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! Stay tune at Kata Bella!

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

Jess

February 5, 2025

This place is so cute and all the pastry and bakery selections look guuuwdd. Adding this to the list for when I visit Bandung 😍

Bella

February 7, 2025

Yes! Look forward to trying their dinner menu when I’m back in Bandung.

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06 Jun 2025 by Bella in Eats

Sazón Bali : Spanish flavours in Canggu

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My Little Canggu Restaurant List - Part 2

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Bali Home Bakeries to Sweeten Your Celebrations: Updated List 2026

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Homie BunsBakeOvenLocale BakedFika & StoriesI Bake You EatLittle G Bu Toha You may also like this article: 5 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas Homie Buns https://www.instagram.com/homiebuns They make breads ranging from simple shapes to adorable designs, with a variety of fillings like chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, salted caramel, as well as cupcakes and cookies. They even have a special birthday edition that comes with candles and a lovely ribbon-wrapped box. Now, they regularly create hampers for special occasions like Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, Chinese New Year, and Galungan, making them well worth checking out if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for family and friends. Image credit: Homie Buns Instagram BakeOven https://www.instagram.com/bakeoven.id Their greatest hit is the cheesetart. And while the original is always a classic, my personal encore goes to the lemon tart, John Lemon, especially when enjoyed half-frozen! 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Besides scones, they also whip up choux, pound cakes, éclairs, and other special-edition sweet treats. Image credit: Locale Baked Instagram Fika & Stories https://www.instagram.com/fika_and_stories This one is a newcomer to Bali’s home-bakery scene, but it’s already getting plenty of attention for its delicious cinnamon buns. What makes it special is its focus on Swedish treats - fika is a Swedish tradition of enjoying coffee, usually with something sweet. Staying true to its name, they bake small batches of Swedish favourites like biskvi, a chewy almond base topped with buttercream and dipped in chocolate; kolasnittar, Sweden’s beloved cookies with crisp edges and a chewy centre; and thumbprint cookies, buttery shortbread filled with strawberry jam. Image credit: Fika & Stories Instagram I Bake You Eat https://www.instagram.com/i_bakeyoueat I ordered their carrot cake just for fun - no special occasion. But since they make whole cakes in a mini size (10cm diameter), it was the perfect little treat! They deserve the highest compliment an Asian can give a cake: NOT...TOO....SWEET!!! hehe. Besides carrot cake, they also make salted caramel coffee cake, matcha dark chocolate cake, and Dutch boterkoek. These cakes also come in a sharing size (18cm). Image credit: I Bake You Eat Instagram Little G https://www.instagram.com/littleghomebake They make whole cakes and I discovered Little G because so many of my friends have ordered from them over the years - so I figured, they must be good, right? One day, in true last-minute fashion (because I’m so organised like that, lol), I messaged them to order a birthday cake for my husband. Despite the short notice, they responded with a positive "can-do" attitude, accepted my order, and delivered exactly what I asked for. The birthday boy absolutely loved it, and as a serious cake lover, his review is trustworthy. 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They offer stress-free packages if you want everything pre-arranged, but if you’re feeling picky, you can customise your own tampah (woven bamboo tray) hamper by ordering items individually (just keep in mind there’s a minimum order for each). They also make Balinese jajan pasar, which is perfect for friends celebrating Balinese ceremonies. Image credit: Bu Toha Instagram At the end of the day, what makes home bakeries special isn’t just the cakes or the cookies - it’s the heart behind them. Each order supports someone’s passion, creativity, and countless hours spent perfecting their craft, often from their own kitchen. So whether you’re celebrating something big or simply craving a little sweetness, choosing a local home bakery is always a good idea. And if you discover your new favourite homemade treats along the way, share it with me! I will happily try it and feature it in this article.