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
HAMACHI FROM THE NETHERLANDS
tomatoes from frings – carrot – coriander
* SASHIMI OF NORWEGIAN FJORD TROUT
soy – wasabi – pepquino
GRILLED COD
thai curry – eggplant – coconut
* GLAZED SOT-L‘Y-LAISSE
sweetcorn – kombu – lions mane
US BEEF BAVETTE
chanterelles – wasabi – egg yolk
COCONUT VARIATION
lime – pan-dan
6 courses – 165 EUR
wine pairing – 120 EUR
4 courses – 121 EUR
* without Trout & SOT-L‘Y-LAISSE
wine pairing – 85 EUR
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT TAKU!
EXCEPTIONALLY SPECIAL
WHAT’S ON AT TAKU
FAQs
What cuisine does taku offer?
The taku combines East Asian cuisine with European influences at a gourmet level – precise, creative and always full of surprises. Head Chef Mirko Gaul uses selected techniques from Western cuisine to create his distinctive culinary style.
Is taku award-winning?
Yes, restaurant taku holds a Michelin star and is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Cologne. An accolade we strive to earn anew every evening.
Can vegetarian menus be served?
Yes, upon request our kitchen is delighted to prepare a vegetarian menu. Please inform us of this when making your reservation.
What makes taku special?
taku is a Michelin-starred restaurant under the leadership of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul. It combines East Asian flavours and techniques with European craftsmanship to create delicate fine dining.
Is a reservation required?
Yes, an early reservation is strongly recommended. Reservations can be made by telephone on +49 221 270-1 or via the online reservation form on the website.
For which occasions is taku suitable?
Whenever you want to make an evening truly unforgettable, taku is the perfect choice: whether it’s a romantic dinner, a special birthday, an anniversary or a business dinner at the highest level. Regular events such as Four-Hands Dinners and Kitchen Parties ensure that taku remains a recurring highlight for returning guests.
taku & friends no. 15
Michelin starred Kitchenparty
For the fithteenth 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!
Look forward to the following guest chefs:
Filip Czmok | Boutique Hotel Marielle | Bad Münstereifel
Frédéric Morel | Restaurant Cœur d’Artichaut | Münster
Fritz Benson | Restaurant THEODOR'S | Bonn
The two sommeliers Lucas Wenzl and Dennis Ruhl will present their personal favorite wines from exclusive wineries, creating a truly unique wine 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!
tickets →
Guests wishing to extend the evening with an overnight stay at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst will receive 20% off the current daily rate when booking by phone at +49 221 / 270 - 3166 and quoting the keyword “taku Kitchenparty".
Chritmas DAYS at TAKU
Enjoy culinary festive days at taku
Spend the Christmas holidays in the festive atmosphere of taku and enjoy a carefully curated menu by Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul. With his creative cuisine, he will surprise you with exceptional flavors and refined compositions. Look forward to a culinary experience that leaves nothing to be desired.
Dates: 24th | 25th | 26th December 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Price:
24th December 2026: 299 EUR six-course menu
25th and 26th December 2026: 199 EUR four-course menu | 259 EUR six-course menu
The Christmas menu will be announced here in autumn.
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 – 3166.
taku 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 paired with carefully selected wines from the family-run winery Lackner Tinnacher in Gamlitz, Austria. Katharina Tinnacher, owner of the winery, will take you on a fascinating journey of wine discovery, sharing the stories behind the fine vintages while imparting her profound knowledge and passion for winemaking.
The event will take place at a shared table in order to encourage personal exchange and conversation about the presented wines in a pleasant atmosphere. 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.
Date: 13th November 2026
Time: 7pm
Price: 269 EUR per person incl. five-course menu, aperitif, wine pairing, water and coffee
Tickets →
Truffle Dinner at taku
A culinary journey into the world of truffles
taku invites you to an exclusive evening dedicated to one of the world’s most coveted delicacies – the Australian winter truffle. For this special occasion, Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul presents an exquisite five-course menu celebrating the truffle in all its aromatic depth. Each course will be finished tableside with freshly shaved truffle, creating a truly sensory experience for both the eyes and the palate. Throughout the evening, the taku team will share their passion for this exceptional ingredient and offer fascinating insights into the world of truffles. An elegant evening of remarkable flavors, inspiration, and refined culinary craftsmanship.
Date: 10th Oktober 2026
Time: 7pm
Price: 249 EUR per person incl. five-course menu, aperitif, wine pairing, water and coffee
tickets →
taku SOMMELIER BATTLE
SOUS CHEF VS. SOMMELIER
An unforgettable evening, two passionate personalities, and a love for wine like no other: To celebrate Sous Chef Nicolai Kais’ successful sommelier certification, he goes head-to-head with Sommelier Daniel Malskorn in an exclusive Wine Battle at taku.
Savor a five-course gourmet menu crafted by Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul. For each course, Daniel Malskorn presents his perfect wine pairing – while Nicolai Kais offers his own expertly chosen alternatives. Who will triumph and win your palate? Cast your vote at the end of the evening and immerse yourself in a thrilling, high-level culinary showdown – only at the Sommelier Battle at taku.
Taku POP-UP AT VILLA BODINUS
EXCLUSIVE MICHELIN-STARRED CUISINE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY SETTING AT COLOGNE ZOO
One summer, one special location, one exceptional culinary experience: From 24th June to 18th July, the Michelin-starred restaurant taku will move into the impressive Villa Bodinus at Cologne Zoo, bringing its multi-award-winning cuisine to a unique summer setting. In an elegant atmosphere, guests can look forward to an exclusive fine dining experience that combines outstanding cuisine with a truly distinctive ambience.
Far removed from the everyday, enjoy the cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Mirko Gaul in a remarkable setting. With its rich history, the neoclassical building lends a very special aura to the evening: for more than 150 years, it was home to the zoo’s directors. Especially on warm summer evenings, this venue reveals its very own charm when the 5-course menu is served on the terrace under the open sky.
Look forward to a limited summer edition in which the precise signature style of taku meets the unique atmosphere of Villa Bodinus. An evening for all those who love exceptional cuisine and want to experience summer at its most indulgent.
Please note: As Villa Bodinus is exclusively accessible to our guests on this evening, we will send you important arrival information together with your order confirmation by email.
Dates: 24th June - 18th July 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Price: 175 EUR including aperitif, five-course menu, water and coffee
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 - 1 or book online.
Michelin starred four-hands dinner
AN EVENING WITH MIRKO GAUL AND TOBIAS WEYERS
Two Michelin-starred chefs, six courses, one special evening: on Saturday, 7th November 2026, restaurant taku welcomes Tobias Weyers from Restaurant Hannappel for an exclusive four-hands dinner with Mirko Gaul. Together, the two Michelin-starred chefs will present a menu that brings together their individual signatures, creative ideas, and the highest culinary quality in a truly special way. Each chef will create three courses, bringing his own personal culinary style to the plate.
Tobias Weyers is no stranger to taku guests: he has previously appeared several times as a guest chef at past taku kitchen parties. Now, he returns for another special evening that combines exceptional enjoyment with refined culinary artistry.
Look forward to a carefully composed menu that unites creativity, precision, and the distinct flavour profiles of both Michelin-starred chefs in a truly memorable way.
Dates: 7th November 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Price: 285 EUR per person incl. aperitif, six-course menu, wine pairing, water and coffee
25 years of taku
mirko gaul's anniversary menu full of memories and fovourite dishes
On 9th October 2026, restaurant taku will celebrate a very special anniversary: for 25 years, the Michelin-starred restaurant has stood for modern Asian haute cuisine, precise craftsmanship and exceptional culinary experiences in the heart of Cologne. Opened on 9th October 2001, the taku has long since established itself as a firm fixture on Germany’s fine-dining scene. In 2011, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star – a distinction that Mirko Gaul and his team have upheld year after year with passion, creativity and the highest standards.
To mark this special anniversary, the entire month of October will be dedicated to the flavours, stories and dishes that have shaped the restaurant. Mirko Gaul, who has been at home in the taku kitchen since 2009, has created an exclusive anniversary menu inspired by his top six favourite dishes from many years at taku. Look forward to a menu that brings past and present together in a truly special way: iconic flavour profiles, reinterpreted with surprising accents and the unmistakable taku DNA.
Throughout October, we will serve the anniversary menu as either a four-course or six-course menu. This special experience will be accompanied by an exclusive anniversary wine, selected especially to mark taku’s 25th anniversary and to complement the menu in a truly memorable way.
A culinary journey through the past, an homage to 25 years of taku, and at the same time, a glimpse of what is yet to come.
Celebrate 25 years of taku with us this October and experience an anniversary menu that places Mirko Gaul’s favourite dishes centre stage.
Date: 1st to 31st Ocotober 2026
Time: Tuesday to Saturday from 6:30 pm
Price: Four-Course menu 121 EUR | Six-Course menu 165 EUR
The anniversary menu will be announced here shortly.
new year's eve
the turn of the year at the grand hotel
Bid farewell to the old year in style and welcome the new one together with us. Following a festive champagne reception, enjoy an exclusive menu — either created by Mirko Gaul at taku or served by Lars Wolf in the Hanse Stube or in our festive salons.
An elegant live music trio will accompany the evening as a walk act, moving between the various rooms with festive melodies.
After dinner, the Wintergarten will be transformed into the city’s most stylish party location: at our New Year’s Eve party with DJ “Basti M”, dance your way into the new year with energetic sounds, a wonderful atmosphere and unforgettable moments.
A night to remember!
FESTIVE MENU & PARTY
Dates: 31st December 2026
Time: 6:30 pm joint reception with champagne and canapés | 7:30 pm start of the menu
Price: 380 EUR including champagne reception, six-course menu, party and midnight snack in the Wintergarten
With the booking of the menu, admission to the party is already included.
The New Year’s Eve menus will be announced in autumn.
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
Dates: 31st December 2026
Time: 9 pm champagne reception
Price: 125 EUR including welcome champagne, food bar and midnight snack
To make a reservation please call: +49 221 / 270 - 3166.