For this night view, I really have to eat a steak that's like a slipper?
qponx
2026-01-24
Upstairs Rooftop Cafe in Jakarta offers a stunning city night view, making it a prime spot for photos. However, be prepared for a mixed experience. While the scenery is a major draw, the service is notoriously slow, and the Western food can be a huge letdown—especially the steak. For a safer bet, stick to the Indonesian dishes like Nasi Goreng Kampung. This spot is best for those who prioritize the view over a flawless dining experience.
Girls, take a word of advice from me, if you're going to Upstairs Rooftop Cafe for its stunning night view, please manage your expectations! Otherwise, you'll really end up like me, a total mess…🫠
Last weekend, my friends and I wanted to find a place to Nongkrong, so we chose this cafe on the top floor of the Benhil hotel. Honestly, when night falls over Jakarta and the city lights turn on, the view from the fourth floor is truly beautiful[1]. The vibe was instantly on point, perfect for taking some epic city nightscape photos.
But! The beautiful-view filter was quickly shattered by reality. The first pitfall we hit was the Western food. My friend ordered a steak, and Anjay, I took one bite and almost died on the spot—the texture was seriously like chewing on a flip-flop (sandal swallow)[2]! No exaggeration. For those who want to eat here, promise me, stick to the Indonesian dishes. The Kampong Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Kampung)[3] I ordered was a safe bet; the taste and portion size were both Mantap, which kind of redeemed the experience a little. Their signature Upstairs Signature Sop Buntut (Oxtail Soup)[4] also had a huge portion, and they were very generous with the meat, but a friend thought the gamy flavor was a bit strong, so that depends on your personal preference.
To be honest, the experience at this place is really polarizing. The price is about 60k-100k Indonesian Rupiah per person[5], which is decent considering the food portions. But the most infuriating part is the service[6]—it's so slow it makes you question your existence. Waiting over 40 minutes just to place an order during peak weekend hours is the norm. Plus, the staff doesn't seem very familiar with their own menu, so it's best to double- and triple-check when ordering[7].
Pitfall Guide | A Must-Read Before You Go
Here's the real talk for my girls who want to check this place out:
- Just for photos and the night view? → Go for it, but definitely don't have high expectations for the food. Just stick to the Indonesian fried rice and don't touch the Western food.
- The service is incredibly slow! Be mentally prepared, and don't come on an empty stomach, or you'll wait until you have a mental breakdown.
- Going to the toilet is super inconvenient! The cafe is on the fourth floor, but the restroom is on the first floor[8], so you have to run up and down, which is a bit ridiculous.
- Attention Muslim friends: There is no prayer room (Mushola) in the cafe or the hotel[9].
- Remember to book if you go on a weekend! The place isn't big, and it gets very crowded when there are a lot of people. If you don't want to make a wasted trip, it's best to reserve a table in advance[10].
- From the 4th floor, the urban night view is stunning, vibe's electric, and every shot's insta-worthy [1]
- Must-try Kampong Fried Rice! Taste & portions: "Mantap!" Authentic Indonesian flavor you'll love [2]
- Upstairs Signature Sop Buntut has generous meat, super filling at just 60-100k IDR per person [3][4]
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