Restaurant Appare 天晴 あっぱれ — Restaurant in Cologne

A positive dinning experience suitable for European expectations of Japanese cuisine.

Reservations required, and can easily be made online or via phone, with enough anticipation.

There is no AC, and it gets very hot in the summer. They do have regular Japanese fans you can individually use yourself at your table, manually.

This is a refined dining experience with its multi-course menu and curated drink selection, as opposed to a typical ramen or sushi bar.

I tried their 5-course meal along with several drinks from the menu. The quality of the dishes was good, and while each course was modest in size, the portions together left me satisfied. However, I found the overall approach leaning more toward catering to European palates while using Japanese ingredients and themes, rather than delivering something fully consistent with the traditional Japanese cuisine I’ve experienced in Japan.

Bottom line: A well-prepared and enjoyable dining experience, but those seeking a more authentic taste of Japan may find it leaning toward fusion rather...

We had a fantastic experience at Appare last weekend, as we visited for the first time. If you are looking for the authentic Japanese washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) then this is definitely the place for you. Here you can forget about sushi rolls and poke bowls plaguing the city - nothing of that cheap, mainstream trend to be found here. Lovely atmosphere, impeccable service, and true japanese food - or, to put it in the words of my girlfriend, who is Japanese, "you wouldn't be able to spot the difference between here and what you could find in any place in Tokyo". In her words not only the best washoku restaurant in Cologne, but the best one she has been able to find outside Japan thus far. Of course, prices are a bit on the high end, especially their dinner menu, but for lunch the prices, quality, and sizing was extremely appropriate. One can now fully understand why the Michelin guide recommends it, and in all honesty, so do we, much wholeheartedly. We will definitely come back for lunch again soon,...

English: Appare in Cologne is truly an exceptional fine dining Japanese restaurant that stands confidently alongside the extraordinary flavours we've savoured on our travels to Japan. Embodying the essence of well-balanced Japanese cuisine, each dish at Appare stimulates every taste bud and delivers a deeply satisfying and rich gastronomic experience.

Although there is only one five-course menu to choose from, the ability to select different starters and main courses ensures a varied and fulfilling culinary journey. Guests need not be afraid of sushi or raw fish, as Appare offers an extensive range of dishes, including vegetarian options. The well-curated sake menu serves as an excellent accompaniment, further enhancing the overall dining experience.

Every dish we sampled at Appare was a masterpiece, showcasing a perfect fusion of flavours, textures and aromas that left us wanting more. The attentive and efficient service added to the overall enjoyment, while the restaurant's tranquil, elegant ambience provided the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening.

It may not be the cheapest option, but the exceptional dining experience at Appare is worth every penny and leaves us with an unshakable desire to return. I wholeheartedly recommend Appare to anyone, even those unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine, as a remarkable introduction to the intricate world of Japanese gastronomy.

Deutsch: Das Appare in Köln ist ein außergewöhnliches japanisches Restaurant, das den außergewöhnlichen Geschmackserlebnissen, die wir auf unseren Reisen nach Japan genossen haben, in nichts nachsteht. Jedes Gericht im Appare, das die Essenz der ausgewogenen japanischen Küche verkörpert, stimuliert alle Geschmacksknospen und bietet ein zutiefst befriedigendes und reichhaltiges gastronomisches Erlebnis.

Obwohl nur ein Fünf-Gänge-Menü zur Auswahl steht, sorgt die Möglichkeit, zwischen verschiedenen Vorspeisen und Hauptgerichten zu wählen, für eine abwechslungsreiche und erfüllende kulinarische Reise. Gäste müssen keine Angst vor Sushi oder rohem Fisch haben, denn Appare bietet eine große Auswahl an Gerichten, darunter auch vegetarische Optionen. Die gut zusammengestellte Sake-Karte ist eine hervorragende Ergänzung, die das Gesamterlebnis des Essens noch steigert.

Jedes Gericht, das wir im Appare probierten, war ein Meisterwerk, eine perfekte Verschmelzung von Geschmack, Textur und Aroma, die Lust auf mehr machte. Der aufmerksame und effiziente Service trug zum Gesamterlebnis bei, und das ruhige und elegante Ambiente des Restaurants bot den perfekten Rahmen für einen unvergesslichen Abend.

Es mag nicht die billigste Wahl sein, aber das außergewöhnliche Esserlebnis im Appare ist jeden Cent wert und hinterlässt bei uns den unerschütterlichen Wunsch, wiederzukommen. Ich empfehle das Appare von ganzem Herzen jedem, auch denen, die mit der japanischen Küche nicht vertraut sind, als eine bemerkenswerte Einführung in die komplexe Welt der japanischen...