Worth It Just for Photos? An Honest Rant on Batam's "Fake Bali" Cafe
qponx
2026-03-06
Is Batam's Volla Social House worth the hype? This "Fake Bali" cafe offers a stunning, Instagram-worthy interior perfect for photos. But the experience is a total mixed bag. While the ambiance is a win and some dishes shine, this honest review dives into the inconsistent food, steep prices, and lackluster service. Get the inside scoop on what to order and what to avoid to decide if this beautiful spot is truly worth your money.
Anjay! Since when did Batam have a hidden gem like this? I just took the ferry over from Singapore, and my friend immediately dragged me to this place, Volla Social House. The moment I walked in, I was truly stunned. The high ceilings, huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the whole space is spacious and bright, with a super stylish design. It's got that total "Bali" vibe; I thought I had been instantly transported to Canggu! Every photo I took looked like a professional shot. I was just about to praise it in my head, but... haha, the rest of the experience was a total rollercoaster ride. 🎢
The ambiance is truly impeccable, modern yet elegant. Every corner looks like it was meticulously designed for Instagram[1]. We found a spot on the second floor with a fantastic view, and it even had outlets to charge our phones. So perfect for people like us who have battery anxiety. 📱
Let's start with what pleasantly surprised me! That Lotus Biscoff Milkshake[2] was absolutely divine. Rich, smooth, with just the right amount of sweetness. No exaggeration, it's one of the best milkshakes I've had in Indonesia, Mantap! 👍 For the main course, I blindly ordered the Mee Goreng[3], and surprisingly, it was also delicious. It had that great 'wok hei' flavor and tasted very authentic. But! The steak my friend ordered was a complete disaster. The texture was tough and dry, like a processed meat patty[4]. We just looked at each other, questioning our life choices. So yeah, ordering food here is like opening a blind box—it's all up to luck.
What I want to complain about the most is the service. The entire time, the staff seemed half-asleep. We'd call for them, and no one would respond. Not a single smile on their faces; it felt like we owed them a million bucks[5]. Then looking at the bill, the two of us just had a small bite and it was almost 1 million rupiah[6]. For this price, with this kind of service... Girls, you be the judge. 🤷♀️
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Saving Money, You're Welcome!
Overall, if you're in Batam just looking for a place to take beautiful photos, have a drink, and Nongkrong for a bit, then the ambiance here definitely passes the test. But if you have expectations for food and service, or if you want to have a proper meal, you might want to think twice
- What to order? Don't take risks! The safe bet is to go for the drinks and the few main courses that have been proven to be good. The milkshakes and coffee are decent, and for mains, you can try the Indonesian fried noodles. As for things like steak and pasta, order with caution!
- When to go? Definitely don't go on a weekend night! It gets insanely crowded, and the music is so loud you have to shout to be heard[7]. If you want to take photos peacefully or just chill with friends, it's best to go on a weekday afternoon.
- Where to sit? For the photo-takers, the window seats are the top choice—the lighting is amazing. If you need to work or charge your devices, head straight to the second floor to find a seat with an outlet[8].
- How to save money? Check their Instagram before you go! They often have various promotions like buy-one-get-one-free or student discounts[9]. Every little bit you can save counts!
- Instant Canggu vibes in Batam! Volla Social House [1] has high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows + modern design. Super photogenic.
- The Lotus Biscoff Milkshake[2] is a must-try! One of Indonesia's best: rich, smooth, perfectly sweet, and divine.
- Perfect for weekday Nongkrong. Grab a window seat for photos, or work upstairs with charging ports [3].
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