Banmaai - Thai Kitchen & Bar in Kiel

Unfortunately disappointing, inattentive service, bland food

Waited in the entrance door for over 40 minutes despite having a reservation! Without a greeting or anything else. I couldn't be more ignorant and rude! Then we left and ate somewhere else. If there were negative stars, I would give them. A disgrace! Reservations aren't necessary, no one cares anyway.

There were five of us there and we had reserved a table. We arrived on time, but were not even greeted, even though staff walked past us several times. After 20 minutes, we were asked what name the reservation was under, and then another 10 minutes passed. Someone came again and said the table would be ready in 2 minutes. Another 7 minutes passed and nothing happened. We had now been standing in the entrance area waiting for 37 minutes, despite having a reservation!!! First we were completely ignored, then no apology was made, and no reliable information was given. We left the restaurant after 37 minutes of pointless waiting and went to another restaurant instead. I am really very disappointed; this was definitely our first and last visit there.

We've eaten at baanmai several times and were very satisfied with everything. On Thursday, it was a disaster. The service was abysmal, except for one young lady. The responses were flippant. First, we got an overpriced cocktail for €11.50 (Aperol Grapefruit), then we all got the wrong food. It was taken away from us after five minutes and brought to another table (that's unacceptable). Then we waited almost 45 minutes for our food. Drinks were always delayed. Then my friend had to pay for the appetizer she hadn't even ordered because she had already touched it. Each of us ended up paying around €50. That's a lot of money for a bad evening.

We had a great visit to Banmaai. The food was delicious, the drinks varied, and the atmosphere was great. We had pak choi and curry. Both highly recommended. Reservations are definitely recommended. The restaurant is definitely well heated, as we were dressed a bit too warmly.

It was amazing! I had an extra wish, not directly related to dinner, and it was done with such ease and no problems whatsoever.

The food - Duck with mango and cashew nuts was super delicious and the service was friendly and efficient. The place was full on Friday night so it is recommended to book a table. The only downside was the music being a bit loud

I ate at Banmaai on Tuesday and was unfortunately very disappointed. Our server was unfriendly, we had to wait over 30 minutes for our drinks, and by the time the food finally arrived, it was already cold. Overall, it wasn't a pleasant experience—a shame, I had hoped for much more.

Everything is just right here. The staff is very well trained and provides detailed information about current specials and, if requested, wine recommendations to accompany your order. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere. The food is of the highest quality, and the selection is appropriately limited, yet incredibly varied and more than sufficient. The cooking here is done with love and skill. An absolute recommendation!

Lunch was good and tasty. Service was friendly. First impressions were good.

Great food, nice friendly service even though there was a bit of a wait, but the food made up for it.

The banmaai in Kiel is a restaurant where everything just fits. You immediately feel welcome upon entering – the ambiance is tastefully decorated, warm, and cozy, allowing you to relax immediately. The cuisine is truly exceptional: super delicious food, freshly prepared, and with exciting flavors you won't find everywhere. The dishes are creative, varied, and made with great attention to detail. Here, you'll get something truly different from your usual restaurant experience. The service is also fantastic: warm, attentive, and very friendly. You can tell that the team truly cares about their guests and wants to create a pleasant atmosphere. All in all, a fantastic experience! I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Reservation was confirmed and then skillfully ignored, really bad

Five of us were there last night at 7 p.m. The drinks arrived after 45 minutes, the food after 70 minutes. We expressed our frustration to the wait staff, who reacted sarcastically, saying it was just full and we could have gotten everything, meaning "shut up now." Our meals all tasted okay, but we lost our appetites. The wok dishes, in particular, were not good value for money. Overall, we definitely wouldn't recommend it!

It's a shame. The restaurant has the potential to become a top-notch restaurant. The meals are delicious. We had various starters and a selection of curries on site. All very tasty and highly recommended. Only the service leaves a negative impression, as drinks were forgotten several times. The espressos we ordered at the end were also forgotten again. Despite being reminded, we left the restaurant without a caffeinated beverage. When we pointed this out when paying, the waitress took notice. Unfortunately, the hoped-for apology never came... Sometimes the little things make all the difference. In this case, the waitress who was, in my opinion, the lead waitress. A shame...

The food, as always, was delicious and reasonably priced. But €10.75 for a glass of rosé wine is simply unacceptable! ☹️

Good service, fast, delicious food, vegan options too, but the dessert is too expensive for what you get.

Very tasty food, prices are perfectly reasonable, and the staff is friendly. We'd be happy to come back.

Fantastic food. Fresh, tasty and big portions with a great vegetarian selection. I had a salad to start and the peanut curry after, my partner had soup and then the vegetarian pad thai. Everything was really good. I can highly recommend this place.

Very nice restaurant and very friendly service. The food was also very good.

I had a delicious Thai beef salad… all the other dishes looked very good.

Lunch was simply delicious! Friendly service, light summer food… delicious spritzers, highly recommended.

Super delicious food!!! I highly recommend it!

Yesterday, shortly after 7:00 p.m., I was lucky enough to get a table, thanks to a recommendation from my charming companion, Ms. L, who dines there often. The welcome was very friendly; the restaurant was fantastic, which, by the way, was packed. The placemats were made of leather, as was the menu, which doesn't offer a hundred dishes but is well-stocked. There were two well-chilled shandys, and we started with crispy and delicious spring rolls. The main courses came in beautiful plates, a good size, and very well seasoned. No overcooked vegetables or mushy rice—no, everything was very fine and delicious. Thanks for the tip, Ms. L!!! :-) The lady knows exactly that I'm only talking about you. I'll be back, thank you very much. Addendum: Unfortunately, the same dish isn't as good. I've been disappointed here for the second time now—a shame.

A very pleasant evening! The staff were very attentive! Delicious food, tasty wines! A place for a spontaneous, unintentionally comfortable sit-down! Highly recommended!

Highly recommended - great location, delicious food and friendly service!

What an amazing place. Lots to choose from and clearly marked what is vegan and not. Huuuuge portions, so unfortunately i didn't try the desserts. Autentic flavors and super delicious cocktails. Staff was very attentative, and gave us great service during the whole dinner. The place also looks amazing with bamboo ceiling and thought-through decorations. Definitely a place I will visit again the next time I am in Kiel.

Sehr nette Bedienung, Preis-Leistung stimmt, wir haben sehr lecker gespiesen und kommen gerne wieder. Wir hatten Curries und Wok-Gerichte, Mochi zum Nachtisch. Alles war ganz wunderbar✨

Today, on June 25, 2025, two people were there at 8 p.m. We wanted to sit outside and eat something. We asked if we could sit at one of the four tables by the window instead of on the street. The waiter told us, "Wait a minute, I have to check what's reserved." There was nothing going on; only two tables outside were occupied, and not a single guest inside. Then a waitress came and said we could sit there. It was very difficult to order something from her. She didn't really know what we wanted... but we finally managed to order something from her. When we ordered a second round of drinks, it took ages for us to get it. There were only 6 of us in the restaurant. What took so long? It's a shame that everything took so long. We often come to your restaurant... but this time we were very surprised... there was nothing going on and we didn't feel welcome. What a shame.

Very nice interior design. Super friendly staff. Delicious food, beautifully presented. The bar also accommodates special drink requests.

During our stopover on the way to Norway, we spent a night in Kiel, where this restaurant was recommended to us. As it turned out, it was a great recommendation. We arrived around 5:30 p.m. and were obviously lucky to get a table for two. After us, the restaurant quickly filled up. It's very cozy, and the staff are extremely friendly and quick. The food was a culinary delight of exceptional quality. We will definitely be back next year.

Wir haben bei tollem Wetter auf der Terrasse gesessen und sehr leckeres Thai-Essen und freundlichen Service genossen

I always try the Pad Thai. I've had it in 15 different countries. I will honestly say this was one of the very best. Ask for both the chicken and shrimp. Oh, and don't forget the chili oil! Delicious!

Our food was very good, flavorful, and varied. We had a vegetarian with us, and she was also very satisfied with the selection and quality. The starter was rather small in portions. Service was initially good, but then it often took a while because the place was packed. A very nice atmosphere, but unfortunately, the seating was quite close together and very loud/busy.

The reviews about banmaai are accurate. Very good food, very good staff, and a pleasant atmosphere. I had Tord Man Gal and poppadoms for starters, both of which tasted really good with the sauces. I also ordered Plaa Nüa Yang for my main course, seasoned just like they do in Thailand (simply superb). Our waitress and waiter were simply wonderful. The chef has definitely learned his trade and even helps out from time to time. It's a shame we live so far away. The restaurant is definitely worth several visits.

Service was very friendly and accommodating... Food was very tasty... The restaurant is highly recommended.

We pre-ordered food there today to pick up by phone. We ordered it for ourselves and a relative who is in the hospital and it was incredibly good. I had the dessert "sticky rice with coconut sauce and mango" and when I opened the lid I didn't want to try anything because it was so beautifully prepared despite the to-go packaging. And it was great. Just great

Highly recommended! It was very tasty!

Terrific. We enjoyed it like we were in Thailand, we'll be back.

The food was great and we enjoyed it very much. The atmosphere was also extremely pleasant and contributed to an all-round positive experience.

Went there for the first time and reserved a table beforehand. Very cozy, inviting atmosphere. The employees are very friendly, attentive and respond patiently to several questions. The food was simply delicious. The prices are reasonable due to the quality of the food, the attentiveness of the staff, the upscale ambience and the cleanliness. We weren't here for the last time.

If you like Thailand and especially its cuisine, you will find a piece of this country in Kiel at Banmaii. Very attentive service, the food excellent. Parking on the street is a bit difficult, but the University Hospital parking garage is right around the corner. Reservation is required Photo shows “real” lemon ice cream🙂

Very good food!! Atmosphere appealing, only two people from the staff seemed to be absolutely not from the service. I ordered and drank a cocktail and after a short time noticed (painfully) that the rim was cracked. No problem, I told the waiter and the drink was poured into a new glass. Back at the table I noticed that even this glass was broken. Same procedure as before. There wasn't that much in the glass now, but it still tasted good. Other than that, I was completely satisfied. In any case, I'd love to come back.

That was really great. Our first visit was a hit. Food super class. Service very attentive. We'll definitely be back.

We Kielers eat here often, everything is just right and always. Highly recommended.

Very very tasty, a more excellent wine and a very friendly service!

Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. Prices are okay. Reservation necessary. The food was good and tasty.

Es hat hervorragend geschmeckt. Toller Service und ein sehr gutes Essen. Obwohl das Restaurant sehr gut besucht war, hat alles reibungslos geklappt.

Alles bestens, sehr lecker, tolles Ambiente, guter Service- besser geht es nicht . Aber die Getränkepreise , ein Glas Wein 0,2 l für 10, 20 Euro, ein Glas Cola 0, 2 l für 3, 90 Euro, jeder Gastronom soll was verdienen, aber das ist einfach zu viel- auch wenn die Preise insgesamt gestiegen sind.

Obwohl am Silvester Abend hat das Team es verstanden, uns äußerst freundlich, zuvorkommend und professionell einen wunderbaren Abend zu zaubern. Das Essen war geschmacklich und in der Zubereitung in jeder Hinsicht gelungen. Das Gemüse und die verwendeten Kräuter absolut frisch und knackig. Das Fleisch (Rind) in Geschmack und Güte hervorragend, die Würzburg der Speisen ein Traum. Obwohl das Restaurant gut besucht war, verlief der Service zügig und immer mit der notwendigen Aufmerksamkeit. Wir werden gerne wieder zu Besuch kommen, um die weiteren Gerichte zu probieren. Das Team soll seine Motivation und gute Arbeit unbedingt für das neue Jahr erhalten!!

The Banmai in Kiel THE restaurant in Kiel that has set the level in Kiel high from the start!! And it has lasted until this day!! Whether it is the taste of the food, which is absolutely delicious and pleasing to the eye, or the warm atmosphere in the restaurant itself. We are absolute Banmaai fans! And we'll be happy if Parminder or Amin stop by and give you a warm hug to sweeten your evening! Thank you for your hospitality! We're always happy to come back!

A reference for good upscale Thai food.

Not recommended for allergy sufferers, especially those who need gluten-free dishes! When we reserved the table, we were assured that we could get gluten-free dishes and “that wouldn’t be a problem!” Then immediately upon arrival I was asked for the allergen card, pointing out that I can't tolerate gluten. This allergen card was just the legend for which letter behind the dish refers to the individual allergens. Totally ok. But when I ordered, I was specifically asked to pay attention to the gluten in my dish. The food arrived 30 minutes later and when I asked, I had to contact the kitchen. It turned out that the dish I ordered did indeed contain gluten. In fact, the entire menu is labeled incorrectly and only two dishes can be ordered gluten-free. In fairness, this dish was at the table very quickly, so I could still eat together. After the problem was identified, all three waiters were very careful, nice and accommodating. I don't want to blame the service; among other things, one of the service staff was still very new, but handled the situation well. However, I would like to make my displeasure clear to the restaurant and management. After asking a total of 4 times and making sure, I was still served a dish with gluten. The labeling of the card is obviously knowingly incorrect. And reassuring on the phone that you can be served despite your allergy, but then only being able to do so with a lot of hassle, borders on false marketing.

Leckeres Essen auch die Vegetarier unter uns waren begeistert. Aufmerksamer aber unaufdringlicher Service. Es war voll, aber wir konnten uns dennoch gut unterhalten. Gern wieder.

Great food, great service, worth it! The only minor points of criticism are the loud background noise at full capacity and the somewhat cramped table arrangement. Still really highly recommended!

Vor allem die Suppe mit den Maronen war ausgezeichnet und raffiniert, die Wartezeit angemessen, die Bedienung sehr freundlich und interessiert. Sehr empfehlenswert

delicious food, also suitable for vegetarians.

Schöner Abend, sehr leckere Gerichte frischund in angemessener Zeit zubereitet. Toller Service mit nettem Personal. Alle aufkommenden Fragen wurden voll umfänglich beantwortet. Vielen Dank

This was our second time here. On the first visit in the summer it was a 10/10, absolute enthusiasm. Now the second time it's still good but with slight drawbacks. Unfortunately, the reserved table was located near a ventilation shaft, and it was very unpleasantly cold through the ventilation that at some point you even had to sit with your winter jacket on. But the food was great again, only the StickyRice was unfortunately too dry and not creamy compared to the first visit. The first time it was my first StickyRice ever, and I raved about it for days afterwards, unfortunately that wasn't the case this time. The first course and main course were again really great 👍🏼 Despite the small defects on the second visit, I can recommend this shop with a clear conscience 👌🏼

Great restaurant with delicious food. There were six of us and we chose different dishes. Whether from the wok or curries, everything was very tasty. We had a table by the window. Unfortunately it was very cold there. However, the friendly service quickly gave us a better/warmer seat.

Very friendly service, beautiful ambience, definitely make a reservation, I'll be back again, varied menu

An einem Sonntagabend haben wir in gemütlicher Runde ganz hervorragend gegessen - zwei von uns sind Vegetarier, die anderen beiden haben Fleisch zu ihren Gerichten gewählt - und alle waren sehr zufrieden mit ihren wohlschmeckenden Gerichten. Vielen Dank - wir kommen ganz bestimmt wieder.

Essen mit 8 Personen. Allen hat es sehr gut geschmeckt und gefallen.

Friendly welcome in a great atmosphere. Fast attentive service. The dishes were well prepared and very tasty. Here the price-performance ratio is ok. At 2100 we left the restaurant with very good Thai cuisine, it was full except for one seat. We'll be back. Thanks to the service👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😄.

Sehr lecker und äußerst freundliche Bedienung. Gerne wieder :)

Nice restaurant that scores with its cozy atmosphere, even if both the service and the kitchen still have some room for improvement.

Simply fantastic food and lovely service!

Ruhiges Ambiente ermöglicht gute Unterhaltungen 😋. Uns hat es gut geschmeckt 😋

Very great restaurant. Service, ambience and the food itself are great! 5 stars are absolutely deserved!!

Begrüßung freundlich, wurden aber gleich beim hinsetzen angesprochen das wir nur 2 Stunden Zeit hätten. Das Fleisch war leider bei allen Speisen trocken und zäh.

We would have liked a second drink, of course we could have made ourselves noticed...Hence the service only 3*. The food is relative, I'll eat something different next time ;-) That doesn't mean I didn't like it, for me it was just missing the finishing touch. Kind regards

Nice, courteous, fast service who knows his trade, in a very nice atmosphere. Food has an absolutely reasonable price/performance ratio!

The pad thai at this restaurant are simply excellent. The flavors are authentic and the ingredients are fresh. A real treat in every bite. The staff is great and always smiling, which makes the experience even more pleasant. I highly recommend!

I love the lunch special 😇 The fantastic main course comes with a delicious drink and then either an espresso or a chocolate cake 😋

Was very good! We have nothing to complain about. The staff was friendly and attentive. The ambience is classy but cozy and the food was extremely tasty and corresponded to the specified level of spiciness. Only recommended!

Eigentlich war es perfekt. Das einzige, was uns gestört hat, war, dass wir sehr schnell unser Essen bekommen haben. Wir haben gerade unsere Getränke bestellt, sind noch mal zum Händewaschen gegangen und 3 Minuten später war das Essen schon auf dem Tisch. Das hat uns etwas von einer entspannten Atmosphäre genommen. Wir waren gefühlt noch nicht richtig angekommen, konnten das Restaurant noch nicht auf uns wirken lassen und ein Gespräch war dadurch etwas unterbrochen. Das Essen war heiß und lecker, das Gemüse bissfest. Auch der Service war sehr angenehm und freundlich. Es ging uns nur zu schnell. Wenn wir Essen gehen, genießen wir gern ein gutes Gespräch, die Atmosphäre. So mussten wir uns sofort ans Essen machen, das war schade und hat das Erlebnis etwas geschmälert.

Super tasty and a great location! We felt very comfortable!

Wir haben einen Lieblingsthai gefunden. Besser geht es nicht.

Es war ein rundherum gelungener Abend, mit einem hervorragenden Service . Das Essen war aussergewöhnlich köstlich, ein Gedicht, in Worten nicht zu beschreiben. – Der Service/ Die Bedienung war sehr aufmerksam , umsichtig und eifrig. – Das Ambiente ist top und sehr zu empfehlen.

If I couldn't give a star at all then I would. I ordered a table for three people and was asked what kind of reservation it was. A birthday! When we entered the restaurant at the reserved time, we were assigned a table that would never be enough for 3 people. Approximately 1 meter x 1 meter. Right next to the toilet. Actually a table for one person, maximum for 2 and only if you turn a blind eye, but definitely not for three. Since we weren't offered another table, we left the restaurant and looked for another restaurant. It just sucks, this is not how I imagined my birthday to be!!! Banmaai never again!

The five of us celebrated a special occasion at banmaai, a true gem on Brunswiker Street. This stylishly decorated Thai restaurant enchants with its relaxing atmosphere. Despite the full house - a reservation is definitely recommended - we were looked after by an attentive and extremely friendly service team. The menu offers an impressive variety of dishes that not only impress in terms of taste but also visually. Each dish is a feast for the senses, freshly prepared and with a remarkable depth of flavor in which the individual spices are clearly evident can taste. For anyone looking for an all-round successful evening in a warm atmosphere with exquisite food, banmaai is the perfect choice.

Very good restaurant. We come here 2 to 3 times a year and for good reason. Delicious food and fair prices. The staff is in a good mood and friendly. The ambience is appealing. The menu is extensive and well structured. Here you can easily and pleasantly spend a few hours with family or friends. Clear recommendation.

A very nice atmosphere. Super nice service and delicious food. Everything was very seasoned and there was also the option to eat spicy. The starters/desserts and the espresso are also recommended. A great evening!

Super Personal und hervorragendes Essen. Gerne wieder.

Excellent cuisine, great service! Reasonable prices, quickly served. Absolutely recommended.

Jedes mal ein absolut perfekter Abend für uns. Super Essen egal was man aus der Karte auswählt. Toller Service ❤️

Our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly and the food was all delicious!

Super netter Service und unglaublich leckeres Essen. Der Sticky Rice mit Mango ist der absolute Hammer. Als Getränk dazu ein Black Ruby und du hast eine perfekte Kombo. Wir kommen gerne wieder!

Der Service war sehr aufmerksam und freundlich. Die bestellten Gerichte waren sehr schmckhaft

This is some of the best Thai food I have had. Not expected! The chef will make off-menu favorites.

Very friendly staff. High chairs are also available for small children. And the selection is very large

Top. We were all very satisfied and would love to come back.

We went here for lunch the other day and I have to say it was OK. But nothing more. You can order a menu for lunch, which includes a homemade drink and then a chocolate cake with a liquid center or an espresso. Unfortunately, the service forgot a few things, for example the dessert, which arrived quite late except for the ice cream for the child. That didn't happen anymore. It's a shame actually. The taste was quite good, but for us personally it wasn't a big hit. We sat much longer than we wanted, a total of 2 hours. That was too long for lunch.

Enticing menu, great atmosphere, attentive service. Due to heavy rainfall during the heatwave we had to sit inside, and got the Thai feeling with high temperature, humidity and original food. As recommended by a friend, the peanut curry didn't disappoint.

Wunderschönes Lokal mit welt-klasse Essen. Wir kommen bestimmt wieder !!

Very good service, excellent food. Not cheap, but definitely worth it.

Super essen und Service. Waren sehr zufrieden.

The two of us visited Banmaai today with high expectations. From the first moment we felt well looked after, the service was very attentive without being intrusive. We really liked that in addition to the delicious food. I would definitely eat here again, they still know what service and delicious food are all about!

Das Restaurant hat eine angenehme Atmosphäre. Das Personal ist sehr aufmerksam und freundlich und das Essen kommt für alle gleichzeitig und ist sehr lecker. Das Preis Leistungsverhältnis ist stimmig und wir haben einen sehr schönen Abend dort verbracht.

Delicious food in a pleasant atmosphere