Location: Aachen
Top Restaurants in Aachen
Where to Eat in Aachen: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Best known as the capital of Charlemagne's Frankish empire, today's Aachen sits at the juncture where Germany meets the Netherlands (the Dutch know it as Aken) and Belgium (where "Walloons" call it Aix-la-Chapelle). But Aachen's history goes back even further than 8th-century Charlemagne. Roman soldiers dating back to the 1st century AD cherished its hot springs (as did Charlemagne, who loved a good spa day just as much as the next guy). Aachen Cathedral, northern Europe's oldest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city's main attraction.
Things to do in Aachen
1. Am Knipp
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Reviewed By ScienceTrip - Palo Alto, California
Here, the bar opens at 5 pm, but the kitchen does not open until 6 pm. We happened to arrive at 5.30 pm on a weekday, and found that most of the tables were already reserved. But the middle-aged, white-haired German-speaking waiter told us that 2 seats were available if we would be finished by 7.30 pm, which was fine by us. So we sat down, and were told that the English-language menus would be brought to us soon, so we ordered some mineral water and waited. And waited, and waited, as German customers were seated and given their menus, and their orders were taken. Our menus did not reach us until 45 minutes after we had arrived, and the waiter steadfastly avoided eye contact the whole time. Once our menus appeared, we had to wave them in the air just to get the waiter to take our order. And we were drinking just mineral water, remember. We then waited another half-hour, without even a bread-basket appearing, as all the tables around us were served. Finally, after 45 minutes, one of us lost patience, and asked another server where our food was. (Our own waiter was still refusing to look our way. What did he dislike about two respectably-dressed, middle-aged Americans?) Within minutes our salads suddenly arrived, the new waitress muttering something about "an accident” (for wiener schnitzel?) and “we don’t know what happened”. The wiener schnitzel then arrived, and proved to be adequate, if unexciting.
Throughout all this time, the restaurant was filling-up, until the noise level became literally sickening. This place is more like a student pub than a restaurant. And meanwhile our original waiter continued to ignore us. This is the same person who first told us that our seats would be needed promptly. What? Altogether, we experienced the longest delay that we have ever had in a restaurant.
This place is obviously popular with locals, but others are advised to stay away. How this place ever got to #5 on TripAdvisor is beyond comprehension. And as our readers know, we very rarely give one-star reviews.
2. Best Friends
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By CWU - Aachen, Germany
We just walked in on a Saturday evening and got one table for 6 quickly. The restaurant was half full at that time. The staff took the order very soon and drinks were served soon after. We didn't order Sushi since no one felt like eating cold food. Some dishes were served with rice. After 5 minutes we had to chase down the staff to please bring us our rice. I had Chilli Beef noodle and I was not impressed. My husband had Lemon Chicken and he said the taste was just ok. My friend had Seafood plate and it was a bit too salty for her taste. So the overall impression of the food was just ok. Maybe we should order Sushi instead since they did look tasty. But we won't visit this restaurant again because the service was not good. There were no apology for serving the rice far too late. No staff bothered to attend us after the food was served.
3. Domkeller
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
The café/pub is located comfortably in the historic center of Aachen with large Terrace next to the Cathedral and town hall. The Mansion was built in 1658 shortly after the disastrous town fire and is now one of the oldest secular buildings of the city. Used for gastronomy since 1951, the Domkeller has become one of the most popular scene bars with a mixed and absolutely tolerant audience. On some saturdays DJs are at work, and from october to april, there are Concerts with free admission on every monday evening. The upper floor of Domkeller can be rented for company or family events!
Reviewed By Manuela L - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Nice restaurant in the heart of Aachen, near the City Hall; ancient house, good atmosphere; it's a restaurant, but you can also drink somthing, fresh good beer in the Domkeller.
4. La Becasse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By richard r - London, United Kingdom
Three of us enjoyed an absolutely delicious taster menu in this quiet, tastefully decorated restaurant. Without exception every dish was utterly delicious and delicious in a world class way. Without exception the staff were helpful, attentive without being intrusive and (thank heaven) spoke English. I would happily have eaten there the following evening and that is my usual test when it comes to real excellence. This is a world-class restuarant with a world class kitchen- and it's honestly priced.
5. Gastronomie kohlibri
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Phil R - Los Angeles, California
Kohlibri is definitely a world class dining experience. Located on top of the local BMW dealer, the restaurant provides not only outstanding cuisine and wine, but a scenic view as well.
Prices are not cheap by any standard, but our experience was that service and the preparation of the food were worth it. I had a four course menu consisting of carpaccio of two types of fish sliced very thinly, curried cauliflower soup, an excellent veal filet, and an assorted dessert.
6. Hanswurst
Overall Ratings
4 based on 507 reviews
Hanswurst is the first German Sausage-Restaurant that offers a large variety of sausages produced after old butcher's tradition, vegetarian dishes, and regional specialties. You can experience the unique Hanswurst-taste - freshly prepared, healthy, and fat-free grilled - together with our self-developed sauces and ketchups. Hanswurst is a piece of German gastronomic culture, revolving around sausages, in a delightful atmosphere, where guests become friends.
Reviewed By Axeman21 - Cape Town Central, South Africa
This is an excellent choice if you are in the mood for a really good wurst with a real taste and not only fat and low quality ingredients.
They produce high quality wurst and the "fries" are handmade as is the tomato sauce.
I'll definitely be back!
7. Akl Libanesisches Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By 8_Mona_8 - Zagreb, Croatia
This small food place is connected with the larger bar next to it. If you sit in the bar, you can have both: alcohol (from the bar) and arabic food (from AKL). The food is really tasty and the mixed plates are more than enough for two people.
8. Gare du Nord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By ladybirdlodge - italish
Visited here in a group of 7 adults on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant is a relatively small family run establishment serving very good quality gourmet food.
Our food was faultless - offering a choice of a la carte, 3 course set price or four the choice is yours. The waitressing staff were all exceptionally trained and knew the dishes inside out with the extra bonus that they spoke very good English. The only reason I haven't awarded 5 was that it took far too long to be served our meals but then the restaurant did fill up quite quickly probably as a result of a good reputation.
9. Al Triangolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By dascoop - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
We stumbled onto this restaurant when we stayed in a hotel nearby. We mostly speak English and we were happy that the staff were friendly and able to converse with us. Food was beautifully prepared and presented and service could not have been more attentive. You have to have the Zabiogne for dessert! Such wonderful memories of the meal we ate here and would go back to Aachen again just for the restaurant if we could!
The location is great for walking around 'old town' and the square in the evening before or after dinner.
10. Polonia
Overall Ratings
5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Great food, lovely service and family atmosphere. The diverse polish food is unique and delicious and on top of that I felt like eating at home, connecting with tables around me and with the lovely waiter giving me insights into the polish cuisine. A piece of Poland in Aachen.
