50 years of hanse stube
a place where culinary excellence makes history
half a century of culinary delight
A culinary Journey through five decades
For fifty years, the Hanse Stube at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst has stood for fine dining, historic encounters, and genuine Rhineland hospitality. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Head Chef Lars Wolf is reviving selected classics from the restaurant’s historical recipe archive and presenting an exclusive five-course anniversary menu. From 12th January to 1st February 2026, guests are invited to embark on a culinary journey through five decades of gastronomic highlights. The menu is accompanied by a curated selection of exceptional wines from each of the past five decades.
from a 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 celebrated as Cologne’s “parlor of fine dining”, 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.
lars wolf
Head Chef of The Hanse Stube
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Head Chef Lars Wolf drew inspiration from the hotel’s historic recipe archive to create an exclusive five‑course anniversary menu, bringing classic favorites from past decades back to life. The menu will be served from 12th January to 1st February 2026 and is optionally accompanied by a selection of exceptional wines from the past five decades.
“It’s a special privilege to carry the tradition of the Hanse Stube into the present while adding new culinary highlights”, says Chef Lars Wolf. “I look forward to welcoming many familiar faces – and perhaps a few new ones – to our historic restaurant this January.”
historic anniversary menu
12th January – 1st February 2026
The anniversary menu will be served daily from 12th January to 1st February 2026, from 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 6pm to 10 pm.
At lunchtime, guests can enjoy a historic three-course lunch for 50 EUR per person. In the evening, the Grand Hotel Classics Menu offers an exclusive five-course journey through five decades for 150 EUR per person.
The Hanse Stube anniversary menu can be found here →
