One of the things that first stood out to me when I visited Cologne, and Germany in general, was the vibrancy of local business. I noticed independently owned shops around the city, and significantly less big box retailers than I was used to coming from the US.
Now that I live here, the abundance of small retail is one of my favorite things about life in Cologne. On nearly every one of my bike rides around the city, I discover a new shop to explore! From independent design shops to creative concept stores, Cologne has a thriving boutique culture ranging from approachable to high-end shops selling all sorts of interesting products.
Never has it been more important to support local business owners than now — the Corona-induced Great Pause has left small retail in deep financial distress. With the gradual reopening of Cologne after COVID-19, these boutiques are in need of clients and I want to feature some of my favorite shops, because I am proud to live in a city that has such a plethora of unique small businesses.
These are my favorite shops and boutiques in Cologne, Germany!
Clothing Boutiques
Boutique Belgique — Brabanterstrasse 29
A stalwart of the Cologne’s independent shopping scene is definitely Boutique Belgique which was founded by famous fashion blogger Lena Terlutter. The hyper feminine and of-the-moment selection of women’s clothing at this shop is firmly established as one of the best places in Cologne to find carefully curated luxury labels. The staff is always very friendly and helpful when you visit. If you happen to be in town for one of their special events, don’t miss it!
Ni-Ki — Berrenratherstr. 199
Focusing on a colorful assortment of sustainable and eco-friendly brands, Ni-Ki Mode is a charming women’s clothing boutique in the Sülz neighborhood of Köln. There is a lovely assortment of organic cotton basics and fun printed dresses, all at very reasonable prices. I especially like their bag and backpack collection, many of which are made out of recycled water bottles and other eco-conscious materials.
Magasinpopulaire // Magasin 2 — Brusseler Platz 8
Straight from the streets of Stockholm and Oslo, Magasinpopulaire is THE boutique in Cologne for edgy Scandinavian fashion and lifestyle products. Think androgynous shapes, black leather boots and quirky sunglasses. The original location has only women’s products, while the second location, Magasin 2, has more menswear and shoes on offer. The crisp folded merchandising in both shops is attractive and ideal for easy browsing.
Kauf Dich Glücklich — Neue Langgasse 2 Ecke
Showcasing designs from well-known and under-the-radar brands alike, Kauf Dich Glucklich is a concept store offering men’s and women’s fashion and accessories. Their hip Scandinavian aesthetic is present across the three stories of this sprawling Neumarkt shop. Designers are featured in mini capsule collections with descriptive signage and materials so you can get to know the identity of the various brands easily.
Keep Loving… — Severinstraße 47
The perfectly merchandised racks of on-trend women’s fashion labels at Keep Loving is one of many reasons why this Sudstadt boutique is regularly on Cologne’s best boutique lists. It has been well-loved by locals since its opening in 2016. Started by working actress Elmira, the approachable selection of clothing and lifestyle items at Keep Loving makes it suitable for almost any kind of woman or style. Their sister store Keep Loving Suite around the corner specializes only in shoes!
Fairfitters — Brüsseler Strasse 77
Ethical shoppers can rejoice at Fairfitters which predominantly features fair trade and sustainably produced clothing. But this isn’t your average global fair trade boutique with kantha blankets and Ghanian handwoven baskets. Fairfitters sources modern, trendy and stylish brands like Armed Angels, so when you walk in the shop, you might not even know it is a fair trade shop. It looks like any other clothing boutique — but with a good mission you can feel good about supporting!
Agnes & Astaire — Neusser Pl. 2
Offering a stylishly curated collection of high quality clothing and accessories, Agnes & Astaire sits on a sunny corner plaza in the trendy Nippes neighborhood. Their prices are approachable with a nice range of affordable options. The clothing selection has a soft, feminine spin with delicate jewelry and quirky accessories to accompany. You can also find a silly assortment of home decor and gift items that give this store a cute and personal vibe. Everything is very high quality and you can tell it is all made with care.
Gift Shops
Farinas Fragrance Shop — Obenmarspforten 21
When I started telling people that we were moving to Cologne, one of the most common replies that I got was “Like the perfume?”. Yes, exactly like the perfume. Koln Germany is the birthplace of what we know now as Eau de Cologne and you can find the world’s original cologne producer in the city’s altstadt at Farinas Fragrance Shop and Museum. Get a whiff of the grapefruit and bergamot infused fragrance that famous people like Napoleon Bonaparte, Princess Diana and Mark Twain have worn since 1708. Today, the Farina family descendants are in their eighth generation of perfume production and the original fragrance recipe lives on today. It is kept as a tightly held secret. Even the production facility’s location is a mystery!
Motel a Miio Pottery — Ehrenstraße 73
Be still my heart with Motel a Miio. Every time I step through the doors into this pale pink pottery shop, my heart skips a beat. With locations across Germany, Motel a Miio is a well-established pottery brand offering hand formed, hand glazed pottery from Portugal. The pastel palettes and iridescent glazes of their mugs, plates and vases make for breathtaking table arrangements. Each piece is slightly different yet perfectly imperfect. I am obsessed with this place and wish I could afford for my whole kitchen to be decked out in their products.
Hennes Pfeffer Boutique — Moltkestraße 125
For foodies looking for a unique shopping experience, Hennes Pfeffer Boutique is a must-visit! Selling an exclusive line high-end pepper from Cambodia’s Kampot pepper plant, this is some of the most delicious and rich flavor pepper you’ve ever tried. Their knowledgeable staff can explain all the differences in flavor and uses while you browse to ensure that you make the most of this fancy pepper.
Frau Schmitt — Merowingerstr. 35
Located in the heart of Südstadt just west of Chlodwigplatz, Frau Schmitt is a cheerful gift shop and general store where you can find the ideal cute gift for kids and adults alike. Creative high design from sustainable materials is the true showcase here, so you can expect to find lots of upcycled and repurposed products in surprisingly functional applications.
Schee Boutique — Maastrichter Str. 36
For quirky gifts and artful home products, Schee is hands-down the best shop in Cologne. The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in is the floor-to-ceiling display of locally made screen prints and paper, ranging from beautiful typography to minimalist single line drawings. When we first moved to Cologne, I wanted to decorate my entire apartment in prints from Schee! You’ll also find some nice cook books (in German and English) and home bar accoutrements like locally made gin and glassware.
Home Decor & Plant Shops
Miss Goodwill — Neusser Str. 29
This is perhaps my favorite store in Cologne for home decor accessories, because you are always bound to find something that is perfectly timeless and on trend at the same time. From fluted glassware to ceramic pottery to boho block prints, Mrs. Goodwill has a little bit of everything. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a gift, it’s the perfect place to browse. You’ll find yourself making a few laps around the store to see everything, because it is packed with lovely products to discover.
Things We Like Shop — Brabanter Str. 33
A charming mix of home decor, kitchen accessories and house plants, Things We Like is a shop that will brighten your spirit just by being inside it. This is another boutique that is almost always on Cologne’s best shopping lists — and for good reason! The airy color palettes and tactile nature of the home products here lend to a sense of timelessness yet perfectly on-trend design. The small footprint shop is packed with lovely things to make your space more homey and functional.
Herbarium — Brüsseler Str. 52
Calling itself a concept plant shop, Herbarium is simply a delight to visit, which is why it is one of the best independent shops in Cologne. Their assortment of exotic plants is unmatched in Cologne (see cover photo for an idea of how many varieties they have), and I find myself coming home with a new plant on nearly every visit. Their robust assortment of quirky pots and planters is another highlight, ensuring you can walk out with a perfect new living accessory for your home.
How We Live — Beethovenstraße 15
Scandinavian home design has taken the world by storm, and How We Live is one of the best showcases of Scandi minimalism in Cologne. The high-end price point of the furniture and large pieces make a lot of their items inaccessible, but there are plenty of cute accessories and blankets for thriftier shoppers. The showroom and shop is something to treasure — I visit every few months simply to look at the displays and products for inspiration.
Mill Vintage + Interior — Eifelwall 44
If my soul could manifest itself into a store, I am pretty sure it would be Mill. A perfectly executed mixture of mid-century vintage furniture, rare houseplants and bohemian home decor, Mill dishes out a masterclass of home design inspiration. Their converted warehouse space near Volksgarten is my favorite boutique to browse and get inspired in Cologne. They have short hours and are closed a number of days each week, so be sure to check the times before you go.
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