Truly good food made by inspired chefs who care about quality. On many nights the owner himself is behind the grill working very hard. There is no place like it in Waterloo Region. If your looking for a memorable experience, this is the place to go.

Great service, great food. I've been here a few times and have never been disappointed. They always a have a few specials for appetizers and the mains and first time I went I had the 3 fish special. The most recent time I went I had the lobster and monkey fish with red curry on noodles. It's hard to describe, unless you go yourself! The environment and decor is really nice and subtle and... more

Food and drink is good. But too expensive. I like the steak here and a pineapple drink! Service is great. I will come back.

O M G. This place looks like c@!p from the outside, but holy freaking cow once you step in. Got some of the finest decor and thoughtful foods. I ordered the weekly special, some 15 Vietnam and Laos foods with 2 dessert. I was blew away and completely speechless. Chefs here are so creative and good at all kinds of cooking methods.

4.5 stars (rounded up). I have been here 4 times, with group size ranging from 3 to 9. I had great experience on all 4 visits. The food quality is consistently good. Each dish has several elements with layers of flavor.

Been in the tri city area for over two month and eating out everyday, this is hands down the best restaurant in the area. No other restaurant even came close to this level -... more

The red curry dish I got was amazing (though I was pretty hungry). I think it was called pad ped surf & turf. It is the best red curry you can get in the KW area.

It took me some time to get used to the bright green walls inside this restaurant but I liked the tropical atmosphere fitting for an Indonesian fusion restaurant. It felt like I was eating in the middle of some forest lol.

The... more

Reserved for a group of 9, chose to do family style to try their top dishes in one go. On the outside, the place looks sketchy and run down. On the inside, it's quite beautiful, especially if you go while it's still bright out, with the sun peeking in through the windows. There were a few other tables filled but not too lively.

Anyways, we were served a 3 course dinner, and they made two of... more

Great restaurant. Been here several times. It's always good. The menu is very interesting. Lots of variation. All great tasting.

After 4 years in Waterloo, I finally visit this place.

Food is quite expensive, we're talking about at least 30 per person. Our bill came out to around 80/person

Food is good, I really liked the potsticker appetizer with scallops. They also had kusshi oysters with vodka as an app, that was ok, kusshis are my favorites but I feel like they missed the mark with that item.

Service is great, the... more

Waited the longest time to try this place. They're only open after 5pm for dinner and is rather pricey for my over-30k-in-debt budget. Came here for a friends birthday and it was one of the best dining experiences in Waterloo.

The decor of the restaurant is a big contrast to its store-front. It really made you feeling like you were in a cozy family owned restaurant in a tropical country. We... more

The food here is amazing but boy, is it pricey. It's a fairly casual setting considering the high prices but I've enjoyed it every time. Giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because my husband hasn't been blown away in our 2-3 visits here.

Was back (yet =) again, this time with my family over Christmas and as always the food was superb. But this time they really blew me away with the service. Our server (let's call her "C") was so on top of it she must have overheard us talking about a shellfish allergy one of my family group has and C acted on that when the guest ordered something with a very subtle and uncommon shellfish... more

I was back here at Bhima's last week. Still such a great experience. The food was delicious as before, and the service was impeccable.

I won't hesitate coming back, ever.

That was my worst dining experience. Sitting there for over 15minutes waving my hands and had no server ever come by. We talked with a server, she was nice but keep saying our server will be with us shortly. Do after a long time of waiting, I directly went to one server myself asking her if we have at least have our water served. The water arrived shortly I started thinking the server is really... more

This place is amazing! I have been there many times and always love the food. I would recommend it to anyone who lives here or is just visiting. It's definitely not a cheap place to eat on a budget but you get what you pay for. This is some of the best food in the area hands down.

Thankfully some local friends knew about this diamond in the rough. Bhima doesn't look like much until you walk up and see their lovely patio or walk in and smell the delightful aromas wafting over from their kitchen.

You can just ignore the menu as they seem to regularly have quite a selection of daily specials which include cocktails, beers, appetizers, and entrees. If you can't make up your... more

This is a real hidden gem in Waterloo literally hidden away behind a worn down fence. There are no signage indicating that this was a restaurant- at least not in English.
But once I walked in I could feel the owner's passion for Indonesian food culture.
According to our server, the owner is not actually Indonesian but had owned a restaurant in Bali where he honed his skills in South Asian... more

Warm atmosphere with good food that was well presented. Staff was attentive and friendly. We sampled the appetizer plater and had the duck special as well, both were delicious. Also sampled a few featured cocktails that were presented with fresh fruit.

Only thing I would mention as a drawback from getting 5 stars would be the exterior entrance and the need for a better fume hood in the... more

As an Indonesian, I was curious to try the only indonesian restaurant in the area (as far as I know).
The exterior can get some touch to make it more appealing. The interior is way classier than I thought.
I tried their special, ayam bakar (in english, grilled chicken) which was a very large portion and pricey. The food was not so authentic, unfortunately, but very tasty. The waiter was very... more

Had very high expectations going in, and Bhima's completely lived up to the hype. The food was absolutely delicious and unique, combining different styles and cuisines. The portions were very generous, and you could tell they took no shortcuts; the level of attention to detail was extraordinary. They even wrapped our left-overs in the shape of a swan for us to take home.

Definitely the best dining experience in Waterloo and everything tastes so good. The servers are super enthusiastic about their jobs and are really helpful when deciding what to order.

This place's only real competitor is Wildcraft, and it is priced as such too. Really love the place but wouldn't be a regular as its pretty pricey for students

Really enjoyed my experience here. Definitely one of its kind in Waterloo.
The dishes were different and creative (Asian fusion with lots of curry options, seafood is amazing!). The drinks were delicious as well.
Servers are very helpful in suggesting popular and seasonable dishes.
Loved the setting of the place - perfect place for a date (quiet, dim and romantic), good for a group gathering as... more

My only regret is not to have found this place earlier. I couldn't believe such a good restaurant is in Waterloo!
It's a bit on the pricey side, in line with high-scale restaurants, but totally worth every cent we paid.
Try the duck (with noodles): simply perfect!

Disappointing

I initially went to this restaurant after googling "Beat restaurants in waterloo". This came up over and over again as the best. My mate and I were truly disappointed. The food lack flavor, quality and was very greasy. One of us was a vegetarian and the menu was very limited. The prices were very high and we did not enjoy... more

Wow

I have to admit, I didn't expect the food to be as good and interesting as it was. That is because of how it looks on the outside. But once you get inside, it has a very nice and authentic vibe to it. The food is not cheap but is totally worth it and the people serving are very nice.

Fantastic and unique dining experience!

From the exterior, this restaurant is easily overlooked. I would have never known that this was a restaurant, nevertheless one of the best restaurants in KW!

The food here is packed with flavour. Honestly, each bite gives you a punch of flavour in a really good way. However, the portion sizes are HUGE. I mean, really big. This justifies the price you... more

One of our favourite restaurants

There are a handful of restaurants that I can think of that meet the quality and service of Bhima's. We are regulars, and often enjoy sitting at the bar to watch them create these gorgeous dishes. Our favourite appetizer are the goi tai dumplings (scallop and chicken dumplings). I often order the duck noodles or monkfish and my husband orders... more

Worth the price

Food was divine! Worth every penny. We will be back for sure. The place feels like I'm in a different place, Indonesia perhaps?

Absolutely Amazing

Very unique blend of several different cuisines (ex. Indian, South East Asian).
If you're up for trying something very unique this is the place in Waterloo.
Very nice outdoor patio space, and great service.

the food is amazing but the restaurant decor could use some updating

this is one of our favourite restaurants to go for " special ' occasions. it is pricier than most restaurants in KW but the quality of the food is exceptional. the flavours in each dish is so complex and unlike anything you will try elsewhere. the service is always friendly however I always find the table cloths a bit off... more

A unique experience

This really is a truly outstanding restaurant. The decor is very eclectic. The dishes on offer are truly unique. Dining here is a real experience.

The saying "you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover" can not be more true with Bhima's Warung. They could definitely touch up the exterior a little better, but let me tell you about their wonderful service and my delicious meal so you can make an informed decision on what to eat tonight.

To begin, let me just note that you should save this for special occasions. The prices are pretty steep... more

The best in waterloo

This is by far the best place to eat in waterloo! Great tasting food, big portion sizes and really cool atmosphere. They really take the time to prepare everything fresh and from scratch. When the meals arrive they were hot and always delicious. You won't be disappointed!

By far my favorite restaurant in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Located in a non-descript strip mall, you wouldn't think that upon open the doors is a tropical paradise. The decor is exotically playful but tasteful. The immediate acknowledgement of the servers upon entry and seating was well received and consistent across the multiple visits I've had here.

The primary server is always excellent... more

Fantastic

Dined with friends here on a Saturday night. Everything was incredible, from the service to the drinks, apps and mains. So much flavour in all dishes. Huge portions so no one will go hungry. Yes it is quite expensive but definitely worth a visit for a a special occasion.

taste good, just too pricy

Entrées are easily over $30 and the amount is not so good for the price. Otherwise, it's good, and it's worth a try.

Take your out of town guests here

This is a really neat place, the style and atmosphere are definitely unique. Pros - very interesting and delicious cocktails and menu items (solid draft beer and wine list too), cool decor, great wait staff. Cons - if it's packed it can get pretty loud sometimes and the tables are fairly close together... also, I sometimes tend to over eat... more

Love it

Unfortunately, I only make it to Bhima's every couple of years but it is truly a delicious dining experience. My favorite dish is generally a monkfish prepared with vegetable an a coconut sauce. There are many appetizers to choose from and since the service is outrageously slow, it's a great place to go for a long date without children!

A different kind of experience

Great food, but a bit expensive. Would go back to celebrate a special occasion. Loved the specialty cocktails. Out of two we tried that day, both were excellent.

I travel around the world constantly and where do I find a 5-star dinner and all around experience? In Waterloo, Ontario, Canada at Bhina's Warung! The food and service was great. I had the ribs and the sauce was perfect. The bananas desert was prepared perfectly. Just try this place and you won't be disappointed.

Incredible

Truly incredible food in a somewhat unexpected location in what seemed to be a strip mall in Waterloo. I haven't had other Indonesian to compare with, but this seemed to be more of a new wave or fusion menu which mixed traditional dishes including the red deer curry I tried. The plates are huge, to the point that they don't... more

Do NOT miss this restaurant

Im not sure what took us so long to get to this restaurant, but consider us regulars now.
From the ambiance to the meals get ready to be wowed. This is truly a one of a kind experience that you should not miss!
The appetizers we chose were scrumptious and delightfully full of flavor.
The mains like mo brickman and... more

We've had great dining experiences here before but we won't be returning after our last visit.

My bison dish was very good, but my wife's deer dish was mediocre. Her deer was over cooked and tough, the potatoes were under cooked. Neither of us could cut through the over fried pastry wrapping some vegetables.

It was a special occasion, so we ordered a vintage bottle of wine. Upon tasting the... more

Was I supposed to give it full star to help it keep its perfect record? I decided to go with my heart.

While it came close, I just couldn't bring myself to give it perfect marks because the fact is, I came out of there under-impressed.

First of all, I don't think it was super authentic. A lot of the descriptions left me quite confused. Was I in a french restaurant? Was I at a sports bar? What... more

Best restaurant in Waterloo!
I've been in Waterloo for 4 years and have never been till now. They have really good fusion dishes as well as special entrees such as deer and ahi tuna.

I would definitely recommend this place to anybody.

PS. The menu might make the food seem very cultural but its actually light so its easy to adapt.

interesting

It seems to be a bit of a Waterloo institution but it's tired, complicated and noisy. Went with friends and found the menu to be difficult with so many ingredients in each dish. Appetizer platter full of fried carbs, shared dipping sauces and skewers etc. long enough to remove your tonsils.
Monkeyfish and lobster dish- wet fish and charred tough... more

Creative Enjoyment

Mother in laws 87th birthday celebration who rarely steps out of her cultural tastes. This one made the grade to satisfy everyone.
Flavours not experienced before and enjoyed. Odd location and never thought it would amount to much until I received recommendations to go and went inside. Quaint and romantic setting. Hostess was excellent. No complaints at all.

Exquisite ethnic food

Attentive service. Delicious food. Generous portions. Relaxed atmosphere. Homemade dessert and milk and honey tea out of this world .

Wow... I've never seen unanimous 5 star ratings for a restaurant before. Bhima's deserves it and I'm adding mine. It looks like nothing special from the outside. Don't let appearance fool you. Every dish is a work of art--a treat to the eyes and the taste buds.

The Goi Tai dumplings are wonderful with a delightful combination of sweet and spicy sauce. The Moo Brickman ale-hoisin ribs are rich... more

Disappointed

Flavorful food as always, however it has become so shabby and dirty that I would not feel comfortable having dinner here again. Too bad, it has been my favorite for a long time.

Never Disappointed

We have been here 5 or 6 times, and have never once been disappointed. There is no other restaurant in the area that even comes close. This is a classic case of "you can't judge a book by its cover." We never would have tried it if we had been walking by, but once you step inside, you feel like... more

Fun vibe, Excellent food

On a romantic getaway, went to Bhima's on the recommendation of family. Wonderfully creative Asian Fusion food. The chef clearly cares about the food and great service all around. Seems a tad pricey, but the portions were generous. Highly recommended (call ahead for reservations). A taste for Indian-type spices is essential.

Excessively loud, not a good place for conversation

My wife and I went here in the summer of 2013. We went early in the evening, but even so, the volume of the speaker system was excessively loud. I couldn't take it where we were seated and had us moved to another table. Even though better, the sound level was still excessive. Given that the restaurant was only 20%... more

So Much Good Food

We hadn't been to Bhimas in a long stretch and decided to introduce some new friends to its unique atmosphere and menu. The menu is as varied and eclectic as I remember. My partner and her friend ordered baby back ribs and they were only able to get through half of them. The sauce had a mild kick and the... more

Finally tried it

Heard so many good things about this restaurant over the years and finally got to try it a couple of weeks ago. The food was good and the service was excellent! However, there was only 2~3 waiters/waitresses around, and it was really hard to flag down our waitress! It took a while in the beginning to order and at the... more

A Very Good Dinner

Dined at Bhima's with family on a Saturday evening. Restaurant was busy with a cheerful atmosphere. Music was excellent and could be heard, but not so loud as to impact good conversation at the table. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu and the service was attentive. Appetizers were excellent - mango salad, type of spring roll, and satay... more

Nothing too special

I have been invited to this place by friend of mine where I had lots of expectations as she told me about the good food they got. I tried the duck dish and she took shrimps which was ok but not too special or great to come back for when looking at the prices. I think its a bit expensive... more

Wow... amazing meal... terrific experience

This place is fantastic. My nieces and nephew gave us a gift certificate to try what has become their favorite restaurant and my wife and I had wonderful meal.
I had duck and it was cooked to perfection.
I liked the decor, some won't. The waitress was wonderful, not hovering, but right there when you needed her.
It is probably... more

Consistent over the years

I had just returned from Asia when Bhima's opened nearly two decades ago. Consistent, innovative, always a delight.

delicious, unique food, great service

Two vegetarians and two carnivores had a superb meal. There are lots of choices for all. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, offering lots of help with the unique menu. The apps and entrees were delicious (and large portions -- each of us took leftovers home). The ambience is exotic and quirky -- someone has a great sense of... more

Great food, lovely time

Just ate a delightful meal of two appetizers recommended by a waiter--delicious dumplings with scallops and shrimp and a salad of greens with mango and a sweet taste of tangerine with a locally brewed beer. Wonderful meal seated on the patio. Thank you for recommending this great restaurant!

A treat for our guests and us

I was previously at Bhima's perhaps three years ago, and enjoyed the food and decor. I had a couple of out-of-town guests who are foodies so I wanted something I believed would (1) be different and (2) they would enjoy. Bhima's lived up to my very positive memories. The food - generally Balinese plus some SE Asian fusion - was... more

Nobody believes me when I tell them that this is the best restaurant in KW. Don't let the outside aesthetics and proximity to Morty's mislead you. Bhima's is exceptional and truly a hidden gem.

Prices are high for Waterloo but the portions are quite large. It's hard to resist, but I suggest leaving some of your entree to be packed up. If you try to eat it all then you won't have room left for... more

Great Asian food, living up to its TripAdvisor reputation

I booked this restaurant from the UK on the basis of TripAdvisor recommendations to entertain 8 business partners. The reservation was quickly confirmed and we were given a friendly welcome despite arriving in ones and twos. We asked the friendly staff to choose a mixture of dishes and they were all delicious. The service was a little slow but they... more

Quirky, fun dinner in KW

There is not a lot of convention here. The decor is eclectic and kind of defies any standard descriptors. Other than a missing online reservation (it turned up a week later), the service was prompt, friendly and knowledgeable.
But this is not a place for service or decor or jazz music, it's a place for off-the-hook edgy cooking. Who thinks... more

Valentines Date

Enjoyed a seafood plate special for the evening. It is expensive but well worth the taste experience. We will always return for a special occasion.

Gourmand's Indonesian Fusion Dream

My wife and I, and two guests, had an absolutely amazing meal at Bhima's Warung this past weekend! Although we are originally from Waterloo, and visit often, we had never been to Bhima's and were over the moon with pleasure at the dining experience we had our first time there. The service was pleasant and attentive, the food came quickly... more

Best Ribeye in Town

although not a steakhouse (like Keg, Charcoal, etc)... this is the best ribeye steak in town!!! I also have it with a side of taro mash and a glass of red wine. Decadent!!! The service was attentive and helpful. I've ordered the steak on my past three visits and it has always been cooked to a perfect med or med-rare.... more

Always exceptional

While this restaurant has been around for ages, and is popular and successful, it always seems somewhat surprising to me that this restaurant isn't MORE popular. The food is authentic, high quality and beautifully presented. My favourite thing is to sit at the bar, order a bunch of appetizers to share, and watch them in the kitchen preparing all the... more

Great by any means

Went with husband for my birthday diner.
We loved the food, the decor and the service.
South East Asia, at it's best!

This is the best restaurant in Waterloo. Been coming here for over 20 years. If you want a sure thing come here. The serving sizes are large and often you get to take home a yummy lunch for the next day. Enjoy!
more pictures here.... flickr.com/photos/291180…

Wonderful medley of flavors

Yummmers. The potions were a little too big but they package leftovers on aluminum swans so all is good.

One of the very best in town. A fusion of the tastiest of Southeast Asian cuisine. Highly recommended

This is one of the very best places in Kitchener-Waterloo. Do not be dissuaded by the exterior, this place is outstanding. Even the interior is evocative of an Indonesian street food stall, not a fine dining establishment. Food is the "Best of Southeast Asia" where chef/owner Paul Boehmer roamed in his hippie days gleaning the best of the best recipes... more

Don't be fooled by the cover

This restaurant is located on King Street North and University Avenue but the entrance is a little obscure. But dining isn't about the front entrance.
The atmosphere has a feel of South East Asia add a little eclectic charm.
But the food is exceptional. Lots to choose from and lots of different flavours. I chose the surf and turf dinner... more

Amazing. Earn's its ranking. A must try

A true Waterloo gem. I have lived in this city for 28 years, and only found out about it 2 years ago. An absolute must for anyone visiting or living in the city.
Yes Bhima's is pricey, but truth be told, I wouldn't want to go there all the time anyways. It's a place I go with only the most... more

Don't be fooled by this restaurant's exterior

This has been my favourite restaurant in Waterloo since I discovered it 5 years ago. It's a little pricier than most and we only frequent it for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is great. The waitstaff wear traditional Indonesian dress and the kitchen is exposed to the restaurant so the chef can... more

Truly different & Enjoyable Eating Experience

If your looking for a quick and less expensive meal, don't go here. The entrance and exterion wont get many good reviews either. But this fantastic restaurant is one of the best I have visited, and having lived in 9 cities in Canada, I ate at more than a few fine hotel & other restaurants. This exotic place is ideal... more

Delicious, cozy and pleasant

We had a great evening tonight at the Bhima's where good company was mixed with excellent cocktails, beautiful dishes and skilled staff. This little restaurant with its somewhat tacky but perhaps authentic decor is a gem. While this place is somewhat pricy it certainly is worth its price.
The only problem is that you'll have a hard time not ordering... more

Good food and nice atmosphere

We went to Bhima's for our anniversary. This was our first visit and it won't be our last. One note for any ordering (for the first time) is that the quantity of food is immense. I was very surprised at the amount per order and overall this increases my perceived value of the fare. Our mistake was ordering appetizers AND... more

Earns its top rating honestly

Bhima's House (= Warung) is quite different, making it a little difficult to compare. But there's no denying the meals, service and atmosphere were first class. Pricey, but I think it was worth it. I think... more

Wonderful Food...worth the wait

While it may take some time, the food that does arrive will enthral you. My wife and I had an incredible experience. We highly recommend Bhima's!

This is an awesome place

Food spectacar. Wait staff attentive. Procey but worth it for this exotic fare. Very relaxed and slow pace if you want to linger.

Exotic and unique

The variety of food and the atmosphere were unique and homey. I found the server attentive and the food carefully prepared

Wow! I've had in the pleasure of two perfect meals in my life not counting two very close calls at the Paul Bocuse just outside of Lyon, France and The Chateaux des Fines Roches near Avignon in France.

My first perfect meal was at the long-gone Fenton's in Toronto, where the fresh Washington State Lamb, still remains on my palette some 25 years later and the second, last Monday night as I... more

If you can get past the sketchy looking exterior, you will be pleasantly surprised. They switch up the menu once in a while so its nice to be able to try something new whenever I go. The service is a bit slow sometimes so don't go if in a hurry. This place definitely isn't cheap, but the food is fresh and delicious.

I've lived down the street from this place for almost 3 years, and all this time I thought it was one of those carpet stores with year-round clearance sales. I was very wrong. Once you look past the tall, aged wooden fence, you'll find one of the best restaurants in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
Most of their menus don't have prices, so this isn't a place to go to be frugal. They were somewhat... more

I went to Bhima's last night with my wife and friends. I am very impressed. It is not often that you find such a great fusion of Indonesian cuisine, or of any cuisine for that matter. Our table had a wide sampling of the menu and everything was amazing. There were oyster shooters to start, we had venison, duck, angus steak, fish and risotto. Everything was perfectly done and delicious.

The... more

I went here for my birthday with my parents, and i must say very good food.
my parents lived in indonesia for a year and they said this was a good comparison to what good food was there. it was expensive but it was really good.

I've been there on several occasions and have always enjoyed a great experience. The service is incredible, thanks to the capable and personable staff. The meals are an amazing fusion of southeast asian flavors combined with local ingredients. Be sure to bring your appetite and your wallet as the portions are massive but worth the treat. Folks with shellfish allergies need to be wary as Bhima's... more

One of my favourites!