Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Innenstadt

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Innenstadt? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Taku im Excelsior Hotel Ernst

4.9

4.9 (196)

€31 to €50

Asian

Altstadt/Nord

About the restaurant

Award-winning cuisine right next to Cologne Cathedral: The Michelin-starred restaurant taku serves East Asian fusion cuisine in a modern, Far Eastern ambience. The cooking style of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul is a modern concept of "Asian Fusion”. Gaul reimagines the flavors of the haute cuisine of Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Executive Pastry Chef Fabian Scheithe pampers the guests with his extraordinary desserts. His sweet delicacies form the grand finale of every menu. Restaurant manager Christoph Gonzalez deliberately focuses on organic wines and gladly recommends corresponding wines. The taku has been awarded with one Michelin-star for years, 8/10 pans in Gusto and 16/20 points at the Gault Millau. The interior of the starred restaurant creates an elegant and Asian inspired atmosphere. Calm colors and light installations reflect the ambience of Asia.

Top review

KoenraadKoenraad

Dined on May 1, 2025

A visit to Cologne is well worth it just to see Taku. All of the exquisite dishes are bursting with flavour and are works of art on a plate. The service is relaxed yet knowledgeable and attentive. It's simply excellent. Tip: Go for the wine package, as the sommelier is generous, talkative and knowledgeable. The classic choice offers great German and French wines.

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Experience

3-Gang Degustationsmenü

Experience

4-Gang Degustationsmenü

Experience

5-Gang Degustationsmenü

PULS

4.9

4.9 (321)

€51 and over

International

Altstadt/Nord

About the restaurant

PULS ist ein weiteres Restaurantkonzept von 2-Sternekoch Daniel Gottschlich mitten im Herzen der Kölner Altstadt, das kreative à-la-Carte-Gerichte und legeres Ambiente vereint. Das Team um Chef de Cuisine Johannes Langenstück und Daniel Gottschlich überrascht mit ständig wechselnden à-la-Carte-Gerichten. Hier ist garantiert für jeden etwas dabei. Ob Fleisch oder Fisch, vegetarisch oder vegan. Hier erlebst du ein Dinner mit Freunden, romantisch zu zweit oder mit Geschäftspartnern. Möchtest du verschiedene Gerichte à-la-Carte probieren und teilen oder auch nur eine Vor- und Hauptspeise für dich genießen? Bei uns ist vieles möglich: Hier gibt es keine Vorgaben: „Enjoy it your way“ – Jeder kann auf seine Art genießen! Im laufe des Abends verwandelt sich das PULS in eine coole Bar mit einzigartigen Cocktail Kreationen.

Top review

Loup

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Excellent experience! My girlfriend and I came to Puls on a saturday evening during a short trip in Köln. We had the Chef's Choice Large menu, a gorgeous experience -but be aware that when they say it's large, they're not kidding! From the Barsnacks to the desserts, everything was excellent and worth having. Very different ingredients and flavours, and yet the menu was totally consistent and coherent. The staff was extremely kind and helpful, with good advices and suggestions on wine and drinks. The cocktails were great too, don't miss them as a starter! The place is very cosy -a perfect experience in all manners. Thank you very much to the whole Puls team, we'll definitely come again at Puls if we're ever back in Köln!

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Experience

Chefs Choice Menü Medium

Experience

Chefs Choice Menü Large

Experience

Chef´s Choice Menü Small

Al Salam

4.8

4.8 (720)

€31 to €50

Middle Eastern

Neustadt-Süd

About the restaurant

Combining eastern and western cultures, Al Salam's goal is to serve authentic Middle Eastern cuisines and drinks to guests of all backgrounds. Diners can try dishes like a shish kebab with a fresh eggplant salad, delicious yogurt and mint pomegranate dip and quality basmati rice. Traditional meals, furniture, and antiques make visitors feel like they are dining in the middle east. An assortment of cocktails and juices are also served to enhance the guests' experience. Diners can immerse themselves into Al Salam and the Middle Eastern cultures by either casually dining or making reservations.

Top review

AnastassiaVIP

Dined on May 2, 2025

I would highly recommend this middle eastern culinary jewel, 💯!

phaedra Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (384)

€51 and over

Mediterranean

Neustadt-Süd

Top review

IgorVIP

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

I had an amazing date night with my wife! The food and service were top-notch. The host was super friendly and made sure we had everything we needed, without being too overbearing. Definitely recommend if you are I the area.

Haus Müller

4.8

4.8 (244)

€31 to €50

Modern European

Altstadt/Süd

About the restaurant

ANKOMMEN, WOHLFÜHLEN, GENIESSE
Im Herzen der Kölner Südstadt

Top review

Stefan

Dined on Jan 15, 2025

Superb food, it was not the best day of the service person but the whole experience was lovely

Il Bagutta

4.8

4.8 (283)

€31 to €50

Italian

Neustadt-Süd

About the restaurant

Eine schöne Zeit in lockerer Atmosphäre und einfach gutes, italienisches Essen? Im Il Bagutta verwöhnen wir dich mit kulinarischer Spitzenqualität. Wir lieben es, unsere eigenen Lieblingsgerichte und besten Weine zu präsentieren und dir dabei ein Lächeln aufs Gesicht zu zaubern. Für einen gemütlichen Familienabend, eine Verabredung oder die nächste Firmenfeier - bei uns fühlt sich jeder wohl. Wir freuen uns auf dich!

Top review

Matthew

Dined on May 25, 2025

We had an excellent dinner on the back patio. Buratta appetizer and two pasta meals. Everything tasted excellent and the service was great. The back patio was nice and had a very chill vibe. Would completely recommend.

Da’s Lupo

4.6

4.6 (176)

€31 to €50

Italian

Neustadt-Süd

About the restaurant

Köstliche Speisen am Puls der Zeit, in moderner Atmosphäre, genießt du in unserem jungen Konzept inmitten der Südstadt.

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Keiichi

Dined on Mar 18, 2025

Very nice staff and food. We enjoyed it a lot. English is fully available.

Mongo’s Köln

4.5

4.5 (2588)

€31 to €50

Asian

Deutz

About the restaurant

Und so funktioniert´s: All you can eat oder a la carte!
Im Mongo´s Restaurant sind Sie Küchenchef!

Mit unserem All-you-can-eat-Klassiker „Mongo´s Total“ können Sie endlos probieren und kombinieren! Stellen Sie sich einfach nach Herzenslust die Zutaten für Ihr individuelles Gericht an unserem Buffet, dem Mongo´s Food-Markt, so oft Sie wollen immer wieder neu zusammen.
Zu jedem Gang wählen Sie eine unserer abwechslungsreichen hausgemachten Mongo's Marinaden: Von europäisch mild bis asiatisch feurig, rein vegan oder vegetarisch, immer glutenfrei und frei von Glutamat - Sie haben die Wahl: Es ist für jeden etwas dabei!

Top review

Santiago Alfredo

Dined 4 days ago

We got there before our reservation and we were accepted. Food was very good and service was excellent, this is a very nice place

Enchilada Köln

4.4

4.4 (494)

€30 and under

Mexican

Altstadt/Nord

About the restaurant

Fresh Mexican Kitchen & Bar

Top review

Julie

Dined on May 6, 2025

Amazing service. Great food! It was for my daughter’s birthday. She was very happy!

Hard Rock Cafe - Cologne

4.1

4.1 (1008)

€30 and under

American

Altstadt/Nord

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of historic Cologne, the Hard Rock Cafe Cologne offers locals and travelers alike a unique experience you won’t soon forget. Our Cafe is located in a walkable area just six minutes from the famous Cologne Cathedral and a sixteen minute drive from the Cologne Bonn Airport. From our expansive menu to the exclusive merchandise in our Rock Shop®, Hard Rock Cafe Cologne has something to offer everyone. After enjoying your meal, don’t forget to stop by our world-famous Rock Shop®. This is the only place you will find exclusive Hard Rock Cafe Cologne apparel and merchandise.

Top review

Daniela

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

We‘re often at Hard Rock Café Cologne. Normally we’re happy with Food and Service. This time we had some points that changed. Service took really long, children meal was there 15 minutes before the adults meal. The sides at chicken wings got less and there was no bread anymore at twisted Mac Chicken and Cheese. So smaller portions, same money. That mad us sad.

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