Cafe Era
Visitors often praise the pleasant outdoor seating and friendly service from specific staff members, with some enjoying the coffee and cake. However, multiple reviews mention issues with slow or non-existent service, rude staff, and disappointing food quality or incorrect orders.
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via Stay22About this place Cafe Era
This cafe and bar in Cologne is a solid all-day spot, attracting a mixed crowd with its relaxed vibe and gay-friendly welcome.
You can grab a coffee, settle in for a long lunch, or meet friends for drinks at night. The menu lists wines, cocktails, and spirits; nothing groundbreaking, but plenty of choice if you want a classic or something a little different.
Its outdoor terrace is the main draw. It feels cosmopolitan, a good place to just sit with a drink or a snack and watch people go by. LGBTQ+ travelers will feel comfortable here, whether meeting locals, other visitors, or just hanging out solo.
Cologne’s gay scene is built around this neighborhood, so this place is well-positioned if you’re exploring that area. It’s unpretentious, friendly, and a natural gathering point for the city’s LGBTQ+ community, no matter the time of day.
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Today I went to Café Era again after a long time, and unfortunately, it won't become my favorite café. The terrace is really nice, and since there are no cars in Kettengasse (the main part of the terrace), it's a lovely place to sit, but that's about it. I tried to order a large bottle of water, but I was already a bit annoyed, which the server immediately noticed. The menu lists a mineral water from the Eifel region and a still water with three letters on it. When I asked for a medium-sparkling water, they offered me a third brand, but unfortunately, it wasn't chilled (in summer, you should ALWAYS make sure drinks are properly chilled). When I then wanted to switch to the mineral water from the Eifel, I was told that they only had small bottles left… Anyway, I ordered the medium-sparkling water, and they offered me ice cubes. Since the next table had a wine cooler with ice cubes, I assumed I'd get the same service… Unfortunately not! I received two glasses of ice and a warm bottle cooler, which was completely useless. That was my first disappointment. The Caesar salad looked very appealing, but now that I'm writing this review and looking at the menu again, I don't remember there being any egg or croutons on the salad. What there was plenty of, however, was dressing and water from the salad cleaning process. So, in the end, I really had a dressing soup in my bowl. When it came time to pay, the bill was €19.30, and I gave the server €52 and asked him to give me €30 back. He seemed completely overwhelmed by the bill. I had the impression he would have preferred to pull out his phone to do the math himself. I even calculated his tip for him so he could keep it separate. I think the owner overheard this whole transaction and found it very awkward, too. I don't expect everyone to be as quick-witted as I am, but if you work in customer service, you should at least be a little more confident in your thinking.
I was there today for the first time in ages and had a salad for €12. It was mostly greens, half a tomato – that was it for salad, and the dressing wasn't very tasty. Please change that!
A very disappointing visit: At breakfast, instead of the ordered boiled eggs, scrambled eggs were served. When asked about this, the owner, walking past, was rude and shouted that there were no boiled eggs. Missing ingredients, such as tomatoes, were only brought after we asked for them – and then cut so thickly that they were barely edible. The scrambled eggs were completely inedible, as was the tea. The cucumber was clearly from the day before, and the dry end was served. Overall, everything seemed carelessly prepared and of poor quality. The waitress was friendly and tried her best, but the owner repeatedly and inappropriately reprimanded her in front of all the guests. All in all, a very unpleasant experience.
Extremely friendly service during happy hour 🤗
Great location near the shopping area. Food was very good and reasonable. Friendly staff. Enjoyed the outside seating and watching the crowds go by.
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Last updated on 7 August 2026