Pastries, Passion, and a Little Bit of Magic at Theo’s Wife Lois

I’ve got a pretty busy schedule and travel for work sometimes, but I refuse to be that person whose life is just work. So whenever I have to be out of town for a business trip, I make sure I squeeze in some me-time between meetings. I was recently in Bandung for a few days. I know Bandung has a cool coffee culture and is a fashion hub, but I only had a few hours to explore the city before my flight, so I had to be picky about where I went. In the end, I chose Theo’s Wife Lois.

From what I gathered from their Instagram and menu, Theo and Lois are husband and wife who share a passion for adventures, art, and, of course, food – Theo in the hot kitchen and Lois in desserts. I somehow imagined them as Wes Anderson characters. Together, they created this charming restaurant. You can instantly sense their fun and quirky personalities the moment you step inside.

I arrived quite early around 8am, and unlike in Bali, where breakfast spots are packed by 7am, the place was still empty. Or maybe I just got lucky? Because apparently, this place gets really busy. If I’m not mistaken, you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 2 hours (but I didn’t need that much to finish my breakfast so it was no biggie).

Naturally, the first thing I did was explore the middle island, where all the cakes and pastries are displayed – sweet tooth represent! Since it felt like a bit of a holiday, I decided to indulge in a matcha scone and a Mochilembu – a Cilembu sweet potato flavoured bomboloni with clotted cream and a surprise mochi inside. Yum yum! Both were absolutely delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness. And let’s not forget the coffee – it was smooth and easy to drink.

I think the pastry and cake varieties change every day or every other day. But when I was there, they had bombolonis with various fillings; Lembang berries, apple, azuki – and donuts with fun toppings like vanilla yuzu, peanut butter and jelly, cookie crumble, and pistachio. There was also a selection of financiers and pretzels, ranging from original and chocolate to almond nougatine. And if you’re feeling a little naughty, they even had cheesecake and cookies – we make the rules when we’re adults, so we are allowed to have them for breakfast right? Hehe.

I didn’t see until I needed to go to the toilet that they have more seating at the back – oh, and a proper dining menu too, which looks amazing! Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to try it this time… but next time for sure!

Being there, I realised that when something is made with so much love and passion, it shows in all the little details; the sweet creations, the interior, the colour palette, the witty quotes, the bright pink takeaway boxes, the sticker sets, and even the little mementos they’ve collected during their travels. I honestly feel like I could be good friends with Theo and Lois! Hahaha – if you two are reading this, hellooo!

If you’re ever in Bandung, this place should definitely be on your must-visit list. Whether you’re after a quiet morning treat or a full dining experience, Theo’s Wife Lois is a gem that truly reflects the love and creativity behind it. Can’t wait to go back and try more!

Ps. I did bring home more matcha scones and a yuzu one, and they were still just as good a few days later (I kept them in the freezer).

Theo’s Wife Lois – Jl. Progo No.23, Citarum, Bandung