A Michelin Chef, and this is it? Is Jakarta's Alice worth the hype?
qponx
2026-01-24
Is Alice at The Langham Jakarta worth the hype? This review spills the tea. While the stunning, European-style decor makes it a top Instagram spot, the food is a mixed bag. The afternoon tea set, featuring some of Jakarta's best scones and delicious profiteroles, is a must-try. However, you might want to skip the pricey main courses and be prepared for slow service. It's the perfect place for beautiful photos and decadent desserts, but not for a full meal.
Drawn by the name of Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens and the prestige of The Langham hotel, I had my expectations set to the max. But after sitting down and experiencing it all, how should I put it… my feelings are a bit complicated. 🤯
To be honest, if you're here to take photos, then this place is absolute heaven. The ambiance is truly impeccable, definitely a top-tier, Instagrammable spot in Jakarta[1]. High ceilings, exquisite European decor with a touch of fairytale vibes, any corner is perfect for a"pretending I'm in Europe" photoshoot, and the atmosphere is just off the charts.
So what's good, and what's a miss?
We ordered the festive afternoon tea set[2], and we were stunned by the presentation when it arrived; the portion was incredibly generous, it felt like enough for three people[3].
I have to give a special shoutout to the Scones[4]! Seriously, these might be the best scones I've ever had in Jakarta, the texture and flavor were totally on point, Mantap! Another dessert, the Profiteroles[5], is also highly recommended—vanilla cream puffs filled with ice cream, drizzled with a rich chocolate sauce, dessert lovers will probably ascend to heaven on the spot.
But! Here come the complaints…
Pay attention! If you're coming for a proper meal, you might want to lower your expectations. My friend ordered a steak, which cost 428k++ IDR[6], and the taste was just… very average, completely lacking that"wow" factor. Some of the small cakes in the afternoon tea set were the same; they looked really beautiful, but they were generally too sweet, which didn't quite live up to their looks and price.
Also, the service during peak hours really couldn't keep up. We waited almost half an hour for our food to be served[7], and trying to get a waiter's attention was a matter of luck. This is a bit unacceptable for a five-star hotel.
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To sum it up in plain language, here's a clear guide for the girls who want to go:
- Know what you're there for: This is a place for afternoon tea, photos, and Nongkrong with your friends, not the top choice for a proper big meal. To experience the best of it, just go straight for the afternoon tea and desserts[8].
- Book in advance! It gets super crowded on weekends and holidays, so if you don't want to make a wasted trip, be sure to book a table[9].
- Payment Method: A friend mentioned they don't give change for cash? Anjay! It's best to just use a card or e-payment to save yourself the hassle[10].
- What to Wear: Come dressed up beautifully! The ambiance here is amazing, you'd be doing a disservice to the money you spent if you don't take a hundred photos. As for the dress code, go for Smart Casual
- "Europe-vibes" photos from every angle! Jakarta's ultimate photo spot with an electric atmosphere [1].
- Jakarta's best scones are here! Texture and flavor are spot-on, one bite is soul-stirring. Mantap! [2]
- Sweet tooth alert! Profiteroles: vanilla puffs, ice cream, rich chocolate sauce – pure bliss! [3].
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