Max Stark in Köln

Wow, a gem in Cologne! Great service, excellent food, and Päffgen Kölsch! The pork chop easily rivals that of the famous restaurant in Deutz. Freshly grilled and cooked to perfection, fantastic! The goulash and sauerbraten were also great. Keep it up!

An absolute hidden gem! 🤫 Relatively small but incredibly cozy, with a friendly and efficient team of waiters, fantastically delicious and huge portions at unbeatable prices. We were there on a Tuesday, it was packed and therefore unfortunately very, very loud. But that's exactly how it should be!

A typical Cologne-style brewery, authentic, just as it should be! Great food, just like Mom used to make.

Delicious Jägerschnitzel, and great traditional daily specials too. Superb service and a great atmosphere. Always a blast! 🤸‍♀️

Very, very delicious food (we had sauerbraten and goulash), reasonable prices and very friendly and attentive service 👍👍👍 I think a table reservation is advisable!

Original Cologne restaurant with good food

A great place to try German food for the first time! We tried a variety of dishes, some we loved, others were not quite our taste. The fried pork with mushroom and fries were exceptional. The stewed beef was nice as well. The sausage was good but the horse was not our favorite, but the flavors of the sauce were excellent. The service was friendly and beer was cold.

Super Paeffgen brewery with excellent food

Food was ok, not a huge menu. Not your traditional German fare.

Everything here is perfect: the best Päffgen beer, originally on tap with a Bavarian-style tapping, delicious Himmel und Ärd (and other Cologne specialties), quick and attentive waiters, and an authentic, unpretentious atmosphere. All in all, extremely good value for money. Definitely on my "go-again" list.

Highly recommended! 🤩 Delicious food, attentive and accommodating service, and a great atmosphere for a brewery. Reservations are essential, even for lunch, as it's usually packed. They offer a weekly changing menu with typical Cologne dishes, as well as vegetarian options. The portions are generous and the prices are fair. Ketchup and hot sauce are available at the tables. The beer was also delicious 🧡

We went there for the first time today after many recommendations. Even though we didn't have a reservation, we found a small table. The friendly staff quickly showed us to a table. We ordered one Jägerschnitzel (hunter's schnitzel) with fries and one ox brisket with horseradish sauce and a rye roll. The food arrived within 15 minutes and was delicious. If you're a fan of Tafelspitz (boiled beef), you should definitely order this ox brisket. It was outstanding, I can only say. Thick fries and a properly breaded schnitzel. We'll definitely be back.

Great service and atmosphere. I tried the Rheinischer Sauerbraten — it was nicely complemented by the apple compote, though not really to my personal taste. I loved the Himmel un Ääd, which came with a generous serving of mashed apples and potatoes. Reservations are highly recommended.

A lovely little brewery very close to the cathedral! The food is really good, and they have delicious Päffgen beer to go with it! And the service is excellent! What more could you want for a wonderful evening! It's best to reserve a table!

A really great place. Authentic Cologne. The food is top-notch! Delicious Kölsch! 👍👍👍👍👍

Authentic Cologne cuisine; delicious schnitzel; pleasant atmosphere

Delicious food (kids in sour sauce and Rhenish sauerbraten) and Päffgen Kölsch beer to go with it 😊. We'll definitely be back.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Truly traditional.

Found this after googling a German restaurant near me . Was a 5 minute walk. We arrived at 12.30pm and it was packed, they did have a small round table which they offered us as most people had booked. We ordered the Jägerschnitzel each , a glass of wine and a beer. The staff very friendly , food was delicious, the customers were mainly locals which is always a good sign. Would definitely return, but book next time, so we don't miss out.

This was my first time in Germany. On my way to Köln, I started looking for places to eat some good local food without breaking the bank. Max Stark kept coming up and the great reviews and location settings made me want to try it. Unfortunately, I do not speak german either, just the very basics. When I got there, I luckily found that staff do speak English and are very accomodating. I had to wait 5 minutes to be seated, but they helped me all the way. My 1st real german Jägersnitzel was heavenly good. Just as a heads up, if you are in a large group, book a table online on their website. If you are in Köln, give them a try!

Always a nice location. Top service, good food. But Himmel & Ääd (a traditional German dish) being 86% more expensive than in 2018 is a real outrage. And anyone who blames that on general inflation or increased energy costs is welcome to discuss it with the former Minister of Economic Affairs. I'll let the Wiener Schnitzel +44.5% slide, though ;-)

The food was excellent, unfortunately we had to wait half an hour at the standing table to be shown to a dining table…BUT it was worth it! The food was superb 👍🏼

Great brewery with great food and great service

We went there on a Friday around lunchtime. The ambiance is rustic, and the dining room a bit noisy—but that didn't bother us. The food was incredibly delicious, and the value for money, in my opinion, was outstanding. Our service was incredibly fast, quick-witted, and funny. There were nine of us, and the bill came to €250, including a tip and various drinks. We'll definitely be back to this restaurant when we're in Cologne. Keep up the good work!

A traditional, old pub in Cologne with authentic Cologne-style waiters and fantastic Cologne food. The pork chop is, in my opinion, the best I've had in Cologne.

Good Food but Terrible service ! Tourists ! Alert ! Don't ruin your day We did not have reservations, of course we queued. No problem However, others could come in anytime took the table and sure they did have reservations. Then, we finally get seated after waiting over 45mins. Once we seated, we were told we only have 45mins dinning time.....wowwwww Sure, it is a busy restaurant , but how come others can stay more than 1 hour ? Meanwhile, there are empty tables ? What the rush ? It is definitely a lovely resturant for its neighbourhood, but only not for the tourists. It was a very bad & upsetting experience... I read the reviews and found out other tourists had the same experience It makes me feel little bit better 😝😝 We are not alone😁

Simply excellent. The Himmel un Ääd was incredible.

We had booked a table as recommended. We were seated immediately, but we had to wait quite a while for our drinks - I started to wonder if we had done something wrong. Unfortunately, the food was also a bit disappointing. The rump steak was really tough and there was no autumn salad with fish. I cannot recommend the place based on this one visit.

More of a typical brewery, but really loud on a Friday night. Our diners, however, were highly recommended!

Delicious food, freshly tapped Kölsch beer, and fair prices! This is Cologne at its purest!

We drove to Cologne on a whim, arrived at a packed restaurant, and found a free table for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Everyone was super polite, the food was incredibly delicious, and we left after an hour, freeing up the table for the next reservation. We'll be back :)

Typical Cologne restaurant with Päffgen Kölsch and delicious food.

A very good restaurant, perhaps a bit noisy, but the food is very, very good. If you're really hungry, you should order the chop! The service is excellent, fast, friendly, and very concerned about the well-being of the guests. It's best to make a reservation on weekends.

Really 10/10 food, only recommended if you fancy great German cuisine.

Not centrally located, but a definite insider tip. Please make a reservation in advance. Otherwise, it's impossible. The menu is small, everything is fresh. The cutlet is amazing. The wait time is 40 minutes, but the staff let you know beforehand. So, all good, and we just had a few more Kölchs. The staff were very friendly.

Really liked the overall experience! They let us in after 30 mins because it was too full, but totally worth it! This food portions were insanely big so I recommend sharing a plate with someone else if you eat like a normal person, but if you come hungry then for yourself! The schnitzel was absolutely amazing and would go back to eat another one, and might be for myself only. Part of the staff was a bit rude (considering we were tourists and only one in the table spoke German) but the guy who attended us was extremely nice. The beer was cold and delicious. I’d go back to this place 100%

We lucked out finding this spot—just a short 15-minute walk from the cathedral, and it was worth every step. Proper German food, huge menu, the kind where you stop counting after a while. Stuff like pork knuckle with pea purée, rump steak with fried potatoes, Wiener schnitzel, veal roulade, Sauerbraten made with horse meat, pork fillet with mushrooms, Kasseler neck with green beans, goulash with dumplings, and even giant bratwurst. On top of that, the Tuesday potato pancakes baked with cheese were killer. The vibe is classic—dim, buzzing, with waiters keeping the Kölsch flowing until you cover your glass. For visitors, that’s a whole experience on its own. The food? Straight-up tasty. My steak was perfect, and those cheesy potato pancakes were next level. Cozy, loud in a good way, and super friendly staff. Felt like home the minute we sat down.

Extremely good Kölsch beer and pork chops! Fantastic. Friendly service.

We had a 700g chop that was perfectly cooked and tasted great.

The food is good and plentiful, and the menu is quite extensive. They serve "Pfaffgen" (snack cakes), which is a huge plus. Reservations are recommended. Unfortunately, it's always very noisy.

The first thing I’ll say is that this place is not wheelchair accessible. Beyond that, the service was great, authentic German atmosphere and great food.

A refreshing oasis in the heart of Cologne. Thank you for being there!

A Cologne pub, just as you'd imagine it. The food was fantastic. We had schnitzel and steak, which were excellently prepared. The waiter was authentic, attentive, and provided us with a wonderful afternoon before a FC Cologne home game. Thank you!! We'd be happy to come back and please make sure you reserve a table!

Delicious and typically Kölsch!

A very welcoming restaurant with local cuisine, we were immediately offered a glass of local beer which was refilled when it was finished, we could obviously stop whenever we wanted, and the dishes were generous and delicious

Very pleasant and delicious. Typical Cologne pub.

Highly recommended Cologne pub away from the old town. Friendly people, good food, and a lovely atmosphere.

We stopped in for dinner spontaneously; the food was delicious and reasonably priced. Service was very friendly and quick. Thank you very much.

An Institution of Cologne Hospitality – Max Stark There are places in Cologne that are more than just gastronomy. They are vibrant pieces of urban culture, meeting places for generations, and ambassadors of Cologne's joie de vivre. Max Stark falls precisely into this category – an establishment that has stood for quality, consistency, and warmth since its founding. The Max Stark Brewery represents a special combination of tradition and the Cologne way of life. Here, you don't just eat; here, culture is cultivated. The menu features down-to-earth classics such as Himmel un Ääd (a kind of 'heaven un Ääd'), Rievkooche (a kind of 'rievkooche'), or a traditional Cologne cutlet – dishes that have been at home in Cologne for generations. The founder and managing director is the defining figure; his signature can be felt everywhere. He was the one who established the establishment's values: attention to detail, consistent quality, and a commitment to Cologne's warmth. These principles permeate every element to this day – from the cuisine and the atmosphere to the way guests interact. It's wonderful to see that this tradition is being continued by his son. It builds on what once formed the foundation of MAX's reputation. Max Stark is more than just a place for hearty cuisine: it's a meeting place for people who appreciate the Cologne way of life. The close connection between food, conviviality, and culture characterizes the atmosphere – whether at the regulars' table with a freshly tapped Kölsch or while sharing traditions that have always been part of everyday life in Cologne. This creates a piece of living home: a place where culinary traditions are not only preserved but brought to life anew every day.

Highly recommended! (especially the schnitzel)

My favorite brewery in Cologne. It's small, so you should definitely make a reservation, as it's very busy at any time of day. The service is always super friendly, and the food is delicious. I don't need to say anything about the beer! ;)

We had a delicious meal and Kölsch beer one Sunday. The service was super friendly and funny, and overall, it was super casual and simply pleasant. The value for money is particularly noteworthy. Unlike the touristy breweries, the prices are truly fair and the portions are enormous.

Absolutely brilliant, super friendly staff, lovely food, great atmosphere, highly recommended! Try the sausage and potato salad, excellent value and absolutely delicious.

If you like to sit close to strangers at a table then this is the right place for you. It wasn't for me.

A very child-friendly restaurant! From help with the stroller to art supplies to the children's menu – our little one loved the pasta with the tender goulash – highly recommended. Many thanks to Omar, who was super nice to our little one!

Had a Rhenish Sauerbraten on August 30th. It was incredibly delicious, and if you look beyond the plate, everything looks fantastic. The service was also very friendly. 100% recommendation

We've been coming here regularly for over 10 years to eat and spend pleasant evenings with friends. We've never been disappointed. The food is excellent, the waiters are always quick and serve typical Cologne dishes, and the atmosphere is just as it should be. Excellent value for money.

The knuckle and cutlet are legendary 🍖🥩💪. Nothing more can/needs to be said. Plus the delicious Päffgen 🍻. What more could you want? Absolutely recommended if you're in Cologne and want to dine away from the tourist crowds.

Delicious! So much better than the tourist traps by the river.

I ate yesterday on Google's recommendation... and I was very happy... delicious food... average price for a neighborhood!!

The service and food are 10/10 Good prices and hearty dishes

Fresh and high-quality home-cooked meals.

Generous portions and a very good “Schweinshaxe”

A very German place to eat German food: the pork shank with potatoes and cabbage is delicious, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; the goulash is very spicy, with a myriad of pungent juniper berries...no one knows why, but the biggest mystery is the fusilli that accompany the meat; the chef must be nostalgic for his childhood in Italy. Their light Kolsch beer is good, the prices are fair, and the service is German.

The beer and pork are awesome! Service Okish but automatically added a service fee. Not really worthy for waiting for long time if not coming for the homemade beer.

We went there with a small group, dined like princes, and went home extremely satisfied. It was very nice 👍 👌

Beer is perfect and the food is delicious.

Excellent value for money. Friendly service. Everything was great. We'll be back soon.

We were there for the first time with a group of eight people and will definitely be back. Very delicious food, tasty Päffgen Kölsch (literally "Päffgen Kölsch"), and friendly service.

Great food with my favorite Kölsch beer—what more could you want?

Huge portion of food (and the food was delicious!), excellent and VERY friendly staff, the beer was great as well! The waiter even took the time to explain Köln brewery customs / rules to us, which was very kind. 10/10 would recommend to anyone.

Top-notch schnitzel with unlimited mayo and ketchup. The best brewery schnitzel.

Yes, I recommend Max Stark. But sometimes the typical (brewery) volume bothers me.

The service and food were good. The atmosphere is typical of a Cologne brewery, but the small place is very, very loud.

Super friendly service, delicious food, and generous portions! We'll ask if they do senior citizen portions next time!

What a gem of a place for German food and beer!

I got some broad beans and bacon to take away. It was delicious and plentiful.

Top Great restaurant, true Kölsch. Super friendly hosts, good Kölsch, very good food. Just the way it should be: a rustic atmosphere. 5 stars! And almost no tourists. Or none at all? Everything here is Kölsch!

A very nice, cozy brewery with pleasant, attentive service. ***** beer on tap. Very good quality food with excellent value for money. I highly recommend it.

We had the absolute pleasure of dining at Max Stark and were blown away by both the food and the atmosphere. From the moment we stepped in, the charm of the place wrapped around us like an old friend: cozy, welcoming, and full of local character. We decided to try the Farmer’s Omelette and the Bratwurst Dinner, and both dishes were nothing short of exceptional. The omelette was fluffy, well-seasoned, and generously packed with fresh ingredients… the kind of hearty breakfast that feels like it was made with care. The Bratwurst Dinner, on the other hand, was the perfect example of comfort food done right. Juicy, flavorful bratwurst paired with French Fries which were perfectly crispy made it a meal to remember. It was the kind of dish that leaves you full in the best possible way not just in the stomach, but in the soul too. A special mention must go to the oldest microbrewery in Cologne, Päffgen, which was recommended to us. It was our first time trying it, and what a treat it was! Crisp, refreshing, and full of character; a true Cologne gem that perfectly complemented our meal. We’re now fans for life. But what truly made the experience unforgettable was the outstanding service we received. Our server, Glenn, was an absolute star. Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about making sure we had a great time. He took time to explain the menu, offered thoughtful suggestions, and made us feel like honored guests rather than just customers. Glenn’s service was world-class and elevated the entire experience. In short, Max Stark delivered on every level: delicious, hearty food, delightful local beer, and the kind of customer service that sets a gold standard. We left full, happy, and already talking about our next visit. Highly recommended!

I was here with work colleagues who absolutely wanted something "Cologne-style." It was incredibly loud, and we waited almost an hour for our food. It was very busy, but with the servers running around busily refilling our beers, I don't think the wait was justified. My apple pancake was incredibly delicious, but unfortunately, the experience wasn't worth it for me.

Everything was delicious, and the Kölsch was delicious. Rustic!

Hello, Team Max Stark. I come here very regularly, so I can now allow myself to write a review. The reason is today's meal... Basically, in all my time, I've never had a single complaint about the food; it was always very good. Today, however, was a real highlight; Sirloin steak, cooked to perfection...outstanding quality. Leek vegetables, perfectly seasoned and creamy. Fried potatoes; buttery, with onions, perfect. And all at an incredibly fair price!!! The service is consistently very good, friendly, and fast. There's just not enough space, and unfortunately, you often can't stay as long as you'd like...But I'm happy to accept that...So making a reservation is definitely advisable! I give it the absolute highest score... But...As has already been mentioned here in the reviews... Such a great restaurant...the dining room is so well-kept; Why isn't the toilet brought up to the same standard?! Surely that should be possible with this turnover, right? I'll be happy to continue coming and hope I've provided some constructive advice.

Plenty empty seats and we were refused service. Now I knew this owner is arrogant too.

The inn is very small, yet extremely loud. Quite cramped. The food was brewery-style, with good portions. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but the other three were satisfied. Delicious Päffgen Kölsch, otherwise, unfortunately, only Fritz-Cola, etc.

The Rhenish Sauerbraten was incredibly delicious! The service was impeccable! The dining room is a bit noisy, making it unsuitable for normal group conversation.

Surprisingly strong res! Food took a long time, but was exquisite - authentic German fare, even horse-based 'Sauerbraten.,

The cutlet is amazing, and the 40-minute wait is worth it. Everything is more than fair in price, and the service is very friendly.

Large, delicious portions and super friendly waiters!

Very nice premises, real brewery character

Very loud atmosphere. We could hardly have a conversation, let alone understand each other at all. The service wasn't great. Instead of the advertised 40 minutes, we waited over 60 for our food. There was no cutlery when the food was served. We also had to get ketchup and mayo and ask for them. Normally they are on the tables, but not ours. In the end, the waiter obviously didn't think the tip was good enough, so he explicitly mentioned it to us. He must have forgotten that the tip was a voluntary gesture. I found that pretty cheeky. In short: there are plenty of better breweries with a nicer atmosphere and friendlier waiters. We've decided not to go to Max Stark anymore.

Big praise to the chef 👍 the food was delicious and plentiful. A great menu, and it was very attractively presented. We'll definitely be back on our next visit to Cologne.

I can recommend it without reservation. It's simply superb. Everything fits perfectly. Grade 1+++++ and an Oscar. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sehr lecker gegessen Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Salat Bestes Kölsch Toller Service nettes Personal Schnell und Top Qualität

When looking for a place close to our hotel that has good schnitzel, Max Stark came up in our search. As we approached, we could hear lively conversation through the open windows and we could already smell great food. The place was hoping and we got the last two seats available at a common table. The server came quickly and provided an English menu from which we ordered beer. The schnitzel and beef goulash that we ordered after our drinks were both amazing and worthy of a return visit next time we are in Köln (Cologne).

Nice and cozy little place to have lunch.

We've been regulars at Max Stark for over 20 years. Cons: Yes, it's loud, but okay. Otherwise, only 6 stars if we could give them. The best beer and food, and that's important to us, always consistently high quality at a reasonable price. The service is very, very good. We come back regularly.

A friendly brewery with very reasonable prices and very friendly service. It was just very loud.

Great place with very good food and excellent service!

Super Kölsch and mega chops and schnitzel