Same Brunch as Jakarta for Half the Price? This Semarang Spot is so Anjay
qponx
2026-03-05
Looking for a Jakarta-quality brunch without the hefty price tag? Head to Eastman in Semarang! This wildly popular spot serves up incredible dishes like the "Sweet Chicks"—crispy fried chicken and waffles—at nearly half the cost. While the trendy, minimalist cafe gets crowded and loud, its delicious food and photogenic ambiance make it a must-visit. The article also shares essential tips, like booking ahead and what to expect during peak hours, to ensure you have the best experience.
Every time I come to Semarang, someone always recommends Eastman to me. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking, how competitive can a cafe in a small city be? Well... anjay, I was so wrong. Before I even walked in, I could see it was packed with people. The crowd was easily on par with any trendy spot in Jakarta, and I even felt like the prices were 50% cheaper[1].
Once I sat down, forget everything else, the Sweet Chicks[2] on the menu had me hooked! Fried chicken with waffles sounds like a calorie bomb, but it was so good it made me want to dance. The chicken was crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and the waffles had that nice, dense texture. Drizzled with maple syrup, that mix of salty and sweet... who gets it! Their pastries are also totally on point, okay?[3] The buttery aroma of the croissant, so flaky it just falls apart, Mantap! The ambiance is undeniably great—minimalist and photogenic. The AC is blasting, so after melting in the heat outside, coming in feels like an instant cure.
However, nobody's perfect, and neither are cafes. This place is so popular that the staff can barely keep up. During peak hours, slow service and missed orders are a real possibility[4], so you need to be patient. Also, their coffee gets mixed reviews. My friend thought it was smooth and delicious, but the one I had that day was... hard to describe, let's just say[5]. It feels like the quality control is a bit hit-or-miss. For friends who want a quiet place to Nongkrong, I'd advise against it, because the music and crowd noise are really loud[6]. You basically have to shout to have a conversation.
Girls, listen up! My ultimate guide to avoiding the pitfalls:
- You MUST make a reservation! Don't just show up on a whim, especially on weekends, or you'll be waiting forever[7]. If you want a seat in the air-conditioned smoking room, you definitely need to book in advance, as there are very few spots.
- Bring a jacket! Don't say I didn't warn you, the AC inside is so cold you'll question your life choices[8]. Catching a cold is not worth it.
- Order decisively. The staff is very busy. Decide on everything you want at once, because adding to your order later might make you wait until you lose your mind.
- Heads up for Sundays! The road in front might have a Car Free Day, which means you can't drive up to the entrance and will have to park farther away and walk[9].
- Chicken & Waffles! The fried chicken is crispy, tender, and juicy. With dense waffles and maple syrup, it's a killer sweet-savory combo [1].
- Pastries are also on point, especially the croissant. It's super buttery and flaky. Absolutely Mantap! [2].
- Minimalist, photogenic space. The AC is blasting—an instant cure from the melting heat outside.
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