Schreckenskammer in Köln

The first time I didn't eat, it was awful.

Great atmosphere, great waiters

Great brewery, with top-notch waiters.

Great shop. That's why I'm only giving you one star for your opening hours. Please stay open all the time! It's great that you exist. Oh yeah. Best Halfe Hahn.

Always very crowded on weekends, the air thick with the smell of Kölsch beer, and the "food" is very average. The atmosphere is anything but pleasant. And folks: Cologne waiters are allowed to be a bit cheeky – okay – but this is just a cringeworthy attempt at freedom.

I'm in Cologne on a business trip and stumbled across this place today. Friendly staff and fast service, delicious food, decent portions, and fair prices. What more could you want? During my visit, I even discovered that the restaurant brews its own special drink called "Schreckenskammer-Kölsch," which tastes similar to beer. If you're ever in the area, you should definitely try this "Kölsch"!

Cologne's Premier Hostility Experience: The \textit{Aggressively} Good Bar. ​If you're tired of limp, cheerful service and wish to spice up your evening with a genuine sense of existential dread, look no further than this magnificent Cologne institution. They’ve perfected the art of serving world-class food and beer while simultaneously making you feel like an unfortunate mistake the universe is trying to correct. ​Let’s start with the positives, which were truly outstanding: the Kölsch was perfectly chilled, crisp, and seemingly flowed directly from the Rhine, and the Schnitzel was a masterpiece of savory, golden-brown excellence. It was so good, I almost forgot I was eating under the watchful, judging gaze of our designated human sentinel. ​However, the real star of the show—the reason this bar deserves a six-star rating (if one star represented sheer, unadulterated tension)—was our waiter, Adolf (or at least, that's what I'll call the patron saint of passive-aggression). Adolf didn't just serve us; he conducted a swift, surgical interrogation of our dining choices. His body language suggested that asking for extra mustard was a profound personal insult to his family lineage. When a glass of Kölsch went empty, there was no polite query; the replacement arrived with the speed and finality of a court order, delivered with a forceful thud that confirmed our continued occupation of his valuable table space. ​My personal favorite moment was when I tried to catch his eye for the bill. It felt less like signaling a waiter and more like attempting to hail a cab during a blizzard. When the bill finally landed, it felt less like a receipt and more like a declaration of war. ​Verdict: If you are seeking a genuinely fantastic meal and want to practice your ability to remain perfectly still while being treated like you've personally offended the entire German service industry, book a table immediately. It's the only place in Cologne where the food is incredible, the beer is perfect, and you leave feeling thoroughly humbled and utterly convinced you need to apologize for your presence on earth. A truly unique and memorable experience.

We were only there briefly, for two delicious beers 👍😉

What can I say? We simply love it. Brewery culture, waiters, good food, and the best Kölsch. We come from southern Lower Saxony, and we import Kölsch by the case in the trunk of our car 😁 and have to ration it out at home until our next visit to Cologne.

Brilliant shop... I'll go there again.

A somewhat different kind of brewery in Cologne. But it's worth a visit, off the beaten track. The Kölsch tastes excellent (brewed in-house). The food is top-notch, and the Cologne humor is at home here. I recommend the knuckle of pork. 😎🥳

Even though we didn't have a reservation, we got a table within 15 minutes. The food was delicious, and the staff was very friendly.

As always, rustic and a great way to start the evening.

Very loud and very unfriendly. The food was okay, but the knuckle of pork was unfortunately very soggy.

Just a chamber of horrors 🤷🏼‍♂️

A beautiful brewery in the heart of the city with delicious beer and a vintage interior. Unfortunately, you have to wait a long time for drinks. Several times during the evening, the glasses remained empty for a long time. The food is below average, but there is a large selection. The service was very unfriendly. Even if you expect a certain amount of snottiness from the waiter, you don't have to share in his bad mood.

I've been there several times and can't recommend this brewery. Food orders are forgotten more often than usual in a restaurant, and each time we've been treated with extreme rudeness and/or rudeness.

The ambiance was OK, but the ventilation was very poor. At times, the air in the restrooms was better than in the dining room. Service was sometimes unfriendly (some people weren't even afraid to approach the waiters), and you had to wait a long time for your order or for it to be taken. The food was OK.

A traditional Kölsch pub with its own beer, wooden tables, a polished floor, a decent menu, and traditional Köbesen (a beer garden).

Simply delicious, rustic and great....recommendable

We went for dinner with a group of men. This authentic Cologne restaurant has a great atmosphere. The food and beer were delicious. Friendly, insightful service. I would come back anytime.

Nice brewery, food and beer very good, great service

It's a place where you feel at home, with very friendly staff and excellent food.

Very good brewery with delicious beer of course. A short detour there with a friend. I had “Heavens and Ääd” and was absolutely satisfied. A large portion and really delicious. What do you have to say about the service? Nothing I think 😀 He was definitely in a good mood and we had fun

A quaint brewery for Cologne locals. It serves delicious Kölsch beer and cheerful waiters.

Very tasty food at an affordable price. The beer prices are also reasonable. The beer garden in the courtyard is definitely the preferred option. The service is typical of Cologne, and the beer is brought out super quickly ;) Reservations aren't necessary during the week, but it can get crowded on weekends. If you fancy a visit to Cologne Cathedral, etc., before or after, you can reach it on foot in just a few minutes. Unfortunately, parking is rather scarce, as is typical for Cologne.

Great food and a great atmosphere. We'll be back.

If you like a rustic atmosphere and delicious Kölsch beer, this is the place for you. The food and service are also perfect.

Quick chance to learn about lovely koln culture !!

First time in Germany, try their beer , good beer 😋

We went there as we like this Kölsch brand we were overall happy as they have a small garden at the back , friendly stuff and leckeres Kölsch but pls get a credit card payment device

Classic brewery. Not a tourist haunt. Kölsch: top-notch. Food: Schnitzel-heavy, nothing special.

A cool brewery in the heart of Cologne. Delicious food, cool Kölsch beer, friendly service, and friendly customers.

A quaint, typically Cologne neighborhood pub. The Brauerei zur Schreckenskammer (Cookery of the Chamber of Terror) has been around since 1442, making it one of the oldest in Cologne. Delicious Cologne specialties, schnitzel, and other brewery dishes are served. A visit is especially worthwhile for the refreshing, home-brewed Schreckenskammer Kölsch. It has an authentic atmosphere, as it's not a typical tourist bar. Prices are reasonable by Cologne standards. Always worth a visit.

Very tasty kölsch and good food

A truly rustic inn with a fitting ambiance. The service is typical of Cologne's cheerful nature. The food and drinks are delicious. The prices are also reasonable.

We rushed the 650 m here with a small glass of Kölsch in the light summer rain. This was the penultimate stop on our brewery tour this year, because the main train station is about a 700 m walk away, and I've been interested in both Kölsch and the location for a while. Tuesday to Saturday, however, it's only open from 4:30 p.m. When I called 10 minutes before arriving on Saturday at 7:40 p.m., we even got a free table for five in the almost full house. And by the open window, too (a welcome relief after the sweltering rain). Admittedly, I had imagined the place with that name to be completely different! A bit spooky, bones, etc. Instead, it was a decent inn with good food and its own Kölsch (cheap at €2.10 for 5% alcohol, most have 4.8%). Our group of five wanted to fortify ourselves before the journey home. We were happily surprised to be served a delicious broth with garnish! Hamchen/Eisbein (ham/knuckle) €19.80, Himmel un Ääd (spicy bun) €15.50, Camembert schnitzel with fries €18.90 - absolutely wonderful!!!

Good beer and excellent service. I was served by Felix who, among other languages (8), speaks Spanish very well 🔝🔝

Super rustic inn. We had the Leber and Himmel und Äd. Both were incredibly delicious, even though I'm no expert on Cologne cuisine. The Kölsch beer was delicious and fresh. Our waiter was relaxed.

The tastiest Kölsch in town, a super attentive waiter, good food, what more could you want?

Loved this restaurant. Generally locals only eating here so definitely not touristy. The food was fantastic, great tasting German food. The environment had the traditional sand on the floor, wooden tables and served the traditional beer for Cologne (Kolsch). Staff were fab and if you're a dog owner, this is your restaurant.

Waiter was a little overwhelmed but otherwise very pleasant

Very tasty beer in a cozy atmosphere

No parking, no culinary highlights, service was okay. We were able to sit in the beer garden. However, the chairs become very uncomfortable after a short while, and it's very cramped. The food (salad) had no zest. No onions, no herbs, everything was carelessly presented. Where was the dressing? Half a Röggelchen (small roll) isn't even suitable as a side dish.

Great service Delicious food Delicious Kölsch beer Cool, traditional location

A typical Cologne, rustic brewery atmosphere. A typical Cologne menu. A convivial gathering with delicious Kölsch beer and home-style cooking. If you prefer a quiet or peaceful atmosphere, this is the place for you.

The food came quickly and was delicious. We had a very attentive server. The Kölsch beer was very drinkable. A cozy brewery in a central location. A typical brewery atmosphere. We'd be happy to go back anytime.

Top beautiful beer garden, delicious Kölsch and food

Great beer and good food. Great service.

It would certainly have been much nicer if the waiter, Frank, hadn't been so obviously drunk and had simply taken care of us guests. Next time we're on duty, just don't serve as much Kölsch to the staff!

Great brewery, smart waiter. We had good Cologne-style home cooking, hard to beat. Price-performance ratio was okay. We'd love to come back.

Unfortunately, on Saturday, June 7, all the shutters were down and the restaurant was closed. However, previous visits are fond memories. Google didn't know that the restaurant wasn't open... I probably would have found out by visiting the website that it's closed on Whit Saturday 🙃

It's a Kölsch pub, after all; expecting culinary highlights here would be strange. The service is friendly but gruff, as is only right. But this snotty attitude is part of the concept of Cologne pubs. It can take a while; even Kölsch glasses remained empty for more than 20 minutes in our case. That's rather untypical for Cologne. But the seating in the courtyard is really lovely, and I'm always happy to come back when the weather's nice.

I had a great time at this traditional pub in Cologne. They serve a good Kölsch-style beer, which I really enjoyed. The beer was freshly poured and tasted excellent. The owner, who served me at the bar, is a bit grumpy, but it added a funny touch to the experience—like stepping into a classic, no-nonsense local spot. Despite his gruffness, he was courteous enough. Overall, it’s a cozy place to enjoy a traditional beer and soak in the authentic atmosphere of Cologne’s pub scene. I’d definitely recommend it for those looking for a genuine local experience!

Great brewery, great Kölsch and friendly service, anytime again

Thank God we were turned away and found a very nice restaurant with friendly staff.

The dish and soup were too salty, which was a shame. The service was not unpleasant, but they weren't very motivated to take the order or bring us a drink (in other restaurants, it's quick and automatic).

Great service, lovely ambiance, and a very nice and even quiet beer garden. The negative review concerns the knuckle of pork: It was a ham (Eisbein) that had apparently been in the oven for a short time, as the crust was flabby and the meat red; the fried potatoes were al dente, and the salad was okay. The waiter passed the feedback on to the chef, who then apologized and partially made amends. If anyone goes there, they might be better off with the schnitzel.

May 2025: A Cologne brewery with its own beer...crowded, loud, typical brewery style...the waiters were typically snippy...The food was pretty average - typical brewery. Transportation is difficult - parking is rather difficult. But it's a good neighborhood pub that I can recommend with a clear conscience. There were 14 of us there and we had reservations, so seating wasn't a problem. It's worth making a reservation!

...always happy with delicious Kölsch.

For me, a great, rustic Cologne pub. The waiters are incredibly friendly. It should be that way. The Kölsch doesn't have the most robust beer flavor, but that doesn't matter here. Walk in and start a conversation. Walls covered with carnival medals and pictures. The Three Kings are very present. The food is exceptional...

Another authentic Cologne brewery. The Chamber of Horrors serves one of the best Kölsch beers.

The food was so-so. The knuckle of pork was unfortunately not crispy, but very soft and mushy. The vegetables were just peas, and the pork fillet was overcooked. The service was quite slow and seemed very irritated. A shame. I like the ambiance, very rustic. The beer is tasty, when it arrives.

Traditional brewery with delicious Kölsch and classic brewery food. We were there for lunch. Well attended, our Köbes was very friendly and attentive. Thanks for the good service. A great place to drink beer, not our favorite for food.

A typical brewery, very nice and fast service, we were very satisfied

Lively Local Spot with Great Food and Beer We found this place through a travel book we picked up in the U.S., and it turned out to be a fantastic recommendation. It has a fun, local beer hall vibe with communal seating, which made for a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The beer flows freely here—just place your coaster on top of your glass when you’re done, otherwise it keeps coming! The staff was friendly, and the crowd seemed to be in great spirits. The menu had plenty of hearty options. We tried the pork schnitzel with Puszta sauce and the schnitzel with French-style Béarnaise sauce—both were absolutely delicious. Meals came with a flavorful brothy soup to kick things off (and maybe make you crave more beer) and fresh, tasty salads. Prices were very reasonable, and the whole experience felt authentically local. It’s just about a 10-minute walk from the cathedral—definitely worth the visit, and we’d happily come back!

The food, the Kölsch and the ambience were good. The evening was marred by the limited attentive service. Conclusion: We probably expected more.

Ur-Kölsch... it couldn't be better

Rustic Cologne brewery with a restaurant. Service very friendly. I had a great and delicious schnitzel menu. Kölsch delicious 😋

We were in the Chamber of Horrors for the first time today and were very negatively surprised by the Köbes. We are not tourists and were reprimanded very harshly by Köbes when we wanted to open a window. That could have been said completely differently and had nothing to do with a “cheeky” Köbes as we know him. When we politely took the glasses off our beer mats to make room for the new ones, that wasn't right either. As always, the Kölsch was delicious (otherwise we buy it in boxes), the food is also recommended and very tasty. Whether we dare to do it again remains to be seen…….

Tasty food and well-served dishes (the house sauce is amazing). I know that the restaurant's proposal is to stay "close to its origins", but it is important to communicate in advance that cash is the only form of payment (they do not accept cards, for example).

You have to say, the Chamber of Horrors is one of the best and most iconic places I've ever had the pleasure of visiting in my life! In addition to excellent food and drink, the old Cologne way is once again proven here: the people make the city! You can have a wonderful chat with nice Cologne residents here and enjoy a lovely evening. My favorite Kölsch is also available here, horror chamber Kölsch, an absolute insider tip. The spicy and slightly bitter aroma is unmatched by any other beer! The Chamber of Horrors is also highly recommended; the rustic and iconic interior design truly makes your stay a celebration. I particularly liked the old wooden floor. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to the Chamber of Horrors, I'll definitely and happily come back: as often as possible. This city is just wonderful!! Kind regards and have a nice stay in the Chamber of Horrors! Yours, Rudi

If you're looking for a place that you won't forget so quickly, then the Chamber of Horrors is the right place for you. Kölsch, Kölsch and more Kölsch. If you want to really experience Cologne, you definitely have to try this iconic, traditional location. The Totenkammer Kölsch is a beer that is second to none. Served by the friendly Cologne staff, it is full-bodied and tasty. Just typical Cologne. Since I can't stop raving about it, I have to slowly talk about the incredibly appealing ambience. Being in Cologne means you never forget a visit: the people make the city. This saying was often used in Cologne anyway, but it was lived in the Chamber of Horrors. For your own sake, I can only recommend experiencing this iconic Cologne dream for yourself. See you there!

Typically Cologne brewery. Kölsch knuckle and sauerbraten were very tasty, Kölsch as it should be: freshly tapped and really temperamental - here there is no pre-tapping and no pouring back and forth.

If you want to roll the dice, it's best to avoid this place. We were shocked to be sent on to the competition. Kölsch tastes good. Service is good 👍

Great rustic bars with a super delicious Kölsch!!! The ambience is simple but honest, you have to like the service and the food was really tasty. You have to do it!

Wednesday is potato pancake day. They are highly recommended

Unfortunately we were treated very unfriendly by the waiter right from the start. When we didn't want to eat we were yelled at and thrown out. Very unfortunate.

Not a friendly shop, you expect rebellious waiters, but they are more than unfriendly there. To the point of yelling. Good thing the stay was only short.

Kein freundlicher Laden, mit aufmüpfigen Kellnern rechnet man ja, aber dort sind sie mehr als unfreundlich. Bis hin zum Anschreien. Gut, dass der Aufenthalt nur kurz war.

Wonderfully rustic Cologne brewery

I heard that this is the first Kölsch in Cologne. The quality of the wine is very good, and the soup provided is also very delicious, which is suitable for hangover. As for food, I highly recommend the pork chop. The sauce and the pork chop blend perfectly! Most of the people here are locals, and the service attitude is average.

I love it! I've been going there regularly for years and I've always been satisfied. It's a family-friendly place and simply great! The soup of the day is simply fantastic and hot 😘

A quaint Cologne pub with delicious Kölsch beer and good food. The food is classic brewery fare, good and plentiful. Few tourists, mostly locals. Tip: Come early, preferably before 6 p.m., otherwise it won't be a good place to be because it's full.

Very rustic inn, very tasty food with filling portion sizes, fast and friendly service and great price/performance!

THIS WAS OUR FIRST VISIT TODAY AND WE WERE TOTALLY THRILLED. GREAT SERVICE AND THE FOOD RICH AND SUPER DELICIOUS.

The location is different than other brewerys in Köln. The "Schreckenskammer" is a big room, where it easily can become noisy. The Gulasch was great and well priced with 10€. Also Kölsch costs 2€, which is cheaper than almost all otjer brewerys in Köln. You can Drink a kölsch directly at the bar, which is also cool. I will come Back.

Actually, you are not allowed to give a rating for the Chamber of Horrors. The rating here can only be good. But if everyone rightly rates it well, the iconic location in the heart of Kölle will be overcrowded. You can still get a couple without an appointment, but a reservation is advisable. The beer has cult status and is really tasty. Simply a delicious Kölsch. Food is at a good brewery level. Great schnitzel menu and local specialties. The audience is nice and you quickly get into conversation with the people sitting next to you. . . Typically Kölsch. Have you ever noticed the sand on the ground? Original text from the Chamber of Horrors (I can't put it better) The floor is made of open-pore oak wood, which is not cleaned normally but scrubbed with sand. This not only cleans the wood but also hardens it. This makes the wooden floor more durable. Well, isn't that cult? The interior is old, very old. . . Cult for me too. The staff, here of course called Köbes, is typically Kölsch and just as nice as the guest who wants to be served. Not a tourist trap like other locations. . . For me, the Chamber of Horrors is simply a cult and a clear recommendation. . . always happy and as often as I can :-)

Great coffee place setting! ☕ Finally a beer house that welcomes my coffee order. I was even allowed to drink outside the door.

Authentic, Cologne brewery that brews its own beer. Food was very good and prices were also completely reasonable. Staff very friendly (with one slightly bad-tempered older bespectacled exception) and great atmosphere. Only the tables are a bit too high :-) I can absolutely recommend the horror chamber and the Kölsch is also very tasty...

Everything like before! Furnishings, narrowness, ambience! Service was funny, friendly and tried very hard! But a somewhat strange menu for a brewery and horribly LOUD!!!!!!!! Unusable for a get-together or meeting with friends!!

Good evening! I wanted to order a table for 20 people. Unfortunately, the “operator” couldn’t or didn’t want to understand me and simply opened the receiver. Sorry, that's not behavior towards a customer. There's a better way, dear team at the Horror Chamber Brewery. Best regards

Super nice and good brewery. The food is very good and you don't have to be left high and dry :) Always my pleasure.

A Cologne brewery as it should be. Original, hearty and delicious and Köbesse with heart. Simply good!

Great value for money! 🤩 The service was very nice and quick, the Kölsch was of course good too!🍺

Original, rustic, simple and therefore original. Good food and above all a very tasty Kölsch

Great, that's exactly how I imagine breweries many decades ago, the tradition is preserved with delicious Kölsch and traditional Cologne food with really good quality, the service was also perfect, thank you

Delicious beer and food. Totally nice atmosphere.

A very nice old Cologne pub. Wooden floor is covered with a little sand. This is used to preserve the wooden floor. Further explanation in the menu.

Delicious Kölsch, nice atmosphere. If you make a joke with Köbes yourself (actually it's the other way around), it doesn't go down well with him on Saturday lunchtime, for whatever reason. When I asked him whether we wanted Kölsch, I only answered in a friendly, funny way, otherwise we wouldn't be here. But otherwise everything is fine, as always.