Oma's Küche in Köln

We were a party of six on a Saturday. We were told on the phone that a reservation wasn't necessary. After a 10-minute wait, we were able to sit down. The ambiance is anything but reminiscent of grandma's kitchen or home. At first glance, it looks rather run-down. The waitress was friendly initially. A plate of meatloaf with mushroom cream sauce costs a good €20, and calling it mushroom cream sauce when there were only three mushrooms in it is beyond me. The food was only lukewarm, and the portion wasn't particularly generous. It tasted okay, but that's about it. And the same applies to the people accompanying us and their plates. The most outrageous thing, however, was the female waitress, who was already annoyed while taking payment because "only" two people had left a tip (she should have been grateful there was any at all). But during a brief break, she complained disparagingly about us to her colleague, claiming that nobody ever tipped, even though we were sitting right next to her. Not recommended.

Very authentic food. Good service and reasonable prices.

Oma's Küche is a wonderfully cozy little corner restaurant with outstanding, traditional cuisine. You can taste the love for the craft and the quality of the ingredients in every dish. The service is exceptionally friendly, attentive, and warm—right in the heart of a real tourist hotspot. That's precisely what makes a visit so special: personal, genuine, and completely relaxed. Delicious, incredibly friendly, and simply fantastic all around. An absolute must for anyone in the area. We'll definitely be back!

Wonderful local food and served with a smile. Highly recommended!

What an absolute disappointment We went to Oma’s Küche for a local Cologne / German lunch. As soon as we walked in we were met by a very sarcastic waiter (who asked for a generous tip when we were settling the bill ……. seriously!??!! The food was horrid, something that I would scrounge together when there’s nothing decent in the fridge or pantry No one should go here, there are tons of better more reasonably priced places within 30 yards from here

The food was quite good but the service........

We both ordered pizza and were very pleasantly surprised. The dough was Italian, thin, and topped with delicious cheese. The taste was excellent. The service was also perfectly fine. The food arrived hot and quickly, even though the restaurant was busy. Including two hot chocolates, two soft drinks, and two pizzas, and a generous tip, the total came to €50. Excellent value for money.

Looks delicious, the slightly longer wait was worth it!

Thank you so much! Everything was delicious. Friendly service. We'll be back.

We both ordered schnitzel with fried potatoes, and up until then the service was very friendly. The food arrived quickly. Unfortunately, we didn't like it at all. It lacked flavor, and the salad was dressed with an unidentifiable, tasteless dressing. The plates were then quickly cleared away without any question about how we enjoyed the meal. At the register, we were even asked for a tip, which was quite rude. We would not recommend this restaurant.

We discovered Oma's Kitchen while visiting the Christmas market and simply had to go in. It was fantastic! 👍 The atmosphere, service, and food were all excellent. We'll definitely eat there again next time we're in Cologne.

Fantastic experience in the heart of Cologne: it feels like home! I visited this restaurant in the heart of Cologne two nights in a row and was saddened to see so many negative reviews in the last few hours. They're probably due to the holiday rush, because my experience was the exact opposite. The first night, I had a truly delicious schnitzel, and the service was impeccable. But what struck me most was the atmosphere: the place has an old-world charm and such a warmth that I immediately felt at home. I liked it so much that I returned the next evening for a relaxing beer. It's an authentic, welcoming, and quality place in the heart of the city. I absolutely recommend it; don't let recent reviews influence you! See you next time!

We were treated very disrespectfully. The waitress got upset over a very simple question and didn't explain what we wanted to know. The food wasn't good, and the atmosphere was cold and dreary. Ridiculous, and I wouldn't recommend eating here.

The server asked all the tables in front of us if they needed anything, even though we hadn't even received a menu. When it was time to pay, the waitress told me she'd be right there – but she never came. Only after we had to go back to them (again) to alert the staff did the waitress finally arrive. She took the 100-euro note and went to the next table to take their order – with my money in her hand, without giving any change. Naturally, I took my money back from her. She simply said she was just taking their order. Sorry, but making someone wait after they've been called and then taking an amount more than double the value of what they ate is completely unacceptable and incredibly unprofessional. The food itself was okay; it was one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Day.

The worst restaurant I could have ever been to. I came with my family and we wanted to try something typical German. The photos on the menu don't match the actual food. Expensive and the staff were truly unpleasant. After asking (in German) what their soup was like, the waitress ended up telling me that I didn't know. I replied that I'm not German, so I didn't know, and that's why I was asking. Her response: "I'm not German either." They don't even know what they're serving, the quality is poor, and the service is terrible. You can save yourself the disappointment and the bad time.

The waitress was very disrespectful and the food was bad. I would advise you not to eat here. 1/5 stars

What a fantastic find! Everything was perfect, thank you so much!

We won't be back. The price-performance ratio is unacceptable. Twelve tiny portions of fried potatoes and sausages that were barely recognizable. I had Spätzle at an absolutely exorbitant price. This is how you alienate customers.

The food was very good. Thank you!

I almost never write reviews, but this was a very poor ending to a weekend in Cologne. Not only did it take an incredibly long time (30 minutes) to be served, but the staff was also unfriendly. Mistakes were also made (we asked for two Sprites and received Sprite and Fanta, we asked for two platters and received one to share). When I politely asked for a second platter as ordered, they looked at me with surprise. I never heard an apology. The menu photos didn't even resemble the dishes. False advertising!

The service lacked friendliness, and it's truly disappointing for a tourist to have the waitress arrive with a grumpy expression when the menu is handed to you, offering apple pie instead of apple strudel. I expected more from Grandma's cooking!

Food is good, service is good. Waited for 30 mins for the food due to the busy holiday season. Everything was good except they charged our one glass of beer twice 🙁 Look carefully before you pay.

My wife and I are frequent visitors to Cologne. Yesterday was no exception. After a long time, we were craving something hearty. Instead of going to one of the many breweries, we wanted to try something different from the usual bland fare and eat at Oma's Küche (Grandma's Kitchen). This quickly proved to be a big mistake. The place was packed, and we barely managed to snag two seats inside. Next to us was a large group celebrating a birthday. So, just drinks. Besides our table, there were four other tables inside where people had also ordered food. My wife ordered a Wiener Schnitzel, and I opted for the Oktoberfest pork knuckle with sauerkraut and fried potatoes. After about 30 minutes, we received the "Cologne disappointment." My wife got a fried schnitzel that was practically overcooked, a side salad with such a thick piece of carrot that it was almost impossible to cut or bite. Then my plate arrived… 😮‍💨 My pork knuckle with crispy crackling was smothered in an unidentifiable sauce, and the meat was still raw in places. The fried potatoes were dripping with grease and weren't crispy, and there was no sauerkraut. I lost my appetite and sent my entire meal back. Interestingly, food from the tables outside was also sent back completely – a meatloaf and something else drowning in sauce. We cannot recommend this place. It would be better if Grandma's Kitchen focused on what they actually know how to do; cooking isn't one of them. Service type: Dining in Meal type: Lunch

The food was so good. I had Leberkäse (a type of meatloaf) and cake, and I highly recommend both. The staff were so nice and polite. The atmosphere is very pleasant, both inside and out. It was warmly furnished with cushions and blankets. The tables and chairs offered such a lovely view. The music was too loud for my taste. Afterwards, I realized I could have asked if they could turn it down a bit. The service was so polite and friendly that it wouldn't have been a problem. I will definitely eat here again.

My God, it was filthy! The table was sticky, there was 2 cm of water on the toilet floor, and the cushions were in a terrible state. The hygiene really needs improvement. As for the portions, I think they were child's size. I ordered eggs, definitely quail eggs judging by their size... Neither good, nor clean, nor friendly, as they kept arguing (in English) in front of us. We ordered two Cokes, one regular and one Zero. Instead of bottles being brought to the table, they served one large bottle at the bar (goodbye carbonation, goodbye bubbles...) and once we got to the table, the waiter couldn't tell which was which. For someone with diabetes, it was impossible to risk drinking a regular Coke! Avoid at all costs!

After many years, our favorite restaurant closed, and we were looking for an alternative during our Christmas market visit. 80s decor, delicious food at a good price. Friendly staff; we'll definitely be back.

Fantastic home cooked food served by the most friendly guy. Enjoyed drinks and food with a shot on the house. Great choice of local dishes. Find selection of beers and wines. It's a hidden gem at the end of the Street and we are so glad to find it. Thank you.

The food itself was good, but we waited in total 2 hours for our food. Which is so ridiculous.

If you want to eat like Grandma used to make, then this is the place to go. Great hospitality, great service, great atmosphere. Even the dog got something to drink. You can sit inside or outside. There are patio heaters outside. Prices are perfectly reasonable. We'll definitely be back!

Food was tasty and fresh. Service is okay

French friends, take a look at this post: If you're tired of the heavy food at the Christmas market, make this trip here and take some time to enjoy a proper meal. The setting is very pleasant; I recommend the interior rather than the terrace. With music from the 90s/00s playing in the background, simply set wooden tables are filled with real Germans (yes, really!). There's an à la carte menu and daily specials. The waiters are colorful and very friendly. And all this hides an extraordinary chef, a seasoned professional who discreetly sends out her dishes. And the food is truly delicious. A concrete example: the fragrant pepper—it's not spicy at all, almost impossible to find in France. The food is simple, good, even exceptional, hearty, and obviously not light (we are in Germany, after all), but not greasy at all. A good meal at a reasonable price while listening to "Forever Young" and laughing at the jokes of the cheerful waiters. If this review was helpful, please feel free to like it.

This place makes one of the best schnitzels I've ever had in Cologne. If you have the time, you should definitely visit.

Nice restaurant with good food. They went above and beyond to accommodate someone who needed a lactose-free diet; it was a delicious meal.

If I could give zero stars, I would. Worst meal ever last night. The schnitzel was soft and greasy, with a lot of fat in the meat. The hamburger was on a stale, dry bun, and the egg in between was only half-cooked. The fried potatoes were incredibly salty. The toilet was filthy. And the stairs down to the toilet were sticky; be careful not to slip. Not recommended. I think they owned different places than they used to at Grandma's.

Unfortunately, the existing reviews seem far too positive compared to our experience today. We opted for four simple dishes, three of which were pork and one turkey schnitzel. However, the quality was downright poor, absolutely not made with love, and the non-European chef had no knowledge of German cuisine. Grandma was noticeably absent; there was only a grandmother from another continent who didn't speak a word of German. Not recommended, and for us, as regular "Cologne visitors," it's definitely a place to avoid... a shame.

One of the best places to get high quality food while also not spending a fortune. Very good location close to the mesmerising Köln cathedral and hospitable staff.

I came there to eat a Schnitzel. Waited 45 minutes for a Schnitzel without crust, burnt potatoes and a raw egg. Waiter was rude and tried to rip me off. Would‘t recommend to anyone.

The place clearly can’t handle more than 10 tables at once and they try to handle over 30, respectively it took over 90 minutes for us to get food, which was of mediocre quality and then waiter had the audacity to hint on getting a tip, while not once someone came over to us in those 90 minutes to apologise that it’s taking so long.

The food tastes bad and you have to wait almost 2 hours for your meal.

We waited 46 minutes for two spätzle, which was basically baked mac and cheese with no flavor at all. Unfortunately a total loss of time.

We had to leave without eating because more than 40 minutes had passed and they hadn't brought anything.

Real Grandma's cooking! Perfect. Thank you!

The food was delicious, the service very friendly, and the price was really reasonable. I'll definitely be back to Oma's Küche on my next visit to Cologne! 👍

I tried a traditional German dish, black pudding. It was excellent. The waiter was very attentive.

Went 2 years ago and it was really good so I came back this year. Prices were raised and portions downsized. They basically forced me to tip at the end, probably tried to scam me because they thought I was American. But tipping culture is not a thing in Europe and highly unnecessary and definitely not mandatory (like they made it out to be) and I know that because I’ve lived in Europe my entire life. Very unfortunate experience, don’t be scammed as a tourist!

Extremely slow and unpleasant service. It's true that the food on the menu doesn't match the photos.

We waited a very long time for our food, and we noticed that even at the next table, people were waiting even longer before they could even place an order. The quality was far from mediocre. The fried potatoes were cold and not crispy. I had fried eggs that were unfortunately still runny. We all agreed that our grandmothers definitely wouldn't have cooked such bad food. The service was inattentive, chaotic, and unfriendly. The restrooms were unsightly. There was no soap. It was dirty and smelled unpleasant. The floor wasn't clean either. Unfortunately, the seating in the dining room was not comfortable. We cannot recommend this restaurant and definitely cannot understand the various particularly good reviews…!

The food was okay. Personally, I wouldn't go back, as it could be better. The service was friendly and approachable. The wait for the food was about 40 minutes. The fried potatoes, which are served with almost every dish, were overcooked and very soft; not particularly good. I expected more from them, as there are hardly any other side dishes on the menu. The schnitzel itself was nicely seared and tasted acceptable.

Waited a while before getting the menu and a very long time to get our orders. We ended up with half cooked, lukewarm, what seemed like microwaved food. Disgusting. Ended up leaving and ate elsewhere.

A truly cozy place. I'm here with my daughter; we traveled from Worms on the Rhine and had a great meal. Afterwards, we're diving into the Christmas festivities! 🧑🏻‍🎄🌲

Had a great meal here tonight, staff very friendly and accommodating too!

The food and service was fine and the prices are also OK

As other reviews have stated - they act as if tipping is mandatory, and become rude when choosing “no.” I feel they are preying on tourists. The food was good, the coffee was fine. I would not recommend.

Enjoyed a delicious breakfast with friendly staff

We had a reservation but still got split into three tables. Prices felt too high, and they even mentioned a mandatory 10% tip for group payment. When we paid individually without tipping, the cashier’s attitude changed and became rude. Also, €2 for tap water is unreasonable. Overall, not recommended.

Excellent food and informal but nice atmosphere, friendly staff and willing to joke, I hope we had the right amount for the large dishes we ate (no. 19 and no. 20)

We walked past this place while looking for a restaurant. The chalkboard outside advertised tagliatelle, so we went in. When we got the menu, we couldn't find anything about the pasta. When we asked, they said they only had tagliatelle with mushroom cream sauce. We ended up ordering the schnitzel with fried potatoes and salad instead. It tasted okay, but the portion was far too small for the price. We paid €21 for a schnitzel that was only a quarter of the plate size, with maybe two tablespoons of sauce spread on it, and the fried potatoes were very soft and not crispy at all. We unfortunately won't be coming back.

Tip Top, I'm positively surprised... my Himmel und Äad (Heaven and Earth) had three thick slices of black pudding, just like Grandma used to make it, and the mashed potatoes were super delicious too.

Unfortunately, I can't recommend this place. I waited an hour for two dishes in a half-full restaurant. The "Grandma's Rosary" dish was nothing like what was pictured. The picture showed a plate full of sauerkraut, fried potatoes, and eight Nuremberg sausages. What arrived was an insult. Four small sausages, a tiny pile of sauerkraut, and fried potatoes. More like a child's portion (if that). The cordon bleu was overcooked, and there wasn't even a lemon. When I refused to leave a tip, the waiter stormed off in a huff. No goodbye, no thank you, nothing. Like a child.

SCAM! Don't come to this place. The photos on the menu aren't theirs. The owner himself told us this after we complained that the Spätzle we ordered looked like spaghetti and didn't resemble the photo at all. Nothing they brought us looked like the photos, and they charge a fortune for it. To make matters worse, I paid in cash, and the waiter didn't give me change, thinking it was a tip. I was supposed to leave an €11 tip? I had to ask for it. Awful, don't go.

Old German cuisine 🤩 We came back after 5 years. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good. The meat in the "Himmel und Erde" (Heaven and Earth) was over-seasoned. The fried potatoes in "Grandma's Rosenkranz" (Grandma's Rose Wreath) were mushy and greasy.

Honestly, the oil needs changing sometimes! The pork and turkey schnitzel weren't tasty because everything was soaked in that old oil. The restrooms can be kept in better condition, you just have to be willing to do it. As for the service, I have mixed feelings. For three people, we were given two knives and eight forks! The waitress didn't even come to us, and we were left waiting for someone else!

A small restaurant in the center of Cologne with lots of local German dishes. I went for the classic schnitzel and potatoes: delicious and fragrant, paired with a nice 0.5L of Kölsch beer. Everything was incredibly delicious, with competitive prices and friendly staff. Outdoor seating is also available.

We ate like Grandma used to make. Great service, thank you Inka ❤️ The food was fantastic, everything was perfect. Keep up the good work!

Quaint pub. Friendly welcome. Great conversations with the best waitress, Inka! Fast and attentive service. Wide selection of food. The food here is simply delicious.

This restaurant dispelled my prejudice that German food was mediocre! The rösti, similar to Korean potato pancakes, was delicious. The sausage was a bit salty for my taste, but paired with the accompanying stewed potatoes, it was delicious. The pizza had a thin, crispy crust, perfect for my taste. Highly recommended. And the cheerful attitude of the server, who consistently played South American-style rhythms, made the meal even more enjoyable and delicious. I think it'll be a memory that lasts longer than the food itself.

If there's something else nearby, go there! Tastes like it's been reheated.

We came here today for lunch without a reservation and were seated right away. The service at the beginning was friendly, and the attention was reasonably quick. The food was good (we ordered schnitzels) but overall it felt quite expensive for what it was. One thing that surprised us was that when we asked for tap water, we were brought bottled water instead, and later discovered we were charged €8.90 for it. When it was time to pay, the waitress who served us (a blonde girl) told me I had to choose one of the three tip percentages on the card machine, as if tipping was mandatory. Once I saw that there was an option to select “no tip” I chose it and paid the amount corresponding only to our meal. She clearly didn’t take it well — she became rude, didn’t thank us, and didn’t say goodbye. I understand that staff appreciate receiving tips, but you cannot impose it on customers or try to make it seem obligatory —especially taking advantage of the fact that we are foreigners and might think tipping is mandatory— and you certainly shouldn’t react negatively when someone decides not to leave one. Gestures like this overshadow an otherwise pleasant meal and leave a bad impression.

Awful atmosphere, the whole place smells like cigarettes and the employees are rude, not kind at all.

The food was delicious. My children thought the portions were too small.

The portions were unfortunately too small. Ingredients listed on the menu weren't on the dishes, and when asked about them, we were told they weren't available. The waiter seemed unmotivated, and the food was cold. Drinks were also very expensive. At least the Kölsch was tasty.

The portions were unfortunately very small, and key ingredients were unavailable, a fact only mentioned after the food had already been served. Furthermore, it was unfortunately cold.

That was all very delicious… We'll be back! 👍

The ambiance and outdoor setting are unique, but that doesn't detract from the food, which was excellent. Unfortunately, we had to wait a bit longer for our food than we'd like, which made the service a bit slower.

Cozy and rustic. Great food! Very friendly and fast service with a good sense of humor! We'll definitely come back when we're in Cologne.

The food seemed prepared with no care, salty and burned and it was only half portion from the picture in the menu, which was disappointing. The service was extremely unpleasant. When it came time to pay, the waiter demanded a tip, and when I refused, he rudely threw the receipt at the table. Very unprofessional and disrespectful service. I do not recommend this place at all.

The dishes were delicious and also inexpensive, right in the heart of Cologne.

Very nice atmosphere, friendly service, delicious food. We'd love to come again.

We had a wonderful meal for a few hours and enjoyed the lovely atmosphere. There's actually a granny in the kitchen who makes everything! Just don't be put off by being forced to tip when paying. It's really not standard to tip 10%, and being yelled at wasn't necessary either. Otherwise 5/5 ⭐️, but that's why it's 3/5 💥

The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, the Kölsch beer was delicious, and the service was very friendly and personable. They serve good old German home cooking, but I also had a great pizza. I'd happily come back. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

German cuisine with a good atmosphere.

Reasonable prices for Cologne city center The food is hearty Service is friendly and good

We'll be back. The food was delicious and the ambiance was perfect. The staff was very friendly, and we even got a free shot of schnapps at the end.

The photos on the menu are misleading. The one that I ordered got only half of the potion that I expected. When I asked the staff about that, the waiter (who looks like from the Middle East or India) said the photos were just for reference. His attitude was bad. The hot cacao drink was made of cacao powder like Ovaltine but it was charged for €4.8. So disappointed. I feel scammed. Poor service, food not so great and the place looks shabby. With the amount I paid could easily get something better. Try your best to avoid this place.

Went out for lunch. Food was good but the service ruined this place for us. We had even talked about coming back to eat again but will not be anymore. Waiter yelled at my friend for not selecting a tip clearly thinking we are tourists, however this is not the case as we are currently living here. It is custom to round up to nearest euro and tip on exceptional service but this was not the case as service was just ok. Beware that you may be taken advantage of if you are a tourist.

I ordered food there via Lieferando, and it was canceled the moment it was supposed to arrive. So, my guest and I were very hungry, and then there was no food. And they didn't even give a reason. That's really extremely bad service!

Nice service and a very pleasant atmosphere. We were disappointed with the food. Everything was extremely greasy, there were very few vegetarian options, and the currywurst tastes much better at every snack bar (and costs only half the price). I wasn't full after the meal. The prices are far too high for the portions and the quality. We won't be going here again. I would advise against the fried potatoes; they feel like they're just potato slices soaked in grease. It's a shame, the restaurant's name was very promising.

The food had nothing to do with Ima's cooking!! We came to eat – left but still hungry! The prices didn't match the quality or the portions. The mini salad and fried potatoes had a hint of Indian cuisine... which is something you really don't want to taste in a "grandma's meal"! 😒 The restroom 🚻 was also unpleasant – dirty, like at a rest stop. The food came first, the cutlery much later... there were 2 knives and 5 forks for 4 people. Very tight! My grandma 👵🏼 definitely cooks differently! Unfortunately, our expectations were disappointed!!

4.4 out of 5 stars? How did they do it? We were barely received, we managed to get a menu ourselves which was snatched from our hands when we ordered. We had a real feeling of disturbing the server who was really not pleasant above that, almost to the point of blowing the fact that we placed an order.. Let's talk about the latter.. Frozen dishes concerning the pizza and the Flammekuche and an Omas Rosenkranz dish which has no place being there for the price, a few potatoes, a TINY portion of cabbage, 4 mini-sausages with an egg, if it can be called that as it was so burnt and crunchy under the tooth. We were hesitant about the fact that we spat on our plates because they were so unpleasant. And they still allow themselves to ask for a tip when paying?! A joke. I absolutely do not recommend this place

It's been a long time...hi! Once again, I'm thrilled with the food here. I've already had pizza, pasta, and today's special, kale with a thick Mettwurst! The service is also friendly, prompt, and hardworking. It tastes simply delicious here, I can't say enough about it!! Come here and try it for yourself 🤩👍

A good place. Reasonable price. Good cold beer. The waiters are also quite nice.

Cute little restaurant where Grandma hasn't been cooking for a while. But the menu reads well, and the prices are reasonable. The service was typical Cologne: open, friendly, and fun. The food was good, just like Grandma used to make 😅😉

Typical German bar. And with the 3 B's

Wow, where do I begin? The prices would be justified given the location and good service. But all 3 of the 4 dishes were completely inadequate. My meal was canceled after 15 minutes due to availability. The so-called bratwurst was a complete disgrace. The tarte flambée was undercooked and barely seasoned. My friend was served a regular wheat beer instead of a non-alcoholic beer. A complete tourist trap. As a Cologne native, I've never eaten such a bad and expensive meal in a Cologne restaurant (€4.90 for a tea). I think reviews are being deleted on a massive scale and the customer is being ripped off. Absolutely awful.

What a lousy restaurant! I ordered apple juice and got apple spritzer. We got three knives and one fork. I ordered minced meat without mushroom sauce, but got mushroom sauce with it. I got my food first, and my father didn't get his until I was already finished. The only good thing was that the fried potatoes were delicious.

Delicious breakfast! 🍳 And great service 🤩

Food 100% from a packet, a tourist trap. Service good.

We were here this evening and received a very warm welcome. The food was really good and very reasonably priced. A big shout out to the two waiters who served us: You're top notch!

A complete tourist trap. The food was terrible. The fried potatoes were pre-made and reheated in the microwave. The service was awful. The staff were more concerned with the excessively loud music than with the guests. The restrooms were dirty. Two hours of my life that I unfortunately won't get back.

ordered spatzle and meatloaf (with egg) for dinner. Neither looked like the photos. We got fettuccine with cheese sauce and the other was a thin slice of fried baloney. I saw a meatloaf with sauce go to another table. Oma is off her game