Found the Year's Best Crepe and the Worst Parking Lot at My Old House in Bandung's Dago
qponx
2026-02-01
Discover a charming cafe in Bandung's Dago, housed in a renovated Dutch-style residence with a photogenic, vintage interior. While the parking is a challenge, the food shines, especially the must-try Vanilla Banana Crepe and savory Nasi Ayam Lada Garam. This spot is perfect for a quick, delicious bite. However, be prepared for weekend crowds and dining time limits, so a weekday visit is recommended to fully soak in the nostalgic, homey atmosphere.
Over the weekend, I spontaneously rushed to Bandung just to check out this amazing place[1] that scored 4.9 on Google. Honestly, seeing that score made me a bit skeptical, after all, I've been in Indonesia for a while, what kind of 'influencer hotspot' haven't I seen?
The cafe is right by Dago's main road, an old Dutch-style house that just oozes history. But my 'sweet story' almost started with a 'parking nightmare' – the space in front could barely fit three cars. Anjay! It was hard to even open the car door, and my blood pressure shot up instantly.
Through the Crowd, a Hidden Gem
After finally squeezing through the door, my earlier frustration instantly melted away. Isn't this exactly the kind of 'homey' cafe I've been looking for![2] The entire space is a renovated old residence, retaining its nostalgic layout, complemented by colorful and vintage decor. Every corner makes you want to pull out your phone and keep snapping photos. They even have a self-service photo booth[3] – they really know what young people want!
My friends and I went straight to ordering. To be honest, the food really delivered; it's definitely not one of those places that relies solely on its looks.
Vanilla Banana Crepes[4]: The best of the best! The menu says vanilla banana, but it tastes like rich caramelized banana, with a soft and chewy crepe, and just the right amount of sweetness. I'd come back again just for this!
Nasi Ayam Lada Garam[5]: My friend ordered this, I took a bite, Mantap! The chicken was fried crispy and boneless, savory with a hint of spice, perfect with rice.
Mie Kari[6]: This one is a bit subjective. The curry flavor is strong, and my friend thought it was delicious, but my bowl was a bit on the salty side, so the taste seems inconsistent.
Kopi Kisah Manis[7]: The signature coffee, the coffee flavor is indeed rich, and it tastes good, but the serving size... it feels a bit undeserving of its price, half of it was gone in one sip. 😅
Don't Rush Yet, Let Me Tell You Some Truths
While the ambiance and most of the food were on point, the downsides were equally obvious.
First, the service. I don't know if I was just unlucky, but the guy at the cashier was cool-faced and scrolling on his phone the whole time, which immediately deducted 50 points from the experience[8].
Second, it gets really crowded on weekends! When we went, we were told there was a dining time limit, about 90 minutes[9], so there's basically no chance to Nongkrong comfortably, and the whole environment was quite noisy.
Finally, value for money. Main courses generally start from 50k, and a drink + a dessert can easily go over 100k, which isn't cheap in Bandung. The food portions are decent, but the coffee serving size is indeed a bit small[10].
TL;DR: For Those Who Want to Go
- 🚗 Parking: Don't even think about parking right at the entrance! Park your car on the nearby Hasanudin Street and walk over, otherwise, you'll be stuck in traffic questioning your life choices[11].
- ⏰ Time: If you want to quietly WFC (Work From Cafe) or take photos, come on a weekday morning. There are plenty of power outlets here, and the Wi-Fi is strong[12]. Weekends are only suitable for a quick get-together with friends.
- 👍 Must-try: Vanilla Banana Crepes[13] should be permanently welded onto the menu! Nasi Ayam Lada Garam[14] is also a safe bet.
- 🤔 Order with caution: Mie Kari[15]'s taste is hit or miss; Kopi Kisah Manis[16] is delicious but be prepared for it to be 'gone in one sip'.
- The best caramel banana crepe! Soft, rich, I'd go back to Bandung just for it! [1]
- Cafe in an old Dutch house! Vibrant retro vibes, plus a self-service photo booth for non-stop fun! [2][3]
- Don't miss the crispy boneless savory spicy chicken rice! Soul-satisfying, amazing with rice! [4]
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