Warung Bayu in Köln

The tofu is truly delicious, and the portions are generous. Unfortunately, the hype isn't doing the restaurant any good. We had to wait in line for 10 minutes at the cash register to pay. Other guests were eating next to us, and we were standing right next to the table. It was unpleasant for everyone. The line for customers wanting to enter the restaurant was also long, and everyone was standing in the middle of the store.

Top 3 restaurants in Cologne. Especially the tofu peanut dish and the chicken dish with the dark sauce. Definitely worth trying; I didn't like tofu before.

Incredibly unfriendly service. He asks what we want to drink, turns around, and leaves without waiting for an answer. Better go to Bali; the food is delicious, the service is great, and the prices are more reasonable.

The food is okay, but not outstanding, and definitely too expensive for the quality! The service is incredibly unfriendly, so you don't feel at all comfortable there. Furthermore, every other thing we ordered was forgotten, and we had to remind the waiters several times. The Bali on Brussels Square isn't far away and is 100% more worthwhile!

Overall, this is a restaurant I really enjoy eating at. The food and the legendary 265 are very good. The service is sometimes a bit "lost," but that doesn't detract from the positive impression of the food. You can share dishes, there's a large selection, and so far I've found everything delicious. A clear recommendation, and the prices are absolutely top-notch.

Unfortunately, completely disappointed. After the reservation was a disaster, things didn't get much better on site. The tables are so close together that you really have problems meeting people. Finally, when you get to the table, you are practically pressured to order a certain dish which is supposedly the best. After you have ordered, it doesn't take long before you are told to change your order to that one specific dish. Very uncool. I had sate pork. The cooking crust was very close to: welded with a wooden stick. Sorry, that's not okay. After the meal, you are asked if you would like anything else and if this is not the case, you are told: Please pay at the counter. You can interpret this however you want. My conclusion: once and never again.

We went here a few weeks ago with friends following a recommendation. The ambiance itself (we sat outside) was fine. Unfortunately, some of the food wasn't as tasty as expected, some was quite tasty—overall, it was perfectly fine, but not outstanding. However, because the service was so overwhelmed and even unpleasant at times, the quality of the food definitely wouldn't warrant a repeat visit. We were advised that it would be better to choose one of the few most popular dishes, and after three of the six of us insisted on their request, it took a very long time to receive our food (later orders from other tables arrived earlier), and another server dryly told us that what one of us had ordered was boring... Some of the drinks didn't arrive for over half an hour, and our last drink order took even longer to arrive, arriving quickly when we tried to leave and pay without it. We were asked twice to make room for larger groups, meaning we had to change tables. The second time, we weren't in the mood anymore... Our request to pay was met with a nod. When no one came for 20 minutes, we asked again and were told that we had to go to the cashier... We wish we'd known that earlier... On weekends, it seems to be very busy here and people are overwhelmed. This doesn't excuse the sometimes unpleasant tone and unfriendly service. For us, this was the first and last time.

Highly recommended! Delicious food and friendly staff. We'd love to come back.

Best Indonesian restaurant in Cologne. No. 265 is a must!

The food was good, and the service was fast. We sat inside, so unfortunately it was very loud and difficult to hold a conversation.

The food was truly exceptional. The service itself wasn't bad, but the tone of voice was appalling. I've never experienced anything like it as a guest before. I couldn't, and still can't, get over it.

Nice location, but the service was so-so and could have been better. You place your order and you're still talking when the waiter turns around. The main courses didn't taste fresh, and there were hardly any vegetables in a dish that was supposed to be half vegetable. The chicken was unfortunately undercooked, and the rice was very overcooked and bland. There are much better Indonesian restaurants in Cologne.

Certainly one of the best restaurants in Cologne for Southeast Asian cuisine. Vegetarians, especially, will find a great selection here. Fantastic tofu, spicy and crunchy, goes well with many dishes. Sitting outside in the courtyard is especially wonderful in summer; it's usually a bit crowded inside. It's best to make a reservation, as it's usually busy.

I find these reviews incomprehensible. The food was absolutely terrible. We ordered duck and supposedly crispy chicken. The food was neither fresh nor warm. The fruit was supposed to add an exotic touch, but it was canned pineapple and lychee, with no vegetables other than one bell pepper. I find the hype incomprehensible. We were only able to eat part of the second plate because we were so hungry; we didn't eat the rest—that sticky, ready-made chicken sauce. There's certainly no shortage of decent Asian or Thai/Vietnamese restaurants in Cologne. This place simply serves substandard food at exorbitant prices. Any snack bar in Cologne will offer you a better Far Eastern culinary experience.

I've been going to this restaurant for years. Excellent food and great service! Keep it up!

Disappointingly good food, but inhumane working conditions We were here on August 14, 2025, on a very hot summer day. We were about to leave because it was unbearably hot inside, but we ordered anyway because of the many good reviews. The food tasted good, but the staff seemed noticeably irritated—probably not because of the customers, but because the owner obviously intentionally exposes his employees to this heat. In Bali, even the smallest shop has air conditioning, but not here. This misery towards the employees is also passed on to the guests. It's a shame that the well-being of the employees and guests seems to be the last priority here.

One of the best shops in Cologne. Super tasty, fresh, and fast. The 265 is a dream for anyone who doesn't eat meat!

Incredible Indonesian food! I recommend having a reservation on the weekend, but if you don't they'll still squeeze you in - well worth waiting for a table!

The food is delicious, service is fast, two employees are friendly but the owner is disgustingly arrogant and unfriendly even though we gave him a nice smile. We gave him a tip and he didn't say thank you. The tip is actually for the friendly employee.

Very tasty. Reasonable prices. I'll be back.

Food just oke. We ordered soto and lumpia. Soto didn’t taste the lemongrass for me. Lumpia was too much oily. The vibe there was nice. I doubt about the food taste but maybe if i order the big meal for dinner it would be a different story. Location also super nice

First of all, a quick note: I've been there four times already, so I'm combining my reviews from different visits. We had reserved a table by phone on a previous visit the same day, but unfortunately, the information wasn't passed on to the staff on site, or it wasn't recorded. After a quick check, we were given a table that became available on the spot, so we made a nice turn of an unpleasant situation. Thanks to the staff. However, the food is, of course, the most important thing here. If you order a curry there, no matter which one, you'll get the standard ready-made curry paste flavor. We didn't notice any Balinese herbs and spices in any of the dishes. Except for a piece of lemongrass or Thai basil. On one visit, we had the shrimp with fish dish, which consisted of three small shrimp and a really cheap frozen pollock fillet... the more than €20 was absolutely not justified. We also had a tofu dish in yellow curry with banana... well, pre-fried tofu with pre-made curry paste and three bananas... again, not worth the almost €20 price tag. But there are also positive aspects. The tofu dish on menu 265 is very well-known and truly delicious. It's worth stopping by again. Feel free to have that dish, or some of the meat dishes, like the pork belly, are also okay. Last but not least, the ambiance takes some getting used to, as it can get very, very loud in the place. It's too crowded for my taste to get enough customers in, and if you plan on having a conversation, it'll be difficult without raising your voice. The outdoor area is definitely worth it, and in good weather, it's a great place to eat.

visiting this place for the first time, I found it less than pleasant. I requested less spicy but the food still spicy also the service was disappointing. They were unfriendly and overbearing . Hopefully, this can be improved in the future

A feast for lovers of East Asian cuisine! Omnivores, vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans will all get their money's worth here😋 I finally made it to Warung Bayu in Cologne, and it was delicious! Only the rice wasn't enough for me (an Asian cliché problem🤭) and I had to reorder. 🍚🤍 For my starter, I had cassava (fried cassava chips), which had confused me because the name is considered a sweet dish in Filipino culture. Here, I learned that it's a savory appetizer.😄 My companion had the same appetizer, "Bulat Bulat Keju," in its original form, although the cassava was more of a side dish to the fried cheese-filled balls (see first photo). For the main course, we both had "Cah Tahu Buncis" ("spicy, crispy fried tofu sautéed with green beans & eggplant in garlic, chili & scallions accompanied by a spicy peanut sauce"). However, I had the animal-friendly version, and my friend got the original; in this case, the tofu was fried in egg (2nd photo on the left is the original, on the right is the animal-friendly version). The service was really busy, but they didn't make anyone wait too long and were courteous. The interior looked well-kept and comfortable, although we were seated in the courtyard due to the summer weather. Overall, I'm very impressed! By the way, my companion has been here countless times, and she recommended it accordingly.🤗

Best Asian food I've had so far, good portion, family friendly

Lovely food but be warned they do not take any foreign credit cards, only German cards. Portions are generous and well presented. Courtyard at the rear is great in good weather.

Very tasty food! The prices aren't exactly cheap, though.

I don't understand how this can be a popular restaurant. The food was cold to lukewarm and seemed to me like it had been sitting in large batches all day, ready to be served. The meat was over-battered, and even the sauce was more reminiscent of a ready-made sauce than something homemade. Furthermore, the service was very unfriendly and practically pressured us to finish our food and leave quickly. I've actually had better service at a Thai fast food restaurant.

Anyone who only has eyes for the house specialty, Tumis Sayur, will leave the shop very happy. Sometimes you just have to squint a little for the other things.

My absolute favorite restaurant! I especially recommend number 265. Tip: Call ahead and make a reservation, as it's always been full. It's worth it!

The food is truly excellent, especially the classic 265, which is delicious. Unfortunately, you don't feel welcome here. The service is incredibly unfriendly and hectic. This is definitely not the place for a relaxed sit-down and a glass of wine. For a quick meal or to-go, it's perfect.

OMG, the food is amazing!!!!!🤩🤩 My kids and I are here for the first time, and we'll definitely be back tomorrow!!! Amazing!! Very friendly service and a great atmosphere!!! Thank you so much for the amazing food, it was amazing.😆

Hello everyone, This is one of the best Asian restaurants I've ever been to. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the service is very friendly. I recommend the fried tofu. Have a wonderful day everyone.

The food – especially the famous 265 – was truly outstanding! A generous portion, perfectly seasoned, and the peanut sauce was a real highlight. Highly recommended for its taste. Unfortunately, the service somewhat dampened the overall positive impression. You feel more like a number than a welcome guest. Especially when paying, the atmosphere was almost unpleasant – so unfriendly that I briefly wondered if everything was okay. In conclusion: If you're looking for good food, this is definitely the place. If you value friendly service, you should lower your expectations.

The food was delicious, and No. 265 simply had the best tofu ever, as did No. 250 with its delicious chili coconut sauce. A great selection of meat and vegetarian dishes. I always enjoy going there and am never disappointed.

Great! I ordered a spicy tofu dish and the mixed starter platter. Everything was absolutely delicious! The courtyard is quiet and really nice and the food came really quickly!

It was our first time at Warung Bayu, we had reserved and got a table in the middle, drinks were delivered quickly and the food was also delivered quickly after ordering, the spring rolls and the spicy chicken were very tasty and very well seasoned, very good portions, you will be more than full, very good and nice service staff, you can easily take the leftovers with you, but you are given an aluminum bowl with a lid, highly recommended****

265 the best vegan dish I've eaten in a long time.

A sweet and sour party where everything is doused in a thick, dark, overly salty sauce, masking as an “authentic” Balinese and Indonesian food. Real Balinese food should be fresh, fragrant, fried light, and spicy. Not this sticky, syrupy mess. There is a strong vinegar smell from the sauces, both dishes I ordered were made from the same sauce. One had some extra chillies. Nothing about these dishes were authentic, food was served after 3 mins of ordering, probably from a ready made buffet tray in the back. Sorry but won’t be back. And I don’t recommend.

One of my favorite restaurants in all of Cologne. Everything I've tried so far has been incredibly tasty (especially number 265 of course) and they serve really generous portions. It's also very nice to sit here, as the restaurant is a bit winding and also comfortably furnished. The service is also very nice and quick. Great recommendation, also for vegetarians/vegans!

Number 265 is definitely the best-seller and has already converted a few friends to tofu. Overall, the dish might be too sweet for some, but by the time you notice, you've usually already eaten more than half of the generous portion because it's simply so good. The rest of the menu is also impressive, although we rarely get around to trying everything because the tofu is just too tempting. The restaurant is very busy in the evenings, so it's advisable to make a reservation or come at a different time. However, if you opt for the dish in question, the wait is still bearable (the kitchen seems to be mass-produced).

I love the shop. You should definitely reserve in advance as it is generally fully booked. You should order number 265 (urban legend). Nowadays I find eating out to be overpriced and presume that I can cook most of the food myself, but No. 265 is something special!

Very delicious! I ordered spicy chicken and the fried chicken was not ordinary fried chicken. The service is also top. Hopefully in the future we can add cold Indonesian drink options (mixed ice, etc.) 😄

The food is really excellent. The vegetarian dishes with tofu are highly recommended. The taste is unbeatable because the tofu is cooked perfectly and crispy. The ambience of the restaurants is also idyllic and cozy. The employee who served us had a very rough tone, which made him seem relatively unsympathetic. The overall impression was very positive and definitely a recommendation.

Service was quick and nice. But unfortunately it's not comfortable at all. Far too narrow and crowded in the restaurant. This makes it super loud. The phone rings often and there are always people standing at the entrance next to the tables because they want to make a reservation or are waiting. Food was okay, but not a highlight for the price

Super delicious! The tofu is world class!!!! One of the best restaurants in Cologne

Super delicious food, nice service and just great all around!

Very very arrogant. I made a reservation for 8. At 7.49 I came to ask about my order. And the seller shouted at me in an unpleasant tone. As a fellow Indonesian I don't like this tone. I will never recommend this restaurant.

Very tasty food, especially the vegetarian versions! However, the service leaves a lot to be desired. The employees should definitely be more attentive and sometimes also friendlier with the guests. For example, when it comes to the allocation of seats or reservations - here you are left waiting and not even greeted...

Eaten deliciously. Very well attended. It's best to reserve!

The service was unfriendly and hectic. It felt like you were a bit of a nuisance as a guest. I gave the store two chances - both times the food was unimpressive. I was talked out of the dish I wanted to order and instead was offered something else, supposedly a “house specialty”. Unfortunately it had no taste and was indefinable because everything was drowned in overly seasoned dark sauce.

Awesome restaurant with great vegetarian options!!!

I was looking for an Indonesian restaurant for a long time. No. 265 (tofu dish) has become my new comfort food. Absolute highlight!

The place is always packed so make sure to reserve your table before visiting. Staffs are friendly and helpful. Ask them for recommendations. Ordered 265 as recommended in the reviews. Didn’t disappoint at all. My guests and I loved the flavours. Ayam Pedas was not spicy at all as mentioned by the staffs, adapted to local flavours so minus one for that. Fish Gulai wasn’t very authentic too so wouldn’t recommend. Will definitely visit again to try other dishes. Lots more to explore.

So so delicious!!! We were immediately impressed by the authentic Balinese food. We really enjoyed it and we'll definitely be back! The service and the staff were also super good and nice. Clear recommendation! 👍🏼

Very tasty food! Can highly recommend the 265. They all seem to eat. You should reserve in advance or expect a waiting time.

I had the 249, chicken+hot sauce. That was so delicious 😋!! The service was very friendly and accommodating! The restaurant is simply furnished but very clean and practical.

Currently my favorite restaurant! No. 265 is recommended!

I've literally been eating at Warung Bayu for years. Always eaten dish 265. Until yesterday. Between my tofu pieces I had a piece of pork (that looked the same) on my plate. An absolute scandal and super disgusting for a vegetarian who hasn't had a piece of meat in his mouth for 10 years. The evening was over for me. I recommend to all vegetarian people: find another shop. Apparently something has gone wrong here since the hype.

The No. 265 was extremely tasty

Large portions that can be shared. You can trust the service's recommendations: both the main courses and the dessert tasted very good. Plus, we didn't have to wait long for food and we sat comfortably in the courtyard!

Guys, what are you doing? I haven't had such an unfriendly and rude waiter in months. The hype surrounding number 265 is a bit exaggerated, even though it is a delicious (very powerful) dish. However, the whole experience is spoiled by the unfriendly nature of the owner (?). At first we were offered a table right next to the open patio door, despite a reservation and mind you, at the end of October. When we asked if we could close the door, we got a mushy “No!” All in all, I probably wouldn't come here again.

Indonesian restaurant with very authentic cuisine. Vegetarians get along very well here.

Super tasty and large portions!

Very tasty, authentic Balinese food. Recommendation: Teriyaki Tofu

The food was good and tasty but the service was incredibly rude!!! The man was so unfriendly!! I can only give you my honest opinion here!!!! We will never go there again… never 🙅🏻‍♂️ bad service

Hello, I come from Ostsee and have lived there for a long time. In the end, we arrived at the Indonesian Restaurant in Cologne. But my friends and I really experienced very unpleasant things as Indonesian guests who visited the Indonesian Restaurant ourselves. I hope there will be some pleasantries like that as fellow Indonesians who have migrated to Germany. But this is not the case, in fact the way of service given to us fellow Indonesians is very poor, unlike the German guests who were around us earlier, they were served very friendly, I personally spent 8 years in Germany and also worked as a Servicemitarbeiter in Hotels never differentiate between where their guests come from, even when guests come from Indonesia, I will serve them as best as possible, as friendly as possible, but at Warung Bayu we experience discomfort in terms of service. 1. The food served seems to be slammed 2. Just take the menu straight away, without asking if you can take it or if you still want to look at other menus 3. When we asked for the bill, the bill was turned upside down and the father didn't look at us at all. Honestly, of all the Indonesian restaurants I've ever been to, this one has the worst service. But again, do they think that if they serve fellow Indonesians they won't get Trinkgeld too, so it's useless to be friendly, or is that the nature of service? But on another note, I never refuse to give Trinkgeld 10%. But this time my friends and I really felt disappointed with the service. So from 77.50€ I gave 80€. Thanks

The food was delicious but the service was simply very unacceptable or rather rude and unfriendly!!! No matter who you are and what country you come from, everyone should be treated equally and fairly! Customers are customers... remember!!!!

Food was delicious, service was good but rather slow, ambience inside is not the nicest

Really a very nice restaurant and reasonably priced (except for the drinks, which are too expensive). Can be highly recommended. The service is very quick, you don't have to wait long for your order.

Generous portions, tofu totally recommended and also lamb!

I love it! Cah Tahu Buncis nr 265 Simply the best tofu dish in the world! Will order again and again! Class! Service is always friendly and works very hard. Thanks!

The reservation over the phone was super easy. There were four of us and we sat in the courtyard. The courtyard is cute but narrow. We really enjoyed the food. As a starter we had vegetarian spring rolls (nothing special, less recommended) and lobster crab sate (very tasty). We had skin dishes - 261: very tasty curry, but I didn't like the tempeh so much - 263: very tasty - 265: very tasty, but also very sweet in the long run - Unfortunately I forgot the number, but it was the beef dish with coconut sauce: very tasty and can only recommend all the main courses! The overall impression of the service was a bit harsh/rough and chaotic (glasses were forgotten for drinks, appetizers were served without plates, guests at the neighboring table were asked to move around rather rudely, etc.). The price was a bit pricey at around 16.50 euros per (vegetarian) dish More expensive, but overall very tasty. Nice atmosphere and delicious food, overall I can only recommend Warung Bayu!

Tofu with peanut sauce, the best dish - €16.50 - is also enough for two people. The ambience could be a little nicer, a second card payment machine and air conditioning would be good.

Absolutely good! Book in advance

Such delicious food, my absolute favorite in Cologne for years, also many vegan vegetarian variants, in the summer it's really nice on the terrace

My favorite restaurant in Cologne, even if it looks a bit inconspicuous from the outside. Great dishes! The "Cah Tahu Buncis" made me a tofu lover and everything on the mixed starter platter "Bali Brumbun" tastes good. Very friendly staff, although the head waiter is sometimes very persistent with his food recommendations. 😃 The restaurant is almost always full, so sometimes you can't get a table even for two people. So I definitely recommend making a reservation!

For Indonesians, their food is top-notch, especially the Bebek Bengil. If you need sambal, you can ask; they serve it separately. The restaurant is cozy, although small. The staff are also very welcoming and helpful. We came with a baby and a pram, and it would be great if they could cater to similar guests like us by providing chairs for babies and toddlers.

Reservation is an advantage! A very busy restaurant. Rightly so. We were warmly welcomed and looked after quickly, kindly and always with a smile throughout the evening. It tastes delicious and is prepared quickly, no long waiting times. The portions are very generous, so we share a main course between two people. A two starters to share in the middle is definitely fine. Due to the portion size, each person pays around €8/9, which is more than fair! The ambience is good with some Indonesian decorative influences but otherwise hardly any frills. We'd love to come back.

Delicious! Small outdoor area, it's best to make a reservation because it's always full

The food here is really delicious. Everything is very tasteful and well seasoned. The food is placed on small warmers in the middle of the table and is therefore ideal for sharing different dishes. I don't think it was very comfortable to sit, but that could also have been because our table was right next to a passage. I found it a bit of a shame that the staff couldn't really advise/recommend when choosing cocktails or dishes.

265 is my absolute favorite dish and I never order anything else there

Very tasty food and a quiet courtyard to sit outside

The food was spectacular, the price is in line with the quality and quantity of food, the service is decent but nothing extraordinary. I would definitely go back because the food is amazing.

Rude and disrespectful with customers

We've gone to Wayung Bayu several times, my wife is from Indonesia, I convinced her to go there once and she loves the food! It's authentic Indonesian. We can only recommend the restaurant!

The place has a relaxing atmosphere, the food is good, and the service is awesome. It can be really crowded, so book it in advance :)

Top restaurant, we return here every year around the time of the Christmas markets. Always a good start to a weekend away. If you like Indonesian cuisine then go for it! A reservation is recommended. I didn't take any photos because of the delicious food and good conversations with friends and my wife. The dish with tofu, peanut sauce and teriyaki sauce is an absolute must! Coincidentally in Cologne and lacking inspiration, just do it. The only downside is that it is sometimes very warm.

Very tasty, authentic food like I'm used to at home in Bali. The staff was very friendly and the food came quickly. Portions are large, we had the rest packed. Happy to come back!

Food was served 3 minutes after ordering. Magician or ready-made food from the microwave?!

Super tasty food, but you should definitely make a reservation in advance. Portions are quite large, so it's worth considering sharing a portion between two people (and ordering an appetizer as well).

Great Indonesian food, nice service, nice urban courtyard

The food is simply heavenly! And the portions are so big, value for money is definitely right!

fresh, tasty, wide selection of dishes and quick preparation. Points deducted for the ambience, as the seating is tight and it is a very compact restaurant. A good and tasty choice for 1-2 hours. :)

We came here on the recommendation of a podcast to try the "best fried tofu". As soon as we walked in, we noticed the hectic pace and almost how annoyed the waiters were (at us?). The question as to whether we were allowed to sit outside, even though there was at least one table for two people available outside for the duration of our visit, was curtly answered in the negative. The drinks and food came quite quickly. It was okay but I absolutely cannot understand the reviews or the waiter who constantly pointed out that number 265 is probably the best and most popular dish on the menu. I've had my tofu fried better and with more flavor (roll the tofu in cornstarch, fry it, take it out and mix the soy sauce + other ingredients in the pan, let it thicken, add the tofu for a minute and you're done). In addition, I have to say that all the other tables that were there in pairs got a large portion of rice or two small portions and we only got a small portion - when we ordered a second one, we were also charged for it in the end. It took at least 20 minutes for our table to be cleared and there didn't seem to be any need to ask us if we would like dessert or another drink. When the waiter cleared away, he spread all the leftover sauce on the table and the floor - luckily not on us, but a short "Oh, sorry" or "I hope you didn't get anything, I'm sorry" isn't really allowed either A lot to ask - right? I really have to say that I am very disappointed with the way we have been treated. When I paid, I also had the feeling that I was just annoying the waiter and that he was happy to be rid of us. This is super petty but I paid in cash (since only EC cards work) and the waiter took the notes and simply "threw" them behind the counter as if they were rubbish. Very arrogant, ignorant, disrespectful and rude - not a feel-good atmosphere like you're used to. There are certainly better restaurants with much friendlier staff in Cologne :)

The food was very good. Unfortunately we received a very unfriendly welcome from a cellar. He didn't even come to our table and ignored us. He was also very unfriendly to the other cellars and chased them around. The tables are very close together!

The shop is always full so you should reserve in advance, but the food is super tasty and authentic!

Very tasty and authentic Indonesian food. The ingredients were freshly prepared and the dishes had a special flavor. The service is very friendly and always makes sure everything is right. Toilets were very clean! I can definitely recommend this.

Simply delicious! Very fast and friendly service, we can also highly recommend the 265 that everyone raves about.

Unbelievable good! If you are a vegetarian you should take the 265. I haven't eaten something this good in a long time