Bier-Esel, German restaurant in Altstadt-Nord, Cologne, Germany.
The Bier-Esel is a restaurant housed in a traditional building on Breite Strasse, serving mussels and beers from the Sünner brewery in a dining room with about 140 seats. The establishment also features a separate winter garden for events.
The house is documented from 1297 as 'House of the Donkey' and received brewing rights in 1414, which it exercised until 1873. Its long presence in this location established it as a fixture in Cologne's dining scene.
The restaurant has long been known for mussels and prepares them in different styles ranging from local to southern European recipes. This specialty shapes the offer and identity of the place to this day.
The restaurant is located on a busy street in the old town and is easy to reach on foot; it is best to arrive early during peak weekend hours or make a reservation. A menu with options for different preferences is available, and the winter garden offers an alternative on cold days.
Historical records reveal the establishment once reserved special seating areas for executioners, who were required to drink from special stone mugs without lids. This practice reflected the social hierarchy that once shaped the city.
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