Carpe Diem - Coffee & Restaurant - Gili Trawangan — Restaurant in West Nusa Tenggara

I regret believing the (clearly fake) reviews of this very young restaurant... and I'm sure I will receive a very quick and witty response from the owner...

I'm not going to be rude or unfair - simply I will state the facts: We ordered for 5 people - the wait was a little long, but nothing unexpected. When the food finally arrived, we were given the avocado tuna bowl instead of the avocado salad, which we ordered. After pointing out the mistake, the waitress began to argue with me, saying that the avocado salad and the avocado tuna bowl are the same thing... I got up, took a menu, and pointed out the very clear difference between the two, but the waitress was very stubborn and kept repeating that this was, in fact, the salad we ordered. She took the tuna bowl away (which, by the way, was not in a bowl - it was on a plate) without explaining what was happening. 10 minutes later, she returned with the 'avocado salad', which was actually just the first dish transferred into a bowl. At this point, my mother-in-law (who the salad was for) gave up and left. The staff continued to bicker and squabble amongst themselves.

My Beef Rendang was tasty, the chicken satay was good enough, and the crispy chicken burger was average, as was the Carpe Diem salad bowl.

Overall, food is average to good, prices are too high, but service was (thanks to a number of people, but not all) pretty terrible.

Upon leaving, I did receive an apology for the mix-up and was told the menu is new... but considering I was able to understand the menu in 10 minutes and recognize the difference between two dishes, it's baffling that I should be teaching the staff to...

We were there every day for a week. Either on the sunbends or sometime for dinner.

Food was quite good and the service very kind.

But from a business view:

The service could be a more attentive towards the people who are already there, and less fishing for new ones.

You can ask from time to time if we want to order something if we are on the sun bed (every 1,5 hours at least). We are there the whole day, and it is totally fine asking us whether we want something. We know that we have the sun bed for free and we are paying with orders.

Also, during lunch or dinner you can ask if we want another drink. I don’t like to have an empty glass while eating trying to catch one of you looking at me to order.

Also, if you bring food, bring all food altogether. Ones, my girlfriend almost finished her dish before I received mine. It is fine and we can wait little longer as long we can eat together.

Your carrot cake was very good! Try to propose your cakes for desserts more firmly.

You could make carpe diem more money by being more attentive.

That all being said, i saw this phenomenon not only at carpe diem, but at other restaurants on Gili as well. But carpe diem is one of the best located and best visited, so lots of potential with better attention.

And still, the people who work there are very kind.

Finally, at the same time the people who want to sell us stuff (cheap jewerly, phone cases, speakers etc) are very very annoying. There is one every few minutes at your sun bed with the same stuff as the one before. I don’t know what to with them, and sure they need to make their living, but it is on the edge...

Carpe Diem: A Culinary Masterpiece with Exceptional Service ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carpe Diem is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience that lingers in your memory long after the last bite. From the moment you step in, the ambiance strikes the perfect balance between elegance and warmth, making it ideal for both intimate dinners and celebratory gatherings.

The menu is a testament to culinary artistry, with each dish crafted to perfection. The flavors are bold yet harmonious, showcasing the chef’s dedication to quality and creativity. Whether it’s the succulent seafood or the tender cuts of meat, every plate is a masterpiece.

However, what truly elevates Carpe Diem to a five-star experience is the impeccable service. Our waiters, Amri and Eddy, were nothing short of exceptional. Their attention to detail, genuine warmth, and deep knowledge of the menu made the evening unforgettable. They anticipated our needs without being intrusive, and their recommendations were spot-on. Amri’s charm and Eddy’s professionalism complemented each other perfectly, creating a seamless dining experience.

In a world where great service is increasingly rare, Carpe Diem—and especially Amri and Eddy—sets a gold standard. This is a restaurant that doesn’t just serve food; it creates moments. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a dining experience that delights...