XII Apostel Köln in Köln

Beautiful location with an Italian ambiance right by the Heumarkt. The service is excellent, the staff very attentive and friendly. Unfortunately, the food leaves something to be desired. Yes, penne al arrabbiata should definitely have a good kick. My pasta, however, tasted only of garlic and was incredibly spicy. It lacked salt, which made it feel unbalanced.

Personally, I found it too dark. It tasted delicious, but... we were also incredibly hungry since we'd been completely forgotten after the appetizer. It would have been a nice touch if the restaurant had offered us a nightcap. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We're all only human and make mistakes, but then it wouldn't have left such a bitter aftertaste. We were a group of nine people.

Quaint atmosphere, friendly service despite the hustle and bustle. But the portion sizes for the pasta dishes are unacceptable!! We ordered two pasta dishes that would have been barely enough for an appetizer. Even for a child's meal, it would have been too little. When we mentioned it, the waiter said he would pass it on to the kitchen. Shortly afterward, guests at the next table received a reasonable portion size. We should have sent the food back upon arrival.

Very decent Italian food with not so good with service. Servers did not speak english so it was very difficult to communicate as tourists. Atmosphere was good but food was a let down.

We were there at lunchtime on December 24th and had something to eat and drink. Unfortunately, there was so much garlic in the penne arrabbiata that any Christmas family atmosphere was only possible from two meters away – I like garlic, but not in that quantity. The waiter was very friendly and the food arrived quickly.

We were there today. The food was tasty. The service could be improved. The food arrived before the drinks. It was very dark inside; you could only read the menu with a flashlight. The atmosphere was unpleasant, and the music was much too loud. It had absolutely nothing to do with a Christmas atmosphere. We won't be back.

Service and atmosphere were good, although it was cold inside. They probably don't have heating. The toilets were extremely dirty and neglected. The food was an outrage for the price. Any fast-food place could do better. Never again.

The ambiance at "12 Apostel" in Cologne is undoubtedly very appealing, and the service is attentive, working with what the kitchen and supplies allow. Unfortunately, our visit on December 21st – with a total of eight people – failed to live up to this positive first impression. 🍽️ Food & Quality The overall quality of the food was disappointing: Zander fillet: neither in taste nor texture resembled a high-quality zander. Beef fillet: was tough and far from what one would expect at this price point. Carpaccio: very plain, lacking refinement or seasoning. Caprese salad: average at best, lacking any particular freshness or quality. Children's pizzas: simply topped and bland – more uninspired than authentically Italian. Dessert: Two flavors of ice cream were already sold out, which is surprising for a busy restaurant just before Christmas. 💶 Value for Money The prices are clearly in the high-end range, but unfortunately, the quality delivered is not. There is a significant gap between expectations and actual performance. 📉 Conclusion Despite the pleasant ambiance and attentive service, our visit was disappointing overall. The food was neither tasty nor of high quality, and the value for money was completely off that evening. We had expected much more, especially during the pre-Christmas season.

I've been here several times now. No matter what I've ordered, the quality is consistently good. The beer arrives quickly and the staff is efficient. I'll definitely be back.

Great food, fast and attentive service! Highly recommended!

A beautiful restaurant in the center of Cologne. The food was excellent, the tiramisu divine. Our waiter, Daniel, was very friendly and attentive. It was a wonderful atmosphere during the Christmas season and the Christmas markets.

Goose with red cabbage dumplings and baked apple. Salmon and asparagus. Served with feldsalat. I recommend it.

The service was great as always. The food arrived in 3.5 minutes. That's an amazing time for lasagna. Unfortunately, the lasagna tasted like it had been made in 3.5 minutes. I've eaten there several times before, but today, no, not again. My special thanks go to the chef; I didn't even want to lose weight. Uwe

We had arrived at rhe the entrance, waiters had seen us, but hadn't taken attention. I had to ask someone, if anybody is working here. In the guest room it had been very loud. A lady organized cutlery with a lot of noise. Why they don't do it somewhere behind?

Didn't eat here but enjoyed a beer in the sunshine and enjoyed the xmas markets. Great service. Very polite and helpful

We were here for dinner. The vitello as a starter was okay in terms of taste, but what I didn't like was the fact that you could see another plate stacked on top of mine in the refrigerator. So nothing was really freshly prepared; it was all pre-made. The food itself tasted fine, but the service was very slow, and we weren't really asked if we wanted more drinks. Unfortunately, the noise level was far too high; you couldn't have a conversation. The music was also unbearably loud. The worst part is that you only notice it the next day: all your clothes smell like you've cooked your own meal; apparently, there's no proper ventilation here.

The service really made up for a lot. The way the staff handled the pre-Christmas chaos, unfriendly people, and constant back and forth was fantastic. The food was okay, but not something I'd say is a must-visit (pasta for two or more people). I didn't really like the interior – it was cluttered, dark, and very noisy.

Tourist trap with exorbitant prices and an older, gray-haired waiter who is extremely unfriendly.

We had a Christmas party in the wine cellar. The service and the food (a three-course platter menu) were excellent! The room was beautifully decorated, and we were all completely satisfied.

Just had a drink. It was very nice and cozy sitting outside! There's a Christmas market right outside, beautiful with all the lights in the evening.

We visited 12 Apostel quite by chance after spending time at the Christmas market – and what a stroke of luck that was! We were randomly seated at waiter Atakhan's table, and in retrospect, I can only say: we couldn't have been luckier. Atakhan was simply fantastic. It's rare to encounter someone so attentive, warm, and professional all at once. He anticipated our every need, was always at our table at the right time, and his friendly manner made the entire evening special. His recommendations were perfect, and you could immediately tell that he's passionate about his work. The food was excellent, but Atakhan's service made the visit a true highlight. We will definitely be back – and hopefully, we'll be lucky enough to be seated at his table again!

The value for money is very poor. For a so-called "3-course menu" at €40 per person (group size >20), we received, in effect, a small antipasti plate, two slices of pizza, a small portion of pasta, and a very small dessert. The quality of the food, especially the antipasti, was far below Italian standards. The mushrooms tasted more like watery sponges, and the antipasti plates consisted of 60 percent lettuce leaves. This restaurant cannot be recommended for anyone looking for a satisfying meal or expecting a solid Italian experience.

A great restaurant in Cologne, right by the Heumarkt. The food is good, the staff is excellent. I'd gladly come again.

The food was good, the service was pleasant and the atmosphere very welcoming, a place where you can go to eat even though it's next to the gnome market at Christmas 🎄.

I don't know if the server was stoned or something, but he only took orders from 3 out of 5 of our group, but the food was quite good.

Fantastic! The outdoor seating area was very pleasant. The pizza was amazing, and the service was great too!

The pizza was okay, but nothing special for the price. The atmosphere was nice and the service was good.

I ate here with my husband on November 28th, 2025, and was extremely disappointed. The dish was ribbon pasta in a tomato cream sauce with mushrooms and chicken, in which you could search for the supposed mushrooms. The chicken was a tough, overcooked soup chicken that had been cut into cubes. The whole thing cost €46 for two people. Absolutely terrible. Never again!

Drinks are not permitted inside, only if you eat something. Checkout takes about 20 minutes, in the cold.

The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and everything tasted delicious. I highly recommend it.

Until we ordered, the waiter came to the table every few seconds. After ordering, it was difficult to order anything else. The food was tasty; I had a salad with chicken.

We were a group of five. We had a very good meal: three pizzas and two pasta dishes. The food arrived quickly and the service was good.

Super friendly staff and great food

Yesterday we celebrated November 11th again at the 12 Apostel in Cologne. As always, a fantastic and well-organized party! 👍🏽 The entire staff did a super job! You feel very comfortable and well taken care of there! 🫶🏽 Here's to many more great carnival parties! The food and atmosphere are always top-notch, by the way! 😉

Very friendly service, pizza was excellent.

Excellent pizza burrata, friendly staff and a pleasant atmosphere. It's a bit pricey, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Everything was great. We got the best waiter! As soon as we're back in Cologne, we'll stop by!

The food is quite good. The service is almost perfect and very fast. If you don't want to wait long and want to experience highly motivated service, this is the place for you.

Our favorite Italian restaurant in the old town is quite large, yet still impressive in terms of both food and service. We always feel comfortable here. There's usually parking available in the underground garage right outside.

We came to this place for a couple of beers. And we met Gisi who greeted us and was very welcoming. Because of him we decided to stay longer and order food to eat. Thanks to him we left Cologne with a great taste of customer service. Excellent food and definitely Gisi made our experience at the restaurant the best. I can tell he is the man in this place. I will tell my friends to stop by the restaurant and look for him.

Looks cozy, good food, and service is curt but friendly. Not a word too many

Delicious food, view of the Heumarkt, good service

A very beautiful space. The ceilings are frescoed. There's a large hall perfect for birthday celebrations. We ordered pizza, but it was a bit dry. The salmon salad was delicious, but the dressing could use some thought to find the perfect combination of flavors...

We've been guests on the terrace of the Twelve Apostles for many years. Today, I have to say, the waiter, Attakan, surprised me even more with his incredible friendliness, attentiveness, and incredible quality of hospitality. I've been in the restaurant industry for 20 years and have rarely met a young man with such an incredibly good sense of service and his guests—a huge compliment here. Something like this deserves more than just five stars. Spending a Sunday with such a great waitress is priceless.

Pizza Johannes, Pizza Paolo. Was okay, but the sauce tasted a bit artificial. Service was nice.

It was fantastic again here. Gisi served us; he was super nice and took personal care of us. A huge thank you for that, and we'd love to come back.

The food was delicious 😋, and the portions were perfect. The service was also excellent.

Great food, cool atmosphere, but unfortunately very loud. We'll be back anyway!

€17.40 for 7 slices of tomato and a rather dry and small burrata... The "focaccia" would be priced at €6.40... but unfortunately, it's a small pizza with tomato sauce and oregano and has nothing to do with the fluffy, delicious bread experience. The ambiance outside is fine, as long as there aren't any stag or hen parties at the next table. The server also seemed very uncomfortable with the outrageous price for the mini appetizer and tried to compensate for the fake focaccia.

One of the most beloved restaurants in Cologne. It gets better every year.

Dear friends, We visited you for the first time today. 2 different starters, 4 main courses, and 2 desserts! Everything was excellent, super delicious, freshly prepared, very flavorful, and prepared with love. You make you feel completely at home. Our hearts ❤️ leaped! You guys, you have to try the tiramisu!!! I'm a wheelchair user and I had a great time here! The staff was consistently friendly. We found the prices reasonable. You have new fans. Thank you.

Delicious Italian cuisine, with very fast and friendly service.

Located in the heart of Cologne, just 5 minutes from Cologne Cathedral. The food is decent, but what really sets this place apart is its charming decor and the friendly service of the waiters.

Adequate menu, good variety. Very friendly and genuinely good service. The ambiance is pleasant.

The food is delicious! The pizzas are generously topped and large. The service is very attentive! I'd happily return.

3 times 5 stars, we were more than satisfied. The pizza dough was very good. We'll definitely be back 😊😊😊😊😊

Qualität der Pizza hat etwas nachgelassen.

Food and service were okay. The restaurant was very dark.

Lightning-fast service! Everything was perfect!

We booked the lunch buffet and were very satisfied. The selection of dishes was good, and the buffet was constantly refilled. The staff were very friendly and always cleared our plates quickly. The location in the heart of the city is fantastic.

Doesn't taste good at all and very expensive just because of the location

Great place, and very convenient. The staff were very nice and accommodating and the location is great for walking and site seeing. the hotel restaurant served excellent dishes as well as vegan, which was convenient for My Wife. The room was clean and a nice size. We will definitely come back.

Nice pub with a pleasant atmosphere in the old town of Cologne, brewery style.

Considering the restaurant was really busy, our pizzas arrived super quickly. Everything tasted great, too! 👍

The food was anything but high-quality and Italian, which is what they so obviously advertise. We had two pizzas and antipasti. The antipasti was anything but high-quality, and one pizza wasn't completely burnt by the other. The only thing that can be said for its positive aspects is the friendly service and the relatively fast service.

Very nicely served by Gisi, great food

Very tasty food. Service is fast despite the crowd.

Unfortunately, it smells strongly of sewage outside and the seats are not very comfortable, 4 out of 5 pepper mills are broken and the pizza and salad were ok but not more the young dark-skinned waiter was super nice attentive and courteous

The service is very slow and unfriendly. €15 for this Caprese salad is also a complete disgrace.

One of the better restaurants in the tourist area. Positive: Professional welcome. Delicious, perfectly cooked salmon, a tasty ham dish that we enjoyed as an aperitif. The gratin was rather dry. Friendly service. Slightly less impressive. The spinach on the main course was very salty. The waiter was knowledgeable when choosing the wine.

If you are visiting Cologne Germany. This is a must go. Delicious food. Great service. Amazing location.

Delicious food and good service

A slightly upscale pizzeria atmosphere, with friendly staff who, when it gets busy, can sometimes be overwhelmed. The pizzas we ate were delicious! I would definitely come back!

The restaurant's interior looks beautiful and rustic. It appears well-kept, and the service is friendly. The food was delicious, except for the chicken, which was not very good quality. The idea of ​​a seasonal menu is something different and suits the restaurant.

Had a delicious meal with friendly service. Top!

We had a lovely evening with delicious food. Gisi served us very warmly - thank you 🤗

Seven of us had dinner (salad/pasta/pizza). Despite the excellent service, the dishes were very expensive compared to the quantity/quality. I paid an extra €3 for burratta on my pasta, but the burratta seemed to have come straight from the freezer, solid, and tasteless (see photo). Personally, I wouldn't recommend it; it's more of a tourist trap than good food.

On a sunny Saturday, we spontaneously grabbed a bite to eat with our destination musical. We went to the best restaurant, we both had a delicious pizza, the staff all had a smile on their faces, everything went quickly as planned, the only criticism was that the knife was a bit blunt, the plate was warm, and so was the food.

The XII Apostel salad and the Tiramisu were absolutely delishes

The hotel's location can't be topped. Simply perfect. However, we wouldn't want to stay longer than one night; the rooms are small, not particularly well-equipped, and, aside from the cleanliness, they're okay for a quick night's sleep. The service at the reception was friendly. The breakfast was nothing special, but adequate. €15 is okay in terms of value for money, though. However, you can also get some really tasty things locally for that price.

You leave very satisfied and look forward to the next time

Great time and very good meal thanks to Abdul and the top service!!!!

Abdul gave us a very warm welcome, the food is excellent, I recommend it.

The very aggressive manager told us, and continues to tell us at the end, that we have to think for ourselves. Unacceptable behavior. He doesn't differentiate between formal and informal conversations.

Tasty pasta and pizza!! Topper ♡♡♡

All of the pizzas were incredibly dry. And the scampi or salmon scampi pizza only had three tiny pieces of salmon and three small scampi. All in all, unfortunately, it was very disappointing. I wish I'd read the reviews beforehand, as I celebrated my birthday there yesterday with 12 people and spent a lot of money, none of whom liked their pizza. Unfortunately, that made it a complete disappointment.

More than 17€ for a poor BURRATTA (photos as proof) I call this theft and it's July so tomato season (the one I received is hard, not even ripe and tasteless) the Burrata is hard as a rock and very small in size too we wonder if it's not wholesalers like Metro. Too bad because I've been coming here for years to eat pizzas which are excellent and now I won't set foot there again because I'm often in Cologne for work... I hope to get a response from the establishment on this scam!!

Unfortunately, the food has declined considerably compared to the past. The pasta used to be the tastiest in the area, but unfortunately, neither the pizza nor the pasta are particularly tasty. The service and atmosphere were excellent.

The pizza was very dry, with neither tomatoes nor mozzarella visible or tasty. The Italian ham and arugula looked unappetizing to me, as if they'd been "thrown on" with the cheese. Especially the "Parmesan" I requested (unfortunately, Grana Padano) from the plastic container—a no-go for an Italian restaurant. I might as well just eat a ready-made pizza. It's a real shame, because overall it's a lovely restaurant in a great location! The staff were very friendly, though!

My wife and I ate there yesterday and both had different pasta dishes. Both dishes tasted completely bland, and the pasta was mushy. Due to the way the dish was served and after eating the first portion of the pasta, I left the dish (almost entirely). The waiter asked why. I explained it to him objectively and politely, which he then reported to his shift supervisor, who said he would ask for an alternative. However, even after about 15 minutes, there was no response, and I asked for the bill. When I paid the bill, another waiter came and told me that the shift supervisor had "flipped" him and said he wasn't allowed to do anything, not even as a courtesy. The waiter's last remark was: "Unfortunately, this happens quite often here, but no customer ever says anything, and if they do, they get stubborn."

Really terrible food for the price. Both fish and meat badly cooked, even the potatoes. I was there for work but a real disappointment

Fast, uncomplicated, and delicious. We stopped by for a quick snack, and it was perfect!

Good food at reasonable prices. Despite the hustle and bustle of the Heumarkt, the staff is courteous and the service is excellent.

A truly fantastic shop, always a pleasure to visit. The best view of the Heumarkt. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating... In my opinion, the prices are reasonable for such a place!

Quite okay, the service very nice, but the food a bit boring, nothing special

Not a big selection but delicious 😋

A scam. In 2020, no allergen labeling should be disqualification enough. When asked what the vegan Bolognese consists of, the first response is the humorously high-brow "meat." Upon repeated questioning, the kitchen is asked, and the more precise answer is "vegetables." No mention of the soy flakes. Thanks very much.

This used to be a good Italian restaurant. Between 2006 and 2013, I ate here quite often and stayed in the "attached hotel." Today, it seems rather mediocre to me, and at 9:20 p.m., you're told that the kitchen is closing. There was still a Caesar salad in the menu. It was okay and well prepared. Only the dressing was more like mayonnaise than Caesar dressing. A poor performance for just under 20 euros. I asked if I could sit in the inner garden. This was declined because "it's closing now." From the outside, you have a good view over the Heumarkt, but the passing beggars and accordion terrorists spoil the fun a bit. Next time, I'll only come if I can sit either inside in the garden or in the restaurant. Then I'd also like to try a hot dish (pizza, pasta) from the kitchen. Try harder. You can do better.

Highly recommended restaurant serving Italian cuisine. Friendly service, excellent food, and good value for money.

Unfortunately, this store is continually declining. The location is great, and I've been a big fan for a long time. But recently, I've been repeatedly disappointed by little things, and now I've finally moved on as a customer. What a shame! ...also, the store advertises a Sunday brunch online, but in reality, it's closed on Sundays!