Hit up Tucano's for the Picanha, but the pineapple stole the show?
qponx
2026-01-24
Thinking about Tucano's for a Brazilian barbecue feast? This review of the Senayan City branch reveals a rollercoaster experience. While the signature Picanha was a tough, salty letdown with inconsistent quality, an unexpected hero emerged: the grilled pineapple! Find out why this sweet, cinnamon-dusted treat stole the show and, more importantly, get the crucial tip on which Tucano's branch you should visit instead for a much better all-you-can-eat meat experience in Jakarta.
Girls, take it from me! If you want to feast on meat in Jakarta and experience the joy of Brazilian barbecue, you've got to keep your eyes peeled when choosing a place. Recently, my friend and I met up at Tucano's in Senayan City, all excited and ready to Nongkrong for a bit, but my mood ended up like a rollercoaster ride…🎢
The Higher the Hopes, the Bigger the Disappointment?
I was dumbfounded as soon as I sat down. The ambiance… how should I put it, the lighting was so dim it felt a bit depressing, the tables felt old, and the plates even had some greasy stains[1]. It just didn't fit with the upscale vibe of Sency mall at all! There was also a lingering smell of smoke in the air, and the experience immediately dropped by 50 points.
The main event was the meat, of course! Watching the server (Passador) come over with the big meat skewers was still pretty cool. I went for the signature Picanha (Top Sirloin Cap)[2] first, and the result… Anjay! How could it be so tough! The outside was charred black, and the inside was so salty I had to keep chugging water. My friend's piece was okay, though, so it seems the quality is extremely inconsistent. Another one, the Cupim (Beef Hump)[3], was the same—some pieces melted in your mouth, while others were so dry they made me question my life choices. The side dishes on the buffet table were also mostly cold, with pitifully few options[4], leaving me with zero appetite for them.
The Best Thing of the Night Was, Surprisingly, This!
Just when I was about to give up, a savior appeared! It was the grilled pineapple! 🍍[5] Pineapple brushed with cinnamon powder and grilled over charcoal—warm, sweet, and the perfect palate cleanser to cut through the grease. It was so good I asked for three rounds! No exaggeration, the pineapple was the real MVP of the night. Also, the Brazilian cheese bread (Pão de Queijo)[6], if you can manage to get some, is also pretty good—crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and full of cheesy flavor.
A Guide to Avoiding This Pitfall, You're Welcome
Alright, let's get real and get to the point.
- Poor Value for Money: For a weekend price of around 300k per person, the quality of the meat and the service really don't measure up. The meat service was ridiculously slow[7]; getting food at an AYCE felt like begging and pleading. The cuts you want take forever to arrive, making for a terrible experience.
- Hit-or-Miss Service: The servers are inconsistent; some are very enthusiastic, while others seem to be daydreaming the whole time. You can even hear the kitchen staff laughing and fooling around loudly[8], which makes you question their professionalism.
- Ultimate Advice: Key takeaway! If you want to eat at Tucano's, do NOT come to the Senayan City branch! Take it from my veteran Jakarta friend, go straight to the Pavilion branch[9]. The meat quality, service, and ambiance are all so much better!
- Last Resort: If you absolutely must come to this location, remember to book in advance[10] and check if your utensils are clean as soon as you walk in. Good luck…🥲
- The MVP? Cinnamon grilled pineapple🍍[1]! Warm, sweet, and perfectly cuts richness; I ordered three rounds!
- Don't miss the Brazilian cheese bread (Pão de Queijo)[2]! Crisp outside, soft inside, intensely cheesy. Pure bliss!
- Listen up! For Tucano's amazing grilled meats & top service, head ONLY to the Pavilion branch[3]. Skip Sency!
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