Hellooo Coffee lovers and coffee enthusiast...
A few days ago, I visited Kopi Fest Indonesia 2025 which was held at Sun Plaza, Medan. As a coffee lover, of course I was very enthusiastic when I found out that this city was one of the hosts of a national-scale coffee festival that presented various coffee tenants, equipment, and barista competitions.
As soon as I entered the event area, the atmosphere felt very lively. The aroma was also distinctive: a combination of the aroma of coffee brewed with various methods, the aroma of pastries fresh out of the oven, and the sound of jazz music that added to the elegant nuance of this festival. Visitors also seemed enthusiastic, from beginner coffee lovers to professionals in the coffee world.
Coffee Exhibition and Barista Competition
One of the main attractions of Kopi Fest is the many booths that showcase coffee machines, grinders, filters, and manual brewing tools. I saw firsthand several sophisticated espresso machines from well-known brands. Visitors can try brewing coffee directly with various methods, from pour over, siphon, french press, to cold drip.
Not only that, there is also a barista competition that makes the festival area even more lively. From the stage, the baristas show their ability to brew coffee and create latte art with extraordinary precision. Every movement they make is watched attentively by the judges and the audience. This moment really shows how the world of coffee is not only about taste, but also about art and technique.
Coffeeshop Booth and Various Pastries
In addition to the large equipment and roaster booths, this festival also presents many tenants from local coffee shops in Medan and its surroundings. They bring their own special menus, from contemporary milk coffee, signature cold brew, to espresso with unique blends. Not to forget, there are also booths selling various pastries and coffee side dishes, from croissants, quiche, to coffee-based desserts.
One of the booths that really caught my attention was Alligator Roastery's. Their booth looked different with its retro 80s-style design, complete with pastel color elements and classic wood accents. This booth was crowded with visitors, and I also joined the queue because I was curious.
Cold Black and Bow Tie Croissant
Among the several choices of drinks they brought, I was interested in one of their mainstays, namely Cold Black — a cold brew variant that they specially concocted for this festival. This drink is packaged in an elegant, slim bottle, with a minimalist label that steals the attention. When I tried it, I immediately fell in love with the smooth, bold, and clean taste of this cold brew. Not too sour, not too bitter, really balanced and refreshing. Perfect to drink cold during hot weather like in Medan.
As a drink companion, I also bought a Bow Tie Croissant — one of their signature pastries that is shaped like a bow tie. The texture is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a fragrant butter aroma. This croissant is not only beautiful in shape, but also has a taste that matches its appearance.
Overall, Kopi Fest Indonesia 2025 at Sun Plaza was truly a delightful experience. In addition to being able to try various types of coffee and the latest brewing equipment, I was also able to see firsthand how passion in the world of coffee is growing rapidly. Events like this are very important to bring together industry players, connoisseurs, and the general public in one place.
And of course, the highlight of my visit this time was the Cold Black and Bow Tie Croissant from Alligator Roastery. Both left a deep impression that made me impatient to wait for the next Kopi Fest. If you are a coffee lover, I highly recommend attending similar events. Who knows, you might find your new favorite coffee!