Raph's BBQ in Köln

We visited Raph's BBQ in February last year and loved the Texas Heaven platter for 4 people, which cost €169 at the time. On our current visit, we noticed that the price had increased to €189, while the portion size had noticeably decreased. We also missed popular side dishes on the platter such as onion rings, the BBQ chicken sandwich and the chili poppers. The pork belly burnt ends that were previously included were replaced with regular pork belly, which was fine for us. Price increases are understandable, but please do not reduce the amount on the platter. One positive thing to note is the nice and friendly service.

We got the 4 plate. Everything really tasty. Service was great!

My husband and I were with you today with our two children, but unfortunately we were not able to enjoy the delicious food. My son choked after just the second bite. He jumped up and left the table because he felt a piece of meat stuck in his throat. Suddenly he couldn't even swallow his own spit - a moment full of worry and uncertainty. We had to pack part of the meal, but a large part was left behind. We would have loved to enjoy it so much, but the situation didn't allow it. The stuck piece of flesh was removed at the hospital today. Luckily nothing worse happened! He has to stay there one night and will be checked again tomorrow. It's a real shame - the food was fantastic but my son couldn't enjoy it. An unexpected evening that we hadn't planned.

Unfortunately, over the last few months we have noticed that the portion sizes have become steadily smaller. We can prove this exactly because we always order the same platter (what the beef platter) for 2 and each time there was less on the platter, unfortunately. Nevertheless, the service and the quality of the food are top.

very tasty, great atmosphere, we will definitely come back

Completely different than in the video. Poor quality poor service. It's just a shame that someone like that got such hype.

Great food and great service. Very accommodating. Definitely recommended

Three of us were here today and it was absolutely a dream. The food was great but the service was simply excellent and you received a very warm and friendly welcome. We had the Godfather Platter here and the three of us were completely fed up. So I will and recommend everyone to pay a visit here. As in one, an absolute heartfelt recommendation.

One of the best BBQ, meat with very good quality, price/performance is right. Definitely worth a visit!

Overall ok, but nothing more. Service is nice and it's okay to sit in the winter garden. The waitresses are nice and happy to help. Unfortunately, the food didn't impress us as much as we had hoped. We had the Holy Trinity platter for €47. Mac and cheese and coleslaw are delicious. The cornbread wasn't our cup of tea. The main actor is the meat. Ribs were tasty and tender, but some had a lot of sticky fat. The pulled pork wasn't really pulled apart and was quite dry. The brisket was extremely thin, cold and rather dry. That's where we were most disappointed.

Definitely worth a visit, especially for people who like meat. The service is very friendly and fast, the food was very tasty 😋. It's just a shame that the "Texas Heaven Platter" isn't available for just 2 people, because it has everything your heart desires

As expected, it was very, tasty. The prices are quite high, but that's not a given. A meal like this takes a long time to prepare and energy. The platter was for 4 people plus we added ribs and that was just enough. Definitely recommended for meat lovers!

Definitely awesome, so for me there could have been a little more meat if the 1st plate had had it. But I'm also a bit stocky at 100 kg. But otherwise everything was great, I drove almost 400 km there and had a nice weekend with my wife.

Incredibly delicious, the quality is top.

Phenomenal, that was a really great cinema. The pork belly was an absolute hit. However, you should be hungry. Thank you very much, see you next time.

Was there for the first time today. The service was competent, friendly and attentive. The food was very good and the meat was a taste explosion. Ambience = lovingly furnished, but far too narrow in the interior. Terrace was usable, protected from the wind and equipped with radiant heaters. All in all it was very nice with you, we would love to come back

The food is excellent and the service is courteous and on the ball

Ate at Raph's for the first time on Saturday. I was really looking forward to it and wasn't disappointed. I ate the Motherload plate and I have to say, I've never eaten anything like it. I love BBQ and often do some with friends, but what you get at Raph is awesome. The pulled pork and beef blew me away so much... juicy, tender, incredibly aromatic. Also the side dishes and the sauces... I'm getting hungry again. Everything about the food was perfect. The service was quick and very friendly. I will definitely come again.

Winter garden very nice and comfortable to sit in. Very attentive service and stunning food

I visited Raph's diner with my brother and niece last week on February 1st, 2025. I was super surprised by the service and also the food. The waiter was always courteous and also one of the laid-back kind with whom you could have fun. The three of us had the Texas Heaven Platter for 4 people. The pulled beef and brisket were simply delicious and I already know that I will miss it. Pulled pork and pork belly are also super tasty. The St. Louis ribs were super juicy and tender, they fell off the bone like nothing else like these Kaufland or Aldi ribs, there's simply no comparison. The 3 different bratwursts each tasted really different. I assume that the chili cheese beef sausage contains sections of brisket or pulled beef. The cornbread, which I didn't know before, was sweet and savory and also juicy, the drumsticks and the chicken wings were really well seasoned and the meat fell off the bone here too. The mac 'n cheese is also really really creamy. The sauces also went well with every meat. I could definitely write a whole novel about how awesome it was, but unfortunately I have to rate two things neutrally. One was the cucumber salad, but that's just a regional thing. I like it when there's a lot of dill in it and with sour cream, but as I said, this will be a regional thing. And unfortunately I have to rate the toilets neutrally because they could be a little better maintained, the paper bucket in the men's toilet was overflowing and there was some paper on the floor, but in the company that has them in the store you have to be able to turn a blind eye.

Food was great, service was great. Everything great

Unfortunately completely overpriced for the quality and service.

If you're in the mood for American cuisine, Raph's BBQ is the right place for you. We spontaneously found places in the adjoining winter garden, which was heated up by the radiant heaters. We were able to fully enjoy the food and really enjoyed it. The “Spezial Raph's Burger” isn't exactly cheap, but it tastes really good. The double patty and the size of the burger make it really clear 👍🏻 I can recommend it with a clear conscience 🙏🏻

I can only recommend the very tasty food.

The food was very tasty. Everything was nice and juicy and hot. The service is also very friendly. Everything came quickly and nothing was forgotten. Requests were also addressed. I will come again 😀 Thank you for the evening.

The first time there was simply more meat or selection on the plate. The second time, today, we ordered the same plate for €180, but this time 1/4 of the plate was full of fries (they were also delicious) - it's just a little cheeky to pay such a steep price and then have one like that Overflowing pile of potatoes are added, according to the motto, at least the guests will be full. I don't want to question the quality here because everything here is really 1A, but the price/performance ratio has to be right too. It's a shame, but we'll still come back because the meat is simply to die for.

Simply top! Great food, very friendly and courteous staff. We have been here twice and were very impressed twice. Thank you !

The restaurant is a hidden gem in the true sense of the word. I was there twice within a short space of each other. The first time I had the "Holy Trinity" alone and the second time with two people the "Godfather" record. Not cheap, but you are treated to the finest meat! I think both records are great and can recommend them all without hesitation. I particularly like the ribs with their own BBQ sauce and the brisket. The sausages taste great too! The restaurant is clearly a place for meat lovers! It's not cheap, but it's worth it! Large groups in particular can enjoy a wide selection of meat and good side dishes. The only disadvantage is the location of the restaurant and the connection to the sports hall. But anyone who takes the winding path will be well rewarded.

The food was plentiful and tasty. The service was friendly.

Celebrated my 30th birthday there with friends and family (15 people). I ordered two Texas heaven platters and all I can say is: the food is simply great. Everyone was thrilled and the price-performance ratio was just right. Plus the great atmosphere and of course the really nice and professional staff. Just the right sensitivity between asking if anyone would like something to drink and letting people eat in peace. I will definitely come back and recommend it without reservation!

Incredibly good BBQ platter. Every piece of meat was on point. Despite traveling almost 200km we will come back. We had a great evening. Thank you.

What can I say? The diner is definitely worth the hype! I have never eaten such good, authentic American BBQ in Germany. Even in the USA, at the most famous BBQ joints like Big Johns in Page, for example, I haven't had better BBQ. A lot of work is being done here. From the super crispy fries to the outstanding MacNCheese or the super juicy cornbread and the balanced pickles, beans and coleslaw and of course the star of the evening: the meat. Pulled beef and pulled pork are a weight: incredibly tender, juicy and very seasoned. No pieces of fat to disturb the mouthfeel. The ribs are huge and have just the right bite. Porkbelly is super tender and sticky. The wings and drumsticks are also super tender and sweet and spicy. The star is the great brisket. Crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside and so tasty! Everything about the Texas Heaven record was perfect. We couldn't manage the plate for four - a huge portion. The servixe is super nice! Only the winter garden was a little too cold given the current temperatures, but that wasn't a big problem and there are blankets. We'll definitely be back! An absolute top BBQ in Germany!

Large portions, super delicious food, price: 4 drinks + the platter for 2 people paid a total of €75, dogs are welcome, be sure to reserve online!

The food was a highlight that every barbecue lover must experience! The service was very attentive, but in no way intrusive: we felt very comfortable! The portion sizes are more than decent even for “good eaters”. My expectations were clearly exceeded and I'm happy to take the long journey to try out the other dishes here again. Thank you for the successful evening!

The food is mediocre, it looks very good and attractive but the quality is not that good. The service is very friendly but became intrusive at some point. Unfortunately there will not be a second meal but you are very welcome to try it out

We drove there for two hours only to get a plate with far too much fat on the meat and all the other dishes were pretty mediocre. 200€ is a bit too much for that. There's also a waitress who asks every five minutes if we want something more to drink, even though it's clear that all the glasses are still full. No ability to criticize at all, at the end I explained to the waitress that my chicken had feathers on it and she just said that they could have told that earlier. I actually find it a bit outrageous, as it shouldn't have gotten this far.

Small and cozy with very friendly service and lots of delicious BBQ offerings. Be sure to reserve a table because it is very busy!

Were there as a family of four with hungry children. The portion size was good, the food was very tasty and the side dishes were also appropriate and well sized. The cornbread was rather dry, but that probably has to be the case. The price is on the higher side, but this is justified given the effort involved in smoking. The ambience was rather mediocre because it was very narrow and therefore loud (we sat inside). 1-2 tables less would definitely be good for the atmosphere.

Food at its best. Great brisket and pulled pork. Unfortunately, given the ambience, I imagined something different from a diner.

We had reserved a table for two people in the winter garden online at short notice the day before. The beef platter for two people was just enough for us (2 men with normal hunger). The portion and price were absolutely fair and really tasty. The quality is simply great! However, if you're looking for a super chic atmosphere here, you're in the wrong place (not meant negatively)

A true BBQ heaven. Everything was really delicious. The BBQ sauces are a dream. We had the Texas Heaven Platter for 4 people. The homemade iced tea and lemonade are addictive. I was definitely not there for the last time

Very very tasty! Were there today for AYCE for €59.90 including drinks. I can recommend Safe 🫶

We've been here several times now, and today all the food was greasy. We hadn't had anything like that before. Nevertheless, the taste was very good as usual.

The 4 person Texas Heaven Platter was world class. The taste, price and quantity are all right. Plus delicious homemade iced tea and lemonade. It was very, very tasty and we will definitely come back.

The food was exorbitantly delicious, but I was disappointed with the beer selection as there was no Karlsberg Urpils.

It was very tasty, we were there for the second time. There could be a few more parking spaces but otherwise everything was great. You should love meat

We didn't make a reservation but got a table straight away. The service is really nice, attentive and courteous. He had “What the beef” and was unfortunately a little disappointed. The pulled beef was unfortunately cold and completely juiceless, the brisket unfortunately only had the full fat part and was pretty tasteless. The chili-cheese beef sausage and all the side dishes were very good. The burnt ends tasted great, but some were really hard. We'll be back again and hopefully we'll be proven wrong, but this time unfortunately only 3 stars are enough.

Have been there twice now and both times the food + service was first class. Unfortunately, last time we had to wait 35 minutes in the cold because our table was still occupied. There was a round on the house and, as always, great food. Unfortunately Raph wasn't there ^^

BBQ the way you want it... juicy, delicious, varied and super fast

We were there with a larger family. Super nice service, super awesome BBQ and cake, just FoodPorn

The food was really crazy And also super lovely staff

Food is very good. Service is also TOP An absolute recommendation.

We sat outside in the winter garden, which was heated but was still a bit permeable to wind. The food was delivered super quickly and was also super tasty!! I had the holy trinity for about 50 euros. The plate is absolutely loaded with more than enough for one person. The super nice waiters were also really friendly and helpful when deciding on a dish. Dogs are also allowed and water was also provided to us. Great overall experience!

Delicious burger, nice service, gladly again

I ate there for the first time yesterday with a friend and it was definitely worth it. Sure, it's not cheap in terms of price, but quality (and quantity!) has its price. Plus, I wouldn't go there every month, but three or four times a year, because it's more of an experience than just going out to eat. We got the beef platter for two people and were more than full afterwards, although everything was an 8 to 10 in terms of taste except maybe the cornbreads, but it's quite difficult to create a WOW effect. Service was also super nice and accommodating. At this point I apologize to the waitress because I had a brief blackout with the card reader and forgot the tip. Luckily my friend noticed it and gave it to her.

Simply sooooo delicious!!! Great service! The sauces were great 👍

The best goose in Cologne and the surrounding area! A must for us every year. But also hamburgers & Co. Made from the best quality meat, with ingenious sauces and side dishes, they are always pure enjoyment! You can tell that only good products are used to cook here. Be sure to reserve in advance! And just enjoy it piece by piece!

Great food, unfortunately the brisket was a bit dry but the sausages were fresh

We ate at Raph's BBQ because we had heard good things and were looking forward to a great BBQ experience. Unfortunately the food did not meet our expectations. Many dishes were very dry, which is really disappointing, especially with BBQ dishes. The taste was okay, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was pleasant and the service was friendly, but ultimately a visit depends on the quality of the food. It's a shame, we had hoped for more.

Absolutely deserves a full review. The small restaurant has an American BBQ atmosphere, the service is very friendly and the food was simply GREAT, really tasty!

Filled with meat, just as you would expect at a BBQ. Of course it's a matter of taste but I was missing salt in places and spices in general. Still very tasty, we will definitely come again!

Very tasty food, not just for meat lovers. Friendly service.

Impeccable quality and taste. Service was very nice and quick. Not cheap but worth every euro

Food very tasty, brisket, wings and ribs highly recommended. Nice atmosphere, good service. A rarity in Germany. We'll be back!!

We went to Raph’s for dinner today. The ambience in the winter garden was excellent, the patio heaters made it nice and warm and the food was very tasty. My 3-year-old son also enjoyed it and both the guests and the staff were absolutely child-friendly. We'll definitely be back.

The food has completely picked up

Great store, highly recommended.

Eater was super tasty, can only be recommended and a second visit is definitely not out of the question. Unfortunately, the two table was in the middle of the aisle and disrupted the personal conversation.

A visit that is worth it! We were guests last Friday. Despite the fact that the store was already busy when it opened, we were always served quickly by the friendly and attentive service staff. The food didn't take long to arrive either. This impresses with its great taste, selection and quantity and offers a great BBQ experience! In addition to the meat, the great side dishes should also be highlighted!

The team is always friendly and accommodating. The quality of the food is second to none! This is also due to the fact that everything doesn't just come straight to the plate; some dishes require the meat to be prepared for days. You can taste it with every bite. The atmosphere is cozy and informal.

I have to leave a review here because what some people are writing on social media because of their frustration is really not fair. In short: the store is great. If you like meat you won't be disappointed here. Service has always been nice (I've been there 7 times so far). Anyone who complains that they pay more for high-quality BBQ than at a fast food chain probably can't be helped. Portions are great, I eat a lot myself and you fill up well here. Hopefully it will be added soon, as the flow is so high due to the quality, it is always difficult to get a table without booking in advance. All in all a great shop! Dear Raph, more all you can eat events soon please, my boys are already waiting!

The food has tasted great for years, the service has always been friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. Even before the increased popularity through social media, we always made reservations in advance because the places are in high demand 😊

Been there 3 times, always great, even on my friend's birthday there was no room but we were able to just call and reserve a table even though it was already fully booked, which was a great thing. Really big ^^ real ami BBQ 🫡🫡

The food is great, but is surpassed by the incredibly nice service. This is where gastronomy lives ☺️

The place was very nice, small but cosy. We sit on the winter garden as we didnt have reservation, the terrace was closed and heating was there. Waiters was very nice and helpful. Food was delicious, only problem was, that we didnt have time to sit there longer and enjoy the place more. Happy to go back again!!

One of the best restaurants ever for me and I always enjoy coming here

We were there about 5 weeks ago. Of course with reservation. Everything was super delicious 👍👍👍

We were with you last night and it was amazing. The food was really great and there was something for everyone. The service was also very good. We were served promptly and the food was at the table quickly! All in all a very successful evening! Kind regards to the entire team.

We've been there several times and are always thrilled with everything - the service, the food and the great advice ❤️

Very good but damn was powerful

For meat lovers👍👍👍 Mega delicious Plenty of parking spaces available.

We planned our visit for a while and even though we are from Cologne, we made reservations in advance. Raph was super nice on the phone and we came to the BBQ very happy and full of anticipation. We had a starter that was really tasty and then we had the Aporkalypse platter for 4. There's a lot left over. Everything was super tasty. The cornbread wasn't to our taste, but Raph can't help it. The truffle mayo, coleslaw and pulled pork were divine. The cheese sausage is a taste explosion! There's so much cheese in there. If you ask Raph, you can even buy them shrink-wrapped to take home 🤩 I ordered an extra portion of burned ends and they surpassed everything. My god, that was cool! In the end, the four of us paid around €160. With starter, platter, extra burned ends, extra sauces and lots of drinks. Absolutely justified. The remaining things from the record were packed up for us and we were able to delight us again the next day. We were very satisfied and would like to come back. P.s if you come from far away EXTRA, don't reserve a table and then get upset that you can't get a seat or take things with you. This can't be helped either. Such nonsense! Don't drive somewhere for hours just on the off chance.

American barbecue with an overwhelming visual appearance. Four men ordered a four-person plate, but we couldn't eat it all. The amount is enormous. The food is delicious, but it doesn't live up to the visuals. I don't know if it was because I had high expectations, but to be honest, I didn't feel it was very delicious. Of course, the food is on the delicious side, but considering that it requires a 20-30 minute drive from the city and is expensive at 50-60 euros per person, it is difficult to give it a good score. The taste has plenty of room for improvement. The staff are extremely friendly though Having a time limit is a big drawback.

We've been regulars at Raph's BBQ for over a year and couldn't be happier. The service is always friendly and attentive, and the quality of the food remains consistently high. Absolute recommendation :)

Absolutely brilliant BBQ & great service in the restaurant and also at the catering!

So I really don't know how some people come up with a star. Next time they might be better off going to Burger King and eating an industrial burger. We've been to Raph's BBQ several times, with a reservation of course, and we've NEVER been disappointed. The food is really really good, but it also comes at a price. Good craftsmanship costs money. You may not be able to afford it every week, but once every two months is fine. You just go to junk fast food stores three times less. Then you'll have the money for Raph's BBQ. Sure, you can definitely do something with the ambience, but I prefer the food. If that fits, I don't really care about the rest.

Simply world class. We now come to you regularly. Just reserve a table online and nothing can go wrong. The food is always top, both “all you can eat” and the variants from the menu. Always happy 👍

Best authentic barbecue around. Clear recommendation

I've been to Raph's a few times now and always enjoy eating with him. The BBQ is from another planet. Really good and decent portions. The records in particular are mega. My favorite is the chili cheese sausage. I can strongly recommend Raph's BBQ ☝🏽️💯. Since the shop is often full, you should reserve in advance 😉😉😉

Just great!!! Friendly service and great food!

You can still get real BBQ here ♥️ I can also highly recommend the catering!

We ate there yesterday, simply outstanding. The food and staff were simply top, would recommend it to everyone 😊 Greetings go out to the people who think it's too expensive etc, quality has its price! Then you just have to go to a fast food chain! Keep it up ❤️ see you soon

We were at Raph's with 6 people during Gamescom and I just have to say a lot of praise. I'm a chef myself and that's why I'm often looking for something special and out of the ordinary when I go out to eat. I have rarely eaten such a great BBQ myself, from the portion size to the price as well as the incredible quality it is simply great!

We came especially from Bremen, unfortunately we weren't on your site and didn't know about reservations. We came on the recommendation of a YouTuber and weren't allowed in and we weren't even allowed to take food with us, which wasn't really disappointing either It has nothing to do with service Instead of apologizing you make me the guilty party here, I'm really disappointed 😞 And when we were there, the shop wasn't full, there were several tables free

Best shop, really good, homemade BBQ and friendly people there. Always my pleasure!

Incomparable. The quality of the products is second to none. Anyone who cares about the type of meat and the different cooking methods knows how much work goes into it. This is an art form that doesn't often make it across the pond. Raph and his team did it. You don't have to go to Tennessee or Texas for that :-) Great shop, we keep coming back

Super tasty BBQ with reasonably sized portions. For me it's the closest store to American BBQ in the USA!

Attmosphere was great combining BBQ place and garden view. Was sweet that small heating systema werr offered. Service was very polite with always big smiles. Brought great happiess before meal. Food was a bit too zalty. Taste and zaltiness reminded me old style of European cooking. Meat was too dry for pulled pork, pulled beef and brisket burn ends. Was a bit pitty. However, if you want to experience party plate with meats. This shop can be a place to go for it.

We visited Raph's BBQ to celebrate the birth of a friend's second child - and the choice couldn't have been better! I first came across the shop through the food truck at the Street Food Festival in the Duisburg Landscape Park. The Peanut Butter Bacon Burger was already a hit back then, and the restaurant more than lived up to expectations. Luckily we had a reservation because the store was full when it opened. We ordered the Texas Heaven Platter for six, and everything was tender and juicy, with perfectly coordinated glazes. I would particularly like to highlight the ribs and chicken wings with the spicy-sweet sauce. Sides like fries, cornbread, mac & cheese and cucumber salad rounded out the meal. The journey of over an hour was totally worth it – we will definitely come back!

Very cozy little restaurant and super delicious food 🥘