A 4.6-star 'god-tier' spot on Google, and the server dared to roll their eyes at me?
qponx
2026-03-05
Tigris Cafe in Samarinda boasts a stunning "Little Bali" atmosphere perfect for photos and serves delicious, generously-portioned food. However, this review dives into the shocking downsides: excruciatingly slow service, rude staff, and operational chaos. It even warns about a risky on-site car wash where items may go missing. Discover if the beautiful vibe is worth gambling on the frustrating experience before you decide to visit this highly-rated yet controversial spot.
Friends, who gets it! I went to this cafe in Samarinda that calls itself "Little Bali," and the atmosphere was absolutely Mantap, every photo you take looks amazing. But guess what? The service almost made me explode on the spot 🤯, and I even got stuff stolen from my car while it was being washed, Anjay! This whole experience was just surreal.
Full Marks for Atmosphere, But a Total Fail on Service
Honestly, the moment you walk into Tigris Cafe, the vibe is totally on point. Thatched roofs, warm yellow lighting, a huge space—it really has that feeling of Nongkrong in Bali[1], perfect for taking pictures and chatting with your girls.
We ordered their signature dishes, like the Bakmi Tigris and Tigris Fried Rice[2], and the taste was surprisingly good. The portions were also huge—one serving of fried rice felt like enough for two people[3]. The Cake Bomb dessert was also a pleasant surprise[4]; it wasn't one of those ridiculously sweet, flashy desserts, it was delicious!
But! That's where the good parts end. The service speed was ridiculously slow—I waited almost 45 minutes for a cup of tea[5], I was dying of thirst. What's even crazier is, when I asked for a menu, the waitress just rolled her eyes at me. Her attitude was so bad I thought I owed her a million bucks. The quality control was also a mess; I heard the table next to us got a chicken chop that was raw[6]! We wanted to order avocado juice, but they said it was sold out. Come on, it was only 2 PM[7]! The operations management is seriously frustrating.
⚠️ A Real Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls (Save This!)
Even though my experience was hard to put into words, the atmosphere is genuinely nice, so for any friends who want to go, here's some "real talk" advice:
So, would you risk it for the "Little Bali" atmosphere and gamble on the service? Let me know in the comments
- 🚗 Car Wash Service = A "Get-It-For-Free" Blind Box? Tons of people online complain that the car wash staff have sticky fingers and will swipe water and snacks from your car[8]. If you absolutely must get a wash, I suggest emptying your car out, or just don't use the service at all. Otherwise, losing your stuff will just ruin your mood.
- 🧘♀️ You gotta be Chill. Coming here to eat requires the patience of a Zen master. Don't come if you're starving, or you'll seriously be waiting long enough to question your existence.
- 🌡️ If you can't stand the heat, sit outside. The indoor AC isn't very strong and it's a bit stuffy, while the outdoor area is actually more breezy and comfortable.
- 🎲 Service is a roll of the dice. Although I ran into a real piece of work, I've heard there are also amazing staff members like Oza[9]. All I can say is, good luck!
- Tigris Cafe's vibe is Mantap! The straw roof and warm lights give you instant Bali feels [1].
- Signature Bakmi Tigris & Tigris Fried Rice have huge portions and are surprisingly delicious [2][3].
- The Cake Bomb is sweet but not sickening. It's not just a pretty face—so good you'll want another slice [4].
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