Café Reichard — Restaurant in Cologne

Great location. Unfortunately we found the staff quite rude. First of all we were standing there trying to get some ones attention but other than whizzing past us, no one paid any attention. Once we got some ones attention, we got a simple direction to go in to the seating area. In the seating area again everyone seemed extremely busy and it took us a bit of time before one of the waitress showed us a table. We had only gone in there because the cakes on display at what seemed like a serving area / bakery looked very yummy. Unfortunately the menu at the table didn't have anything about the cakes. So we had once again grab the attention of the waitress who told us we had to decide at the bakery what we wanted and order it at the table. As we didn't know any names, we have the waitress a rough description of the item and she wrote down what she thought they were (to her credit, she only made one error in 3 items ordered). There were 3 of us but as we had gone in for the cakes and as it wasn't quite the time for another meal, we only ordered a cake and a coffee. The others didn't want anything. I noticed the look on the waitress' face change, the moment she realised that's all we were ordering. Moments later she came back and said 'sorry, it's not ok to order just 1 item. you need to order something else. may be even still or sparkling water'. As puzzled as we were, we decided to order another item. This other item, the waitress didn't really guess right and brought us a wrong one, which we duly sent back. However she didn't take it back right away and left it on our table for a few minutes. She then tried to take it to another table where the customer didn't accept either, for whatever reason. The bill was also made up in a strange fashion and we couldn't really figure out how it came to the amount we paid. But we have had enough entertainment at the café, so decided to leave it at that. Don't think we will ever be visiting...

The place is beautiful and the cake looks great. If you are there, don't forget to go to the toilet. You won't regret it. That said, I can't recommend it at all. The employees were very rude and inflexible. When we entered they were eyeing me and my youngest daughter with unveiled suspicion while we were searching for the rest of my family. They insisted that everyone orders if they want it or not. For some strange reason, they didn't serve single cups of coffee, because it was weekend - no idea what happens to their coffee machines on the weekend. So you are getting a small "Kännchen" for (currently) 8.20€. Which adds up to one big cup anyway. My question on what cake they can recommend, I got the helpful answer that they have 40 cakes and I should go look for myself. I knew that, because you pass the cake on the way in. I was asking for recommendations, which the waitress didn't feel like providing. We then passed on the cake because the general level of unfriendliness was off turning. The kids wanted their blueberry pancake though so we stayed. Apparently we can get around the one order for each person when the number of orders matches the number of seats. So be prepared to brush up on your math skills. Unfortunately the blueberry pancake turned out to be a big helping of canned blueberries with some dough around it and some crystal sugar on top. Both of my younger kids couldn't finish it because of the bad taste. I had to finish it for them and can't say that I disagree. The café seems to think it's really amazing from the price tag though, so let's agree to disagree on this one.

In conclusion I would say, don't get dazzled by the beautiful exterior. They are clearly not interested in you returning and are happy to get away with the least possible service. The cake does look good but judging from our experience with their pancake I would recommend buying it for consumption elsewhere and only come back if you feel...

Undoubtedly, the cake and the decoration are good enough for tourists or people who would like to give a try. But the bad service will ruin all the good thing of the cafe, also your feeling and your day.

My friend was birthday so we decided to have a birthday cake here. The cakes tasted good although the prices were a bit higher.

However, the service quality was disaster, especially for the person who didn't speak "perfect" german. I didn't speak well german but I tried to learn and wanted to show respect for the german culture. So I asked for the waitress "how can we order the cake?" in german. (It was my first time and the waiter/ress seemed only take orders from the drinks, not from the cake.) However, the waitress might misunderstand us had wanted to order and come to ask for ordering. I clarified again we just wanted to ask "how to order cakes". Normally waiters/resses will probably just answer you the way of ordering and it doesn't any matter. But the waitress was quite rude and ridiculous. She did not explain how to order cake but persisted us in asking her for coming to order. And insisted us should better order something with a creepy smile (apart from the cakes) because she was asked to be there. I felt very stressed and uncomfortable.

Also when paying the bill, she didn't give the change and even didn't ask how many tips we wanted to give. Just walked away after we pay notes. Very impolite.

Her rude attitude ruined our feelings for my friend's birthday. And because of her, I'd never come...