God-tier Coffee & Desserts, but Awful Mains? My Love-Hate Affair with this Banjar Baru Cafe.
qponx
2026-03-05
Discover a Banjar Baru cafe with a split personality! While the main courses might disappoint, the coffee and desserts are absolutely divine. With its own roastery, the coffee is top-tier, and the Korean Garlic Bread is a must-try. Enjoy the cool industrial atmosphere and unique bicycle shop connection. Just a heads-up: service is slow and the mains are inconsistent. Stick to the amazing coffee and sweets for a perfect afternoon hangout with friends.
I finally came to check out this super popular spot in Banjar Baru with a 4.6 Google rating. The place is seriously huge. As soon as I walked in, I was struck by the rich aroma of roasting coffee; it felt like the whole space was filled with a "we're professionals" vibe. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, greenery everywhere, an industrial style with a touch of retro—the atmosphere was maxed out.
But after sitting down and ordering, I realized things weren't that simple...
A Rollercoaster of Flavors
Let's start with the good stuff: the coffee and desserts at this place are absolutely king-level, worth making a special trip for!
As a shop with its own roastery, the coffee is truly impeccable. The pour-over has a rich complexity of flavors, definitely top-tier in Banjar Baru. After drinking it, all I wanted to say was Mantap![1] The desserts were an even bigger surprise. You have to order the Korean Garlic Bread[2]; it's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the aroma of garlic and butter just hits you right in the soul! Also, the Strawberry Pancake[3] my friend ordered was huge, more than enough for two people to share.
The coolest part is, it's surprisingly connected to a bicycle parts shop next door, with all sorts of cool frames and parts hanging up. A lot of cycling enthusiasts come here to Nongkrong, and this crossover concept is pretty interesting[4].
Rant Time: Some Flaws Must Be Mentioned
Alright, enough with the praise, let's get real. If you're coming for a full meal, you might want to lower your expectations. The dish I ordered was... hard to describe. The potatoes that came with my friend's fish fillet weren't even fully cooked[5], and the quality is very inconsistent. Compared to its mid-to-high pricing, the value for money is... emmm, you get it[6].
Although the environment is chill, the staff can sometimes be a bit loud laughing and joking at the bar, which breaks the quiet atmosphere[7].
Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls (Quick, take notes! 📝)
Finally, let me highlight a few key points for those who want to go:
So, just come here to focus on drinking coffee, eating dessert, and chatting with friends! Don't have high expectations for anything else, and you'll have a perfect afternoon. 😉
- Impatient people beware! Definitely don't come if you're in a hurry! The food service is so slow you could play a round of a game while waiting. I waited for almost an hour that day[8], Anjay!
- Not suitable for work: If you're thinking of WFC (Working From Cafe) here, forget about it. Power outlets are pitifully scarce[9], so your laptop won't last long.
- Restroom is hit-or-miss: This is a long-standing complaint. The toilet's flushing system is unreliable[10], so it's best to be mentally prepared before you go.
- Outdoor area has a requirement: If you want to sit in the outdoor area, you might be asked to pay a deposit of 200k Indonesian Rupiah[11].
- Banjar Baru's best coffee! In-house roasts mean pour-overs have richly layered flavors that rival pro cafes [1].
- Don't sleep on the desserts! The Korean Garlic Bread is a must: crispy out, soft in, with an addictive garlic-butter aroma [2].
- A bicycle parts shop is next door! Packed with cool frames & parts, it's a hub for cyclists to Nongkrong. Such a cool mashup [3]!
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