Raph's BBQ in Köln

Unfortunately, the food was cold, and we sat for a long time without water in the "winter garden".

The hype is real: a must for all meat lovers! Of course, quality comes at a price. Here, the whole package is just right. Highly recommended! We'll definitely be back! Keep it up!

Top BBQ spot in Cologne! Juicy ribs, pulled pork, and burgers—all made with genuine BBQ love. Rustic atmosphere, cozy beer garden, and super friendly service. Perfect for a great meal with family or friends. We'll definitely be back!

Directly attached to a tennis club, yet still independent. Plenty of seating, all in all very comfortably furnished. Four adults and I had the "Aporkalypse Platter" with a generous selection of pork (pulled pork, Raph's Krakauer, smoky bratwurst – both sausages made especially according to their own recipe!!! –, St. Louis ribs, pork belly) and plenty of side dishes (coleslaw, mac 'n' cheese, French fries, baked beans, cornbread, and grilled corn on the cob), plus plenty of homemade sauces. This would certainly have fed two more people. The rest was packed away. Everything was very tasty, the service was excellent, friendly, and attentive. It's something you'll gladly come here for, even from far away. A rating of *

Almost €15 for 100g of brisket. In my opinion, that's a tiny slice. This can't be justified by increased costs and effort. Far too expensive! ---- Addendum to the owner's reply: Thank you! It's always nice to see how well others can handle criticism. Furthermore, I didn't spread any "nonsense and lies," but rather expressed my opinion on the pricing policy, which, as you can see, is met with a very aggressive and insulting response. And you don't need to have visited a restaurant to have an opinion on publicly displayed prices. You could simply explain how the prices are calculated. --- 2nd Addendum: I would like to clarify that I did not make any false statements. I merely stated that -- I personally received no explanation of the pricing in response to my criticism, - the prices are publicly displayed, - and that I personally find these prices high. ``` The way criticism is handled here – including personal attacks – has nothing to do with a factual discussion and could even legally constitute defamation. Responding to such replies with insinuations and personal attacks only confirms why I left my review.

Best BBQ place in Cologne! I highly recommend the burgers!!!

The food was lukewarm at best for everyone; the quality was definitely better on previous visits. The taste was still okay, but one expects better here. At the end of our time slot, we were rather unceremoniously ushered out, even though we hadn't finished some of our dessert. The restrooms were also in poor condition. It's a shame; it used to be a better experience. This shouldn't happen at these prices.

Yes, we would love to visit Ralph's BBQ again.

Super cozy, with an outdoor area (even in winter with a patio heater), stylish decor, and everything from coffee to BBQ and meat platters is delicious. Parking available, with an adventure playground, child-friendly, excellent service, highly recommended!

I don't know whether to be thrilled or disappointed. The food was of very good quality, although unfortunately it was cold. The atmosphere wasn't pleasant at all. We sat outside in sub-zero temperatures, protected only by a plastic sheet. I felt €240 was too expensive for the ambiance. Tasty, but there's room for improvement.

Really excellent BBQ. The brisket and beef ribs are definitely the highlights! All the side dishes were top-notch too.

We were a group of 16 and ordered various grill platters in advance. The food was delicious and the portions were huge. However, the price was also on the higher side. It cost between €30 and €40 per person – without drinks.

Incredibly good BBQ and excellent service. I've been there several times and have never been disappointed.

We had the Texas Heaven for 8 people (we ate well but couldn't finish everything). Everything was perfect, the meat was incredibly delicious, I can only recommend it. I will definitely come back.

We tried everything on the menu. Everything was good except for the brisket and the burnt ends. Both were dry and not good. The burnt ends were also swimming in sauce. Sorry, but for the price of those two items, it's outrageous to offer them like that. Use better quality meat, then you'll deserve 5 stars for the food. As it is, it's rather disappointing.

The beautifully designed outdoor area creates a holiday atmosphere. The food is excellent and the service is always very friendly. The children love the large play tower. Highly recommended!

Nice enghou really , i think this is wonderful spot for big groups and familys. But as a solo geust it's just nice.

BOOM.... Really good and delicious!

Just as good as expected, and the price is absolutely right. You get a lot for your money. Friendly service. Parking is a bit tricky because of the padel tennis hall next door.

The food was very good overall – the brisket was particularly outstanding! The mac and cheese and the cornbread on the side, however, were a bit disappointing. The beer garden setting is nice and inviting, but the interior is rather average. The service was friendly and attentive. Overall, a worthwhile visit, especially for brisket lovers.

They write things on the bill that aren't even on the menu, e.g., "marinated Carolina frog legs" or "hand-milked bull dairy steak".

There were two of us, and we ordered a "What the Beef" platter, along with baked beans, wings, fries, and drinks separately. The platter was a disappointment in both taste and quantity—especially considering the price of €75! Contents of the platter: a few strips of brisket two small sandwiches a single sausage—for two people! It was supposed to be a chili-cheese sausage, but there was no hint of chili or cheese; it was just a regular beef sausage two small, greasy pieces of corn that had clearly never seen a grill a few small pieces of dry cornbread The platter also included three mini-cups of mac 'n' cheese, burnt ends, and coleslaw. The baked beans, which we ordered separately, also came in a tiny pot—for €5.90! You can get a whole doner kebab for that price elsewhere. I expected at least one sausage per person and their own portion of mac 'n' cheese, coleslaw, etc. Instead, everything was only available once. Taste: None of the meats were flavorful. There was a complete lack of smoky or grilled flavor – the only taste came from the sugary sauces. The burnt ends were swimming in sugary sauce, and the brisket wasn't juicy, just greasy. The wings also lacked any hint of grilled or smoky flavor – just a sweet sauce. Conclusion: Anyone expecting American BBQ with smoky and grilled flavors will be very disappointed. The flavor doesn't come from the meat, but solely from the sauces. The only thing that was acceptable in terms of value for money was the fries. The service was friendly.

Absolutely delicious, ...worth every penny TOP!!!

A great place for fans of grilled food. I think you definitely need to be a meat lover. They also offer vegan options, but the focus is clearly on meat. One platter for two really satisfied the two of us. It would be difficult for people with smaller appetites. The price-performance ratio is excellent. And the service is very friendly, too.

Great BBQ Very tasty and authentic

Everything was great except for the tables and the light food is mega awesome delicious

We had a platter for two people. Very tasty, not exactly cheap, but definitely worth it, even considering the hour-long drive.

We were there for the first time and wanted to experience Raph's BBQ. Objective: The temperature of the food: room temperature / lukewarm. The brisket was outstanding, the other beef dishes were partly dry – I assume that was an exception. The side dishes were plentiful – great cornbread. Subjective: The very sweet BBQ sauce (too sweet for me) is found everywhere on the plates. I feel there's a lack of variety. The service is very friendly and unfussy – I really liked that. Unfortunately, the crumbs and other small food scraps at neighboring tables were simply wiped onto the floor… that was less than charming. A big minus for the restrooms, or rather, for the clientele, in their use of the restrooms. Overall: It didn't live up to the hype; the food was okay, but the cleanliness wasn't up to scratch.

decent portions and pretty tasty food

For meat lovers/BBQ lovers it's a very good place to try. I ordered the : What the beef, for 2 average eaters it's a good amount. It doesn't have fries, so u have to extra for that. Other than that nothing to complain about. The staff was very friendly and they extended our reservation so we could stay longer. In total a good place to try if u were near köln.

The best place for BBQ in NRW! People working there are also very kind. Highly recommended!

The food was absolutely awesome 😁

The Godfather's Plate was a real highlight. While priced at the higher end, the quality, preparation, and taste were worth every cent. A restaurant that prioritizes enjoyment.

Absolutely incredible food. Best BBQ I've had outside of the US. You should absolutely make a reservation, otherwise you risk being turned away.

We went to Ralph's BBQ for an all-you-can-eat meal. There were only 8 items to eat, 3 of which were cold side dishes. Nevertheless, they failed to bring these few items to the table hot all evening. The pulled pork was also dry and lacking in flavor. The St. Louis ribs were far too fatty for me, but that's a matter of taste; if you like fat, you'll love them. The brisket was far too firm and a bit dry, but flavorful. Overall, for the meat selection, the poor preparation (too dry, too flavorless), and the lukewarm food, the price was completely overkill. There are significantly better American BBQs in Cologne at comparable prices, but with much more selection and better service.

I ate here yesterday and was unfortunately disappointed. We ordered the Godfather platter, and the best part was the sausage. Unfortunately, the ribs were too dry, and in some places they were so hard (not the bones, but the meat). The pulled pork was also very dry, as were the wings. The platter also comes with two beers of your choice. Unfortunately, we didn't get any, and we weren't even asked for one. It's a shame, really, considering how well the restaurant is being talked about online.

Hmmm, wasn't my thing, the food was cold and too spicy. The price was OK.

Maybe things weren't going so well today. Unfortunately, some of the meats were only lukewarm to cold, or even dry. We didn't think it was bad, but that doesn't give us a reason to come back. Of course, tastes differ, and everyone should try it and form their own opinion. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Good bbq joint. Platters are very generous and meat is properly smoked. Will definitely be back.

We went there at the request of our adult children. There were seven of us, and the journey took over an hour. The trip wasn't worth it for me. My chosen dish was a 4 out of 10, and despite the hefty price, it didn't come with fries, which bothered me. My children were only moderately satisfied. For me, the value for money isn't right.

We will definitely be back soon.....

Best BBQ of my life. Every piece of meat was a dream. Simply delicious!

Easily accessible and plenty of parking. The service was okay, but it improved towards the end when more experienced staff arrived. The BBQ itself wasn't bad, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The brisket was very firm, the chicken wings and pulled pork were good, but otherwise, it was okay. The pulled beef was very dry. For the money, I expect something better.

There were nine of us and we ordered the large platter for eight people. Everything was delicious and more than enough. Good meat, tasty sausages, and delicious side dishes. Highly recommended.

We visited Ralph's BBQ for the first time on September 21, 2025, and opted for the all-you-can-eat event. There's no information on the website about the scope of the all-you-can-eat menu, so we assumed they'd offer everything listed on the menu. We're absolute beef lovers and were looking forward to burnt ends, pastrami, etc., and were massively disappointed. There were only four meat options: brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, and drumsticks, making them among the cheapest meats in terms of cost. The biggest criticism was that all the dishes were lukewarm. The brisket and pulled pork were dry; it didn't feel like the meat had been freshly cut or torn. The St. Louis ribs were too fatty for me, but that was due to the cut, so they weren't a good option for me. The drumsticks were good, but overall, all the meats were rather lightly seasoned, which is different from what I've seen in the US, but that's purely a matter of taste, of course. The only side dishes were potatoes and coleslaw, which was otherwise very tasty. The side dishes were complemented by two sauces: a light BBQ sauce and a sour cream sauce. Both sauces were delicious, but I would have preferred at least more sauces given the limited variety of ingredients. This would have been possible even with the limited kitchen capacity. I also missed mixed pickles and a fresh component like cucumber salad, which is typical for an American BBQ. Dessert isn't included either, which is strange at €60 per person. The cheapest commercial ice cream, at €1.80 per scoop, is an absolute no-go! Conclusion: Far too expensive for the limited selection, especially when it's served lukewarm.

Highly recommended. Service was super friendly and the meat was good too.

The all-you-can-eat meal was very tasty and of good quality. The meat was particularly tasty, but I would have liked a bit more variety. There were only four types of meat, which got a bit monotonous after a while. With a greater variety—perhaps changing at different times—the experience would have been even better. The side dishes were also very tasty and rounded off the whole experience nicely. Overall, a recommendable restaurant that would have been perfect with a bit more variety.

Highly recommended. I'd gladly go back...it's just too far away.

Very tasty burgers and grilled food.

Highly recommended...I'm not a fan of chicken wings, but Raph's are absolutely gigantic, juicy, and delicious. The sauces for the meat are simply delicious. We were there with six people, and everyone loved it. This won't be the last time we visit you. Thank you for this wonderful, absolutely fantastic evening.

We stopped by Raph's BBQ on our way back from Gertrudenhof. We were able to reserve a table online in the morning. The two of us ordered the Aporkalypse Platter for two people and were absolutely thrilled. The St. Louis ribs are truly amazing. So tender and juicy. Overall, we liked everything on the platter. The sides were also incredibly delicious. I wasn't expecting much from the beans, as I'm not much of a bean person anyway, but they were really delicious too :) With a drink each and a small tip, we only spent €35 per person. For what you get, that's really great. We'd love to come back :)

The food and service were top-notch, the prices were perfectly reasonable for the quality. Unfortunately, the parking situation is very poor, as there are far too few spaces for the number of guests that can be accommodated. Furthermore, there's only one restroom for approximately 100-150 guests. Unfortunately, that's exactly what it looked like ☹️. I also found it a bit strange that a table can only be booked for 1.5 hours. It's a shame for the dining culture, where people don't just eat but also chat. If I want to meet friends, I meet at a currywurst stand or something similar.

Everything was perfect. A very nice restaurant, and the food is the best in Cologne. Highly recommended.

Truly excellent food! The beef platters are amazing and incredibly delicious. We actually found it a little disappointing that we couldn't pay separately for a table of eight people. This should be improved, please.

Was very good, plate for 2 only recommended

I visited Raph's BBQ Diner on a recommendation. The location is a bit hidden, and the setting takes some getting used to at first, but you quickly feel at home. The selection is large and varied, so everyone can find something to suit them. The food arrived quickly, and the service was friendly. The taste didn't quite match my personal preferences, but that's not the restaurant's fault—the quality of the food was absolutely impressive. Definitely a recommendation for BBQ fans.

A definite recommendation! The team is fast, the meat is so tender it practically falls off your fork. The ambiance was great. The espresso was also excellent. Only the mac & cheese wasn't everyone's cup of tea – otherwise, highly recommended.

Friendly and attentive service, delicious food, and we were both completely satisfied. Thank you very much!

Great food, super friendly service, highly recommended.

Definitely recommended. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation, though, as it can get crowded otherwise. Prices are high, but the quality of the food is worth it.

Very tasty food, very filling. Price per person perfectly OK.

A plate for two people for more than 120€ and no side dish. It's a shame that really ruined the meal. If I go there again I'll never order anything for two people again.

We dined here several weeks ago. The food itself was delicious and more than enough. I shared a platter for two with a friend and we were really full. The taste was generally really good too. Unfortunately, the food didn't arrive at the table very hot, so it was already cold by the time we got halfway through. That was a real shame and annoying, because the cold meat ruined a lot of the food. I can eat cold meat the next day, but not in a restaurant! We told the service staff about it, but they just said they'd give it away. For a meal that costs well over 100 euros, I expect hot food, and if something goes wrong, I'll be more than happy to give it away.

Dear Raph's Team Thank you for the wonderful time we had with you! Really great food! Great service! And to all those who always complain, if something is good and handmade, it costs a euro more! We'll be back 😇 Best wishes Sabine and Norbert

I think it's a bit overhyped. They forgot the pulled beef on our platter... The brisket is good. But I've had better ribs, to be honest... You can get similarly good meat at a good brewery, I think. It's worth trying once - but I wouldn't repeat it.

Definitely, I'd love to come back from Kiel. The food and service were great!

Very tasty food, top-quality meat. Great BBQ

So, unfortunately, we were blinded by the great videos. We were expecting the finest BBQ, but were sadly disappointed. The service was good, friendly, and fast. The food arrived quickly, but unfortunately only lukewarm. The ribs (which I was most looking forward to) had a very high fat content, not much meat on them, the brisket wasn't that juicy, but the pulled pork was good, and I personally didn't like the mac & cheese at all. The BBQ sauce was good, the mustard sauce not. Bottom line: it looks great, but the taste isn't that great for me. Price for Holy Trinity + drink: €51.80. We won't be going back. Nevertheless, I wish you continued success.

We had a wonderful meal outside in the beer garden. The preparation and taste of the food were particularly perfect. Even a vegan enjoyed her meal. Thank you, we'll be happy to come back to the BBQ again.

It was very tasty there. I can recommend the Brisket Burn Ends to everyone! They were incredibly delicious. The selected BBQ sauces to go with the meal were also very, very tasty. The chili cheese bratwurst was also very good, and the spice level was perfectly acceptable; I rarely eat spicy food. The homemade bread is also great combined with the sauces. The coleslaw was a bit different, but I liked it too. The only thing that wasn't quite my cup of tea was the iced tea, but that wasn't bad at all. Overall, it was a very delicious evening, and anyone nearby who's into BBQ should check it out ❤️😅 The food you see was enough for three people and was very good.

This restaurant definitely lives up to all the hype

Very tasty food, even though it was a bit cold.

We went to Raph's BBQ Diner yesterday and ordered the Texas Heaven platter for four people. Everything was delicious (meat and sides) and we couldn't quite finish it. Another highlight was the very nice, friendly, and cheerful service! That's unfortunately rare these days when visiting restaurants. Good food, great service, highly recommended!

We went to Raph's BBQ this evening and were extremely satisfied. We had the Texas Heaven platter for 4 people and were more than satisfied 🤣 The meat was of the highest quality and very tasty, and the sides and sauces were all top-notch! The service was super friendly and attentive. It's definitely worth a visit, and we'll be back! 😍 Thank you for the lovely evening ☺️

The all-you-can-eat food was very filling, but the brisket, for example, was very dry. The ribs were good and very large, and the pulled pork was good.

We went to Raph's with our little daughter for the first time today, and it was absolutely delicious. The platter for two could easily have served four, and the quality of the food is top-notch. The service is very attentive, and the atmosphere somehow reminds me of my childhood. The playground on site was also a welcome change for our little daughter. We'd love to come back again <3

One of the few places that offers authentic BBQ. Very tasty, though not exactly cheap. For pulled beef or pulled pork, for example, the sauce has to be ordered separately. I find this incomprehensible, since the whole thing only tastes half as good without BBQ sauce. The selection is excellent. I'd happily come back again.

Update: A comment/reply from the owner following this review essentially confirmed the initial impression. PS: The parking query is part of Google's query and one of several categories you fill out when writing a review. But that seems to be just as unknown as the professional handling of feedback. —- Atmosphere: Tennis hall. Still quite nice on the terrace. Drink prices reasonable. Menu appealing. Service great. Food: Average at best, less so. We had burgers (okay), fries (very good), and the Motherload Platter. The latter was completely overpriced at almost €38 and overall unappealing to me personally. The only thing I liked was the bratwurst. The rest had either too much or too little flavor. Personal feedback. If you've ever been to a good BBQ joint in Frankfurt or Berlin, or even in the US: I don't know if you'll be happy here. We won't be returning. But I had the feeling other people enjoyed themselves.

Excellent! We made a quick stop during a road trip to Denmark and it was a nice surprise! The meats are tasty, the staff very attentive and smiling. A real pleasure!

For all those who like to eat hearty meat and other specialties, this is your spot 😁😁😁👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The BBQ was delicious and the meat was top-quality! Definitely worth a visit for the food. Unfortunately, the service was a bit inattentive and not very explanatory. For larger groups, space is limited, and there was also some confusion with reservations. However, they tried their best, and everything worked out. The ambiance is very rustic.

Highly recommended. Great, good, high-quality meat and side dishes at a reasonable price. The portions are generous—even too much for a normal eater.

Very nice atmosphere and good service. The brisket was great, the ribs were fall off the bone. I didn't like the mac and cheese that much, but who comes for the sides? The meat was simply top-notch. 100% recommended. I would give it 120% if you offered beef ribs. Absolutely good value for money!

After following Raph on Instagram for a few months, I finally had the chance to try his BBQ. The two of us had the What the Beef platter with St. Louis ribs instead of the pastrami sandwiches, along with truffle parmesan fries. Since my wife "unfortunately" can't manage that much, I often sacrifice myself to use up leftovers. I didn't manage that with the platter. I tried and really gave it my all, which is why I'm currently in a food coma. In reality, the portions are significantly larger than they appear in photos or videos, and more than fair for the price. My conclusion: Meat lovers and BBQ fans will definitely get their money's worth here! The quality and taste of the food was fantastic. The service was also very good. Only the ambiance, right next to the tennis court, is so-so, but I'm happy to overlook that.

Tastes great for the BBQ people, otherwise I recommend the burgers

A true BBQ experience like in the USA! The meat was super tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked—a delight. The coleslaw, in particular, was really fresh and delicious, as were the other side dishes. The selection of sauces was also top-notch and rounded off the whole thing perfectly. If you like authentic BBQ, this is the place for you!

Lives solely off influencer advertising. The food is mediocre at best. Brisket and pulled pork have little smoke, more like they come from a combi steamer and then kept warm for an endless amount of time. Bone-dry. The chicken is rather rubbery. Not well done. The sausages are okay, but nothing more. You can get this quality in any supermarket these days. And all at prices that would make the guy pay his ass off. You get the impression that everything is designed for maximum profit. I think very few guests come more than once.

I had high expectations based on YouTube, etc., which were only partially confirmed. The food arrived very quickly and was presented on a platter as expected. It tasted quite delicious, but I was a bit disappointed because the briskers and ribs were a bit dry. The sides (cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw, pickles) were good; the cornbread surprised me a lot. The sausages are also very good. The service, however, disappointed me. We were quickly brought to our table, and our drinks and food also arrived quickly. However, we had to wait about 30 minutes for the bill, reminded the server twice that we wanted to pay, and ultimately, we were billed for the wrong table. A receipt was not issued. After recalculating our meal using the menu, it became clear to me that we had been charged incorrectly. When I mentioned this to the staff, it took 15 minutes for someone to correct the error. Unfortunately, there was no tip for this. The ambiance is great, though, really nice. For someone who doesn't regularly BBQ and knows how to make really juicy and delicious BBQ, this restaurant will leave nothing to be desired. For someone like me, who does regularly BBQ, it's better to stay home and make it yourself.

Dinner was very pleasant. We ordered a platter with various dishes, of which the ribs, coleslaw, and truffle fries were particularly recommendable. We found the pulled pork rather mediocre, and the brisket was too dry and generally not very flavorful. Perhaps we just got a bad cut, though, as everything else was very well seasoned. Cornbread and mac n cheese are a matter of taste in our opinion; they weren't our cup of tea. The service was attentive and good. Unfortunately, the heated conservatory is more of a covered terrace, so it can get cold there in windy conditions.

This was our first time here and we would go again. We had a "Raph's Motherload" platter, which was really, really good and everything on it was delicious. What was extremely disappointing was the "Bacon Cheeseburger." Unfortunately, it was one of the worse burgers we've had so far. Furthermore, the price of €17.40 without a side order is, to put it mildly, outrageous. The service was excellent! You were never left wanting, and both the drinks and the food were very quick. Subjectively, I didn't like the ambiance that much.

We went there for dinner with friends. It was fantastic. The food was delicious and the value for money was right on. There's also a small playground for children right on the premises.

Very good food, and you don't have to wait long for your food. The brisket is my favorite here, 10/10

If you love BBQ, this is the place for you. It's absolutely delicious. We treated ourselves to a platter for two. The meat was tender and fell off the bone. 😍... Worth every cent.

Top-notch BBQ, great meat. I'll definitely be back!!!

Super delicious food. Two of us had Raph's Motherload platter, which is actually for one person, with a portion of fries, and we were absolutely stuffed. Great, we'll definitely be back.

The meat was incredibly juicy. And the team looked after us very well. We had to have some food packed up afterward. Top Top

Raph, you're a great guy! This is what BBQ should be like! And the staff does a really great job. Keep it up! I'll definitely be back!

I've been to other BBQ restaurants with similar reputations before and can say this is one of the worse. Food, meat, drinks: The food was solid but not outstanding. We had a Texas Heaven Platter for 4 people. The spare ribs, etc., were juicy and delicious. The fries were carelessly slapped on top and not served right away. The homemade iced tea was delicious. Definitely recommended. Service: The service was nonexistent. After we got our table and ordered food and drinks, we didn't see the waiter again for over 1.5 hours. They didn't ask if we wanted more or if everything was okay. We were actually willing to leave some money. It didn't come to that. After ordering drinks for the first time, we were left high and dry for 1.5 hours. All the tables that became available weren't cleared, and for over an hour, the tables were full and, according to the waiter, weren't cleared because of the rain. In my opinion, the service is anything but structured and unfortunately significantly lowers the restaurant's quality.

HIPE in TikTok is incomprehensible... A bit overrated...

Highly recommended! We were there with 8 adults (one of whom was vegetarian) and 4 children. Everyone loved the food and service! Thank you very much!