1. Anchor Café and Roastery
We start our glide through the Batam cafe scene with Anchor Cafe and Roastery. In a word, “pretty food.” Okay, that’s two words, but they both fit. The details make this place, and they nail it, from the perfectly topped cupcakes to the perfectly roasted gourmet coffee beans (which, by the way, are roasted on site by their very own miniature dragon, and, okay, not true, but I bet if you asked them for dragon-roasted coffee, they’d do their best.)
Anchor is started by a American expat who likes southern food. The portion is big and tasty, they made it American size. The coffee is roasted in house and the beans are ethically source thoughout the different regions in Indonesia and Asia.
On the weekend, you could spot a big expat gathering and you realise there is a big community over here. It’s a good hang out place and we spend hours away talking to people from different background.
They should have named it The Sails, or The Albatross, because there’s nothing Anchor-y about this place. It’s light and breezy. Maybe the Anchor means you will feel like staying there forever. Which you might. I did. Even though I didn’t.
Must try: Sweet & Smoky Barbecue Sandwich ($10+) and Fireplace Coffee ($3+)
Opening Hours :Monday Closed | Tuesday – Thursday : 8am – 6pm | Friday – Sunday : 8am – 8pm
Web: http://www.anchorcafeandroastery.com Contact Phone : +62 812 7070 2210 Email : info@anchorcafeandroastery.com
What to do next: 10 mins drive to Kepri Mall for shopping and movies
20 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Dermaga Culinary Paradise RF No. 11, Sukajadi, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Riau 29444, Indonesia (open in google map)
2. Chemistree Cafe
One of Batam’s best kept non-secrets, Chemistree Cafe. A two-floored coffee and eatery. So, basically, everything-ery. And all done well, very hipstery, comforty, and woody (lots of wooden beams and trees and plants, which is cool, although you’re kind of showing the trees their dead cousins.)
The place makes a nice instgram post and many influenceer is spotted always in this cafe. They have live music at night. Also done well. Music-y. I hung out and ate and sipped on both floors, and was… ( can I say “floored”? I mean, I know I can, but will you just quit reading on me if I do? I’m taking the chance). I was floored. Go. Pick a floor. Or pick both floors. Or start on the upper floor and repel down. They won’t care. They’re too busy making great coffee and awesome food.
Must try: Hotplate Meatball
Opening Hours : EveRyday 8am – 12am
Web: www.facebook.com/chemistreecafebatam
Contact Phone : +62 778 4086547
Email : nil
What to do next: 10 min drive to Mega mall centre for shopping and movies.
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Jl. Raja H. Fisabilillah No.12B, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444 (open in google map)
3. Sum Craft Tea Cafe
So the first thing about Sum Craft Tea, it’s in a Mall, and you’ll probably think, “No way a mall has a solid cafe,” and you will be — wait for it — wrong! How’s that feel, to be wrong? It feels wrong, am I right? Located in Bayfront Mall in Harbour Bay Terminal (Beside KFC and in front of the taxi stand ), Sum is co owned by a Korean Owner intending to bring the korean vibe and flavour into their Boba Tea.
Been there on the weekend and it is really crowded. Serving different types of Boba and fruit tea, be sure to their their Signature Crunchy Brown Sugar Series. Their pearls are specially infused with Gula Melaka and Brown Sugar. Very different from your usual ones back in Singapore.
Matcha Berry Marble Latte is really good. The Strawberry and Matcha blends so well together with their transparent pearl topping.
The black Charcoal Fresh milk, which you don’t find in Singapore but really popular in Korea is really good too. All their milk tea uses fresh milk.
Must try: Crunchy Brown Sugar Milk Tea ( 3 SGD+ ), Charcoal Fresh Milk ( 2 SGD +) and Matcha Berry Marble Latte (3 SGD +).
Opening Hours : Mondays: 12pm till 8pm | Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 830pm
Web: https://www.facebook.com/sumcrafttea/
Contact Phone : +62 821-7042-0059 Email : SUMBatam@gmail.com
What to do next: Situated in Bayfront Mall, you can shop around for Kueh Lapis or Eska Spa on the second floor.
In Bayfront Mall, Harbour Bay Terminal, beside KFC and in front of the Taxi Stand.
Address: Harbour Bay Complex, Jodoh River, Batu Ampar, Batam City, Riau Islands, Indonesia (open in google map)
4. Roasteree Cafe & Roastery
I’ll say this about the Roasteree — they like their art big! If you have four hours to kill, go through every piece of the mural behind their stage, it’s gorgeous, it’s worth it, and it’s big! The ambiance is what makes RC&R, it’s got a darkish, Edgar Allen Poe on a laptop feel that I appreciated.
But there’s also the contrast of the live entertainment on the rooftop, which is pure jam, and the bands they pick are always spot on. Plus, they use the word “roast” twice in their name! You can’t get more roasty than that. And they have a sign that says, “Sorry, No Internet. Talk to Each Other.” Perfect. I like my coffee with some snark in it. Well done, roast roast.
Must try: Rosmunich
Opening Hours: Everyday: 6pm – 2am
Web: https://www.facebook.com/roasteree?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
Contact Phone : +62 778 741 8695 Email : jefta.roasteree@gmail.com
What to do next: Short drive to Batam City Square for shopping and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444 (open in google map)
5. Tea Box Café
The Tea Box Cafe is a place your Mom would love. Do you know why? Because it was founded by eleven — yes, eleven! — mothers, who combined their absolute best recipes and motherly motherness to create some of the greatest food you’ll ever find at a cafe. Their Squid Ink pasta tasted so fresh with the right amount of spice. Their Cannelloni have a hearty soulful taste to it. (I don’t even know what that is, and I’m too lazy to Google it.) Also, there are also sorts of motherly sayings and advices painted on the walls throughout the TBC, and none of them make you feel guilty
Must try: Squid Ink Spaghetti (SGD 5 plus) CANNELLONI (SGD 3.5 plus)
Opening Hours: Everyday: 7am – 9pm
Web:http://www.facebook.com/t.boxcafe/
Contact Phone : +62 778 408 0149 Email :nil
What to do next: Short drive to Kepri Mall for shopping , ktv and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
(open in google map)
6. One Dozen Cafe ( previously known as Kopi Raya)
Next up, go crab crazy at One Dozen Cafe (not sure how you go crab crazy, maybe you run around making pincher hands, covered in butter — hey, it’s your meal). Seriously, the seafood is so fresh it will wink at your Dad and kiss your Mama. The chilli crab has its own unqiue Indonesian taste to it. Affordable, well-presented, and comfy, One Dozen serves great coffee, and there’s alcohol in the alcoholic drinks! Come on, get crabby. You know you want to do that pincher hand thing.
Must try: chilli crab ($25+ for 4 pax) and Sunny Setup ice cream (tbc)
Opening Hours: Everyday: 8am – 11pm
Web:http://www.facebook.com/onedozencafe/
Contact Phone : +62 778 749 4479 Email : onedozencafe@gmail.com
What to do next: 10 min drive to Mega mall centre for shopping and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Ruko Mahkota Raya Blok F No. 8, Jl. Fisabilillah, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444 (open in google map)
7. Hook Coffee Shop
What’s a pirate’s favorite coffee? Who cares, they’re pirates, they’re not supposed to have it good! But you are, and you will at Hook Coffee. Nautically themed all the way down to a see-through floor with crocodiles beneath your feet! Okay, that does not exist, and besides, there are no sea crocodiles, you should know that.
But you know what there is at Hook Coffee? Black Pizza with Carbonara Sauce. Sorry, Carrrrrrrbonara Sauce. And there are awesome coffees from Flores and Mandheling and other sundry exotic locations. And Italian, Western, and Indonesian edibles from a menu that would turn Blackbeard’s beard blue with envy. One trip to Hook and you’re sure to get, um, er — hooked! There, I said it.
Must try: Black pizza
Opening Hours: Everyday: 8am – 11pm
Web:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hook%20Coffee%20Shop%20Tembesi/1196330843846268/
Contact Phone : +62 812-9587-5845 Email : nil
What to do next: 10 min drive to Batam City Square for shopping and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Jl. Bunga Raya, Batu Selicin, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444
(open in google map)
8. My Garden Restaurant Cafe & Bar
Let’s talk open air. Let’s talk views. Let’s talk greenery and design and comfort and enchanting garden surroundings. Let’s talk My Garden Restaurant Cafe & Bar, perhaps the most unique eatery and drinkery in Batam. Read the reviews, they’re absolutely effusive, like verbal flowers opening at sunrise in praise of the experience of this lush cafe.
Take a perfectly modern and well-planned cafe and drop it into the middle of a well-manicured jungle. And then drop you in for dinner, lunch, or drinks. And then we’ll airlift you out, back to your hotel, where you can tell everyone of your time in a magical place that was half-nature and half-restaurant. Maybe they’ll believe you.
Must try: Waffle sandwiche
Opening Hours: Everyday: 3pm – 12am
Web:https://www.mygardenresto.com/
Contact Phone : +62 811 7783 000 Email : info@mygardenresto.com
What to do next: 10 min drive to Batam City Square for shopping and movies
30 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Ruko Bida Asri 2 No. 9 Jl. Raja M Selah, Belian, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432 (open in google map)
9. Socialite's Crib Cafe & Bar
How many levels do you want in a cafe and bar? One? Come on, that’s nothing. Two? Okay, hold on, cowboy, that’s a little ambitious. Three? What, no way, no one has three different levels, each with their own theme and design for three different experiences, who would do such a thing? Socialite’s Crib Cafe & Bar would. Just for you they have gone the extra mile, three times over.
There is a rooftop adorned with greenery at every angle, the perfect frame for amazing views and cool bands. The second floor is for more the quiet types, comfortable, cozy, breeze and perfect for chatting. And the first floor is where it all begins, and where they spin out some of the best food in Batam, along with some very tasty beverage options including a local favorite, Seaweed Beer. Good stuff. On so many levels.
Opening Hours: Everyday: 3 pm – 1 am. Monday closed.
Web: https://www.facebook.com/socialitescrib/
Contact Phone : +62 822 8423 5774 Email : socialitescrib@gmail.com
What to do next: 10 min drive to Mega mall centre for shopping and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Ruko Royal Sincom Blok C No. 18-19, Jalan Laksamana Bintan, Teluk Tering, Batam City, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432 (open in google map)
10. Lee's Cafe & Bar
How many Teddy Bears are too many Teddy Bears? It’s a question you won’t be able to answers at Lee’s, because they have just the right amount of Teddy Bears. On the walls, on the tables, Teddy here, Teddy everywhere. And it just… works. Mixed with the cafe’s well-designed vintage style, fabulous food, and super-friendly customer service, Teddy is the perfect touch to make your visit to Lee’s cuddly and memorable. Just like the Teddy Bear you had as a kid. Except you didn’t bring him and 200 of his friends to a chic cafe for some food and drink. But you could. He’d fit right in.
Opening Hours: Everyday: 11 am – 1 am | Saturday 11 am – 2 am
Web: www.facebook.com/leescafebar
Contact Phone : +62 778 408 5111 Email : socialitescrib@gmail.com
What to do next: 5 min drive to BCS mall for shopping and movies
15 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja, Batam City, Riau Islands 29444 (open in google map)
Batam Local Brewery craft beer
1. Brewsky & Co.
Ask 20 people their favorite brew house in Batam, and you know what you’ll hear? “Hey, stop asking all of us about brew houses, enough, already!” But before you overdid it, you know what you would have heard, a lot? “Brewsky & Co.”
Brewsky has been solidly ensconced as a Batam beer destination for way longer than you’ve been asking for recommendations. As the night goes on the crowd grows, but it never feels crowded and the craft beers are always flowing. There’s plenty of entertainment with multiple big screens, and plenty of good times to be had. At Brewsky’s. Just ask someone. But keep it below 20.
Must try: HP beer and Bali Blues beer (SGD 3+)
Opening Hours: Everyday : 6pm – 1am
Web:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hook%20Coffee%20Shop%20Tembesi/1196330843846268/
Contact Phone : +62 778 429 999 Email : brewsky@brewskyandco.com
What to do next: Near to Nagoya city walk
11 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Nagoya Citywalk Lantai Dasar, Jalan Kompleks Nagoya City Walk, Lubuk Baja Kota, Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444 (open in google map)
2. Fresh Beer Batam Centre
If you don’t believe that Fresh Beer Batam has fresh beer, then you’re very hard to convince. Because the bar is surrounded by wooden kegs and silver brew equipment, and the beer is flowing from taps, and people are way into drinking it. So, what’s your problem? The. Beer. Is. Fresh. And the ambiance is black and white, clean and stark, nothing to hide, just like a beer shop should be.
Oh, and beyond the beer, some of the most exotic dishes you can exoticize in your exotic brain. Mouse Deer Meat. Rattlesnake. Kitten Soul Soup. (Okay, made that last one up, but I bet it would be smooth.) And then, if all that isn’t enough (it is, you should be convinced by now), they’re famous for their Green Beer. Or, as I like to call it, Kermit’s Tears.
Must try: Green Beer
Opening Hours: Everyday : 6pm – 1am
Web: www.facebook.com/BatamFreshBeer
Contact Phone : +62 778 469 442 Email : freshbeer.batamcenter@gmail.com
What to do next: Short drive to Mega Mall for shopping or movies.
11 mins drive from Harbour Bay Terminal
Address: Jl. Engku Putri No.1, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444
(open in google map)
Lets go
And so, there it is, a vast array of super options for Batam cafes, restaurants, and craft breweries. We did our job. Now you get out there and visit them all. Because that’s your job.
