Went to Solo for a building, almost got defeated by a plate of pasta…
qponx
2026-03-05
Canting Londo Kitchen in Solo lures you in with its stunning colonial building and picture-perfect ambiance. But while the vibe is top-notch for photos and chilling, the food is a major gamble. This review gives you a heads-up on the hit-or-miss menu, where safe bets like Smoke Brisket exist alongside disastrously salty pasta. Discover the secret behind its high rating and get tips on whether to visit for the atmosphere or skip for the food.
Every time I come to Solo, I pass by this place, Canting Londo Kitchen. With its high score of 4.8 on Google Maps, plus that criminally beautiful colonial-style old house at the entrance, it's really hard not to be tempted[1].
This time, I finally decided to check it out, thinking that with such a Mantap ambiance, the food couldn't be that bad, right? The result... Anjay, I was too naive. 🤦♀️
The atmosphere is divine, the food is a disaster…
Let's start with the good stuff: the ambiance here is absolutely top-notch. Stepping inside feels like traveling through time, with mottled walls, vintage Javanese antiques, and modern design all mixed together. Every corner just screams "take a picture of me." The courtyard, indoor, and outdoor areas each have their own unique vibe. You could spend a whole afternoon just finding a spot to Nongkrong and take photos.
We sat down full of anticipation and ordered a few signature dishes. My friend's Smoke Brisket[2] was surprisingly decent; the meat was tender and juicy, a safe bet. But my Nasi Goreng Londo[3] was... hard to describe. It had a smoky flavor, but it was so salty I had to chug water. The biggest disaster was my companion's pasta, which was basically the opposite of "al dente." The pasta was undercooked, and the sauce was so salty it tasted bitter[4]. I seriously suspect the chef had just gone through a breakup.
The secret to the 4.8 high score?
To be honest, it wasn't cheap per person; the six of us spent about 600,000 Indonesian Rupiah[5]. For this price, given the inconsistent quality of the food, the value for money is really low. Later, I discovered an "open secret": the restaurant offers free ice cream in exchange for five-star reviews[6]. No wonder the score is so high. Friends, you can judge for yourselves how inflated this rating is.
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls / Checking In
So, is it worth visiting or not? Let me break it down for you in plain language:
If you're coming for the photo ops, are into architectural design, or just want to find a beautiful place to Chill, then come! This place is definitely photogenic, and the vibe is maxed out.
Ordering food is like opening a blind box. For a safe bet, you can try the Nasi Pejantan Bakar[7] or the Smoke Brisket, as I've seen many good reviews for them. As for Western dishes like pasta and pizza, promise me, just run away!
The courtyard is the top choice for photos. But be warned! Sitting under a tree might bring you a "surprise from above" (like little bugs) falling on you[8].
The smell in the restroom is a bit overwhelming and might ruin your mood[9]. Also, the drums from the live band at night are a bit loud, so if you want to have a proper conversation, you might have to shout.
- ✅ Who is it for?
- 🤔 What to order?
- 📍 Where to sit?
- ⚠️ Other complaints
- Canting Londo Kitchen feels like time-travel. Its mix of mottled walls, Javanese antiques, and modern design creates photo ops in every corner [1].
- The smoked beef brisket was a surprise hit—super tender and juicy. You can't go wrong ordering it, even as a blind pick [2].
- Wondering how they got that 4.8 Google Maps score? I heard they give out free ice cream in exchange for five-star reviews [3].
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