Makassar's New Viral Spot: Worth the 1-Hour Wait?
qponx
2026-03-06
Makassar's new viral hotspot, Camell Cafe, is turning heads with its stunning, spacious, and photogenic interior. While the ambiance is a huge draw and some dishes like the Seafood Fried Rice shine, the experience has major flaws. Expect frustratingly long waits, inconsistent food quality, and a smoky environment. This review gives you the full scoop, weighing the beautiful decor against the significant service issues to help you decide if it's worth the visit and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Girls, has this new Camell Cafe in Makassar been blowing up your feed lately? Seeing that gorgeous, Insta-worthy spacious interior, I have to admit, I was sold. I rushed over right away to check it out for you all. The result... well, how should I put it? I have mixed feelings. 😅
The moment I stepped in, I was truly stunned by the ambiance. The sense of space is top-notch, super roomy, and designed to be both cozy and aesthetic. Every corner is super photogenic, definitely born for taking pictures[1]. Whether you're here to nongkrong with your besties or bring your laptop to work from the cafe, the physical setup is more than enough. Looking at the menu, they have Indonesian food, Western food, and all sorts of snacks and desserts, so it feels like it can satisfy everyone's cravings. It seems okay for a family meal too.
To play it safe, I ordered the Seafood Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Seafood)[2], which had good reviews. The taste was truly mantap, full of that wok-charred flavor, and the portion of ingredients was decent. My friend's pizza[3] was also a pleasant surprise, with a generous amount of cheese, so fragrant! The cakes[4] in the dessert display all looked tempting; a post-meal slice is a must. But! The salted egg chicken[5] my other friend ordered was a bit of a flop. It was way too dry, and for a picky person like me, it was a no-go. I've heard the quality control isn't very consistent, and some people have even been served ingredients that weren't fresh[6]. That's a major minus point!
Alright, now for the rant, so buckle up. The biggest flaw of this place is that it's SLOW! Anjay, so slow it made me question my existence! We waited almost an hour just for our water, and our main courses took an eternity[7]. If you go there starving, you'll literally explode on the spot. Also, while the ambiance is beautiful, the non-smoking section is basically just for show. The smell of smoke is everywhere[8], which is so unfriendly to non-smokers like us! On top of that, the live music is cranked up so loud that you basically have to shout to have a conversation. It's hard to just quietly chill.
Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls 📝
So, is it actually worth going? Take my advice:
All in all, it's an influencer-famous spot with potential but isn't quite ready yet. I hope the owner sees this and can quickly get the service and quality control up to par
- 1. Choose the right time: It's super crowded since it just opened. I suggest either avoiding peak meal times or just waiting for the hype to die down before you go[9]. Otherwise, with the queuing and waiting for food, your experience will take a nosedive.
- 2. Manage your expectations: If you're just going to take photos, then it's OK, the ambiance is undeniable. If you're going for a meal, please be sure to bring 120% of your patience and don't go when you're starving.
- 3. Ordering strategy: Ordering blindly is risky. For a safe bet, go for the Seafood Fried Rice[10], Pizza[11], and any of the cakes[12]. You basically can't go wrong with those.
- 4. Who should stay away: For my friends who are extremely sensitive to the smell of smoke, or those planning to bring kids, I sincerely advise you to think twice[13].
- 5. Snag some deals: Before you go, check their IG. They often have buy-one-get-one-free deals or discounts on movie tickets[14]. Every little bit saved helps, right?
- Camell Cafe has amazing ambiance: cozy, aesthetic, and every corner is photogenic. Made for photos [1].
- Seafood Fried Rice is mantap with great wok hei. The pizza is super cheesy! All cakes look tempting—you can't go wrong [2][3][4].
- Frequent BOGO or discounted movie ticket promos[5]. It's a steal—go now
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