For me, the Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst (MOK) overlooking the Aachener Weiher (check out the spot) is one of the most beautiful places in Cologne! And it was, by the way, my very first spot as a Spotter for Spotted by Locals. For many years it was basically the café with its terrace by the water that most attracted me. Unfortunately, the café closed permanently in 2021. These days, I return for the place itself and for its artsy urban atmosphere.
The Museum of East Asian Art has a permanent collection of Japanese, Chinese and Korean art and regularly hosts interesting special exhibitions. What fascinates me most, however, is the serene, modest and yet breathtaking architecture of the building by the Japanese architect Kunio Maekawa, a pupil of Le Corbusier. I love roaming the building, enjoying the view over the Japanese landscape garden on the patio or sitting on the terrace watching the ducks and geese on the pond.
Good news: On weekends between 11 am and 5 pm, a mobile café now serves coffee specialities and cold drinks on the terrace.
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Südstadion flea market" Cologne is the market I like most. It is only once a month, on the first Sunday. But maybe that's what makes it special.
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"Massimo" Cologne is an Italian rosticceria that is unique! I love their plain Italian home cooking and the quirky interior and the very welcoming staff...
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"Café Jakubowsk" in Mülheim Cologne is probably the first spot I discovered in the field of gastronomy. I love their all day breakfasts and Sunday roast!
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"The Coffee Gang" Cologne is not only a stylish and cool coffee place but also a really likable one. Definitely try the freshly brewed filter coffee.
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"Gelateria Köln Süd" has the best ice cream in Cologne. As we have no winter, I've had the chance to try all organic and homemade flavors many, many times.
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"Habibi" offers everything you would call Lebanese "street food" today. Here my friends and I first went out for dinner. The falafel and hummus are great!
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"Lu" Cologne is a Vietnamese restaurant. Their portions are big, their ingredients healthy and fresh and it's about 5 min. on foot from my home!
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"Bäckerei Zimmermann" Cologne is a small heritage bakery in the heart of the city which is family-owned and operating for almost 130 years now.
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"Apostelnmarkt" in Cologne is definitely an absolute gourmet foods farmer's market. I never come here with the goal of finding a quick bargain...
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"Miss Päpki" in Cologne is definitely a stereotype cafe. It reminds me very strongly of an old royal English tea house, but it's made with lots of passion.
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"Café Rotkehlchen" Cologne is my favorite super cosy cafe where you can easily feel at home and relax from a hectic day of shopping on the Venloer Straße.
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"Cafecafe" Cologne was the first café I worked at after high school, which was about ten years ago. They have a wide range of dishes for breakfast or lunch
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138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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