5 Stars on Google, but they won't tell you about the BOGO? This Makassar souvenir shop is playing a different game.
qponx
2026-03-06
Don't be fooled by the 5-star reviews! While Makassar's Coklatana offers a flawless chocolate cake perfect for souvenirs, there's a catch. This popular shop is known for keeping its buy-one-get-one-free deals a secret from customers. Get the inside scoop on their delicious cakes and learn the essential tips to avoid overpaying and snag a sweet deal on this must-try local treat.
Before coming to Makassar, I was recommended this lokal cake shop called Coklatana. It has over a thousand reviews on Google, all unanimously 5.0 stars[1], and its slogan is super artsy, something like "A Sweet Story from Sulawesi"[2]. Sounds very Mantap, right? But as soon as I got to their store in Trans Studio Mall, I was almost "sweetened" by a shady move. 😂
The cake is delicious, but...
Let's start with the good stuff: their signature chocolate cake is truly flawless. All the flavors are delicious. The texture is that soft and gooey kind, it melts in your mouth, the chocolate flavor is very rich, and it's just the right amount of sweet. You can really taste that they use high-quality ingredients[3]. The packaging is also quite thoughtful. If you're buying it as a souvenir (Oleh-oleh), you can ask them to pack it in a special cardboard box, which makes it convenient for taking on a plane[4]. Many lokal families buy several at a time; it really seems to be a nationally-loved dessert.
Here's the kicker: I almost got hit with a 'reverse discount'
Just as I was about to happily pay, thanks to a quick glance at my phone, I discovered they had a "buy one, get one free" promotion! But the staff didn't mention a single word about it from start to finish! Anjay! If I hadn't asked, wouldn't I have just lost out on a whole cake? I saw in the reviews that other people have had the same experience[5], and this kind of move really ruins the good impression. What happened to the sweet story? Why does it feel a bit like a trick?
Tips to avoid the pitfalls & save money, you're welcome!
So girls, learn from my painful lesson:
The taste is genuinely good, but the shopping experience... let's just say, if you want a taste of this "sweetness," you have to do your homework first. 🤷♀️
- 1. Take the initiative! Before paying, you must ask the staff: “Mbak/Mas, ada promo gak?” (Miss/Sir, are there any promos?). Don't wait for them to tell you, because they might not[6].
- 2. Follow their social media! They often have flash deals on Instagram, like "buy three, get one free" and so on[7]. Check their page before you go so you don't miss out on a huge deal.
- 3. Best for souvenirs! If you're buying a lot, make sure to ask for that special Oleh-oleh cardboard box[8]. It protects the cake from getting squashed and makes for a more presentable gift.
- Coklatana’s rich chocolate cake is soft and melts in your mouth, made with the good stuff [1].
- Getting it as a gift? They use a special Oleh-oleh cardboard box that's easy to fly with and looks great [2].
- Check their Instagram for flash sales like "Buy 3, Get 1 Free" [3] before you go to score a sweet deal
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