[BALI] Coffee Cartel is the kind of café that has managed to make its mark in Seminyak’s crowded brunch scene.
It was founded by Australian Blake Johnson, who has set up two cafés and a roasting and distribution business under the Coffee Cartel name.
The name “Cartel” is about community, a network of people connected by a shared love of coffee.
Actually, from the busy Seminyak street, I nearly missed this two-storey building (if not for Google Maps).
It sits unassuming with its white façade, leafy plants and motorbikes parked out front.
Inside, the vibe is much more polished. It was fairly crowded, but yet it felt so laid-back and chill at the same time.
Marble-topped tables, monochrome photographs and patterned floor tiles mix with chandeliers, potted plants and a dash of pink branding.
There is seating both upstairs and downstairs, and if you prefer a quieter spot, the balcony on the upper floor is a good escape from the bustle below.
The menu leans into all-day comfort food, with a mix of Western-style breakfast plates, salads and hotcakes.
There are lighter picks such as a Plain Croissant (IDR 25K), Coconut Bread with honeycomb butter (IDR 55K), and Seasonal Fruit Salad (IDR 70K).
You will also find bigger plates like the Salmon Bagel (IDR 110K), Avo Smash with feta and pickled beetroot (IDR 95K), and the hearty Big Brekky (IDR 110K).
There are also playful twists such as the Cauliflower Nasi with smoked brisket and carrot kimchi (IDR 110K).
I went for the Bacon and Egg (IDR 65K) McMuffin-style sandwich, which arrived stacked with pork bacon, a fried egg, cheddar cheese, aioli, tomato relish, hashbrown and pickles.
Well, it felt like an upgraded (and better, opps) version of a fast-food breakfast classic.
The hashbrown gave a nice crunch and the relish added some tang, though the whole thing leaned heavy and was best paired with a strong coffee to balance it out.
Coffee, after all, is what they pride themselves on.
Their roasting profile started in North Wollongong in collaboration with Delano Coffee Roasters, and today they roast in both Legian, Bali and Wollongong.
On a side note, one of Coffee Cartel’s signatures is the Ripple Latte. Instead of the usual free-pour latte art, they use a special printer that sprays coffee extract onto the foam.
Reliable coffee, hearty food, and no fuss. And sometimes, that is better than chasing the next big thing.
Coffee Cartel
Jl. Lb. Sari No.8, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Coffee Cartel
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