This is Balikpapan's legendary restaurant?! Sucky service, but... I'd still go back?
qponx
2026-03-05
Discover Balikpapan's legendary DECAFE, a beautifully renovated spot with a chic, cozy atmosphere. But be warned: the service is famously bad. Despite the icy waitstaff and long waits, some dishes are absolutely divine. The Black Pepper Beef with Buns and comforting Oxtail Soup are must-tries that make this a place you'll love to hate. This review weighs the pros and cons, helping you decide if the heavenly food is worth the devilish service.
After hearing countless recommendations from my Balikpapan friends, who said DECAFE is the cherished restaurant of their youth that has become stunningly beautiful after its recent renovation. Alright, so of course, I had to check it out!
The moment I walked in, to be honest, the ambiance was impeccable. It had a bit of a Japanese/Korean café vibe, the music taste was on point, and with warm lighting and comfy sofas, the atmosphere was maxed out. It's the kind of place where you can Nongkrong for a whole afternoon[1]. But… don't get too excited just yet. As soon as I sat down and tried to get a server's attention to order, oh man, I was waving my hand for ages, but the waitresses stared straight ahead, every one of them an ice queen, with expressions that seemed to say, "You better have a good reason for bothering me"🤷♀️.[2]
The Food is an Angel, the Service is a Devil
Complaints aside, we still have to talk about the food. The menu is a thick book, covering everything from Indonesian, Chinese, Western, to Japanese cuisine—enough to make anyone with decision paralysis faint. I blindly ordered a few dishes recommended by my lokal friends, and the result… Mantap!
Black Pepper Beef with Fried Buns (Mantau with Black Pepper Beef): The best dish of the night![3] The small buns, fried to a golden crisp, dipped in the rich and slightly spicy black pepper beef sauce—who understands the joy of carbs + protein! The beef was also very tender and didn't get stuck in my teeth. I'd come back again just for this!
Oxtail Soup (Sop Buntut Sapi): This soup is made with real, quality ingredients; one sip and you feel healed. The broth is rich but not greasy, the spices are perfectly balanced, and the oxtail is stewed until it's fall-off-the-bone tender. The meat just melts in your mouth. Absolutely amazing[4]!
Pineapple Tarts (Nastar): I grabbed these from the bakery at the entrance on my way out. I wasn't expecting much, but they turned out to be surprisingly delicious! The crust was crumbly and light, and the filling was sweet but not cloying. I regret not buying more boxes[5].
Praise First, But Now I Have to Vent
Okay, praise is over, time for some real talk. Even though the signature dishes are strong contenders, there are quite a few landmines here too.
First off, besides the service attitude, the speed of service is also a mystery. I literally watched the table next to me wait 30 minutes for a single hamburger[6]… So, if you're in a hurry, be warned. Secondly, their seasoning is really all over the place; the fried rice my friend ordered was so salty it made them question their existence[7]. For friends who don't like heavy flavors, it's best to emphasize "kurangi garam ya" (less salt) to the server when you order.
Lastly, the price. It's on the high side for Balikpapan, and they also add tax and a service charge to the bill[8]. For *that* kind of service... well, you know what I mean. 😅
A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
Alright, for all the girls who want to check this place out, here's a summary of my hard-earned lessons:
- Keep a calm mindset: Don't have any expectations for the service. Just treat them like heartless ordering machines.
- Ordering Strategy: Go straight for the signature dishes! The Black Pepper Beef with Buns and Oxtail Soup are must-orders you can't go wrong with. Be wary of other dishes (especially things like fried rice and fries), or proactively ask for less salt.
- Reservations & Parking: It's best to book in advance if you have a large group (more than 6 people)[9]. The parking lot out front isn't big, so coming during peak meal times might require a combination of parking skills and luck[10].
- Best Time to Go: If you want to take photos or have a quiet chat, I suggest avoiding peak meal times. Coming for afternoon tea with some snacks and coffee will be a much better experience.
- Black Pepper Beef with Fried Mantou: Dip crispy mantou in the rich, mildly spicy sauce—a soul-snatching carb & protein hit [1].
- Oxtail Soup: A rich, non-greasy broth with fall-off-the-bone oxtail and balanced spices. Every sip is instantly healing [2].
- Warm lighting and comfy sofas create the perfect atmosphere to relax all afternoon and `Nongkrong` [3].
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