I am going Cologne Christmas Market this year - has anyone got any good tips on where to start?

Question

Also does anyone know any good resturants/bars there?

Answer 1

Cologne is interesting because it's got several old town "centers" that are all within walking distance of eachother.  Each has it's own Christmas Market.  One even has an ice skating rink.  It's best just to wander aimlessly stopping for a drink or bite to eat wherever you happen to find yourself.  

For specific restaurants, look for the brewing companies that are near the town centers.  The famous beer in Cologne is called Koelsch.  There's lots of good stuff on every block.

Answer 2

The previous answerer is correct.  Koln is unique in that it has several simultaneous Christmas Markets; I recall that there were six going on when I visited the main one at the foot of the cathedral.  That, by the way, is undeniably the "main" Christmas Market, as well as the most crowded.  I've been to many Christmas markets in many places in Germany, and by far, the most crowded one was the one at the foot of the Kolner Dom (cathedral).  I believe there was another big one a few blocks away, at Neumarkt (to the southwest, roughly).  As far as restaurants, I was always fond of Farmer's, which is close to the cathedral; but there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in that immediate area, and that doesn't even include the rest of Koln.  Walk around and you'll have no trouble finding something; but if you're attending Christmas Markets you'll have more than enough food to pick from if you're hungry, and plenty to drink if you're thirsty.

Answer 3

There are about 5 or 6 X-Mas markets in Cologne. You can easily go to all of them by taking the U-Bahn (Subway). There is one right there at the Trainstation/Dom. Another one at Neumarkt. At Rudolfplatz. And in the Altstadt. Doesn't matter where you start. Good restaurants/bars you can find at "Die Ringe": Take the train to Rudolfplatz or Friesenplatz. That's a street full of places to go. Like clubs,bars,cafes,restaurants.. You can also go to "Giga-Center" a huge game-place where you can play pool, Dart, Car-Races, Internet, Black Jack and so on. Have fun and enjoy your time!