Acht — Restaurant in Cologne

I booked a table at Acht for dinner on February 4, 2025, to celebrate my wedding anniversary. When making the reservation, I had specifically requested a surprise dessert with a personalized message and confirmed that I would cover the cost. However, I never received any response regarding this request. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we discovered that they do not accommodate any kind of celebration—no cakes, no candles, nothing. When we inquired about this, Julian (waiter) informed us that they don’t receive such notifications. How is that an excuse for such a high end restaurant.

Since the pre-arranged request was not possible, we asked if they could at least write a small message on the dessert we ordered. Instead of offering a simple solution, the reservation manager condescendingly told us that my wife is vegetarian and wouldn’t be able to eat it. Firstly, this was irrelevant—if dietary preferences weren’t acknowledged in the message request, that is inexcusable. Then, to make matters worse, she claimed that it was not possible to write on crème brûlée. Seriously? If a high-end restaurant can’t find a way to accommodate a simple request like this, it speaks volumes about their lack of effort and service.

The service throughout the evening was poor and inconsistent. Our waitress, Anna, was impolite, lacked warmth, and even snatched the menus from us. The only decent staff member we encountered was Julian, who was at least professional in his approach.

While the food was well-plated, it was only average tasting. The overall experience was completely overshadowed by the lack of hospitality. We drove all the way from Berlin for this dinner, expecting a memorable evening, only to leave feeling disappointed, frustrated, and without the dessert.

I would give it a Null not an Acht!

Do better...

I gotta say that I wasnt really happy with what I was being served during the Qyper Roundtable last nite.

I received the small menu through an email about a week prior to the D-date and felt lost, as I didnt really know what I should order that evening. Surprisingly they have updated their monthly menu. I was thinking to get the 3 Course Menu (3 Course for 38 € and 5 Course for 58 €) but then tried my luck to ask the staff if I could get the Flanksteak from the Menu as a regular main course. It turned out in my favor.

So there I go with no apperitif (as it sounds too boring or I just cant stand ginger in my drinks) and no appetizer. The steak (imho for around 20 €) turned to be cut into 3-4 pieces which looked a bit strange, as its in common to get one-piece steak instead of in slices. The dish was nicely served tho' and the taste was just okay which means nothing to tell home about.

No soul should expect to feed a lil straving bear with 4 tiny cuts of Flanksteak! Thats why I ordered the Tarte au Chocolate with orange sorbet (for 6 €) to close my dinner. I am such a person who enjoys and wouldnt like to miss the details, even when I order a 30 Courses Menu. Morely, I love sweets. I devour desserts. I could die for excellent macaroons and tarts. I have treasured some refined Tarte au Chocolates (prefer with the melting filling) but this one would never be memorized. It were prob. better if it was served warm or something. The sorbet was good but nothing really special with it.

As the service was a bit strange last nite, esp. the part with my no-ginger-pls apperitif, the soup that was also being ordered by one of our round table member.

The positive points belong to the atmosphere and how they serve the dishes.

Expecting my return? You shall not... Not in the...

My first culinary experience in Cologne. Acht was recommended by local friends. I’ll start with the most important, the food. It’s fine. We had the three course menu. Scallop with pickled white asparagus as a starter followed by a perfectly cooked tuna steak with green asparagus and then a watery rhubarb dessert. The best part of the meal was the amuse bouche, a wonderfully creamy white asparagus soup. The rest of the meal left both of us searching for adjectives. Everything looked great, the portions were great, the kitchen clearly cares and tries hard but nothing popped. Everything tasted a bit meh (still searching for adjectives). Not bland just nothing that makes the tastebuds tingle. That makes you look up in surprise with a smile on your face. I understand that this seems harsh but the food is priced and presented in such a way that it should at least in moments have you whispering ‘delicious’ and it just never does. For the rest everything was great. The staff was charming, informative and cheerful. The location and decor is elegant and comfortable urban cool. The wine list is enormous, frankly a tad overwhelming, but we ended with a wonderful 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape that made...