CW Coffee Through the Influencer Filter: Nongkrong Mecca or Test of Patience?
qponx
2026-01-24
A new, massive 24/7 cafe in North Jakarta is trending online, but is it worth the hype? This spot offers a huge space for hanging out but tests your patience with painfully long waits, questionable hygiene, and inconsistent food. While most dishes underwhelm, a few gems like the Mie Nyemek and Nasi Goreng Ebi are surprisingly delicious. This honest review breaks down what to order and what to avoid for the best possible experience at this chaotic new hotspot.
Girls, another cafe just opened in North Jakarta, claiming to be open 24/7 with a space so huge you could hold a sports day in it, and it's been all over my Instagram feed. As a seasoned night owl, of course I rushed over to check it out right away. But this time... I have mixed feelings. 🤯
The moment I got to the entrance, wow, what a scene. I thought it was a line for some limited edition drop. The whole space is indeed visibly spacious, with indoor and outdoor sections, looking perfect for Nongkrong with friends or for WFC (Work From Cafe). But the problem is, for such a huge place, there's only ONE cashier taking orders and payments! The line was so long it blocked the entrance and the aisle, Anjay![1]
The Experience: Half Heaven, Half Hell
After waiting in line for half an hour to order, the real test began. I timed it, and my main course took a full hour and a half to arrive. The guy at the next table, who arrived before us, was already at the point of questioning his life choices from waiting so long.[2] Seriously, if you're coming here on an empty stomach, I'd advise you to think twice.
The atmosphere is also quite polarized. The indoor area has strong AC and is quite comfortable to sit in, but once it gets crowded, it's as noisy as a wet market. The outdoor area is... hard to put into words. It's right next to a"black river"[3] with a rather overwhelming smell, and if you go during the day, it's hot enough to melt you. The hygiene is also a concern—the tables were greasy, and the condition of the restrooms was cringe-worthy.
As for the food... it was like opening a giant blind box. The coffee was as weak as water, I even found a piece of plastic in my avocado latte[4], and my friend's cheeseburger came with no cheese at all. The taste of most dishes can only be described as very... safe, or even a bit mediocre[5].
But! To be fair, there were a few things that made me feel the trip wasn't a total waste. Their Mie Nyemek[6] was surprisingly delicious, with that authentic Javanese fried noodle flavor. The Nasi Goreng Ebi[7] was also good, it had that"wok hei" of an old-school village fried rice. Among the drinks, the Mango Smoothies[8] was the best of the bunch, rich in flavor and made with generous ingredients.
What to Avoid & Survival Guide
Overall, the operational management of this place really can't keep up with its ambitions for expansion. The hardware looks good, but the software and service are a total mess. So, here's some real talk for my girls who want to check it out:
🚨 What to Avoid:
✅ Survival Guide:
Alright, that's it for this honest review. Have you been? How was your experience? Let's chat in the comments! 👇
- Do NOT go on an empty stomach! I'll say it three times! The wait will drive you crazy.
- Avoid meal times and weekend peak hours, otherwise you might find that the main dishes are already sold out by the time you order[9].
- Lower your expectations for the environment and service. Don't expect too much.
- When paying with a promotion, check your bill carefully! Some followers have told me that the price didn't match what was advertised[10].
- When to go? Late at night or on a weekday afternoon. The experience is much better with fewer people.
- What to order? Just go for the Mie Nyemek, Nasi Goreng Ebi, and Mango Smoothies. You basically can't go wrong with these.
- Who is it for? If you're just looking for a place to sit and chat with friends for an afternoon and don't care about how fast the food comes out, then the huge space here is okay. But if you're coming for a proper meal, I'd suggest going somewhere else.
- North Jakarta's 24-hour mega cafe: huge space, but one cashier means queues out the door. Wild! [1]
- Avocado latte: plastic pieces 🤢. Friend's cheeseburger: no cheese! A giant mystery box challenge. [2]
- Vibe's rough, next to "Black River", but their Mie Nyemek & Mango Smoothies are surprisingly delicious. You'll return! [3][4]
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