Great Vibes. Great Value. Decent Food.
Interior, Design, and Atmosphere: This cafe/restaurant follows an open warehouse design, with walls to the left and right, but open entrances at the front and back that lead to the courtyard and parking area. This setup allows for ample airflow, creating a cool breeze throughout the space. Although there’s no AC, the place is always comfortable and breezy. The open warehouse design accommodates a large number of guests, contributing to a lively and energetic atmosphere. For those who prefer a quieter experience, there’s always the option to sit outside in the courtyard. While the interior decor is minimalist and somewhat brutalist, which might not make for the most Instagrammable photos, the atmosphere more than makes up for it.
Food & Taste: Decent. This is why I gave this place 4 stars. I ordered the most typical Canggu dishes: a cappuccino and a smoothie bowl. The cappuccino was too watery, though the coffee itself had a good, strong flavor. However, it lacked creaminess and wasn’t particularly memorable. The Hipster Smoothie Bowl had a great presentation, but the ingredients were disproportionate. They used too much dry coconut filling—almost half the bowl—which made the eating experience less enjoyable and left me feeling somewhat nauseated. Overall, the food isn’t worth going out of your way to try.
Price: The price reflects the food quality. It tends to be on the cheaper side for Canggu, but it doesn’t match the quality of other places. The cashier area features a large wall displaying all menu items and prices, which already include tax and service fees—a nice touch.
My cappuccino was Rp30k, whereas most cappuccinos in Canggu range from Rp35k to Rp50k.
All smoothie bowls are Rp60k, while the average price for a smoothie (dragon fruit) bowl is around Rp70k+.
Service: Amazing, amazing, amazing. The service is incredibly efficient, focusing on handling large numbers of customers. From ordering to the arrival of the food, everything was impressively quick. My cappuccino and smoothie bowl took no more than 7 minutes to arrive. If you’re in a hurry or just want a quick bite, this place is ideal. The staff may not be as welcoming as in other places, but that’s understandable given the high volume of customers they handle so efficiently. One issue I did encounter was that they placed my cappuccino spoon directly on the table. Since I was sitting outside and the table wasn’t very clean, it would have been better if they had placed the spoon on a plate or tissue to avoid contamination.
Overall: If you enjoy energetic and vibrant vibes, this place is definitely for you. If you’re looking for a spot that can handle large groups, Crate Cafe can certainly...
Read more🚨🚨 My experience at Crate Cafe in Canggu was far from satisfactory. My friends and I ordered 2 smoothie bowls and took a seat at the tables like everyone else. Little did we know that it would turn into a painfully long wait. We waited for almost an hour before our smoothie bowls finally arrived, and during that time, everyone else at our table had already received their breakfasts, including dishes like eggs, avocado toast, and more.
The service was incredibly slow and disorganized, leaving us feeling neglected and frustrated. It was disheartening to watch other diners enjoy their meals while we just sat there, hungry and waiting for our simple smoothie bowls. We expected a smoothie bowl to be a quick and refreshing option, but the wait time was unacceptable.
Even when our orders finally arrived, the food was disappointingly mediocre. The smoothie bowls lacked the freshness and vibrant flavors we anticipated, making the entire experience feel underwhelming. We had heard great things about Crate Cafe, especially in the popular area of Canggu, but our visit left us questioning the hype.
Considering the abundance of amazing dining options throughout Bali, spending our time and money at Crate Cafe was definitely a regrettable decision. There are plenty of other establishments in Canggu that offer outstanding food and efficient service, making this cafe fall short in comparison.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend Crate Cafe to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience in Canggu. The slow service, lackluster food, and overall disappointment make it clear that there are far better places to visit...
Read moreI visited Crate Cafe after hearing several recommendations, hoping to enjoy a smoothie bowl and get some work done alone. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the hype. Many tables were marked 'reserved,' yet they sat empty for the entire hour I was there, with no one coming to use them. When I asked where I could sit, I was instructed to order first, which I did. After that, instead of offering a free table, the staff directed me to share a small bench with a couple, which felt uncomfortable. When I requested a solo spot, they suggested I join a group of girls already sitting together, which I declined because I wanted to sit alone and there was plenty of space to do this.
Despite multiple single tables being available, I was told they were 'closed,' and I couldn’t sit there. The staff then suggested I sit outside—even though rain was on the way. The juice I ordered wasn’t what I expected either; rather than a smooth juice, it was a thick, blended mix of vegetables that was hard to drink. Although the smoothie bowl was good.
To make matters worse, staff began sweeping, mopping, and shutting off the lights, fans, and music at 3:50 p.m.—even though closing time isn’t until 5 p.m on the website. When I asked what time closing time was I was told 4:30 p.m therefore this need to be adjusted on their website. It felt very rushed and an uncomfortable experience, as if everyone couldn’t wait to close up.
Overall, poor customer service, unappealing menu items, and a stressful atmosphere made for a disappointing visit. I wouldn’t...
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