Café Bar Rheinpavillon — Restaurant in Bonn

Location is not everything. Yes, this café enjoys a prime spot by the Rhein, but none of that matters when the staff shows you such deep disregard that it not only ruins your day — but contributes to the breakdown of a relationship.

During my visit, I encountered one of the most arrogant waitresses I've ever met in Germany. While it's true that service in Germany often differs from the U.S., this place stood out not just for a lack of attentiveness, but for sheer disrespect. I waited an unusually long time to even be acknowledged, and the waitress only came over after my (then) boyfriend arrived and sat down — as though I, alone, didn’t count as a customer.

She had light brown hair and a medium build, but no trace of common courtesy. Despite speaking in both English and German — and yes, I’ve passed my B2 exam, and no, German is not more abstract than theoretical math — I was met with blank stares and shrugged indifference. She ignored my clear request for take-away coffee, then left the cup on the bar to go cold for over 10 minutes. I had to point out repeatedly that I was in a rush. She finally responded — by serving it in a glass.

What cut deeper, though, was the clear bias I experienced. My Polish friend — white, male — was addressed directly in German. I, Asian and female, was spoken to as if I couldn’t possibly comprehend or deserve respect. Her tone, her expressions, her body language — they all screamed: “You’re not welcome here.”

When I asked for the card machine to settle quickly, she performed some sort of offended act, as though I was the one in the wrong. And what crushed me further was that my 19-year-old boyfriend took her side. He told me to “calm down” — not the staff who delayed, disrespected, and dismissed me. That moment said it all. This wasn’t just a bad service experience. It was a public display of how complicit people can be in enabling rudeness and discrimination when it doesn’t affect them.

To make things worse, my friend — who should’ve known better — enabled the waitress’s behavior, siding with her without seeing the harm she caused. This is how bias hides in plain sight: in the normalization of subtle, repeated acts of exclusion.

Businesses like this should not thrive. Not when they treat paying customers — or any human being — with such disregard. If you’ve ever been dismissed, stereotyped, or belittled in a public space: you don’t owe them your politeness, your money, or your silence.

It appears that the phrase “Calm Down” was, regrettably, misapplied in this context. The unfortunate spectacle seems to have been orchestrated by individuals who, under the mistaken impression of embodying refined European sensibilities, overlooked the fundamental tenets of capitalism and the elementary courtesy owed to a stranger. One might gently suggest that their mothers could, perhaps, offer some guidance in these matters. Should such maternal counsel prove ineffective—owing, perchance, to similar misguided views—then it might be prudent for the city government to kindly step in and provide the necessary...

Dear potential customers and manager(s) of the cafe,

It is the third time that I’m regretting that i have been in the cafe Rhine pavilion which probably has one of the best views in Bonn. I don’t understand why it is so hard to wait the visitors and not making them wait for over 20 minutes.Not only the service is super slow and there is basically no proper attention paid to the customers, but also the orders get delayed all the time. Tonight we ordered a beer from fass an Aperol spritz, arrived after 30 minutes. Not having the candles lighted on our table.. seeing from other customers doing so, i took the effort to light them up. What I also don’t get is that, there is no “sorry” for all these, none of the times! After all, you think you are having a nice Aperol, sadly you only get a bubbly drink with some aperol aroma in it.

Long story short, please change this. You are a beautiful cafe with...

Café Bar Rheinpavillon earns a glowing 5-star review from me, and I'd gladly give it 6 if possible.

The ambiance is absolutely stunning, managing to capture the romance and tranquility of being on a cruise ship without leaving land. The cocktails are not only delicious but also incredibly budget-friendly, especially with the student discount. As for the food, it's simply 'Lekker'—delicious in every way. The service complements the entire experience, with staff who are exceptionally kind and attentive.

This place has quickly become a favorite of mine, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit. If you're searching for a spot that combines beauty, great flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere, Café Bar Rheinpavillon is...