
Gourmet Restaurant
Cologne’s salon par excellence
HANSE STUBE GOURMET RESTAURANT
In times gone by, the salon of a grand house was used only for special occasions. But ours is open every day. Here, our head chef Lars Wolf adorns French haute cuisine with Rhineland accents – turning every business lunch or family dinner into a special event.
50 YEARS OF HANSE STUBE
FROM GRILL ROOM TO A COLOGNE INSTITUTION
Since its opening on 12th January 1976, the Hanse Stube has been the culinary heart of the Excelsior Hotel Ernst – a place where tradition, craftsmanship, and elegance meet at the highest level.
What began as a modest grill room has, over the years, evolved into a restaurant, renowned for exceptional hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and unforgettable moments. Mahogany paneling, fine English furniture, priceless paintings, and custom-made porcelain and cutlery continue to define the restaurant’s unmistakable atmosphere. Today, the Hanse Stube stands as a symbol of the highest quality, tradition, and hospitality, far beyond Cologne’s city limits. In the anniversary year of 2026, we celebrate 50 years of Hanse Stube – shaped by tradition and hospitality.
Gourmet means memorable
For us, being a gourmet restaurant means creating memorable experiences that you’ll never forget. It could be a taste or a texture that takes you by surprise, or a fish that’s being filleted right in front of you. Or it might be a new take on some well-known ingredients. Whatever you’re looking for, our team will do its best to fulfil your wishes and turn your visit into a real experience – from the moment you walk through the doors of the Hanse Stube.
Good taste in good hands
The Hanse Stube wine cellar
The right wine can intensify tastes, tease out new aromas and harmoniously round off a dish. The historic wine cellar of the Hanse Stube, in existence since 1910, boasts over 6,000 wines und champagnes, from which our sommelier selects the right one for every plate and palate.
Exclusive treats
Book or gift a gourmet experience in the Hanse Stube
Looking for that special venue for smaller banquets or parties? Our “Spiegelsalon” and “Fischsalon” side rooms at the Hanse Stube are reservable for private events. You can even send someone a Hanse Stube gift voucher for a gourmet dinner in Cologne’s salon par excellence.












Haute cuisine the Rhineland way
Lars Wolf
Head Chef Lars Wolf’s culinary signature is defined by a seamless fusion of tradition and modernity. His philosophy: contemporary cuisine with classic influences – defined by top quality, artisanal precision, and refined sophistication. After various positions in high-end hospitality, he now brings his experience and creative passion to the Rhineland. Since 2025, he has been heading the Hanse Stube at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst – where he reinterprets French haute cuisine with a Rhenish twist: elegant, innovative, and surprisingly familiar.

A culinary experience with intense FLAVORS from the kitchen of head chef lars wolf
Signature Menu
HAMACHI & CALF’S HEAD F GF LF
apple | tarragon | voyage caviar
***
VELOUTÉ OF WILD GARLIC F GF
trout tartare | green asparagus | grapefruit
***
WILD PRAWN “4/6” F GF
lobster bisque | pea | morel
***
Salt marsh lamb T GF
madeira jus | asparagus | beet
***
JARDIN DE RHUBARBE LO
rhubarb texrutes | vanilla créme | almond | lime | strawberries
and / or
CHEESE SELECTION LO
from “Maître Affineur” Volker Waltmann from Erlangen
LF – Lactosefree ; LO – Local ; F – Sustainable fishing
4 Course-Menu – 125 EUR
(without velouté of wild garlic & cheese)
wine pairing – 79 EUR
5 Course-Menu – 145 EUR
(without cheese)
wine pairing – 89 EUR
6 Course-Menu – 155 EUR
wine pairing – 99 EUR
Enjoy your evening at Hanse Stube!
EXCEPTIONALLY SPECIAL
WHAT’S ON AT THE HANSE STUBE
CHRISTMAS DAYS AT HANSE STUBE
ENJOY CULINARY FESTIVE DAYS
Treat yourself and your family to culinary delights this festive season and let yourself be pampered in the Hanse Stube. Look forward to the menu created by our head chef Lars Wolf.
Date: 24th | 25th | 26th December 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Price:
24th December 2026: 6-course menu 299 EUR
25th and 26th December 2026: 4-course menu 199 EUR | 6-course menu 259 EUR
We will be announcing our Christmas menu here in autumn.
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 – 3166.
valentine’s day at Hanse Stube
for unforgettable culinary moments
Though it’s a well-known saying that ‘the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach’, a true insider tip is the enticing menu crafted by our skilled head chef, Lars Wolf, for Valentine’s Day. At Hanse Stube, indulge in a glass of champagne followed by an exquisite five-course menu that beautifully captures the essence of love.
Date: 14th February 2026
Time: from 6pm
Price: 179 EUR for five-course menu incl. glas of champagne
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 – 1.
Excelsior KITCHEN PARTY
where great food and great company come together
It’s no secret that the kitchen at Hanse Stube doesn’t just serve exceptional cuisine – it’s also a place to celebrate. The next Excelsior Kitchen Party at Hanse Stube and the grand banquet halls of the Excelsior Hotel Ernst will prove it once again. Joining us will be celebrated guest chefs, carefully selected partners and sommeliers, accompanied by live music from DJ Basti M. Together, they create an unforgettable experience, showcase their skills at various stations, and offer the rare opportunity to take a look into the very heart of the kitchen.
Look forward to an exquisite evening of taste and conversation – with Executive Chef Lars Wolf, friends, and fellow connoisseurs of fine cuisine.
Participating guest chefs and winemakers will be announced soon.
Date: 11th October 2026
Time: 4pm
Price: 199 EUR per person
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 - 3166.
ASPARAGUS SEASON at hanse stube
the taste of spring
The Hanse Stube team welcomes you every year during asparagus season with an abundance of delicious dishes centered around this royal vegetable. Choose from a variety of asparagus variations on our menu and explore the delightful facets of this seasonal delicacy.
Date: 14th April - 24th June 2026
Time: 12pm – 2pm & 6pm – 10pm
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 - 1.
