Julia Komp’s guide to Cologne

Award-winning chef Julia Komp traveled to and worked in over 30 countries before opening Sahila in Cologne. There she takes diners on a trip around the world, with each course representing a traditional dish from a different country, including Morocco, Thailand and Korea, using authentic flavors but local products where possible. The restaurant has one Michelin star.

Here, Komp recommends her favorite places to eat in Cologne.

“It's like a brauhaus, a traditional German place. They serve beer, they have quick service and they have German food that changes seasonally. For example, sauerbraten – braised horse or beef in a sweet and sour sauce with raisins. This is very classic.”

“Gruber’s is an Austrian restaurant. They have the real schnitzel and a really a nice terrace, very green and calm in the middle of the city. As well as traditional Austrian food they also have a fine dining fine-dining menu.”

“This is the restaurant of the Excelsior Hotel Ernst. They change their menus regularly and follow the seasons. If you want to eat nice asparagus in April or May, go here. The chef seasons his food very well.”

“This is a small French restaurant. I love the artichokes, which you eat in the French way with a nice dipping sauce. This restaurant [reminds me] of holidays in my childhood. They cook real food and it’s very good value.”

“A nice place to have a coffee or aperitif. It's more about the location but they serve a burger and steak and they have oysters from time to time, fish soup. They are a little bit French, very modern. Everybody will find something on the menu they like.”