Spotty WiFi, food that takes forever... Why do I keep coming back to this 24-hour cafe?

Anjay, my first time at DAWAI COFFEE in Makassar, and I was truly shocked by how "big" it is. This isn't a coffee shop, it's practically a community square! The parking lot is ridiculously huge, and the inside is a whole new world, with an air-conditioned indoor area, a semi-outdoor space, and even gazebos. You can just find a corner and Nongkrong for the whole afternoon. As a 24-hour spot[1], it's a godsend for night owls and people fighting deadlines.

I found a comfy sofa spot and sat down. The menu prices are really wallet-friendly. I ordered their highly-praised signature Red Fried Rice (Nasgor Merah)[2] and Dry Noodles (Mie Kering)[3]. Honestly, the fried rice had that great wok hei aroma, the toppings were generous too, and the taste was Mantap! I saw they also recently launched an orange and lychee Americano series[4], only 19K a cup. It's refreshing and perfect for Makassar's hot afternoons.

But to be honest, this place isn't perfect. I got lucky, the fried rice was on point this time, but I've heard friends who come often complain that the quality of the food and coffee can be inconsistent[5]. Whether it's good or not really depends on the mood of the chef and barista that day. He also mentioned that it feels like the portion size for some dishes, like Ayam Geprek, has gotten smaller[6]. And when it's crowded, the serving speed is... uhm... you need to be a bit zen about it, especially for reservations during events. Waiting an hour is considered normal[7].

There are plenty of power outlets here, but not at every seat, so it's a good idea to bring your own extension cord just in case[8]. As for the WiFi, a friend said it was fast, but from my experience, it was just so-so. It's fine for handling emails, but don't expect it to handle any heavy tasks[9].

If you want to work in peace, come early to grab an indoor sofa spot. If you're here to watch a match (Nobar)[10] or for a big group gathering, you can be as loud as you want in the outdoor and gazebo areas—the atmosphere is awesome. But it can get noisy during peak hours or events, so be cautious if you need a quiet environment.

If you're making a large reservation for something like an iftar gathering (bukber), definitely, definitely confirm the serving time with the staff repeatedly in advance, otherwise you might be listening to the evening prayer on an empty stomach[11].