Casual fine Dining by Mirko Gaul
CALM PERFECTION
EAST ASIAN GOURMET CUISINE AT TAKU, COLOGNE
PRESERVE THE LIGHTNESS
The art of good cooking begins very simply – with outstanding ingredients. At taku, star chef Mirko Gaul shows what it can achieve with clarity, technical finesse and a bold combination of shape, colour, texture and temperature. Immerse yourself in a cuisine that delivers the maximum taste experience in an elegant setting.
STARS AND AWARDS
RESTAURANT TAKU IN COLOGNE
Guide Michelin: 1*
Gault-Millau: 16/20
Gusto: 8/10
PREPARED WITH Individuality
HOLISTIC STAR CUISINE
BETWEEN ASIA AND COLOGNE
STAR CHEF MIRKO GAUL
Our Head Chef Mirko Gaul regularly draws inspiration from Asia for his creations at taku, bringing back vivid impressions from Bangkok, Hong Kong or Tokyo to Cologne. In the preparation of his dishes, he uses various techniques of Western cuisine.
Born in Cologne, Mirko began his career in the cathedral city. After training at the Graugans restaurant and a stint at Da Damiano, he has been delighting taku’s guests with his signature dishes since 2011.
menu
Degustation
Label Rouge Salmon
green tomato – coriander – heart of palm
* SEAFOOD MISO-SOUP
turbot – clams – udon – chives
BBQ Hamachi
nashi-pear – wild garlic – chili
* CRUDO of MIYAZAKI WAGYU
peas – morels – truffle
Roasted Poussin
miso – asparagus from pertuis
COCONUT & MANGO
dulcey crémeux – sesame – finger limes
6 courses – 155 EUR
wine pairing – 109 EUR
4 courses – 111 EUR
* without MISO-SOUP & Wagyu
wine pairing – 69 EUR
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT TAKU!
EXCEPTIONALLY SPECIAL
WHAT’S ON AT TAKU
TRUFFLE DINNER AT TAKU
taku rooftop pop-up
taku taste-tour
AZUBI TAKE OVER 4.0
KITCHENPARTY | TAKU & FRIENDS VOL. 13
christmas
TAKU & FRIENDS Vol. 11
Michelin starred Kitchenparty
For the eleventh time, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul opens the doors of his restaurant taku for his legendary kitchenparty. Once again, this promises an unforgettable experience featuring top-notch culinary artists from renowned restaurants.
Featured chefs include:
Benjamin Kriegel | Restaurant “Pink Pepper” Dusseldorf
Alexander Mayer | Hotel Atlantic Hamburg
Egor Hopp | Restaurant “Setzkasten” Dusseldorf
Hannes Radeck | “Pastry Chef of the year 2021” Cologne
Additionally, wineries Dr. Loosen and Prieler will present fine selections from their cellars.
Get ready to experience an exciting evening with a star-studded line-up, great entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary culinary event!
tickets →
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 3166.
TAKU & FRIENDS Vol. 12
Michelin starred Kitchenparty
For the twelfth time, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul opens the doors of his restaurant taku for his legendary kitchenparty. Once again, this promises an unforgettable experience featuring top-notch culinary artists from renowned restaurants.
Featured chefs include:
Dominik Schab | Restaurant 1831 | Essen
Pierre Beckerling | Restaurant SchwarzGold | Dortmund
Tobias Weyers | Restaurant Hannappel | Essen
Additionally, wineries Stefan Bietighöfer and Rings will present fine selections from their cellars.
Get ready to experience an exciting evening with a star-studded line-up, great entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary culinary event!
Chritmas DAYS at TAKU
Enjoy culinary festive days at taku
Treat yourself and your family to culinary delights this festive season and be pampered in our restaurant. Look forward to the menus created by Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul, which will be announced in autumn.
Dates: 24th | 25th | 26th December 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Price:
24th December 2025: 6-course menu 299 EUR | 410 EUR incl. wine pairing
25th and 26th December 2025: 6-course menu 239 EUR | 350 EUR incl. wine pairing
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 3166.
carte blanche surprise menu
by MICHELIN-STARRED chef mirko gaul
Have you always wanted to experience the delights of taku? Then we have the right offer for you! Starting now, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul serves his “Carte Blanche” surprise menu at an introductory price of 99 EUR per person from Tuesday to Thursday. Step into a landscape of unexpected culinary adventures and be inspired by the innovative spirit of our kitchen with a four-course culinary journey.
valentine’s day at taku
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 michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul for Valentine’s Day at restaurant taku. Indulge in a glass of champagne followed by an exquisite five-course meal that beautifully captures the essence of love.
TAKU & FRIENDS Vol. 10
Michelin starred Kitchenparty
For the tenth time, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul opens the doors of his restaurant taku for his legendary kitchenparty. Once again, this promises an unforgettable experience featuring top-notch culinary artists from renowned restaurants.
Featured chefs include:
Maximilian Kreus from the "St. Benedikt" restaurant in Aachen
Sonja Baumann & Erik Scheffler from the "NeoBiota" restaurant in Cologne
Jörg Wissmann from the "Jae" restaurant in Düsseldorf
Fabian Scheithe from the "Excelsior Hotel Ernst" in Cologne
Additionally, wineries Martin Waßmer and LacknerTinnacher will present fine selections from their cellars.
Get ready to experience an exciting evening with a star-studded line-up, great entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary culinary event!
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 3166.
taku Rooftop pop-up
taku goes design offices cologne dominium
Following the success of recent years, taku head chef Mirko Gaul is once again revealing a menu at this unique venue. Delight in an exclusive dining experience on the rooftop terrace of the Design Offices Cologne Dominium, surrounded by an exceptional ambiance and awe-inspiring views of Cologne's skyline - an indulgence you definitely won't want to miss.
In case of bad weather, indoor spaces with equally stunning views are available. Please be aware that we can only accommodate allergies and intolerances to a certain extent. Please contact us in advance regarding any concerns in this regard.
Dates: 1st - 5th July | 8th - 12th July 2025
Time: 7pm
Location: Design Offices Köln Dominium | Tunisstraße 19-23 | 50667 Cologne
Price: 269 EUR per person incl. five-course menu, aperitif, wine pairing, water and coffee
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 1.
New Year's Eve
AT EXCELSIOR HOTEL ERNST
Say goodbye to 2024 and welcome the new year with us. After an atmospheric champagne reception, you can enjoy a festive menu, either from Mirko Gaul at restaurant taku or from Joschua Tepner at restaurant Hanse Stube or in our festive ballrooms.
The evening is accompanied by live music and at midnight you can welcome the new year with a glass of champagne. The taku menu will be announced shortly.
The menu of the Hanse Stube can be found here →
Date: 31st December 2024
Time: 7 pm reception with champagne and canapés
7:30 pm start of menu
Price: 398 EUR incl. reception and 6-course menu as well as a glass of champagne at midnight.
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 3166
WINEMAKER's dinner
WHERE THE WORLD OF WINE MEETS CULINARY EXCELLENCE
Embark on a sensory journey through the world of exquisite wines and fine cuisine. Under the culinary direction of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul, you will enjoy an unforgettable five-course menu at taku. Each dish is perfectly paired with carefully selected wines from the family-run Knewitz Winery in Appenheim. Tobias Knewitz, the owner, will guide you on a fascinating exploration of the wine world, sharing the stories behind the noble wines and conveying his deep knowledge and passion for viniculture.
Date: 14th March 2025
Time: 6:30pm
Price: 249 EUR per person incl. five-course menu, wine pairing, water & coffee
winemaker's dinner
WHERE THE WORLD OF WINE MEETS CULINARY EXCELLENCE
Embark on a sensory journey through the world of exquisite wines and fine cuisine. Under the culinary mastery of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul, you will enjoy an unforgettable five-course menu at taku. Each dish is perfectly paired with carefully selected wines from the renowned Dr. Bürklin-Wolf winery in Wachenheim on the German Wine Route, a family-run estate with a tradition dating back to 1597. Thomas Dörr will guide you through this journey, sharing captivating stories about the noble wines and his profound knowledge and passion for viniculture.
Date: 22nd February 2025
Time: 6:30pm
Price: 249 EUR per person incl. five-course menu, wine pairing, water & coffee
To make a reservation please call: + 49 221 / 270 – 1.
negroni mixing masterclass
AN INTERACTIVE COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE AT THE CHARLES BAR
As part of the Fine Food Days Cologne, the Charles Bar will be transformed into a stage for an extraordinary tasting experience – an invitation for all cocktail lovers to experience the art of Negroni mixing up close.
Accompanied by the atmospheric live duo from the renowned "Piano Nights", our bar team will guide you through the preparation of three classic Negroni variations: the distinctive "Charles Negroni", the alcohol-free "Nogroni", and the sparkling "Negroni Sbagliato". While seated at your table, you will learn the secrets behind perfect mixing – and then it's your turn! Under expert guidance, you'll choose your favorite variation and create your own drink.
Alongside, we will serve a tiered platter of fine specialties, perfectly matched to the flavors of your cocktail.
Dates: 4th September 2025
Time: 7 - 9pm
Price: 58 EUR per person incl. one Negroni & food platter
TAKU & FRIENDS Vol. 13
Michelin starred Kitchenparty
For the thirteenth time in a row, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul opens the doors of his restaurant for his legendary Kitchen Party. Once again, top chefs from renowned restaurants will ensure an unforgettable experience. Get ready to experience an exciting evening with a star-studded line-up, great entertainment, and a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary culinary event!
A thrilling new addition to this edition of the Kitchen Party: Two sommeliers will present their personal favorite wines from exclusive wineries, creating a truly unique wine experience. It doesn’t get more expert-driven and passionate about exceptional wines – a true feast for the senses!
The participating guest chefs will be announced shortly.
azubi take over 4.0
our young stars take over the taku
During the Fine Food Days, the youngest generation of Cologne’s gastronomy scene will take over the Michelin-starred restaurant taku for two exclusive evenings. Our apprentices will step into the roles of Restaurant Manager, Sommelier, and Chef. Under the expert guidance of taku’s Sous-Chef Nicolai Kais and Assistant Restaurant Manager Annalena Lohmann, the unique taku taste experience is guaranteed.
Dates: 31st August & 1st September 2025
Time: 6:30pm
Price: 169 EUR per person incl. four-course menu, wine pairing, soft drinks, water & coffee
restaurant taku taste-tour
CULINARY RICKSHAW JOURNEY THROUGH COLOGNE
As part of the Fine Food Days Cologne, the Michelin-starred restaurant taku invites you to a truly unique experience: a culinary rickshaw tour through Cologne, combining exquisite flavors with the city’s rich history.
The evening begins with an aperitif at taku before you embark on a rickshaw ride through the city. Along the way, you will make two culinary stops, where you will enjoy the first and second courses. A city guide will accompany the tour, sharing entertaining anecdotes and fascinating stories about Cologne – live via an audio system.
After approximately 1.5 hours of sightseeing and delightful culinary experiences, you will return to taku, where the evening will culminate in an exquisite main course and dessert.
An unforgettable experience for food lovers and city enthusiasts alike – discover Cologne with all your senses!
Date: 28th August 2025
Time: 6:00pm
Price: 269 EUR incl. aperitif, rickshaw journey, four-course menu & wine pairing
truffle dinner at taku
A summer evening with truffle expert saskia bos
On 27th June, the picturesque courtyard of the Excelsior transforms into a stage for a truly special culinary experience: The taku restaurant invites you to an exclusive Truffle Dinner with renowned Truffle Expert Saskia Bos from Bos Food.
Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul will create an exquisite four-course menu, with everything centered around the Australian winter truffle. Each course will be personally enhanced with fresh truffle by Saskia Bos – a sensory highlight for both the eyes and the palate. Along the way, she will share her deep passion for truffles, tell fascinating stories about this delicacy, and offer her expert insights to the guests.
An evening full of flavors, inspiration, and true craftsmanship – right under the open sky in the heart of Cologne. In case of bad weather, the event will take place in the restaurant.
Date: Friday, 27th June 2025
Time: 7pm
Price: 249 EUR per person incl. aperitif, four-course menu, wine & water