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
"Die Mehlwerkstatt" in Cologne is unlike other bakeries: here they still make the dough themselves. Everything is freshly made, warm and delicious...
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What struck me the most were the frescoes in the three apse ceilings by Hermann Gottfried. These powerful frescoes bring colors and dynamism to the church.
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Lichtspiele Kalk is an independent cinema with an 87-seat screening room and it shows not only contemporary movies but also children’s and classic movies.
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To maintain this habitat open and thus preserve the associated species - there is a shepherd with goats and sheep. There are also free tours you can join!
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Knippschild Werk 2 is a rather small family-run restaurant with 30 seats inside and 18 seats in the biergarten, and multiple kinds of Schnitzel!
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In this museum, you can see more than 20 tramways, a model railway, historical props of the Cologne tramway, and technical objects.
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La Vincaillerie offers natural wines from all over Europe, including Austria, France, Georgia, and Germany. And you can rent the store for private events!
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"Kunstbruder" in Cologne is a restaurant inside a street art gallery! I love their varied, international menu -- I always get something different...
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Moving within your city means you can explore new neighborhoods. My new shoemaker in Cologne did a very good job fixing an old leather bag...
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Perlenfischer is a beautiful corner store has specialized in rubber stamps: flowers and leaves, fruits, animals, graphic shapes, or whole letterings.
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My favorite breads from Ährensache Biobäckerei are the Überraschungsbrot (literally the “surprise bread”) and the vegan Dinkel-Kamut Hefebrot Mohn.
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At Alte Metzgerei the burgers and burritos are made from regional products and contain a 150g homemade patty made from 100% responsibly raised beef.
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138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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