Head Chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant taku, located in the Excelsior Hotel Ernst in Cologne. Draws inspiration from Asian culinary traditions.
5
We had a great experience at Restaurant Taku. The food is clearly high-quality—fresh, seasonal ingredients with a nice mix of local and international touches. Flavors are well-balanced, leaning a bit into that rich umami side (which I personally enjoyed).
The menu is a fun fusion of Western and Asian influences. Everything felt intentional and well-executed.
Service was smooth and well-paced, and the sommelier really knew his stuff. The space itself is modern and minimal, but still relaxed—no stiff fine dining vibes here.
Price-wise, it felt fair for a Michelin-star experience. Definitely a spot for special occasions… or when you just want to remind yourself you have good taste… literally and financially 😄
Beautiful experience with delicious food. I was graceful that none of the flavors were too challenging. We chose the 4 course menu which took around 3 hours.
1st. I give the sommelier his own 5 star rating, impeccable delivery and conversation with wine that hit the mark (premium option)
Amongst the dozen or so Michelin restaurants around the world this year, this one hits the lowest. I had superior food, presentation and service at a small restaurant in the Rhine.
The food - presentation was what you would expect though not overly creative compared to another one star.
Flavor- the egg presented dish outshined the others by far. Sashimi and pepper dish was overtaken by the hot pepper flavor and didnt allow for anything to truly meld. The kobe dish, delicious but lacking in bites for a meat dish compared to others. The unagi, great smoky flavor perhaps this was it though.
Service - sommelier aside! Abrasive. The one word i can use for it. They come behind you and abruptly toss a dish over you, zero eloquence in delivery. The lady describing the dish has quite possibly the most monotone vocal pattern that gives no excitement or allure for the dish being described.
Certainly not on the way to a second star and would be surprised they keep the one for long without adjustments.
The Taku Restaurant at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst is without question one of the top culinary addresses in Cologne.
My visit dates back almost ten years now, and unfortunately this is the only photo I could still find—but the memory of the evening remains crystal clear.
We spent a wonderful night there with a close friend of mine and enjoyed the cuisine of top chef Mirko Greul. At the time, he fully deserved his Michelin star, and the experience showed why. If I remember correctly, we had a four-course menu, which was very fairly priced—around €80, or approximately €110 with wine pairing.
The dishes were strongly Asian-inspired, with a clear Japanese influence. You could truly feel this Japanese touch in Chef Greul’s cooking. One course even included sushi, which was outstanding—precise, elegant, and full of flavor.
The restaurant itself impressed us just as much as the food. Stylish and modern —I genuinely loved the ambiance. Everything felt calm, refined, and thoughtfully executed.
A very special mention must go to the service, especially Mr. Kirschstein. His service was excellent—second to none and quite honestly one of the best service experiences I have ever had. Attentive without being intrusive, highly professional, warm, and perfectly timed. Service at this level elevates an evening from very good to truly unforgettable.
For me personally, Taku stands right alongside Nagaya and YUNICO as one of the best Asian restaurants in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Even after all these years, Taku remains a place I remember with great appreciation—and one I would happily revisit in the Future.
The 5 course dinner menu as well as the accompanying wines took us on a beautiful journey to discover new flavors. Very friendly service, taking their time to explain the dishes and wines in detail. You will get more than what is written on the menu, so stay open for surprises.
