the two of us sat at a table for four. The waitress (curvy, older, dark brown hair) didn't like it, so they asked us to move. That's totally fine. My asking if we could stay at the bench visibly annoyed her. Why, actually?😂 We ordered: I ordered a salad, he a schnitzel. I briefly mentioned my lactose intolerance (I get severe diarrhea; not bad, but just unpleasant, which isn't what you want in a restaurant) and asked for a dairy-free dressing. When the salad arrives, there's just a thick layer of yogurt sauce all over it😂😂😂😂 I didn't want to say anything at first and ate about 1/8 of the chicken, until she came to the table and I asked if they could make it with a different dressing. And I have to tell you, the salad already looked weird before. A handful of roughly chopped iceberg lettuce with 3 slices of cucumber, 3 pieces of tomato, and a small uncut piece of chicken. And believe me, the salads here are actually really good and big and also awesomely topped with lots of things. A huge mountain of salad with herbs, corn, carrot, etc., and everything beautifully arranged. So when she comes back, it's just the salad and the chicken. The waitress simply took the toppings, like the cucumber and tomato, off and made the salad even smaller😂😂😂 When I asked her about it, she told me something about my "aura." She was so bad that I deserved nothing else 😂 Then she just kept going at it for a really long time and completely trashed me in front of my boyfriend. I actually wanted to complain, but I already had tears in my eyes. I paid and left the restaurant. And let me tell you: I've worked in service for years myself and know how exhausting annoying customers are. But that wasn't and isn't me 😂 I always treat service staff very respectfully and am the first to speak up if someone in the group doesn't. No offense, but for what the waitress did, they really should have bought me a salad.

I've been there several times; it's clean and friendly. The Kölsch beer was very well chilled. Schnitzel with fries and a soggy side salad for just under €20 is pretty steep.

Yes, I can recommend this place. Friendly waiters and good food. Drinks are expensive, like everywhere else in Cologne...

A truly quaint, traditional restaurant near Cologne Cathedral. We come regularly and enjoy the ambiance.

Kitchen closes at 10 PM (at least on Friday night). Drinks only from that point on.

Monday, July 1, 2024 It was sooooo delicious. And the staff were so kind. To all travelers, I highly recommend it. (What I ordered) 🔲1/3 m Bratwurst with cheddar, Brat bread and crust 17.9 Fried potatoes and coleslaw in onion gravy The bratwurst was packed with meat, and the skin was so firm. The gravy was so delicious. 🔲Fried julienned bread -with apple jam, black bread, and butter 11.9 Crispy fried shredded potatoes Served with apple jam, butter, and brown bread Brown bread is strange; the more you chew it, the stickier it gets! LOL The sweet and sour apple flavor is delicious! 🔲Gaffel Kolsch vom Fass 0.2L / 2.3L Almost no bitterness or beer smell! Easy to drink! It comes ice cold, which is nice. +5 CHIPS = Total 44.0€ ****************** [Gaffel am Dom] - Restroom available (There's someone standing in front, so maybe you need a coin? I think you can get in without one.) ******************

I have nothing to complain about. I was served promptly, Kölsch was always available without asking, and the food (Himmel un Ääd) was delicious. The very central location in Cologne is also great, of course. I highly recommend it.

Nice and very generous portions. A little pricey though...

Good to drink, service was overall okay'ish - some staff was pretty unfriendly. Food tasted like warmed up canteen food and also had the consistency like it. Ambience of the location is great, hygiene could be better.

Beer is good. Unfortunately, there are mice in this bar.

Good beer, large portions with good value for money and very friendly service, due to the perfect location at the cathedral you might expect a tourist trap, but it is simply a good brewery

Yes, there were three of us there and we all enjoyed the food and, above all, the conditions were great!

A brewery with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and a place to try Kölsch beer. Very close to the cathedral. The service was excellent, with very pleasant and prompt waiters.

A great find! ☺️This bar is ideally located, perfect for a break in the city center. The food was very good. Special mention to the service — Alexander, our server, was absolutely impeccable: friendly, attentive, and very professional. A true 10/10! We’ll definitely be back.✨✨✨

I actually always thought that the restaurants around the cathedral were overpriced and didn't offer good quality. .....you learn something 🤔 Due to a wait, I decided to eat "at the train station" today. It was fantastic. Great dishes, fair prices, and a whole lot of "ANGELS" in the service. To the often-used word "friendliness," I'd also like to add "warmth." 🌞 And an employee who is proud of the Gaffel and lives it. Thank you for this relaxing stay, and I'd love to come back. 🍀

Everything has already been said and posted here! Simply fantastic. A little tip: make a reservation on Fridays 😉

The beer was like a light lager? It was about the same experience as trying Quilcey beer. It wasn't bland or anything. I thought the meal would be something like steak, but it was braised short ribs. I couldn't eat the haxen because it felt a bit overpowering for me alone, but I recommend it for groups of two or more. The short person who took our order and handed us our beer was incredibly friendly. Even during the meal, he asked if it was good. He smiled when taking our order and paying. I was worried about racism, but I had a pleasant meal.

I've been to Gaffel a few times in 2020 and 2021, and the food was delicious every time, and the service was top-notch. I'll be back in 2025, and what can I say, it's still delicious...but I would have preferred my food warm. Cold Himmel (spicy buns), ÄÄD (a kind of German dish), and cold currywurst with fries aren't particularly tasty, even though the Kölsch beer was good. The service was top-notch, as usual!

Authentic food and atmosphere. Highly recommended

If you have trouble leaving your luggage at Cologne Central Station, this is a great place to have a meal, leave your luggage for a while, and then visit Cologne Cathedral.

Very good, but also very expensive for beer. Good food, but fantastic Apple Strudel

An extraordinary place to eat in the center of Cologne. Excellent service and very good beers. We ordered the pretzel, soup, Caesar salad, ribs (the best I've ever had), and breaded Milanese.

The food was delicious, the beer was great, and the prices were reasonable. Everything was great. But I don't want to go there again. I saw a rat squirming inside the store. I don't know if it was the same person, but it was the third time. Don't go there if you see rats like that.

The best food experience we had in Cologne thanks to delicious food, excellent service and great view over Cologne’s largest ( literally) attraction: Cologne cathedral. We wanted to try local dishes and here was almost everything to be found except for Rheinischen Sauerbraten which we found at another restaurant with less good service. Let’s talk about Gaffel am Dom service. We had this charming waiter who was fast, efficient, firm with do and don’ts - always with a smile and humorous attitude. We like the straight forward attitude that is efficient and no fuss. Especially when packaged with a smile and a gentle hand such as this guy. The routine of refilling Kölsch went smoothly and we just love how refreshing and easily the beer slips down the throat. Served in small glasses it never had a chance of getting lukewarm.

The best brewery in Cologne: great food, beer, and atmosphere. Very friendly staff! Delicious beer!

Despite being a touristy spot near the cathedral, it is highly recommended.

We had the potato pancakes twice. They tasted okay, but you can definitely get better results in Cologne. The waiter was friendly and attentive. It's worth it if you're on a sightseeing tour and tired from climbing the cathedral.

Gaffel am Dom is always a highlight of our Cologne trip. We've been here for what feels like the 10th time. Never disappointed. Outdoor seating with a view of the cathedral and the main train station (80 m both). Large interiors, where, fortunately, we've never needed a reservation. Clean restrooms. Gaffel (current standard price €2.40) is delicious for us Frankfurters. And the Metthappen (meat-flavored sausage) with cucumber is also excellent here. So far, we've never had any criticism of the staff. Absolutely hospitable and helpful, taking photos of our group upon request. Even in the outdoor seating (which can be even more stressful due to passengers who remember to pay the bill five minutes before the train departs).

Great brewery in the heart of Cologne with great service and good food.

Great brewery right next to the cathedral. The servers are very quick and super friendly. The Kölsch is nice and cold and easy to drink. The food is amazing. The place is huge, and you can quickly make new friends. Highly recommended!

The beer I shared with my friends was delicious, and the women were beautiful. This is the perfect way to start a weekend in Cologne. I'd go back anytime.

It was a great experience visiting Gaffel am Dom with friends! Among the traditional breweries in Cologne, this one had the best service. All the waiters were very attentive from start to finish. When it was time to pay, everything was quick and hassle-free. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic brewery experience in Cologne, with great service and a lively atmosphere.

Great atmosphere and great knuckles

Loud, warm, musty and the staff doesn't seem particularly interested in welcoming guests!

Bratwurst and Sauerkraut, maybe not fine dining but fantastic nonetheless. A classic Kölschhak, they don't carry the beer until you explicitly indicate that you don't want any more. Super nice staff, fast service and good atmosphere.

The place is quite large and beautiful. Traditional dishes are available. If you're in Cologne, this is a good choice.

Very nice ambience and very attentive waiters.

I ate here twice and both times I felt I was part of some performance satirizing rude service. An Insult comedy of sorts. I have since learned that part of this is the local style of rude and inhospitable service. But Gaffel surely is the summit of bad service. I remember trying to ask the waitress how to tip, and she literally threw the payment machine on our table while walking away in a german deep sigh of disapproval. If you ever want to feel like an insignificant insect, while receiving every stereotype of rude german behavior, this is surely paradise for you. Prepare to be amazed at behavior on display here, quite the experience. I visited a second time just to bring others to share in this breathtaking cornucopia of rudeness. Schnitzel good tho..

I repeatedly skip this place because I never went and you keep asking me to review it. I never went here!

Beer is solid, service is slow. Over 45 minutes and have only been served 2x kolsch. This was on a Monday afternoon when the place was near empty…

We were there with 17 people. All participants were very satisfied.

Et gitt kei Wood, dat sage künnt Wat ich föhl, wann ich an Kölle denk... Immer wieder schön und besonders am Freitag Abend zum Mitsingen. Kölle iss enn jefööhl

A large brewery in a prime location near the station chapel. Tourist-oriented, classic brewery fare. Those who like a big meal and don't mind the crowds will find decent food and cold Kölsch beer.

If you're in Cologne and want to experience the authentic Cologne brewery atmosphere, there's no way around Gaffel am Dom. Located directly across from the cathedral, you'll not only enjoy a fantastic view of the city's landmark, but also a cool Gaffel Kölsch – just as it should be: freshly tapped by the waiter, in a 0.2-liter glass, so it never goes stale. The atmosphere is quaint, lively, and loud – but that's precisely what makes it so charming. Those seeking absolute peace and quiet might not be in the right place. But those looking for a convivial evening with friends, hearty brewery cuisine, and a lot of heart and soul will feel right at home.

Great ambiance, food in keeping with the brewery's character. The service is casual, traditionally Rhineland, and therefore excellent. Address: Bahnhofsvorplatz1, 50667 Cologne – directly between the main train station and the UNESCO World Heritage Cologne Cathedral In the historic Deichmannhaus (1914, partly Wilhelminian style) with a barrier-free ground floor, two additional floors, and a large outdoor area right next to the cathedral Traditional brewery classics such as bratwurst, knuckle of pork, sauerbraten, schnitzel, and Halver Hahn (a kind of chicken); vegan/vegetarian options are also well-stocked

We spontaneously stopped in for a delicious beer. Everything was manageable inside, with friendly customers and a friendly staff. We didn't eat anything, but everything smelled delicious. Next time 😅

Super delicious Kölsch beer, and the daily lunch specials for €9.90 are affordable, plentiful, and delicious. I tried the regional black pudding with potato pancakes, fried onions, and applesauce. What can I say... A strange mix, but really good.

Very tasty, good value for money, I can recommend it

Can be highly recommended, always happy to

I have been a customer here for years and will continue to be.

A visit to Gaffel am Dom is worthwhile if you want to experience the classic Cologne brewery atmosphere – right near the cathedral, centrally located, and easily accessible. The service was very friendly, attentive, and quick – despite the busy premises. Our order arrived promptly at the table: Himmel und Ääd, the pork knuckle, and the sauerbraten – all fresh, very well prepared, and tasted exactly what you would expect from a traditional brewery. The portions were generous, and the Kölsch beer, of course, was fresh from the tap. The ambiance was also perfect – quaint, lively, but not too loud. Overall, a successful visit with authentic cuisine and a pleasant atmosphere. If you're in Cologne and looking for typical Rhenish cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to be.

Only try the Mettwurst so can't really say anything about the food, but the service is alright. And I discover my favorite beer!

Very good pig's trotters, oh the beer is also great, worth tasting

Schnitzel, sausages, knuckles, etc.

Unfortunately, we had a very disappointing experience. The staff was noticeably unfriendly to us, in contrast to other guests, who were treated much more politely. The difference in treatment was so obvious that we had to wonder if our immigrant background was the reason. We've never been treated so disrespectfully and dismissively. We arrived in a good mood, but were immediately greeted with coldness and condescension. A place we will definitely not return to. Unfortunately, I absolutely do not recommend it.

It was my first time in Germany and I went in because the restaurant had a good reputation. After ordering, I tried to have a little fun and imitate Western food, but the waiter saw me and laughed. I think it was a racist comment.

A quaint brewery in Cologne. It's always fun to stop by here.

The service was terrible, they are in a tourist point but if you don’t speak Dutch you’ll be completely ignored. I asked for a fries which never comes to me.

If you come to KOLN, you have to have Kolsch beer! After visiting the cathedral, we spent the time before our reserved train. It's close to the station. Kolsch beer is great after a lot of walking. The glasses are small and thin, so you can drink several glasses. The restaurant is very lively and lively. There is a designated person for each table, and when your glass is empty, they will quickly notice and take your order. I learned that in Germany, it is not okay to raise your hand to call the staff, but the staff here really notices right away and serves your order quickly! The food is perfect for tourists as it has the standard German specialties. The taste was also delicious. The restroom in the basement was also clean. When paying the bill, my companion was asked by the man in charge, "What do you want to tip?" and gave 10€. By the way, this was the only time during our trip to Germany that a tip was requested. It was OK because we had a good meal. Thank you for the meal.

Excellent beers schnitzel and views of the dome. Great service too

I came back after a long time, with fond memories. Service was okay considering the emergency, but the food was a complete disaster. The portion size of the cheese spaetzle and schnitzel was a kid's plate, and the cheese spaetzle tasted like it had been left in the warmer for three days and was practically dusty. Haven't had such a bad meal in a long time.

If you like cold food, this is the place for you. Just under 20 euros for cold food... Looks nice, tastes good: fried eggs are cold, and the fried potatoes are cold, so they're nice and greasy. Service is lacking.

The brown vegetable soup here is called "goulash soup," a tourist rip-off. The waiter was very friendly, though.

Strategic place to have a restaurant. Right in front of the cathedral. Is a casual vibe, and I didn’t order something big. But the meatball and the pretzel were good. The service was great. The young lady with the ponytails was extremely nice and helped me choose something to eat.

The place is pleasant, as are the food and the beer, but the person who served us… I can’t imagine anyone worse than that older, sad, woman. Worst place in the world!!!! Nothing is worth it after the terrible service we received.

Great brewery! Björn Heuser's Friday night performances are legendary! Friendly service!

Super Essen und delikates Bier in gemütlicher Atmosphäre.

Yesterday, as a company event, we took the "Zappes Diploma" at the Gaffel am Dom: Guido and Hermann hosted the evening in a relaxed and cheerful manner – THANK YOU! It was fantastic: interesting, fun, and educational. We now know how to get the tap into the keg and the Kölsch out 😀 There were delicious Kölsch and Mettbrötchen, half a piece of Kölsch (a kind of sausage), and meatballs, and later on, other delicacies in solid and liquid form upstairs. Absolutely recommended!

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a waitress (apparently between 45-55 years old, with tattoos on her arms) who was already somewhat rude. But when we tried to place our order, we were shocked and couldn’t understand such rudeness and lack of manners. Never, in any other country, have we been treated so poorly. At the table next to ours, there was a family who received the same treatment. We even commented among ourselves that it was absurd. You should really reconsider the kind of staff you hire, because the place is cozy and the food is good, but the service is TERRIBLE! Avoid this place at all costs!!!!

The food is still excellent. The Kölsch beer speaks for itself. Bastian is a super nice and attentive waiter. Simply lovely. We'd be happy to come back here anytime.

Really disappointed! Considering I had 30 mins before my train and I wanted to try a famous ‘Kölsh’ and they were the closest to the station, they were super rude to me :( such a shame as I thought they would be prepared for such a visit. Disappointment to the Köln vibe! Do better or hire better staff that aren’t totally rude!!

Gaffel Kölsch beer is delicious and should definitely be tried here👍

Great location with top-notch staff. Friday with live music is a must-see. A fantastic atmosphere with Cologne lifestyle. It was awesome.