18 Coolest cafes in Surabaya where you can hang out with your buddies!

Versi Bahasa Indonesia: https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/id/surabaya/cafe-keren-untuk-nongkrong/ 

Written by Nadia Crowe
Co-written by Sahiri Loing
Edited by Beverley Lennon

Would it surprise you if I told you that Surabaya’s cafe scene is as amazing as Bali’s? Dare I say it might even be better! While Bali is home to paddy fields and ocean views, Surabaya is where you go if you want bright colours, magical vibes and everything whimsical!

Famous for being the doorway to Mount Bromo, many people seem to overlook Surabaya, in favour of making a quick stop before starting their journey up the mountain, that’s a huge mistake though. Not only are there some cool things to do in and around Surabaya, there are so many amazing places to eat!

So before heading on that scenic trek to Mount Bromo make sure to check out one of these gorgeous cafes and indulge in some energising foods!

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1. Take a load off in this macrame paradise!: Ijo Ijo Coffee

Macrame wall hangings and wooden fittings make up the majority of Ijo Ijo Coffee’s decor. Let’s not forget the Moroccan style pillows, blankets, and chairs that are bursting with colour, ready to take your Instagram to life!

Cozy and comfortable, you could easily spend your whole day there just soaking up the bright vibes, smelling the fresh air provided by the copious amounts of greenery, and indulging in their delicious food!

Some of the fan favourites include the pork knuckle, which is succulent and well-seasoned, or their Shrimp Tom Yum which has just the right amount of spice to make you sweat a little.

2. Come and hang out Bali-style: Tropikal Coffee

When you first walk in this place, you’ll instantly be reminded of the gorgeous cafes in The Island of the Gods (Bali). Tropikal Coffee is, well, a tropical haven for people who love everything to do with the island life.

Not only does this spacious cafe exude tropical beauty, the menu also spoils you for choice! Instead of plain old Iced Coffee, treat yourself to the unique coffee menu, each item infused with tropical climate fruits. One of the most recommended is the Tropical Iced Latte – a refreshing glass of watermelon mixed with ice cold coffee – perfect for battling Surabaya’s heat!

Pink and orange hues make up the majority of the venue, making you feel like you’re constantly watching the most beautiful sunset! Feel free to take as many photos as you want with your phone, just make sure it’s not for business purposes, as this requires an extra charge.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use this adorable location to take professional photos, because every day from 8am – 12pm this cafe turns into a photo studio. Just make a reservation and pay the studio rental fee to be able to snap every corner of it!

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3. Enjoy neon lights and an indoor garden: Tampan Mie and Coffee

Dining while surrounded by greenery is always a magical experience. At Tampan Mie and Coffee, you’ll be surrounded by greens on all sides! From the astroturf floor to the hanging planters all around, it’s almost like you’re in the middle of the jungle!

As per their name, the specialty here is mie (noodles!). So get your noodle train going and order a bunch of them off from the menu! There are five variations to choose from, from an eggy one to special cheese, you couldn’t go wrong!

The second part of their name is coffee, and as a result they serve up some aromatic brew! There are so many different combinations, from coconut milk, to soy milk, to oreos! Who could imagine a better combination?

4. An all white cool house filled with aromatic coffee: TBRK Rumah Kopi

Yet another cafe in Surabaya that’s reminiscent of the ones in Bali, a gorgeous all white facade with wooden accents greets you upon entry, setting the mood to chill.

Woven twine and seashells decorate the surroundings which is great for both your Instagram and your stress levels – it’s almost as if you’ve been transported to the tropics!

Every corner of this place is perfect for your photo sessions, from the gorgeous wooden seats to the hanging beads at the entrance to the doorway. Everyone will be blasting your DMs for information on where to find this cafe!

While hanging out, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a variety of other refreshing drinks. Whether you settle for their Areca Milk Coffee or Green Tea Latte, you can be sure to be in for a treat!

5. Take your tastebuds on a trip to Thailand: Mama Noi

Ever get the sudden hankering for Thai food? The savoury, spicy, and delicious cuisine that’s loved by so many? Mama Noi is here to save the day!

From the outside, Mama Noi’s building has a colourful and eccentric facade, it immediately steals your attention. It’s got this incredibly rustic feel, and you may not even realise it’s a cafe when you first lay eyes on it!

If you’re struggling with what to choose from their menu, then stick with the classics. Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, and the traditional Thai dessert (Mango Sticky Rice) that’s bound to leave you breathless! Don’t forget to wash it all down with a Thai Tea!

6. Celebrate the day of the dead everyday!: Gringo Mexican Bar

Bright colours, incredible wall paintings of the iconic day of the dead costumes, and ample neon lights fill the interiors of Gringo Mexican Bar. Not only does this place serve up some tantalising Mexican food, they also throw a raging party!

If you’re a fan of Motel Mexicola in Bali, then this is Surabaya’s answer for you! Enjoy a range of tapas, tacos, and burritos, all perfect for sharing with a group of friends before partying the night away Mexican-style!

Don’t forget to check their Instagram for events so you know when the party will get extra crazy!

7. Don’t “michuu” out on this cute cafe!: Michuu Korean Coffee House

Another gorgeous baby pink cafe calls Surabaya home. For anyone who loves Korean food, but just doesn’t have the time (or money) to go to the country of K-pop itself, then here’s where you need to go!

They serve traditional Korean meals such as Bibimbap, and Korean rice boxes. It’s the perfect place to chill with friends while enjoying the spicy delicacies they provide. The light pink hues are the perfect background for your next IG photo, and there’s even a cute little 2D section that’s mind tripping!

8. Enter a cafe where it’s always summer: Lumer+ Cafe

There’s nothing better than a nice pink cafe. In Lumer+ Cafe, it’s always summer time! Bright pink hues accompany you as you indulge in a Choco Crispy Pancake, sure to energise you for a full day of shopping around Surabaya!

Don’t miss on the OOTD opportunities in front of their pink wall with the neon flamingo sign! You’ll find yourself automatically feeling better and brighter as soon as you enter. There are a variety of different fried foods to choose from, isn’t that just heaven? From pink burger buns to black burger buns, your stomach and your eyes will be wowed!

9. Indulge in brightly coloured Indonesian food with a twist: Botanika Resto

A cozy botanical style restaurant is exactly where you’ll find delicious gourmet Indonesian food, brilliant ambience, and a cute instagrammable tropical wall!

A lot of their food comes with a little twist, for example their signature dish is a bright pink Dragon Fruit Nasi Goreng which will wow your eyes and your tastebuds! Their Nasi Rendang is bright green, infused with the sweet tones of Pandan, paired with spicy meat, it’s a rollercoaster journey for the senses!

If you’re around with little ones, they will love the colouring crayons and paper provided whilst waiting for the food, that’s right! No devices at the dining table so you can spend quality time with your family and friends over a nice meal.

10. Afternoon tea with Teddy bears at One Pose Café

You’ll almost think you just walked into a doll’s house. Or rather, a Teddy bear’s home.

With a Teddy bear theme and everything sweet, cute and pretty, ladies will love this hang out spot.

Comfortably nestled in a housing complex, the façade of One Pose Café looks just like a huge, classically-designed house, with a matching interior that can only be described as elegantly cute.

The cuisine is a fusion of Western and Asian, with creative names such World Tour in a Plate (Rp.42,00p) – a delicious risotto with breaded chicken and spicy Padang sauce, or the Red Army on Yellow Boat (Rp.25,000) – garlic bread with dabu-dabu topping!

Pair this with a drink from the Healthy Choice menu, and you’ve got an interesting brunch for the day. We recommend Green Pasture (Rp.25,000), a blend of Broccoli, honey, and orange.

It’s time for a girls’ night out!

11. Stay Up Late at Domicile Kitchen & Lounge

If you are looking to dine with a bit more sophistication, head on to Domicile Kitchen & Lounge, which has spacious indoor and outdoor areas, and a VIP room for a private meeting with clients.

Domicile offers a variety of cuisine, from Western to Chinese to Indonesian, and their fritter choices (especially the dory and calamari) are deliciously crunchy without overpowering the original seafood taste.

You should try the Wagyu Cheese Burger (Rp.65,000) or Pizza Quatro Formagi (Rp.80,000) which is served with four types of melted cheese!

What’s even greater is that you can stay here till late night. Their fine selection of wine, beer and cocktails will keep you buzzing throughout.

12. That Quant Vintage Cafe: Grandfather Coffee Shop

True to its name, the interior of Grandfather Coffee Shop is soooo vintage. An old vespa here and an old-timey teak-wood cabinet there and — voila! — you’ve snared an Instagrammable spot!

You can find local cuisine with some Western options here, and it’s satisfying on the comfort food front that definitely won’t break the bank.

If you’re going for the main menu, we recommend the Medallion Beef (Rp.65,000), and for coffee (or the Cream Miscelato) you’ll be given the choice of adding chips or jelly (Rp.26,000 to 28,000).

In fact, Grandfather Coffee Shop is going so old-school vintage, that it uses a fan indoors (they have a wider outdoor area), so be warned against cigarette fumes.

There’s a live band performing here on some evenings – where better to catch up with your buddies and reminisce about the old times than at this vintage cafe with some beer and music?

13. Guilty Pleasures Galore at Yoohoo Desserts and Bites

This place is clearly designed for those with a sweet tooth, where your bowl or toast will be deliciously filled with generous scoops of ice-cream.

Yoohoo Desserts and Bites serves up savoury bites for lunch and dinner too, but we know you aren’t here for a proper meal.

Recommended on our list is the Mochi Toast or the YooHoo Dessert Oreo Ball (Rp.45,000), a heavenly assortment of colourful sweets that includes taro, red beans, egg pudding, pearl jellies, green tea ice cream, and oreos (the pink ones)! You can opt for either the complete serving or a smaller one.

If you’re craving for something creamier, we suggest the Gimmesmores Parfait, a jug stacked with vanilla and chocolate ice-cream, chocolate pillow snack, topped with chocolate bars, Pocky sticks, marshmallows, choco cookies, and waffles.

Are you hungry for dessert now?

14. Enter the birdcages: Noach Café & Bistro

Noach Café & Bistro is another pretty cafe, with a bit of a masculine touch, due to its solid wood coverings, grey tiles, black pendant frame lamps, and a bit of green thrown into the mix in the form of faux plants.

But it also comes with plush comfy sofas and birdcage seats that ladies would love to Instagram at.

The ambience of the two-storey Noach is more of a restaurant than a café, but the prices are pretty much in the affordable range.

Their recommended items include Mexican Tacoz (soft corn tortilla filled with lettuce, chilli con carne, salsa and guacamole) and Spaghetti Aglio Olio (topped with bacon, parmesan and cheese tuile).

And can you resist these cheesy Crispy Spinach balls?

Don’t forget to order a refreshing Lemongrass Cooler or Maple Mojito to quench your thirst on a hot afternoon, and end your meal with the delicious Noach Pancake topped with strawberries and ice-cream!

15. Of flowers and romance: ONNI House Surabaya

As you enter ONNI House Surabaya, only one word is apt enough to describe its ambience – whimsical.

The backyard-kitchen restaurant has such sweet and woody decor, it’s perfect for a girls’ night out.

ONNI infused a very pretty touch to the table set-up, which includes fresh flowers and a personalised menu card with your name printed on it, if you are there for a special occasion and made reservations beforehand.

On the fixed menu set (salad, appetizer, main entrée, dessert), we love the Lemon Butter Dory (Rp.220,000) and the Wagyu Yakiniku (Rp.275,000), and we recommend the delectable Espresso Panna Cotta for dessert. Do make reservations beforehand, as the cafe can only accommodate up to 30 people.

If you fall in love with their cute props and decor, you can actually purchase some at their ONNI Store, which sells fresh flowers too!

And if you are looking for a cute place to take the little ones to, ONNI organises family activities on some weekends, with lots of games, cooking activities and animal fun the kids will love!

16. Chill and chat over coffee: Black Barn Café

This little ‘barn’ looks pretty hip on the outside and has an industrial feel on the inside.

Here’s the ideal place for some chitchat over coffee, or to chill and linger with a good book or your laptop (WiFi speed is fast!).

Try their classic Spaghetti Meatballs, or pick from the menu of the day, which can range from Soto Mie Jekardah to Poffertjes. And finish up with a warm coffee or a fancier red velvet latte!

17. Soak up the sun: The Localist Coffee and Bistro Surabaya

Don’t we all love sleek, spacious cafes where the sunlight streams in and brightens up the entire room?

At The Localist Coffee and Bistro Surabaya, with majestic floor-to-ceiling glass windows, you’ll get exactly that.

The coffee has all your usual suspects, but we love the mocktail names, such as ‘Daun di Atas Bantal’ (leave on a pillow) or ‘Mantan Terindah’ (the most beautiful ex-lover), which are actually titles of Indonesian films.

Food here is a variety of Western and Chinese, such as Mini Burger with Fries and Fried Beef Kwetiaw. And they are all pretty affordable!

Again, we love the huge space you get at The Localist, helped no doubt by the natural light. Avoid the midday sun though, as it can be too warm and blinding if you are facing the sun.

But the beautiful orange glow is lovely in the evenings!

18. Have a sea-riously yummy lunch – Dream of Kahyangan Art Resto

Have a scrumptious lunch at this eccentric fusion restaurant located in the heart of the city! The uniqueness of this restaurant shines through from their Chinese-Javanese inspired interior, making your lunch here a mindblowing tastebud and cultural experience.

Make sure you try their well-known seafood dishes, such as the Sate Kamasutra, a squid and shrimp skewer coated with their special sauce, or Gurami Pesona Sangkuriang, fresh local fish cooked in sour gravy.

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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