This viral Italian spot in Batam: Are you paying for the vibe or the food?
qponx
2026-03-05
Is Batam's viral Italian spot, Piccola Stella, worth the hype? This place is famous for its incredible atmosphere—a stunning three-story retro building with a must-visit rooftop offering live music and chill vibes. While the ambiance is a guaranteed win, the food gets polarized reviews. This article dives into whether you're paying for the vibe or the food, revealing which dishes like the lasagna and pizza are safe bets for a great night out at this photogenic hotspot.
Before coming to Batam Island, this place, Piccola Stella, had been sitting in my saved list for a long time. It has over 1700+ reviews on Google with a high score of 4.6, but when I clicked to read them, wow, the comment section was a total warzone[1]! One group was hyping it up to the moon, while another was trashing it like crazy… Anjay! A place like this, I just had to check it out for myself! 🧐
The moment I stepped inside, I instantly understood why so many people love this place. It's a three-story building with a retro Italian countryside vibe, featuring mottled red brick walls and warm yellow lighting. Every corner is super photogenic. The absolute best part is the rooftop![2] In the evening, lounging on a beanbag chair, feeling the evening breeze, and listening to a live band—isn't this the kind of Chill an island vacation is all about! The atmosphere is absolutely perfect, so suitable for coming to nongkrong with friends or your partner.
We ordered a few safe bets, and the beef Lasagna[3] was seriously good. The sauce was rich, they were super generous with the meat sauce, and the cheese was baked to a fragrant, slightly browned perfection. It was pretty much the savior of the evening. The pizza[4] had a thin, crispy crust, and the toppings were OK too. It's a can't-go-wrong choice, and the portion size was quite generous.
But… to be honest, the polarized reviews about their food aren't without reason. While scrolling through the comments, I saw many people complaining that the chicken was dry and tough, or that the pasta was mediocre, like instant food[5]. As for the price, it's on the mid-to-high side. The two of us spent nearly 475,000 Indonesian Rupiah for this meal[6]. If you come purely with the expectation of a top-tier culinary experience, you might be a little disappointed.
My [Avoid/Try] Guide for You
- Go for the atmosphere, it's totally worth it! Especially if you're looking for a place to have a drink and chat at night, just head straight to the rooftop. The vibe is Mantap! The service is also widely praised as being great; the waiters and waitresses all have the sweetest smiles.
- Order with caution. If it's your first time, I recommend sticking to the Pizza[7] and Lasagna[8], which are the 'lifesaver dishes' with the lowest rate of bad reviews. You basically can't go wrong with them.
- A top choice for special occasions. This place is amazing at creating a great atmosphere! Many people have said that if you celebrate a birthday here, the restaurant will surprise you with ice cream and a birthday song[9], instantly making it feel super special!
- Remember to make a reservation! It gets super crowded on weekends and during meal times, so it's best to book a table in advance if you don't want to wait in line[10].
- A small complaint: For those of you who can't stand the heat, some reviews mention that the air conditioning on the second floor isn't always very strong[11]. If you're sensitive to the heat, just ask a server to move you to a spot with better airflow.
- A controversial gem with 1700+ Google reviews (4.6 stars), but comments are a warzone. This love/hate divide makes you curious[1].
- Three floors of rustic Italian decor and a gorgeous rooftop. At dusk, find beanbags, a live band, and perfect vibes[2].
- Celebrating a birthday? The staff brings a surprise ice cream and birthday song for a memorable touch[3].
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