TEXMEXNATION in Erfurt

We've been sitting for an hour waiting for our food. Apparently, we were told how long it would take. Guests who were getting burgers, bowls, and soup all got their turn before us... What a pity...

The location in Erfurt is good, centrally located yet relatively quiet. The ambience is also perfectly fine. The selection of food and drinks is good. Unfortunately, you quickly notice how inefficient the crew's work processes seem to be. Waiting times for breakfast are 30 minutes or more on weekends. (We waited 50 minutes for drinks and 1 hour for food) This is not generally a problem, as you are informed directly when ordering. However, it seems as if the staff are trained to repeatedly point out the long wait, which gives the impression that you are a burden as an additional guest. While you are waiting for your order, it is also not possible to get your drinks. The orders are processed mindlessly from top to bottom. This also makes the staff seem constantly stressed and under pressure, which does not exactly make you feel welcome as a guest.

I recently returned to Cognito after a long time... and what can I say: I used to like the place, and this time my companions and I were all disappointed... I ordered an "Iced Latte" (listed under "Iced Frappe"!!). The medium size costs €6.99. What I was expecting was, of course, a frappé (please google the definition). After the pager beeped (after a long wait), I was told matter-of-factly, "It's been ready the whole time... Apparently I pressed the wrong number." I was then given a latte macchiato with three ice cubes. Aside from the fact that the waitress took a while to even find the "Iced Latte" at the register and didn't even know it was available... the medium latte macchiato costs €4.99, so I paid an additional €2 for the three extra ice cubes. After I went back and pointed out that I ordered an "Iced Frappe," which is actually mixed with ice, she looked at me confused and said, "I can mix it again for you if you want." She mixed it, and out came a glass of foam, which I left in disappointment for a moment. And after a short while, the foam gradually disappeared, leaving me with half a glass of cold milk with a hint of coffee. And all that for €6.99... That was really disappointing. I didn't go back because the waitresses seemed very stressed (and sometimes unfriendly) and apparently didn't really know what they were doing... Also, no one would have believed me that the full glass of foam would suddenly turn into half a glass of milk (I can hardly believe it myself)... I've attached a photo. (At the time of the photo, I had taken ONE sip and waited a few minutes.) I've had iced frappés there several times in the past, including the Oreo frappé (which was still available at the time)... and they were so good! But I can only advise against the so-called "iced latte." Perhaps it would make more sense not to list the iced latte (if it's actually served as a latte macchiato with three ice cubes) under frappés, and especially not to charge €2 more than for a regular latte. Well, that's it for now. Sorry for the long review, but that was very disappointing... for me and my wallet.

It's very nice and cozy there. I remember the place from before, though, and one of the delicious bowls was quite filling. Unfortunately, these now cost €15, and the few vegetables and the small pile of rice aren't really filling. It could be a bit more substantial for the price. Otherwise, the staff is very friendly and it's a nice place for a coffee.

A really nice place that I used to recommend - but there are now many other locations that are not only as charming, but above all culinary much more convincing. Panini with three forks Salad (including spoiled arugula) for € 13.59 plus uncoordinated service - that just doesn't fit anymore.

Disappointing visit – poor quality, even less dialogue On June 12, 2025, I visited Cognito Erfurt with friends. For €14.49, I received a small bowl with five mini falafels, some green salad, some overripe old cucumbers – and no side dish at all. No bread, no filling meal. My politely expressed criticism was ignored and not taken seriously by the staff. I subsequently contacted management by email – but there, too, instead of a genuine discussion, I received more defensiveness: My comment was downgraded due to its anonymity. It's a shame – a restaurant that calls itself "conscious" but blocks feedback falls short of its goal. We won't be back. #FalafelFail #DisappointedByService #FeedbackIgnored #SustainabilityWithoutAttitude #PricePerformanceIsNotRight #RestaurantWithRoomForUpgrade #CriticismIsNotHostility #CustomerServiceCanBeDifferent #NeverAgainCognito

Schnelle Bedienung mit leckerem Thai Food aus dem Thermobehälter. Günstiges Essen was nicht schwer im Magen liegt

Be careful with the prices. I ordered an Aperol Spritz for the Krämerbrückenfest, which the menu said was €6.90. I was charged €7.49. After asking, I was told that the early shift hadn't changed the price. I couldn't get a refund because they only accept card payments and don't have cash. 🤔

Very delicious breakfast. Both vegetarian and vegan. We had the sweet breakfast and both bowls. Unfortunately, the bowls only come with regular yogurt, not soy yogurt. I could have had that if I had asked, but I opted for the milk version instead. The bowls cost around €10, and they're VERY filling and filling. I've never had such large bowls for breakfast anywhere else. Therefore, I found the price reasonable. Unfortunately, the fruit wasn't in season (we were there at the end of May), so I would have preferred strawberries instead of orange slices with peel and very large banana pieces. It's self-service here with a "table timer," which was fine in our case. You also clear away your used dishes yourself. The service was friendly and flexible. You can have breakfast both inside and outside in a lovely setting.

Price/performance ratio is a complete disaster! Where do the reviews come from? See photo: that's supposed to be 6 eggs? Something that doesn't even taste like eggs? And then the price? When I asked, why are there 2 eggs? I wanted my money back... Of course I didn't get it! The coffee was completely ripped off... More show than substance! You're being ripped off here, and deliberately so.

Sunday morning, May 25, 2025, around 10:30 a.m., we're in the mood for breakfast. Three employees ignore you in the store, and you're ignored. The wait in the store is about 15 minutes. The employees at the snack bar are particularly disinterested and ignore you. Requests for seating are answered reluctantly and unfriendly. Fun at work and with customers, almost zero. We leave the café. CIAO

Four slices of bread, three bowls of spreads, yesterday's salad, and a fried egg – charging more than €13 for that is pretty cheeky. The drinks are also overpriced. If you need more than five minutes in the bathroom, the lights simply go out, leaving you sitting in pitch darkness. The motion detector is outside by the sinks. All in all, very disappointing. A tourist trap, after all.

If you want to watch people starve and die of thirst, come to Cognito! It's actually a nice place, and the food seems delicious, too. If you can get it, that is. Two of us waited almost an hour and a half (!) on a Sunday after ordering our food at the self-service counter. There were three staff members (all friendly), and it was moderately busy (a few tables were free). On top of that, you only get drinks with your meal. I would probably have been on my second coffee by now. So my advice: don't come hungry or thirsty. I won't be coming again.

Delicious, but pricey. Friendly, but self-service. They also offer vegan options. ❤️ We'd love to come back; the atmosphere is appealing and the location is great in the old town.

Unfortunately, I had a very unpleasant experience there and later spent some time in the bathroom because of it. There were reasons for this, too: there were hygiene issues and a pest problem a few years ago, which resulted in several chefs leaving.

Actually, we are used to something completely different from the Cognito!! The service on our visit today was extremely frustrating. Although we had reserved several places for Mother's Day (and even had them confirmed by phone the day before), we were told very rudely that there were no places available for such a large group of people. The waiter had a very ignorant demeanor and didn't even bother to check the appointments. As a result, our initially very happy mood was completely ruined. Only the waitress behind the counter tried to somehow save the situation and assigned us a table. There were still a few tables available in the restaurant anyway and they weren't occupied later during our visit. The waiter's behavior was absolutely detrimental to business!!! Unfortunately we didn't have the name given to us.

Absolutely no recommendation. An “okay selection” of “so-so food” to fill you up. But “holla the negative forest fairy prices”. The crowning achievement: catastrophic service and the unfriendly and most ignorant staff I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Absolutely zero points!!!

Got breakfast even though breakfast time was over. Simply great!!!

Great restaurant! There are super delicious (gluten-free, vegan) cakes here. The chicken burger can also be recommended. Everything is freshly prepared and you can even keep an exclusive eye on your food preparation. The staff is friendly and you are served quickly. The fact that the restaurant is taking part in the “friendly toilet” project is just another plus point. Everything is fine, gladly again!

The shop is very nice and the atmosphere is nice, but 30€ and 45 minutes of waiting for two burritos that mostly consisted of unseasoned rice is cheeky. Employees can have their shoes soled while walking

It's a really nice café in itself, but the drinks are super expensive. And somehow the few servants can't keep up. It's a little incomprehensible that I couldn't find my last review when I had already stated that. But apparently that's a scam in this establishment

Super long wait and unfriendly staff.

Simply recommended, super tasty there😊

I have repeatedly had negative experiences at this restaurant - both on site and for delivery. Despite the low occupancy, I was not served for a long time on several occasions, even though the staff had obviously noticed me. A part of the order was missing from a delivery; When I politely asked, I only received the answer that nothing could be done here. A solution like those seen in other restaurants (e.g. a credit note or subsequent delivery) was not offered. Based on these repeated experiences, I have decided not to visit or order from the restaurant in the future. I would also like to note that a previous factual review of mine was removed - apparently at the request of the restaurant. I find this worrying, as constructive criticism can contribute to improvement.

Yes, food very good, friendly staff

Employees extremely unfriendly, whether on site or when ordering - no attempts to resolve errors that they made themselves. Prices are high, food quality fluctuates greatly. Biggest problem: the operator regularly has justified negative reviews removed.

Had breakfast there and it was really delicious. Top vegan and vegetarian selection, not just for breakfast. Food is ordered at the counter and picked up. Staff friendly. Cozy atmosphere, seating outside with blankets available. Child-friendly restaurant with a play area upstairs. Price-performance is right. Gladly again!

The location and the location of the self-service restaurant are actually not bad but you could do more with it...especially in terms of order and cleanliness.

Pleasant, informal atmosphere; delicious breakfast; gladly again!

We discovered “Cognito” on our first day in Erfurt and grabbed something for lunch. The soup and sandwich could have been a little bigger, but they satisfied the hunger for now. It was all delicious; especially the smoothie! The location is nice and the service is friendly. We'd love to come back :)

Received the wrong order and then the extremely unfriendly service was unwilling to exchange the food or refund the money. Never again.

Great breakfast with delicious spreads and jams, lovingly prepared.

We ate breakfast here. The staff was very friendly and the food tasted really good.

Very nice and inviting atmosphere, the service staff is just as friendly and accommodating:) The food is also a 10/10. We'd love to come back.

Breakfast and also the homemade cake are simply delicious

Very friendly Delicious Cozy atmosphere

The food looks very good, but unfortunately, we couldn't get in because the waiter was very unfriendly and immediately told us not to order anything because it would take too long (50 minutes for a soup). A very nice place, very nicely decorated. If the staff hadn't been so abusive and the food and drinks hadn't been so expensive, it would have been highly recommended.

I had dinner there for the first time today with my daughter. The location is a bit too dim/dark for eating for my taste. We didn't know how the ordering system worked, but no one spoke to us. So we stood there uncertainly for 10 minutes. Both employees were too busy with cleaning work. When asked, they said unfriendly “Order at the counter!”. The food was okay, but nothing more. (1x curry, 1x bowl for approx. 14-15 euros each) Plus a small bottle of water “Viva con Aqua” and a “Proviant Limo” When I paid I was taken aback: €39.90! When I asked irritably, I found out that a cold drink costs just under €6!!! I was then offered to bong it out again. Since we were thirsty, we left it alone. That's really cheeky and I've rarely felt so ripped off! There is NO price display! Neither on the menu at the table nor on the large boards behind the counter. Only warm drinks and cocktails are available there. Nowhere in Erfurt have I ever paid such an outrageous amount for water/soda. What's that supposed to mean? (You should donate at least 2 euros per water bottle to "Viva con Aqua"...) Summary: Never again.

The Thai curry was really great and it was super tasty, had a slight spiciness but was pleasant because I don't eat spicy very often or at all and in terms of price it was also completely okay

Great coffee and great location!

Very tasty food - whether curry or breakfast. Location, staff and atmosphere great!

The shock comes when it comes to the drinks at the checkout... almost €6 for 0.33 liters of apple spritzer. That's not possible, especially because there's nowhere to find a price label for the drinks at the counter.

Delicious, healthy breakfast, made with a good mood. Special requests are also met in a friendly manner. Our child was able to play upstairs. That made it even more relaxed. Always the first choice for us when we travel as a family.

Cozy breakfast with gluten-free options✅delicious coffee specialties, everything freshly made and delicious 👍

Food wasn't fresh, way too expensive, tables were unfortunately dirty

Very delicious and plentiful breakfast. As a vegan, I'm absolutely thrilled. We'd love to come back ☺️

I had a burger that was one of the best I've had and the service was very friendly. I can only recommend it, you shouldn't miss the jam either 🫶🏼

Unfortunately it has diminished significantly. It's very expensive and the tables aren't cleaned that often. The food wasn't really warm and there was also a side salad once in the past. You can get a lot out of the store if you make sure that everything doesn't go to waste

Great service, delicious food, nice atmosphere

You come in, no form of politeness (hello, good day, etc.), only card payment possible and the toilet is broken. Monday in a review.

Cognito offers a wide selection of healthy and delicious dishes that can also be ordered for various occasions such as birthday parties, corporate events and weddings. The Cognito focuses on fresh food, as I was able to see for myself. The Cognito is ideal for catering or pick-up. Particularly noteworthy is the range of healthy meals such as burritos, burgers, curries and salads. For coffee lovers, there is also a large selection of coffee, tea and smoothies. I would particularly like to emphasize that everything is freshly prepared such as burritos, burgers, curries and salads. The combination of fresh ingredients and healthy food makes it very attractive for me and for anyone who wants to eat more consciously. For me, Cognito is an excellent option for healthy and delicious food that you can enjoy - whether on-site or conveniently delivered to your home. In addition, the modern and cozy ambience of the Cognito ensures that families with children can feel comfortable. Cognito offers child-friendly menus and composition options tailored to children's preferences and nutritional needs. However, the best way to convince yourself is to visit the site. For me one of the best locations in Erfurt where you can eat healthily and consciously.

Unfortunately, unpacking the goods was more important than serving guests! I left after 5 minutes without eating!

Even if negative reviews are regularly deleted by the operator: despite all understanding for the tense price situation and the city center location, the price-performance ratio has not been right for years. The portions are far too small for the not exactly affordable price. If this is due to high-quality products, it is not recorded anywhere. The service is anything but customer-oriented and friendly - a shame!

First review was removed by owner. Was there twice and both times were bad. The crowning glory: my burger cost 15€ and was 90% rocket. Service way down Go to all the other shops nearby but not this one.

Super tasty. Fresh ingredients and simply something different than the run-of-the-mill offerings. Thank you!

We had dinner here with friends. Very nice atmosphere, delicious food and friendly staff. We'll definitely be back.

Very tasty breakfast! Also great vegan food!

Centrally located in the old town of Erfurt, right next to the Krämerbrücke. Very cozy, food is very tasty and freshly prepared, food is ordered at the counter. Only card payment possible.

Prices a bit too expensive for the size of the plates. Poor room layout as the tables are all far too close. Food OK but nothing more.

I am always satisfied in Cognito. The food is tasty, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is pleasant and there is also a play area upstairs for families. However, I have to say that the quality has not always been completely convincing the last few times. Salad (side dish at breakfast) completely unseasoned and without dressing is unfortunately a bit boring. But these are isolated cases and overall the Cognito is still convincing and I like coming here.

We tried the gluten free cake. Cherry chocolate and apple almond. Very, very tasty and perfect for people with and without celiac disease. The pieces are also very large and fill you up.

We've been going to Cognito for years, delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. Keep it up!!!

There is still room for improvement in the ambience but the location is of course very good as it is right on the Krämerbrücke. The food tastes very good.

Incredibly nice service and a very nice atmosphere in Erfurt🌼

So I'm totally thrilled, super tasty, nice staff and very clean 🌸😱💖

Very nice café with many gluten-free and lactose-free options.

Delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere. Suggestion for improvement: It would be nice to be able to order and pay for food and drinks together at one checkout.

My wife and I have been ordering from Cognito for years. The food is really great. It tastes great and I can only recommend it completely.

We were guests here with the gourmet block and were pleasantly surprised. It's a self-service restaurant, flow works well. We enjoyed the food very much and the price-performance ratio was absolutely fine for the city center of Erfurt. We'll definitely come back again. A little tip: A sugar-free cola wouldn't be a bad idea when choosing drinks.

Delicious food with self-service and “only” EC card payment

We were recently in town with friends and were looking for something to eat. Since there are some vegetarians/vegans among us, we were looking for a restaurant that would meet these requirements. Came across Cognito. What can I say, not only I but also the others were very satisfied. The waitresses were very friendly to us, very pleasant. As for the ambience, it was very nice. Everything is very correct. We would definitely recommend it! Looking forward to the next visit!

Unfortunately the staff had been rude the last few times, so now a criticism. Unfortunately, my meal wasn't implemented as discussed, it happened. But how the staff then reacted was outrageous. It's always the same rude man. It's a shame that they don't pay attention to a balanced staff. Would be more appropriate given the atmosphere.

Overpriced food that fails miserably at presenting itself as healthy. We found plastic pieces in the food, and my burger was more of a sandwich falling apart than a burger. I do not recommend when for the same price you can go to so many better vegetarian places in Erfurt.

Brutally unfriendly staff who don't pay any attention to you and if they do deign to talk to customers, you are spoken to in a passive aggressive manner. The food is also on par with the staff.

Very tasty food and large vegetarian/vegan selection.

Ordered twice, disappointed twice. The food is always made from seemingly cheap ingredients and is then advertised on various apps with beautiful pictures. You know it from a lot of chains, but at least it tastes good there. Unfortunately this cannot be said about Cognito. Afterwards, an attempt is made to lure people again with vouchers. However, these are better suited for heating than for spending.

A self-service restaurant with a diverse selection of dishes in a super central location. The burger was very tasty and the service was courteous. The soup and curry that my companion ordered were also tasty and well received. We'd love to come back!

Everything is always good. We'd love to come.

Delicious food and good service, gladly again

Delicious and healthy. Gladly again.

Delicious food with a difference

Very nice restaurant with very fresh and delicious food but there are also delicious cakes 😋

Unfortunately, only below average food at above average prices. The ambience is okay, but the vegetarian/vegan concept was unfortunately only half-heartedly approached, as chicken is still on the menu. If anything, be consistent and follow through to stand out from the rest.

Delicious, fresh and healthy. In some cases the portions could be a little larger for good eaters.

The food was very bad and unclean. It caused poisoning because the meals were unhealthy. We will not come back again. I do not recommend it at all

Delicious food, cozy atmosphere, very good value for money.

The city is bursting during the Christmas market and it should have been clear to us that if there's nothing going on, that can't be good. Self-service, but you still leave the customer standing and chat to the end in private. Then, for far too much money, a hot drink and a piece of cake. Chai latte only tasted like milk, the cake was subpar. Looked cool, but didn't taste good at all! On top of that, it was cold in the place, zero comfort! Never again

Nicely located near the Krämerbrücke. The food was delicious and freshly prepared.

Good, centrally located self-service restaurant with satisfying and good food. We ate here yesterday and were quite happy with the food. Depending on the meal, the advertised side dishes can be very meager. Unfortunately, the falafel burger only had a few lettuce leaves with carelessly thrown together vegetables as a side dish - the Best Burger is a very large portion with lots of side dishes (see picture). The drinks are at least 4.7 euros (small lemonade bottle) and are very steep for a self-service restaurant. The older waitress seemed very grumpy and not very friendly. The location and the restaurant itself are nice

Was a great experience. The food was delicious, the drink too. Small deduction for the impatience of the service employee. If you're not familiar with the menu, you'll need a little time when ordering, and I could theoretically take that time since no one wanted to continue ordering.

Pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant, matching color selection of the furnishings, seems somehow cozy, food very appealing and tasty, if you come with smaller children you can also use the beautifully furnished play area. Friendly service. Definitely a recommendation!

Everything is great! Everything delicious!

Great location, great ambience and the dishes are a delicious and great alternative to pasta, pizza or kebab.

It was super tasty and came really quickly, which is perfect for a short lunch break.

We often go there for breakfast, love the food, the ambience and always feel very comfortable.

The shop was almost empty and we had to wait 30 minutes for a lentil soup to warm up, which in the end was lukewarm and the taste wasn't exactly world-class for €9 😡

We sat quite comfortably because everything was beautifully decorated for Christmas :) the new vegan burger was incredibly tasty, highly recommended!

We were here for breakfast. The breakfast menu is very varied, ranging from vegan and vegetarian to the spicy Corizo ​​salami slice. Wonderfully freshly prepared, you wait a while for your order, but then you can enjoy freshly baked walnut bread with various homemade spreads. I was also happy about the freshly squeezed orange juice. I can recommend Cognito to anyone who wants to enjoy a really good breakfast. There were also cereals on the menu. The coffee variants are also particularly delicious. This was my second time here and when I'm in Erfurt, Cognito is on the list of breakfast restaurants. Unfortunately there is a star deduction for the prices. The prices here are very high, and I find it rather outrageous to charge €4.69 for a 0.3l bottle of still water from Viva con Aqua. Still, all in all great and recommended.

Unfortunately the staff is very unfriendly.

The food and drinks are too expensive for what is presented. The location is great but you also pay for it.