Don't come here starving! This Pekanbaru spot is gorgeous, but the food service is up to fate.
qponx
2026-03-06
Discover Pairing Coffee, Pekanbaru's trendy new cafe that's a feast for the eyes but a test of patience. This spot boasts stunning modern architecture, making it a perfect backdrop for your next great photo. While the ambiance is a ten, the food quality is a total lottery and service can be incredibly slow. It's the ideal place for a chill hangout with friends, but definitely don't arrive starving! For a safe bet, try the Soto Tangkar.
Girls, I just came from this new, trending cafe in Pekanbaru, Pairing Coffee, and my feelings are a bit mixed… How should I put it? It's the kind of place you really want to give five stars, but you can't help but complain a little. 😂
Passing by Sudirman Street, you absolutely can't miss it. A standalone building with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, it's basically a modern architectural masterpiece. The sense of space blew me away as soon as I walked in. It's spacious, bright, and the design is so aesthetic. You can take the photo of a lifetime in any corner[1]. There are indoor, outdoor, and VIP areas. The sofas are so comfy you'll want to Nongkrong there all afternoon.
A Rollercoaster for the Taste Buds
As for me, I can be lenient about the ambiance, but I'm super serious when it comes to food and drinks. Flipping through the menu, you can tell they're quite ambitious, offering everything from traditional Indonesian dishes to Western-style snacks.
I went for their signature Nusantara Coffee Series[2] and tried the Kopi Klepon. Hmm... the flavor of pandan and coconut sugar blended into the coffee is quite unique. If you like trying new things, you should give it a go.
As for the main course, the Soto Tangkar[3] I ordered was a pleasant surprise! The broth was rich, the meat was stewed until tender and flavorful. I finished the whole plate with rice. It was Mantap! The after-meal dessert, Churros[4], was also pretty good—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and cooked just right.
BUT! To be brutally honest, the food quality at this place is really like opening a blind box. My friend's fried rice was sickeningly sweet, and the Tom Yum soup was just mediocre. The most ridiculous part was, we ordered something called Creme Brulee, thinking it was the French dessert, but what came was a cup of bitter coffee... Anjay! Is this menu for real?![5] 🤯
Love and Hate in an Instant
If the food was a rollercoaster, then the service speed was a free fall... I literally watched the table next to us wait for a plate of fried rice until the end of time. Especially during peak hours like mealtimes or Eid, even if you have a reservation, the speed of the food arriving is up to fate[6]. Seriously, you could go from starving to feeling as calm as still water while waiting.
The Editor's Honest Guide 📝
So, is it worth a visit? Here's my advice:
- Do NOT go when you're starving! This place is more suitable for coming after you've eaten to Nongkrong with friends, take photos, and Chill for an afternoon. Think of it as a social space, not a restaurant to fill your stomach.
- Avoid peak meal times, or just be more zen about it and bring a power bank and your patience.
- Stick to the safe bets when ordering: You basically can't go wrong with the Soto Tangkar and Churros. The coffee is worth a try, but please lower your expectations for other main courses.
- Many items might be sold out by the afternoon[7], so it's best to go early if there's something specific you want to eat.
- A word of praise: although it's slow, the waiters and waitresses are all quite friendly[8]. Also, their parking lot is huge, and the prayer room even has air conditioning and is clean and comfortable. These facilities definitely get high marks
- A standalone building with massive floor-to-ceiling windows. The modern design feels more like a photogenic art space than a cafe. [1]
- The Kopi Klepon blends coffee with pandan & coconut sugar for a flavor explosion. A must for adventurous palates! [2]
- A surprise Indonesian gem: the Soto Tangkar. Rich broth, fall-apart tender beef. Devour it with rice in seconds! [3]
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