Indonesian Restaurant "Batik Asli" — Restaurant in Curaçao

To clarify, this review is not about the food. Just the service.

Walked in, all friendly, and asked if there was a table. This gentleman who was probably in his 50s-60s told us nothing was available. At first we thought it was a joke as the restaurant inside was at about 40% capacity. Outside empty. After another minute, he came back and was really blunt to us and said “I already told you, we are completely busy, if you come back make a reservation.” We arrived at 6.55 but was he really expecting it to be completely packed in the next mins. I’m just so shocked at how rude he was - his attitude never made us feel so unwelcome that I felt I was to get lost. Is asking for a table 2 on a Sunday evening a big ask? Fine if you’re busy but to be turned away when people are leaving or when it’s largely empty is rare. Shame as the food seemed great from reviews but this experience makes us never want to try it again

Note - we walked past an hour later, after something else to eat, and saw plenty of space still. People walking out were those we saw in the restaurant earlier. Plenty of tables available. Makes me wonder if we’re turned away because of...

I was so looking forward to eating here, that i persuaded a reluctant friend to come gere,en route to Jan Thiel.. But what a disappointment this place was . Mediocre food..and I have had the real Indonesian food in Asia,Holland and in New York.. I love how flavourful and full of freshness.This has to be the most tasteless food I have eaten. The Sate ayam was fried and slathered in peanut sauce...fried?? To add to it, in Covid times,we asked if we could sit at the empty tables outside. The owner brusquely tools my friend and I that food was not served outside.. He asked me if the food was not to our taste..when I said the food was disappointing.. there was some side comment made that I did not quite catch. The only reason why this place gets one star is because of the lovely and gracious lady who served us. She was exceptionally kind and sweet. I try not to put negative reviews,because I know how hard times have been. But there is no excuse for mediocrity and for rudeness. I shall never recommend this...

I recently celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary at Batik Asli. Talking to Johan the owner I was telling him that I had my first dinner with my future wife at Rijsttafel Indonesie on February 14th 1989. To my amazement he told me that - at that time - he was the owner of that place also!

My reservation at Batik Asli was at 1930 hours for 18 guests. My wife and I got there 30 minutes earlier and Johan showed me the separate room he had prepared for our group (see photos).

The food was delicious and the service was top (the waitresses were very friendly, attentive and always smiling).

We had such a good time until the owner sheepishly said that he wanted to actually close at 2200 hours.

These people work hard serving lunch and dinner - reason enough to be grateful and we left smiling and laughing all the way home.

I think the photographs alone will convince you to visit Batik Asli.

And if you are in a hurry, they do...