Haxenhaus in Köln

The food was terrible; the hake had little flavor. My wife had a schnitzel, which tasted like fried potatoes and cardboard. A complete failure. We'll never eat it again. There are so many better restaurants in Cologne.

Friendly staff and always very tasty.

Haxenhaus is a fantastic spot for authentic traditional German food in Cologne. Everything we tried tasted authentic and perfectly cooked, and the service was friendly, fast, and professional. The atmosphere is warm and classic, and even at lunch it stayed pleasantly quiet—easy to talk and enjoy the meal.

Excellent food, nice staff, and a great riverside location. Dogs allowed.

We were a group of several people going there for dinner. We all thought the food was delicious. The prices were reasonable, not exorbitant. The staff were very friendly, but remarkably relaxed. We all chuckled about that. If we had been in a hurry, it wouldn't have been so amusing. It was Christmas Day, so it wasn't extremely crowded. Nevertheless, the noise level in the room was incredibly high. With a full house, conversation would be nearly impossible.

I was visiting in Cologne and my friends they took me to this local German restaurant. I was in love with the food, beers, and the atmosphere of this place. I ordered the steamed pork knuckle, it was crispy outside and soft inside, very delicious.

Some of the best pork I tried in Germany, the crackling was perfection. Had a great meal.

Well... uninspired food! You can eat it, but you don't have to.

Really really tasty. Fast service. Deal for two 57€ was truly amazing. Definitely recommend!

Nice traditional German restaurant. Always enjoy the Kölsch by the meter stick.

Good food but not excellent no local red wine unfortunately

Great atmospheric restaurant with friendly staff! 🤩 The selection of haxen is more than enough. 🍖 Recommended if you want a Kölsh lunch or dinner! 🍻 #restaurant #staff #haxen #lunch #dinner

Perfect! We had a wonderful time in this warm and welcoming place. The service was excellent. The meal was very generous and delicious! The price was very reasonable. I highly recommend this place.

If you want a traditional 'Haxenhaus' in Köln, look no further. Excellent beer, food and service in a traditional restaurant.

This place is a total rip-off. They initially said they only had the Christmas menu, but when the next customers came in, they gave them the regular menu. In the end, four of us paid over 10,000 NTD. It's outrageous! They treated us like dirt. It's a terrible restaurant, and the food wasn't even that good.

Authentic German bar / eatery overlooking the Rhine. Good food ,great beer and excellent service. Wrapped up walm and sat outside to eat and drink. Blankets are supplied in case it is too chilly. The staff were very helpful and considerate as we speak no German.

Upfront, don't expect a quick dining experience. All dishes do take time to cook. Other than that all the dishes were amazing. The Augustus Haxe was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The schnitzel and braised beef were also very amazing and tasty. Great atmospher with traditional family style tables. Amazing staff. Pop in if your a local or visiting Köln to experience a authentic German meal.

We were in the old town this evening (December 20, 2025), Saturday, and needed to find a brewery because of the Christmas market and the FC Köln match. We knew the Haxenhaus from before as a generally good place, and there were free tables in the outdoor area, which were assigned to us. Unfortunately, we then had to wait 10 minutes just to place our order: two Kölsch beers and two pork knuckles. We then waited another 25 minutes. Still no Kölsch – the waiter said at one point that some would be on its way – but we decided to leave. The staff seemed either helpless or overwhelmed. It's a shame – but if you can't get a beer served in a brewery for over half an hour, you can't recommend this place.

We only had a drink but our neighbors' food looked delicious.

Wonderful food, wonderful service, and wonderful atmosphere.

Very tasty, though not excellent. What I don't understand is why you have to pay to use the restroom if you're eating there. Also, the waitress rushed us to eat within an hour, even though the food had already taken a while and we felt we needed to eat quickly. This was evident because they took our plates away as soon as we finished eating…

Fast service, typically German, not refined

Highly recommend eating here. Delicious traditional German food and generous portions; one main course per person is more than enough. We went at 7 pm on a Tuesday without a reservation and were able to get in without any problem, but it's best not to go later as it gets very crowded. The food is worth it, but the tipping requirement slightly detracts from the experience (in the end, if you want to leave a tip, you have to leave at least 8% even though the service has been basic).

The quality-price ratio is excellent; it's a classic German restaurant with shared tables, and the food is delicious.

I went there spontaneously with friends and we had the best evening with top-notch food and service.

On December 13, 2025, I found a German pork knuckle restaurant in GPT, and it truly lived up to its reputation as a century-old establishment. At 2 PM, the doors were packed with locals enjoying beer, and the waiters, dressed in traditional attire, were incredibly welcoming. The German pork knuckle had a slightly firm outer skin, but the inside melted in your mouth. The German sausages had thin, crispy skin and were juicy. The sauerkraut was also delicious. This dining experience was truly unforgettable.

Very tasty and they don't just have pork knuckle 😉

AWFUL!! I don't recommend it. The food is good, but they don't accept cards. They tell you their internet is down and force you to go and withdraw cash. They do the bill by hand and always add extra euros. With all the other options in the city, go somewhere else.

Great place to get some decent German food & Beer the Augustus Haxen (Pork Knuckle) was spot on!!

Never had personnel this unfriendly in my whole life wow genuinely baffled

Enjoyed the Barn salad with The lovely ambiance!

Always top conditions and fast service. They're fantastic!

A sublime, typical, and welcoming German restaurant with a striking staircase that's part of the decor. The meat is absolutely exceptional, and the food is superb. It's a bit pricey, but the quality is undeniable. The only downside is the noise level: the high ceilings make the room echo, and it can get quite noisy. Nevertheless, it remains an ideal place to experience German cuisine, especially for those coming from France and wanting an authentic local culinary experience.

Great place, lovely food and ok to take leftovers home. Which is just as well as there were no Haxen on the children's menu. I appreciated the server entertaining my German! Plenty of tables.

Went here for dinner for the first time! It was so crowded 😳. Since there was nowhere else to eat in town, we ended up here. The atmosphere was nice, but the service was very slow. However, the service was very friendly. The food finally arrived after a LONG wait, so I was hoping for the best. Red cabbage, meat, and weird potato things (I think they stick to the window 😆) But there was no crunch or flavor to it, nothing 🙄🥴. The Coke/Fanta we got was also dead, not fizzy. And you pay €108 for that. Too bad!

Delicious food, great and fast service.

What a cozy and good restaurant. The service was excellent, friendly, and cozy. The food is great. Haxe in abundance. Several versions. And schnitzels that are traditionally bigger than your plate. The price-quality ratio is definitely excellent. Cozy long tables. So you sit across from your partner, but have a stranger next to you. You have to like that. We find it cozy. Recommended.

The Haxenhaus in Cologne is absolutely delightful! Their Christmas decorations create such a warm and festive atmosphere that you can’t help but feel the holiday spirit as soon as you walk in. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. A perfect spot for cozy seasonal dining, highly recommended!

Waiters are clothed: chic You arrive, and are greeted almost immediately with a beer. A small one. Nothing intimidating. For the time being, exceptionally Christmassy. Which is what we wanted. Above the mantelpiece there is a red pig. It feels like a private school canteen that has recently been cleaned. But ofc idk if Germany has a culture of private school education, or of cleaning the mantle. No faults. [pictured: the inoffensive beer]

Terrible service, I won't be back. The manager, a very unfriendly and unhelpful blonde.

Meat was delicious, fried potatoes not crispy. Kölsch was good... A huge room for couples 😉 well

A wonderful experience celebrating my grandfather's birthday. I was a little apprehensive because I'd seen some negative reviews, but honestly, we had a great meal. We had an excellent evening in a warm and friendly atmosphere with a very pleasant waiter.

Everything was great, the staff were super attentive and friendly, and the place was cozy and quiet.

Great food in good German traditional style.

A restaurant serving many typical Rhineland and Cologne dishes, the signature dish being the pork shank. I did, however, order the fabulous "Himmel und Ääd," a Cologne specialty: incredibly tasty and, in my opinion, truly Teutonic, not for everyone. Kölsch beer flows freely, and the coat of arms inside is a red sacred pig. A wonderful place for a Saturday night dinner. I ate outside, but they have heat lamps.

We ordered hake, and it was quite red inside, so it wasn't cooked through. Too bad, the staff was way too rushed. We come here almost every year, but this year it was very disappointing.

A restaurant serving good quality local food, though a bit pricey. The place is spacious and clean, and the staff is friendly. According to our free tour guide, it's Merkle's favorite restaurant; there's a picture of her just on the way to the restroom.

Beautifully situated on the Rhine, with very friendly service. Almost too large for lunch, but very tasty dishes featuring pork knuckle and other classics.

Delicious! Laura served us and her recommendations were excellent: pork knuckle, sauerkraut, and goulash. The atmosphere and service were truly outstanding. We'll be back!

The Haxenhaus restaurant in Cologne's Old Town is located on the Rhine River, not far from the Heumarkt. The food was delicious and freshly prepared. There was a wide selection of pork knuckle variations. The drinks were fresh, cold, and served quickly. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is no parking available at the restaurant.

Superb, only plus points from me! A guesthouse is where you feel at home.

Absolutely delicious and generous portions :) The interior has a rustic feel, reminiscent of a medieval banquet table with a long table and plenty of chairs, which certainly creates a pleasant atmosphere when it's busy. We sat outside where there's a lovely view of the riverbank… we were immediately offered to turn on the patio heaters, and there were blankets at every table so we could get comfortable despite the rather rainy weather. The service was very friendly and attentive, which made our visit even more enjoyable :)

The pork knuckles were delicious. The fried potatoes could have used a little more heat. The service was very friendly.

Delicious pork knuckles with a crispy crust and various spices and sauces. The service is first-class. The price is a bit high.

A little loud for my taste, but the food and service were top-notch!

Nice place, really german. Very much recommended.

A charmingly rustic restaurant. I like to come here when I'm in Cologne for the pork knuckle. This time, the outer layer was quite dry, probably overcooked and/or kept warm. The service was pleasant and friendly, although I did have to wait a bit longer this time. Apparently, they were prioritizing the outdoor seating area, and I made the mistake of sitting inside. Otherwise, everything was great! Update November 2025: Delicious food and drinks again, very large, generous portions, pork knuckle and schnitzel in many variations. The fact that I came back says it all! This time, however, it was unpleasantly noisy inside...

Exactly as expected. The pork knuckle was really good. Great location. Prices weren't too expensive. All the food was good. The beer was great too...

Since everyone has their own taste, this review should be viewed as such. We had pork knuckle with fried potatoes and were very satisfied. ***** Very friendly staff. ***** The Haxenhaus is an older building, but that doesn't detract from its charm. Combined with the food and drinks and the very friendly staff, everything was perfect. Therefore, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We'd gladly come again.

Delicious food. Super nice and friendly service that knows what it's doing even under stress.

Hugh haxen - classic old atmosphere- friendly fast service

Nothing special... and high prices.

The best restaurant in Cologne. Excellent food, kind and friendly waiters. We stayed in Cologne for 5 days and ate at this restaurant at least 4 times.

Delicious food and friendly staff. I'd gladly go back.

Great atmosphere, a visit is a must for that alone. Very noisy, but that's part of the fun. The Haxen are very good, but the potatoes are raw in the center. A little pricey.

Great knuckles. Very friendly and pleasant service. We'll be back.

I usually avoid larger restaurants in touristy areas, as the quality and service often disappoint — but this place was a wonderful exception! Despite its size, the atmosphere was comfortable and not too noisy. The food was excellent, the staff were attentive and friendly, and the prices were very fair for the quality. A great find that I’d happily visit again!

first time trying schweinshaxe. It's the famous german cuisine called pork knuckle. I must say it was awesome and definitely try it again. I also love the sauerkraut but the potatoes can be better. Also my wife did not became the big fan of wiener schnitzel. overall I had a very good experience here. definitely recommended!

Super delicious food, friendly service.

I had a lovely rickshaw ride with Claude Pi's party rickshaw, and at the end, he recommended this quaint old restaurant. Best experience in Cologne

Excellent service, and the food was delicious. We ordered a menu for two to try everything, and we have to say the roasted pork knuckle was very good. We didn't have room for dessert. It's a historic site, and I recommend it for a visit to Colonia.

The taste is good, but it's a shame I didn't get to eat the Apple pie.

A very nice restaurant with delicious food and great service

Many thanks to the service. Friendly, competent, and superb. Sensational food. Top value for money.

Delicious, nice & friendly and the rooms are primal... On the next visit to Cologne again

Exellent German Food - the pork knuckles, sausage and snitzel... very delicioua

Traditional German cuisine with ambience.

Service was great. Food was excellent. I ordered the pork hock, sausage and meatloaf. Roasted potatoes was delicious.

Massive traditional German meals. We had pork knuckle salad, and the white sausage with pretzel with kölsch. On the pricier side but worth it considering how large the meals were.

Great food, great service, very friendly and attentive, the food was very delicious

Highly recommended nice picture beautiful staff

Fantastic place, tipical German Pork Knuckle.

Unfortunately, our visit today wasn't that great. They didn't accommodate any customer requests. And serving undercooked baked potatoes wasn't great either.

We went there for dinner today with 11 people. Our waiter wasn't very motivated and just seemed annoyed. Even though there was a trade fair and a marathon going on in Cologne today, and the brewery had over 300 reservations, you still have to do your job and look after the customers. Due to the demand, the menu was only small, but there was something for everyone. Unfortunately, our waiter wasn't willing to switch from potato wedges to fried potatoes and preferred to argue with a customer about the fact that they don't serve jacket potatoes, but rather baked potatoes in the restaurant. What's all this nonsense? Three meals had to be returned (the waiter was really pissed off and sent a colleague ahead) because the baked potatoes in the dish "Alter Fritz" were still raw. There wasn't much meat to be seen; it was just salad (actually a salad bouquet according to the menu). A salad with knuckle of meat would have been better here. The rest of the dishes were very modest. The "Bierkutscher" knuckle was a children's plate; I've never seen such a small knuckle, but the prices, yes, they were for adults. There was no apology from management; one meal was not charged due to the poor quality, but only because of the gloomy atmosphere at the table. We left the restaurant after just over an hour. Dear Haxenhaus, you can definitely do better. As native Cologne residents, we won't be coming back for dinner because, in our opinion, the service is only geared towards tourists and walk-up customers.

In addition to the delicious food, I was impressed by the highly coordinated team, who enjoy their work and are very friendly. The staff is very friendly and the ambiance is unique, just what I would expect from an authentic restaurant.

Pleasant and typical space, professional service and a fun atmosphere.

The portions were large. Maybe I should have asked for a half portion. 🤔 It tasted very good and, as the name suggests, isn't necessarily for vegetarians. And the Beijing shank, an Asian original, is interesting.

We was a big group of people, the serving was fast and the food was great! Really like the one meter beer idea 😁

The pig's feet are delicious, the beer is good, I ate it 7 years ago, and it is still very delicious after 7 years

A waiter with glasses and curly hair seems to make witty remarks for him. But he lies to you about the drinks on offer and won't bring you a small beer on principle. Very poor service. The ham hock plate is half salad. I ordered ham hock, not salad. Also very dry, crispbread-style.

Delicious knuckle of pork Potatoes too hard or didn't taste good 😐

We encountered a very rude waiter in this restaurant. When we just ordered an extra beer, he brought it over and told us to pay the bill. We said we needed to order more food. He directly said he was the boss and wouldn't allow us to order more food, and shouted at us very loudly. I think this is a form of racial discrimination. If the merchant doesn't solve this problem, we will keep appealing.

Calm, cozy restaurant, next to the river If you want to escape from crowded places this is a very good choice

Very tasty knuckle of pork, very juicy, and with a tasty sauce. The Himmel und Äad (spiced pork knuckle) was also delicious. Friendly and attentive service. Thank you 👍 We'll be back.

Dear owner, You never contacted me to pay me, so that's your first lie. Secondly, I didn't work for two hours, but four, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Furthermore, you have all the information you need to pay, but you want people to work for you for free. Shame on you! Best regards,

Extremely rude and unprofessional. We (five people) sat down outside 5 minutes before opening. Everything was set up. Then a woman came out and, without a word of greeting, very rudely and aggressively escorted us out of the premises. We wanted to eat the supposedly popular knuckle of pork. Staff like that makes it easier for tourists to generate revenue for other restaurants.

We were there with a group. The staff was very nice and friendly. Everything was good.

Food was very tasty and the salad too

It was very tasty; we each tried a different kind of knuckle. They were all delicious, with a good crust and sauces served separately. Not cheap, but worth the price. The only drawback is that paying with a card only works after I've entered the tip, which I find cheeky.

An atmospheric place with history. Angela Merkel and Helmut Kohl frequented this place. It's sparse during the day. A great place for meat lovers. Dinner dishes are prepared very quickly.