An operating device for a household appliance includes a visual display unit, a touch-sensitive operating ring acting as a touch-sensitive operating region which is configured in a surface area of the visual display unit, and a transparent cover separate from the visual display unit and configured to cover the visual display unit. The cover has an upper side formed with a recess which is defined by a recess wall and configured as a continuous crater-like depression, when viewed as a whole, such that the recess wall in its entirety is configured in adjacent relation to the depression below a level of a surface area of the upper side. The recess wall includes an upper annular partial surface which forms a touch surface of the operating ring, and a further partial surface which adjoins the touch surface at a bottom thereof.