The story
Gasthaus Scherz, at Luxemburger Straße 256 in Cologne, is an Austrian kitchen that earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026 for good quality, good value cooking. The menu centers on Austrian classics, with a few modern touches on the plate.
Chef Michael Scherz writes that he spent years as head chef at a respected Austrian restaurant before cooking under his own name here. The kitchen works with strong spices, dry-aged meat and old vegetable varieties. Sous vide appears among the newer techniques, but the roasts still get classic heat and resting time.
The Wiener Schnitzel is made with free-range veal and served with a potato and cucumber salad and a sharp wild lingonberry jam. The Tafelspitz uses Bavarian Höhenfleckvieh beef with root vegetables, bouillon potatoes and freshly grated horseradish. Kaiserschmarrn with plum compote finishes the classic list. The Schlemmer Atlas gave the restaurant 2 Kochlöffel in 2026, praising the mix of traditional and modern in both the room and the kitchen.
Outdoor seating is part of the experience. When the weather allows, the guest terrace in the courtyard behind the building opens. The wine list leans Austrian, with Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt and several sparkling and pét-nat bottles from regions such as Wachau, Kremstal and Südsteiermark.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
good quality, good value cooking
A blend of traditional and modern, in the ambiance and in the kitchen. The dishes are distinctly Austrian, featuring all the favorites centered around the finest Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Rinderherzl.
Location