I was at this place 15 years ago, when old Mr. Lommerzheim was still alive. A cult place. The meals were so huge, can still remember the huge, fat, white pork knuckle. Although I am not a big Koelsch fan, a must visit when you are in this area. I have to come back soon after so many years.

Awesome little place hidden away. Friendly service, beer brought to you as the tradition is here, as soon as you finish one they bring you the next without asking. Only serve paffgen in terms of beer, but its the best kolsch in cologne so it makes it ok. Great selection of food! Apparently the interior of the front drinking room hasn't been changed in over 50 years, and it certainly looks that way. Worth visiting!

Probably a victim of it’s own success, it’s always full when I go. And although just one beer it is the best kolsch (many agree), from the wooden barrel and always in perfect condition. The Kotelett is legendary too. I get immense pleasure watching the empty barrel get replaced (carried through the crowds by the staff on their shoulder) by a new one about every half hour! This place is stooped in tradition, I love it.

Don’t let the battered-looking facade put you off entering this fantastic place. The pub is a single room with a tiny bar on the right. Decor is basic with brown painted walls. The place was rammed on both our visits. We managed to get a table on our second visit, when we sampled the food. I had the ’kottelet’ (pork chop) which was huge and delicious. And the Paffgen Kolsch, straight from the barrel, is superb. A truly wonderful place.

Tiny place: maximum 40 persons + another 20 can fit on the patio on a sunny day. New staff has been hired since Mr. Lommerzheim has passed away, and they are very friendly and efficient. The food menu is focused on meat and it seams like everyone is having a Kotelett., and is truely your best bet. Don’t miss it.

Auch mit neuem Besitzer ist es beim Lommi immer noch schön. Uriger als hier gehts nicht.

I have ever visited more than 30 cafes in Köln, the place is the best place. After re-opened, the atmosphere is well maintained i think. Needless to say, a tap is Päffgen Kölsch.

A place to be

This place is now known by foodies and history lovers alike. It’s the number 1 restaurant in Cologne according to Tripadvisor.com... Which means the place is packed about 2 minutes after opening. Get there early. The atmosphere hasn’t apparently changed in years (the façade sure hasn’t been renovated), and the food menu, consisting mainly of their delicious Kotleitt, is the same as well. They pour Päffgen Kölsch just like it should be, from gravity in a wooden cask, and it is truly wonderful. One of the region’s masterpieces, imho. Although it is a wonderful place to drink Päffgen and have a meal, its popularity may make it bothersome if you don’t get there early enough.

I have been there many times since the late 90ties and experienced always a crowded house atmosphere, never cosy but always fascinating. The pub owner and only waiter, Mr. Lommerzheim, a former “Köbes” in the Brauhaus Päffgen, never talked very much but always made a perfect job by bringing a new glass of Päffgen Kölsch, the only brew available there on tap, right in time. The interior decoration seemed to have never changed since the early 60ties. Until Mr. Lommerzheim retired on Dec. 31th 2004 and the pub closed, it was also a tourist attraction in Cologne, situated in a bombed out ruin in Deutz, sparely renovated. There are plans to remove all the interior into a museum. Sad but true, Mr. Lommerzheim, always called “Lommi”, died of a heart attack on June 28th this year during his hard-earned holidays in Tyrol. I will never forget this unique man and his wonderful funky pub.