UNION PIK Avenue — Restaurant in Jakarta

A disappointing experience at UNION PIK — especially for what was supposed to be an important dinner.

Let me start by saying: the food at UNION is great, and it always has been. But food alone doesn’t make a great restaurant — experience and service matter just as much, especially for loyal customers.

This dinner was supposed to be for an important occasion. I made a reservation, thinking that as a reserved guest, I’d be given a comfortable and thoughtful seating arrangement. Instead, I was placed at a table that was unreasonably close (around 25 cm) to the next one. I could barely have a proper conversation with the people at my table because the guest next to us was speaking so loudly. Again — I don’t blame her, she’s a paying customer too. The problem is with the poor layout and zero consideration for customer experience.

When I politely asked the staff named Angel if we could be moved, she responded with a cold and arrogant tone: “Penuh pak, mau di smoking room gak?” If you were there, you’d understand — it wasn’t just the words, it was the dismissive attitude. For a restaurant like UNION, that kind of service is unacceptable.

Honestly, the whole thing felt more like eating in a Warung Pecel Lele than in one of Jakarta’s most talked-about restaurants. And that’s being generous.

The supervisor Abel did text me later to apologize — but again, it felt like a standard “maaf ya” with no depth or understanding of what really went wrong.

UNION, I used to recommend you to friends. But after tonight, I won’t anymore. You lost a fan — not because of the food, but because you no longer care about the people who come to enjoy it.

FRIDAY, 1 August 2025, UNION PIK AVENUE, 7.30PM....

The first meal I had when I arrived in Jakarta. Heard about this cafe/restaurant and it has several branches and happened I was around the area decided to check it out. Not so easy to find as the grab driver stopped me at the main road and had to navigate the mall to find out the location. As I found the restaurant first thing I was stopped by the security who then brought me to the counter inside where I had to check for an available table and they would get my number and register for a table in Chope. Then was showed to my table and then given the menu. Met a very nice and attentive staff Anwar. First he helped me in resolving a Wifi issue when I couldn't connect to their Wifi. Then he recommended me dishes to try, and when I decided and ordered the dishes, he asked me if I had any food allergy. That's pretty unheard of in normal restaurants. First came the drink back to the root. Quite interesting combination of Yakult with carrot juice. Tasted pretty nice and also very easy to DIY at home. Next came the pasta which was decent. The portion was just nice with 3 big scallops on it. Simple and delicious. The main highlight which I was interested in were the desserts. Had the Pandan Ketan and thr Ube Velvet. The Pandan Ketan was not bad I quite like the pulut hitam in it but my favourite has to be the Ube Velvet. This is something every taro fan should try it's so good! One of the best taro desserts I had so far. Food was good, dessert was super. Price wise quite reasonable for the quality of food in a mall. Recommended to come try. Recommended to order the Ube Velvet too. Guess it must be quite popular given the flow of customers is pretty much...

I have always come here for their cakes!!! I mean, who doesnt love Union's cakes? Especially the red velvet one 🍰

As expected, if you haven't tried Union's red velvet, then you should. It is a bit tangy, sweet, creamy topped with that nutty crunch, everything is just soooo perf 🫶

This time I decided to give their other desserts menu a try, their Paris brest. It is basically a pastry filled with ice cream in the middle. I love the fact that their ice cream is so solid and not easily melt, you can even stab your fork into the ice cream and it wont fall. Their praline ice cream is so generous, and make sure you get all those hazelnut nougats spread around the plate. It is hella yummy. It is also served with baileys & coffee chantilly cream on the side. I mean, this dessert is worth every pennies and I would def come back to order this again. The pastry wasnt as flaky as I expected, a tad too dense for me. But overall a very satisfying dessert 😋🌞

-- Another visit reviewww!

LOVE THEIR NASTAR CRUMBLE CAKEEE. I expected it to be extremely dense and heavy but its the total opposite. Its light, tangy with the pineapple jam and overall a really good cake. Size wise its smaller than the ube velvet and the red velvet cake but its seriously good if you just prefer a lighter cake.

Their ube cake is also good but not spectacular, its more of one note flavor, just sweet. I didnt taste a lot of ube flavor. Oh and if you download their app, U+ rewards, you can get a free cake like I did....