Google's 4.9-Star 'God-Tier' Spot? The Lasagna is Legendary, But Avoid These Dishes.
qponx
2026-03-05
Curious about Samarinda's 4.9-star "god-tier" cafe, Vinckitchen? This spot is famous for its stylish, photogenic interior and legendary lasagna loaded with cheese and meat sauce. While signature dishes like the lasagna and seafood fried rice are definite must-tries, the menu can be hit-or-miss. Discover which dishes live up to the hype and which you should probably skip, plus essential tips for a flawless visit to this popular, internet-famous destination.
Girls, on a business trip to Samarinda this time, a lokal friend of mine was raving about a cafe called Vinckitchen, saying it's a "god-tier spot" with a 4.9 rating from over 1300+ reviews on Google[1]. Honestly, I've seen plenty of these highly-rated, internet-famous spots. How many are genuinely good, and how many are just hype? Today, I'm here to test it out for all of you!
My Visit: A Pleasant Surprise or a Total Scare?
The moment I walked in, the ambiance was undeniably great. It has a modern minimalist style, and every corner is super photogenic. You can tell the owner (her name is supposedly Cece July, and she's super nice[2]) has great taste. Unlike many internet-famous spots that are crazy loud, the music here is very chill, perfect for coming with friends to nongkrong for an afternoon. Oh, and the parking lot is huge, a blessing for those who drive.
Enough chit-chat, let's get straight to ordering!
👍 Must-Try Recommendations
👎 To be honest, I have some complaints…
Their menu claims that "everything is delicious," but... the quality control is really a bit hit-or-miss. The cake I ordered for dessert[3] was shockingly salty. I don't know if they knocked over the salt shaker. I've also heard friends complain that their Hainanese chicken rice was served cold[4], and that some of the snacks had a weird texture. So when you order, apart from the signature dishes, the rest might be a gamble.
The prices are mid-to-high range. If you want to eat to your heart's content, I'd suggest preparing around 150,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person. After all, a single drink costs around 40,000.
- Lazana (Lasagna): Anjay! I have to rave about this one! It's said to be the signature dish that started the owner's business[5], and they're super generous with the meat sauce and cheese. Every bite is incredibly satisfying. It's no exaggeration to say it's the best lasagna I've had in Samarinda.
- Nasi Goreng Seafood: I didn't have high expectations for fried rice at a cafe, but I was completely blown away. It had that amazing "wok hei" flavor, and the seafood was fresh too. A lokal said it was the best fried rice he's ever had[6], and I believe him!
- Noodle Dishes: We also ordered a noodle dish, and the portion was ridiculously huge[7]. One girl can't possibly finish it, so I recommend sharing it between two people.
Pro Tips to Avoid Disappointment, You're Welcome!
For the girls who want to check this place out, take note of these points to improve your experience by 80%:
- 1. Make a reservation in advance! Especially on weekends, the indoor air-conditioned seats are in super high demand. Booking directly via WhatsApp is the most reliable way[8].
- 2. Ask about the menu when you book. Many dishes at this place are often sold out, so you can avoid making a trip for nothing and finding out what you wanted is unavailable[9].
- 3. Be more zen during peak hours. When it's crowded, the service can be slow, and they might even bring you the wrong dish. Don't get too worked up[10].
- 4. A perk for the lazy! There's a car wash right next to the cafe. You can just drop your car off to be washed, and drive away right after your meal. You're a time management master[11]! (Note: It only opens after 2 PM on Fridays)
- God-tier cafe Vinckitchen[1] (4.9 stars/1300+ reviews!). Cece July's[2] spot is photogenic, minimalist, and chill—perfect for afternoon nongkrong.
- The Lazana is a local obsession, loaded with meat sauce & cheese. Hailed as Samarinda's best[3], each bite is pure satisfaction.
- The Nasi Goreng Seafood packs smoky wok-hei & fresh seafood. A local called it the best fried rice they'd ever eaten[4].
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