Djournal Coffee at Cafe Kissa — Restaurant in Jakarta

I honestly can’t believe I have to write this, but this was one of the worst customer service experiences I’ve ever had at a coffee shop. I was walking around East Mall looking for a nice, cozy spot to hang out for a while somewhere I could relax, maybe get some work done, and enjoy good coffee and food. From the outside, Djournal looked perfect. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and seemed like the ideal place to settle in for a couple of hours. I was even ready to order quite a bit because I planned to stay for a while.

But the moment I stepped up to the counter, the entire experience went downhill, fast. There was no greeting. No smile. No eye contact. The cashier was just standing there, talking to the barista and staring at the screen like we didn’t even exist. We were right in front of them, and they didn’t acknowledge us at all. Not even a simple “Hi, I’ll be with you in a moment.” I don’t understand how something so basic could be missing. It was awkward and honestly made me feel like we were unwelcome. Then my parents asked a few simple questions, and the response was just flat. The tone was dry, dismissive, and borderline annoyed. No effort to be polite, no explanation, no eye contact just this “ugh, can you hurry up?” kind of energy. And when he informed us about available seating, the cashier lazily pointed and said, “Adanya cuma itu doang sih,” like he couldn’t be bothered to care. No help, no options, no interest.

What shocked me most is that I had even started to order. I clearly said, “I’d like a Matcha Sea Salt and the other Sea Salt one (I forgot the exact name),” and do you know what happened? Nothing. The cashier glanced at us for a second, then turned away to chat with the barista again and kept tapping on the register like I hadn’t spoken at all. No confirmation, no “Got it,” not even a nod. It was like I wasn’t even there. At that point, I didn’t just feel ignored, I felt disrespected. It wasn’t just poor service; it genuinely felt personal. Like I was being treated as less than other people. And if this wasn’t personal, then that’s even more alarming, because it means this level of apathy and rudeness is just normal here. If this was my first visit, I can only imagine how they treat others.

I felt so disrespected and unwelcome, and I’m shocked that this kind of interaction is even possible at a place with such a polished image. If I were the owner, I would seriously rethink who’s being hired to represent the brand. No matter how pretty the café looks or how good the coffee might be, one staff member (the frontline) like that can destroy the entire customer experience.

This place had so much potential, but instead of becoming a new favorite, it became a place I’ll never return to. It was uncomfortable and frankly disappointing.

Do...

​I remembered hearing about a new Djournal Coffee outlet in the East Mall that was supposed to be less crowded. It's located at the very end of the Ground Floor—just walk straight past the Central Department Store until you reach the end, and you'll see it.

​The space is uniquely integrated with Cafe Kissa. The Djournal counter is at the front, while the main interior belongs to the cafe, but you're welcome to order your coffee and sit inside. The ambiance is lovely, with a minimalist, Japanese-inspired design featuring soft cream tones. Every table is adorned with a beautiful wooden vase, adding a nice touch to the decor. While not a large space, it feels clean, beautiful, and minimalist.

​There was only one staff member managing the Djournal counter, so you might need a little patience waiting for your order. However, the service was good overall.

​I would definitely come back here to work from the cafe again. It's a great spot if you're looking for a quieter alternative in...

Been here 3 times. 2 out of 3, I experienced being ignored, just left standing on the cashier. They have 2 baristas, 1 is serving customer and another 1 is idle.

And the 1 serving greentea is also taking time chatting with the customer, ignoring the fact that I have been standing up in front of cashier for 5 minutes. They only got 1 order and it's fasting month so its not like the cafe is crazy crowded.

This 1 barista that idle is the very same person who ignored me the very first time I came. His way of talking is lifeless, not even a smile. It fits the cafe decoration, beige and dull which aesthetically pleasing, but lack in hospitality.

If you want a cafe with a good mood and good hospitality, there's plenty others in GI. This cafe is ok for those who have plenty time to wait for super slow service and ready to be left standing...