Queueing 2 hours for a slice of cake? Is Union, Jakarta's OG viral spot, still worth it?
qponx
2026-01-23
Is Jakarta's famous Union still worth the legendary 2-hour queue? This review explores the iconic bistro, celebrated for its divine Red Velvet Cake but notorious for hit-or-miss main courses. Discover if the photogenic, old-school European vibe and must-try desserts justify the hefty price tag and dining time limit. Get insider tips on reservations, what to order (and what to skip!), and how to make the most of your visit to this viral Jakarta hotspot.
In Jakarta's dining scene, if you haven't heard of the famous Union, you've basically been living under a rock. As a 'living fossil' that's been popular since 2011, the line at its door has never been short.
Every time I pass by Plaza Senayan and see that line stretching to the horizon, I always wonder: Anjay, is it really that legendary? Waiting two hours just for a bite of cake? This time, I finally bit the bullet and came to personally check it out for you girls!
The Cake is Divine, the Mains are..."Human"
The moment you walk in, you get that classic old-school European bistro vibe. Black and white checkered floors, a wall of vintage posters, and large windows letting in natural light—it's definitely photogenic[1]. During the day, it feels like a greenhouse garden; at night, when the lights dim, it gets a bit intimate, perfect for a date.
The first thing after sitting down had to be ordering the legendary Red Velvet Cake[2]. Honestly, this cake is truly the MVP of the whole place, living up to its reputation. The cake itself is moist and dense, the sweetness is perfectly balanced, not cloying at all, and paired with the slightly salty cream cheese frosting on top, it's perfection! The portion is huge, more than enough for two people to share[3].
Another pleasant surprise was the Escargot Garlic Butter[4]; the garlic aroma was explosive, the snails were tender and sweet, and eaten with bread, Mantap!
BUT! While the cake was satisfying, the main courses left much to be desired… I've seen many people complain, and this time I experienced it firsthand. My friend's Truffle Pasta[5] had plenty of truffle flavor, but it was so salty we had to chug water[6]. I ordered my steak medium, but it came out a bit tough and dry, and was hard to cut. It feels like their quality control for main courses is like opening a blind box; the chances of hitting a dud are pretty high.
A Bit Painful for the Wallet, Not for Long Chats
To be blunt, you mainly come to Union for the ambiance and the desserts. The main course portions aren't large, but the prices are not cheap. I glanced at the bill, and a casual meal for three people came to almost 700k[7], and that's before the additional 21% tax and service charge. It hurts the wallet a bit. Not to mention the dining time limit. Want to sit and chill for an afternoon? Forget about it, you have to leave after 90 minutes[8].
A Veteran's Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls
1. Reserve! Reserve! Reserve!
Important things must be said three times. Don't be stubborn and just show up, or else waiting in line until you question your life choices is standard procedure[9].
2. The Art of Ordering
Go straight for the desserts, especially the Red Velvet Cake. For mains, you can try the escargot or the salmon, but don't have high expectations. If you want to nongkrong and chat for a long time, this isn't the place.
3. Weekend-Exclusive Perks
If you're a Bagel lover, come on a weekend morning! Their limited-edition Bagels[10] with various spreads, especially the truffle sauce, are so good they'll make you fly.
4. A Note for Those Sensitive to Smoke
Their non-smoking section doesn't have many seats, and it's very close to the smoking area. The air circulation isn't great, so the smoke might drift over[11]. Girls who are bothered by this should let the staff know in advance to see if they can arrange a better seat.
5. Check Your Bill Carefully
Besides the menu price, the final total will have a 21% tax and service charge added. It's said that they might even charge for a glass of hot water, so it's best to ask before ordering to avoid being a sucker.
- Red velvet cake is moist, dense, with amazing slightly salty cream cheese frosting. So big, two can share! [1][2]
- Old-school European bistro vibes: greenhouse garden by day, romantic date spot by night. Super photogenic! [3]
- Jakarta F&B "living fossil," popular since 2011. Queues are sky-high! What's the magic? [4]
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