Useless AC, dishwater coffee, but Jakarta's youth are still queuing at midnight?
qponx
2026-01-24
Curious about the hype behind Jakarta's 24-hour hotspot, Lucky Cat Coffee & Kitchen? This review gives the unfiltered lowdown. While famous for its Instagrammable tree, the reality is less glamorous. Prepare for a sauna-like atmosphere from weak AC, "dishwater" coffee, and mostly disappointing, overpriced food. The article reveals why it's more of a "photo backdrop" than a quality cafe, offering essential tips on how to survive the experience if you decide to brave the midnight queue.
Where can you go in Jakarta at 3 AM besides clubbing? After a quick search, it seems like the only options are convenience stores and this place that's all over IG, Lucky Cat Coffee & Kitchen.
Drawn by its iconic big tree and the"open 24 hours" gimmick, I rushed over from the south side in the middle of the night. The result... Anjay, the experience was such a mixed bag, I just have to get this off my chest!
The 'Insta-Famous Tree' Under a Filter, a 'Sauna' in Reality
The moment you walk in, that big tree stretching through two floors is indeed very photogenic. Paired with the industrial-style concrete walls, any casual shot has a blockbuster feel; they've absolutely nailed the vibe. But! The moment you sit down, the filter shatters.
The chairs are hard and small, and the tables are so close you can overhear the gossip from the next table[1]. The worst part is the air conditioning, especially on the second floor—it's basically just for show! When it gets crowded, it becomes a steamy hotbox. Want to Nongkrong elegantly for a bit? You can forget about it, I'd be shocked if my makeup didn't melt.
And let's talk about the food. When the coffee arrived, I was stunned. The pour-over was so bland it tasted like tap water with a bit of coffee flavoring[2], and my friend's latte tasted the same. The food was a real heavyweight disappointment. The supposedly signature roasted chicken[3] tasted worse than what you'd get at a street-side fast-food joint. The portion of salmon was pitifully small[4], literally just one bite and it was gone. The only thing that was decent was probably the Chicken Cacciatore[5]; the flavor was finally on point.
Honestly, Is It Really Worth It?
To put it bluntly, this place is just a"24-hour paid study room/photo backdrop" disguised as a"cafe." The quality of the food and coffee is completely out of sync with its popularity and prices. A few of us just ordered a couple of things and it cost us almost 700k Indonesian Rupiah[6]—my wallet is bleeding, okay!
The service is also hard to put into words. The staff had a poker face the whole time and were completely indifferent[7], mastering that"take it or leave it" Chill attitude. Mantap!
My Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls (Take it, you're welcome!)
- ✅ When to go? The only reason is late at night! If you have absolutely nowhere else to go at 1 or 2 AM, this place can be a backup option[8]. Any other time, Jakarta has plenty of better cafes.
- 📸 What to do here? Take photos, and only with your phone. Don't bring a professional camera, or the staff will stop you, citing a"no commercial photography" rule[9].
- 🙅♀️ What not to do here? Don't expect to get any work done! The WiFi signal is so bad it'll drive you crazy[10]; even posting on Instagram is a struggle.
- 🍝 What to order (if you absolutely have to)? Go for the Chicken Cacciatore without a second thought. As for the coffee and most of the main courses, take my advice and run! Oh, right, there's free infused water you can get yourself next to the bar[11], which is pretty much the only consolation in the whole place.
- 🧘♀️ Mental prep: Lining up on weekend nights is the norm. Don't have any expectations for the service. Be zen about it, or you'll get mad.
- Jakarta at 3 AM? Beyond clubs, this 24-hour viral spot cures late-night boredom![1]
- Iconic two-story tree meets industrial concrete walls. Every snap is a vibe-filled blockbuster, dominating your feed![2]
- IG-viral, yet dubbed a 24-hour paid study room? Our editor tested if this 700k IDR spot is worth the hype![3]
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