Jakarta Travel Guide
Make no bones about it: Jakarta is definitely a traveller’s tightrope walk. Hardly a halcyon vacation spot, the ‘Big Durian’ compensates with rewarding experiences, should the more adventurous accept its sights, sensations and challenges.
A muezzin summons the faithful from one of Jakarta’s many mosques, but the driver of the angkot (minibus) you’re riding in blasts disco dangdut music from his dusty car stereo. The passengers, young Muslim schoolgirls in jilbabs, chuckle when he croons a love ballad whilst keeping his cool in a nose-to-tail macet, the kind of congestion which has created the city’s unique gridlock economy of snack hawkers and guttersnipe traffic boys.
Despite Jakarta’s sub-equatorial and coastal profile, Indonesia’s economic dynamo boasts no beautiful beaches or no palm-lined avenues, yet its nightlife is world class, its colonial history worth exploring, and its citizens so friendly that you’re bound to create lasting friendships.
From Jakarta’s urban jungle of high-rise buildings, highways and open sewage canals, the only place to escape to is an air-conditioned shopping mall with free Wi-Fi, an international food court and brand-name shops.
However, thanks to their ubiquity in this Southeast Asian megalopolis, many are starting to see the shopping mall as outdated and uncool, opting for the alternative hipster markets.
South Jakarta seems to be thriving with prime real estate, trendy bazaars and a huge expat scene, while its old town (Kota), located on the northern shores, is redolent of bygone colonial days.
Although half of its buildings fester in an advanced state of dilapidation, Sunda Kelapa showcases the hallmark of historic Batavia (Jakarta’s erstwhile colonial name). Here you can see retired windjammers, which once transported the holy trinity of the Asian spice trade—clove, pepper and nutmeg.
A number of museums also reveal Indonesian culture and Jakarta’s unique identity summed up in the national slogan, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
It may be a traveller’s tightrope walk, but for the courageous tourist, Jakarta gets the balance just about right.
Colonial rivals vied for control of this strategic trading port, but Jakarta emerged as a strong, independent capital.
Evidence of settlements on the Ciliwung estuary date back to the fourth or fifth centuries, but Jakarta’s history really kicked off in the early 16th century when the first European settlers arrived. The Portuguese took a fancy to this already established port, which they soon made use of to expand their colonial aims.
It wasn’t long before they were booted out by the sultan of Bantam however, who renamed the city Jayakerta, meaning ‘glorious fortress’.
Next up was a tussle between the British and the Dutch, both hoping for a bigger slice of Jakarta’s lucrative pie. Led by Jan Pieterszoon Coen, the Dutch outwitted the Brits in 1619, burning the whole town to the ground and snatching control of the port. Jayakerta became Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies, and the city was transformed into a copycat Amsterdam, complete with gabled merchants’ houses and canals.
Batavia boomed, and so did its population. By the early 1800s, the overcrowded, mosquito-ridden swampy areas were ripe for malaria, and a raft of epidemics saw an exodus of wealthy Europeans heading to higher ground.
Apart from a brief period of British control during the Napoleonic Wars, the Dutch ran Batavia until Japanese forces occupied the city in 1942, when it was renamed Jakarta.
The Netherlands tried to wrest back power after the war, but on 27 December 1949, Jakarta became the official capital of independent Indonesia.
Skyscrapers popped up and Jakarta became a financial powerhouse under President Suharto. However, it all came crashing down in 1997-98 during the Asian financial crisis. Violent protests and rioting hit the capital’s streets, and Suharto resigned in 1998.
Today, Jakarta remains stable politically and is becoming a major player among emerging economies.
Batavia’s Stadhuis (city hall), built in 1710, is home to the Jakarta History Museum.
Jakarta Kota railway station is one of the city’s few remaining examples of art deco architecture.
Jakarta hosted the 2007 Asian Cup final; Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0.
Jakarta has a tropical climate and any time of year is fine for a visit, although floods can affect the city in the Wet season. The Dry season – between May and September – is the best time to visit Jakarta as temperatures are in the low 30°C (86°F) but crucially the humidity starts to drop in the city. Prices tend to skyrocket during major holidays like Christmas and the end of Ramadan.
Getting around Jakarta
Jakarta’s Bus Rapid Transit (
BRT)
system
Telephone: +62 21 8087 9449
Website: www.transjakarta.co.id also known as Transjakarta Busway, is overcrowded and inefficient. There are 12 main routes, three of which run for 24 hours a day.
A compulsory prepaid e-ticketing system has replaced Transjakarta’s old paper tickets. You have to buy cards at local banks, which can be topped up with credit at all bus stops.
In addition, the city has a fleet of chronically overcrowded angkots (minibuses), though they have no schedule, fixed stops or air conditioning.
A monorail project was re-launched in 2013 after being abandoned in 2008, but was cancelled in 2015 due to commercial development disputes along the intended line. A 16km (10-mile) urban railway, known as the:
MRT (
Website: www.jakartamrt.co.id ) is under construction; the first phase, with 13 stations, is expected to open in August 2017 and the second, with a further eight stations, in 2018.
Taxis are considered the best way of getting around Jakarta, and although flagging one down in the street may be easy, you set yourself up for being ripped off. Book one at a hotel or a shopping mall’s pangkalan (taxi queue) instead. The most reputable companies are:
Taxi Services – Bluebird
Telephone: +62 217 917 1234
Express Taxi
Telephone: +62 217 340 455
Gamya Taxi
Telephone: +62 215 865 454
Make sure drivers use the meter. It also helps to know a bit of Bahasa Indonesia as many drivers determine your familiarity with Jakarta by gauging your language skills. If you appear lost in tongue then you could be taken for a ride. Tipping is not expected though at times the driver will make you feel it’s required.
Hiring an Ojek (motorcycle taxi) is much faster than getting around by taxi, though not for the faint-hearted. They usually hang out in front of bus stops or terminals. Be sure to pick one with a helmet on offer, or face a fine from the police.
Bajaj (Indonesian tuk-tuks) are motorised rickshaws that can be hailed in the street. They fail to separate passengers from the elements, but are cheap to hire.
Vehicles in Jakarta move at an average of 10-12 kph (6-8 mph) during peak times. This is the slowest among all the Southeast Asian capitals. Driving can be dangerous due to poor local driving standards and tolls are collected on major roads. To dissuade drivers from commuting by car, parking is expensive.
Cycling on Jakarta’s busy streets is not recommended. Attempts have been made to increase the amount of cycle lanes and to promote cycling as a way to ease the city’s congestion, but Jakarta’s City Council have refused funding. In the meantime, there are no official cycle rental companies in the city, but hawkers do rent out ontel (old bicycles) by the hour around Fatahilah Square.
RIPLE Motorental & Tourings
Address: Cipete Sel., Cilandak, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 812 1021 9726
Website: www.riple.co.id
Kafe -Sewa Sepeda Rental
Address: Koja, Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 878 8089 7778
Website: www.kafesepeda.co.id
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Book popular activities in Jakarta
Things to see in Jakarta
Attractions
Located just west of Monas is The National Museum, also known as Gedung Gajah (Elephant House) for its verdigris-coated bronze elephant out front. An erstwhile societal home for the Dutch intelligentsia, today the museum houses an intriguing melange of over 140,000 cultural artefacts which speak for the nation and its grand narrative of multiculturalism and survival. From prehistoric earthenware pots to coins dating back to the Majapahit Kingdom, the museum is one of the finest in all of South East Asia. Apart from temporary exhibitions, it also holds special events such as a Confucius Day, an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary arts festivals, and even parkour sessions for the city’s cool practitioners.
Address: Gambir, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, North Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 386 8172
Opening times: Daily 08:00-16:00
Website: www.museumnasional.or.id
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Smack dab in the centre of Merdeka Square, the National Monument (Monas to locals) pierces Jakarta’s concrete- filled skyline at 130m (426.5ft). The memorial, topped by a bronze flame coated in lavish gold, is the most important landmark in Jakarta, despite being an architectural excess constructed during a time of widespread poverty. For many it’s considered a symbol of Indonesia’s struggle against Dutch colonial rule; for others, a vile reminder of then dictatorSoeharto’s 32-year reign which gave totalitarianism a new meaning in history books. At its base is a museum displaying the history of Indonesia in 51 dioramas. An elevator takes visitors to an observation platform where you can see Jakarta growing vertically by the day.
Address: Gambir, Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 213 853 040
Opening times: Daily 06:00-16:00.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Wayangkulit (shadow puppetry) is one of the oldest storytelling traditions in the world whose evolution could be attributed to Javanese animism, Islamic teachings and Hindu mythology. Sitting on the western flank of Fatahillah Square in Kota, is Jakarta’s very own Wayang Museum. Though once a place of Christian worship for Dutch settlers, the old building now offers visitors the chance to marvel one of Indonesia’s greatest cultural commodities. Upon entering, you’ll see old and dusty puppet cases and labels without English translations, before the second floor displays an international mix of puppets, from countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Poland. Enquire at the front desk about the museum’s occasional puppet shows.
Address: Tamansari, Jalan Pintu Besar Utara, North Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 692 9560
Opening times: Tues-Sun 09:00-15:00.
Website: www.indonesia-travel-guide.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
South East Asia’s lucrative spice trade made Jakarta’s ports what they are today. Though it was the Portuguese who first forayed into the archipelago in the early 16th century, the Dutch conquest of Java swelled the coffers of the Dutch East India Company as the islands’ bounty of spice was exploited. Much of this history was left forgotten, but the Maritime Museum offers a sore glimpse into Indonesia’s dark colonial past. Located near the entrance of Sunda Kelapa, the Maritime Museum may appear to be empty, but there is a lot information to take in, including several perplexing nautical instruments and many traditional Indonesian vessels.
Address: Raya Pelabuhan, Jkt Utara, Daerah Khusus, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 811 943 4545
Opening times: Tues-Sun 09:00-16:00.
Website: maritimemuseum.id
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
The old town of Batavia, known as Kota, is the epicentre of the Dutch colonial era. Crumbling away are half of its 284 buildings, though a few are still worthy of some rubbernecking. Taman Fatahillah, the main square, is where all the action happens. Rent a traditional bicycle here called an onthel and cruise around Pee-wee Herman style. Next to the square is Café Batavia, a former Dutch East India Company office whose exterior is colonial, while its interior made up of wall-to-wall portraits of old Hollywood actors. West of the cobblestoned-square is Kali Besar, a canal which runs northward. The Chicken Market Bridge (an old drawbridge which dates back to the 17th century) is not too far away, though refrain from looking into its canal as you could still see why previous residents caught all sorts of mosquito-borne diseases. The canal empties out near Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta’s old harbour, where Dutch vessels sit in their golden years.
Address: Batavia, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Website: www.en.wikipedia.org
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
This family beachfront resort is much more than just a relaxing hotel– it’s actually an amusement park that holds the title of largest integrated tourism area in Southeast Asia. It hosts an international championship golf course, a theme park, hotels, and other recreational facilities, including 27 rides and 8 pools at the theme park and water park, respectively. Fantasy World is the main theme park but guests should also check out Atlantis Water Adventure, Ocean Dream Samudra, and SeaWorld Ancol before heading to the beach.
Address: Pinangisa, Jalan Taman Fatahillah 1, West Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 2922 2222
Opening times: Daily 24 hours
Website: www.ancol.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Jakarta History Museum (Museum Fatahillah) was originally built in 1707 as the administrative centre for the Dutch East India Company. It was turned into a museum in 1972 and continues to display historical artefacts that depict Jakarta from its beginnings in 1527 through until today. Of its scant collection, the most interesting pieces include a replica of the Tugu inscription dating back to the 5th century, maps and drawings of Jakarta in its heyday, and a copy of the 1522 Padrao monument, which celebrates the friendship between the Portuguese and the Sunda Kingdom.
Address: Pinangisa, Tamansari, Jalan Taman Fatahillah 1, West Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 692 9101
Opening times: Tues-Sun 09:00-15:00.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Not far from Merdeka Square is Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in South East Asia. Opened in 1978 during Soeharto’s reign, the mosque is noted for having four balconies overlooking a large rectangular prayer hall, held up by 12 round columns. Its dome is conspicuous at a great distance and the central sahn (courtyard) can hold a mind-bending 120,000 worshippers. As in every other mosque in the world, shoes must be taken off at the main entrance and ladies must enter with their heads covered. Unless worshipping, arrive outside ofsalat (prayer) hours as it can get pretty busy. Non-Muslims are refrained from entering certain areas.
Address: Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 213 811 708
Opening times: Daily 04:00-22:00.
Website: www.istiqlal.or.id
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park
Its slogan ‘Indonesian Charm’ befits one of Jakarta’s most enjoyable haunts – The Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah). Opened in 1975 on a 100-hectare (247-acre) plot of land, the park was designed to be a microcosm of the entire archipelago, with each of Indonesia’s original 27 provinces (plus an extra six since 1999) represented by its own pavilion bearing traditional architecture. Inside each pavilion are crafts, clothing and many other cultural tidbits. Water parks, museums and bird sanctuaries are also scattered across mini-Indonesia. Some pavilions offer traditional local cuisine and dance performances from selected provinces. Though it may not shed light on each of Indonesia’s 700 languages spoken by 300 ethnic groups, it does serve as an adequate crash course on what to expect should you choose to use Jakarta as a jumping-off point for other Indonesian destinations.
Address: Ceger, Cipayung, Jalan Raya Pondok Gede, East Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 804 178 9789
Opening times: Daily 05:00-20:00.
Website: www.tamanmini.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Constructed in 1695, the Gereja Sion (Zion Church) is the oldest church in Jakarta. It was first established so that the slaves (who were snatched along Portuguese trading posts between India and Malaysia) had somewhere to worship. Despite its plain look, many boast about its special status. Not only has it held up to tropical storms and invaders, but also against the catastrophic volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883.
Address: Pinangsia, Tamansari, Jalan Pangeran Jayakarta, West Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 626 7457
Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:00.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Address: Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus , Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 314 2067
Opening times: Daily 08:00-16:30.
Website: www.jakarta-tourism.go.id
Information about Jakarta, attractions, maps, accommodation, and help with public transport can be found at the Jakarta Visitor Information Center. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 2D also has a
Visitor information centre
Telephone: +62 21 550 7088Things to do in Jakarta
Travel 60km (37m) out of Jakarta and you will land in Bogor, a city known for its botanical garden spread out across 87 hectares (215 acres).
Bogor Botanical Garden
Telephone: +62 251 832 2187 can be easily be explored in a day, but don’t forget your umbrella as the area is famed for its prodigious rainfall.
- Explore Jakarta’s 1000 Islands
Contrary to its name, there are 128 islands scattered throughout Jakarta Bay offering an abundance of activities, from wreck diving on Pramuka to observing turtle breeding on Kelapa. Tours are available at:
Thousand Island Tours
Telephone: +62 21 3302 9759
Website: www.thousandisland.co.id
- Hang with Indonesian hipsters in Pasar Santa
For years Pasar Santa was a local indoor market, the likes of which exist all across Asia, but in 2014 a collective of the city’s entrepreneurial folk got together and decided to make it a place where the city’s start-ups could rent cheap stalls. Nowadays its full of coffee lounges, vinyl stores and street food stalls and has a reputation as the city’s hipster hub. Expect beards, tattoos and snapback caps by the dozen.
- Indulge your sweet tooth in Chinatown
Jakarta’s Chinatown reveals a very different side of the city. You can trawl for electronics at Glodok market or for traditional Chinese décor at Petak Sembilan Market. For the sugar hounds, though, a visit to Gang Kalimati and its ‘sweet street’ should be top of the agenda.
- Visit all of Indonesia in an afternoon
The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Telephone: +62 021 8779 2078
Website: www.tamanmini.com is based over in East Jakarta and bills itself as ‘the whole of Indonesia in one park.
Set across an areas of approximately 250 acres, its main attractions are the 26 replicas of traditional houses that represent different areas of Indonesia. You’ll also find museums, theatres, fauna parks and an IMAX theatre.
Jakarta tours and excursions
Jakarta tours
Jakarta Good Guide offer highly recommended tours run by friendly, knowledgeable guides who know the city and its history inside out. Tours depart daily on weekdays at 9am, and destinations include the Old Town, Chinatown and the city centre; participants are asked to pay-as-you-wish. A food tour departs every evening at 6.30pm from Monday to Friday for a set fee and is a great opportunity to learn about and sample typical Indonesian cuisine.
Telephone: +62 856 766 9954
Website:www.jakartagoodguide.wordpress.com
City Tour Jakarta offer a number of tours of Jakarta, including a 2-3 hour trip seeing the city’s most important monuments and an antiques market, and a day trip visiting the Old Town, a mangrove forest and fishing village to the north.
Telephone:
+62 821 1243 8333
Website: www.citytourjakarta.com
Jakarta excursions
Escape the heat and bustle of Jakarta by taking a guided day trip by car into the hills of Puncak Highland, 4,290ft (1,500m) above sea level. The itinerary takes ten hours and includes a visit to a tea plantations, fruit orchards and Bogor Botanical Gardens, plus lunch at a local restaurant.
Telephone:
+62 819 1005 4000
Website: www.highlandindonesia.com
The capital of West Java province, Bandung is 2.5 hours from Jakarta. Day trips include a visit to the crater rim of Tangkuban perahu volcano, Caitor hot springs and a tea plantation, plus a stop at a handicrafts centre in Bandung itself. Tour fees generally involve a pick up from your hotel, air-conditioned transport, lunch and the services of a guide.
Telephone:
+62 361 285771
Website: www.asiantrails.travelShopping in Jakarta
Whether you’re a penny-pincher or a profligate, Jakarta has something for everyone, so go nuts spending – the exchange rate is most likely in your favour. Shopping in Jakarta is considered something of a national pastime and there are over 170 shopping centres. From Batik fashion at traditional pasar (markets) to haute couture at swanky world class malls, the variety of merchandise is endless and a whole day could be spent swiping your credit card till it’s bent out of shape.
As shopping centres slowly arched up and replaced the traditional Alun-Alun (Main Square), browsers and buyers disseminated across the city, heading to its hallowed malls and dispersing any key shopping areas. Follow the beelines to Jakarta’s biggest and boldest.
Old record players, Wayang Golek puppets, wooden handicrafts, batik, brass work and all sorts of bric-a-brac can be found at the flea market at Jalan Surabaya in Menteng. Though many of the antiques may appear genuine they are, in fact, reproductions. Haggle here as most prices are severely inflated. Tanah Abang Market, specializing in wholesale fabrics and inexpensive clothing, is where locals go to shop. It’s rather chocka during weekends. Mind your wallet as petty thieves lurk onsite. Pasar Santa has vintage clothing stalls, antique stores and record shops as well as trendy coffee kiosks and a used book store.
If you shirt label reads ‘Made in Indonesia’, there are often surplus items from foreign factories to be bought too. Mangga Dua in North Jakarta is the place to get them for much cheaper than back home. Many bulk purchase as there are several shops that sell in units, but be wary as some knockoffs are often peddled as genuine.
Jakartans love shopping centres and the city is a mecca for the merchandiser as a constant flow of consumers whirl in and out of these glitzy, air-conditioned buildings. Plaza Indonesia, Senayan City, Mall of Indonesia, and Pondok Indah 2 are just a few of the many malls in the city. Thamrin City, located in central Jakarta, is a treasure trove of souvenirs, essentials and fripperies as well as quality batik products at a much lower price.
There are also several malls which showcase ‘Indonesian Fashion Avenues’, home-grown fashion boutiques from local big names. They can be found at Plaza Senayan, Pacific Place and the Grand Indonesia. Toko Ampuh, a shop in Plaza Indonesia’s basement, sells traditional Indonesian medicines from across the archipelago.
Hours of operation in Jakarta can be quite flexible with most shops generally open Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00. At the weekends expect stores to be open from 08:00-12:00 or later. Shopping centres open from 10:00-22:00.
While batik clothing might be the quintessential Indonesian souvenir, there are other items just as memento-worthy. Wayang Kulit and Wayang Golek puppets are unique choices, dating back to the beginnings of the spice trade. There are also ondel-ondel woodcarvings, some come as miniature figurines, others at waist height. The prodigious puppets are used in Betawi folk performances to ward off evil spirits. The keris, a Javanese dagger with a squiggly blade, has been awarded recognition by UNESCO for its cultural importance. Decorative replicas come in wood or metal, with fancy engravings fit for a Sultan or with no wrought garnishing at all.
Some shops offer a VAT rebate for certain goods. The scheme is only for tourists departing Jakarta within two months, and for purchases above IDR 500,000. The retailer must also display the ‘VAT refund for tourists’ logo on its doors for the incentive to stand.
Restaurants in Jakarta
Just as Indonesia has a history of multiculturalism, its food is also a culinary mash-up. Making an impressive claim upon anyone who braves its tastes and textures, Jakartan dishes consist of a tasteful mix of Asian, Arabic, Indian and Dutch. Keep a glass of water nearby as the status quo is spicy. Most shopping malls have food courts representative of a variety of preferences, from Betawi and Sulawesi, all the
way to the burning hot kitchen of Manado. Street food is just as delicious, though steer clear until you’ve had enough in your system to acclimatize your taste buds and build up the resistance of your stomach. The Jakarta restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over 200,000 IDR)
Moderate (80,000 IDR to 200,000 IDR)
Cheap (up to 80,000 IDR)
These Jakarta restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one and include all taxes but not drinks.
Expensive
Cuisine: Indonesian
Entering Lara Djonggrang leaves behind smoggy Jakarta for an entirely different world – the royal home of a 9th century Javanese King. On atmosphere and exotic décor, it makes for a unique dining experience, something the Tugu group of restaurants and bars have done successfully with their other establishments. More antique museum than eatery, the menu still covers a wide range of delectable dishes from all over Indonesia. Its dim lighting is a bit too dark and the mosquitoes can be a bother, but overall this is a smart eating option.
Address: Menteng, Jalan Teuku Cik Di Tiro 4, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 811 910 8966
Website: www.tuguhotels.com
Cuisine: Chinese
The new and unique Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines; home-cooking favourites, popular street food as well as various delicacies from two regions, completed with a tea counter that offers many varieties of Chinese tea from different regions of China.
Address: Gelora, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 753 271
Website: www.muliadining.com
Cuisine: French
A classic French bistro in collaboration with Chef Brandon Foo of Singapore’s Le Bistrot du Sommelier. Taking over the space previously occupied by Emilie, the restaurant is a tranquil refuge from the mayhem of Senopati. Just as intimate as the Jaya Ibrahim-designed space is the food – traditional French cuisine that will warm the cockles of your heart and transport you to Paris in a spoonful of pomme purée.
Address: Senayan, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 213 626
Website: www.new.uniongroupjakarta.com
Moderate
Cuisine: Indonesian, Western
A blast from the past, this historic colonial building has a lot of the ol’ Dutch in mien with a hint of Hollywood in its golden years. A mixed menu is offered, which includes authentic Indonesian, plus a Western selection that’s a little too ordinary in taste and appearance. As it sits on Taman Fatahillah square in Kota, it is an ideal stop to break up the old town, especially for a cocktail or two.
Address: Pinangsia, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 216 915 534
Website: www.cafebatavia.com
Cuisine: Italian
Mamma Rosy is an award-winning restaurant run by an Italian family three generations deep in Mediterranean gastronomy. The pastas and noodles are homemade and the atmosphere is raw Roma in the centre of a beguiling Jakarta. Rosy, the matriarch in the kitchen, is known for her minestrone soups and homemade pestos, and while the menu may be overwhelming in selection, guests are often encouraged to customize their own dishes. The terrace bar is calm-inducing, a real home away from home.
Address: Bangka, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 217 179 1592
Website: www.mammarosy.com
Cuisine: Indonesian
Social House is where the concept of a restaurant, bar and wine post can be enjoyed all in one place. With its new warm and alluring design, Social House provides a delightful dining experience. Following their transformation that started on their ten years anniversary, Social House continues to exude a warm ambiance that is new, yet familiar. Social House is the spot for any occasion where you can have a casual conversation while enjoying breakfast, lunch, high-tea, dinner or late-night drinks with ease.
Address: Menteng, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 212 358 1818
Website: www.ismaya.com
Cheap
Cuisine: Seafood
Crab legs and lobsters; crawfish and spicy Cajun, Holy Crab is a heaven for seafood aficionados in Jakarta. Southern hospitality is served up Jakarta-style with crustaceans snacked upon using a mallet, a bib and your own teeth. Local varieties such as blue and mud crab are available. However pricey the menu, and strange your meal’s delivery (served in a plastic bag), Holy Crab is a funky diner where its mouth-watering seafood makes for a fun-filled evening.
Address: Kebayoran Baru, Gunawarman 55, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 812 1179 2123
Cuisine: Fish & chips
A contemporary fast food restaurant with a casual atmosphere serving seafood in a bright setting that brings together hordes of local street eaters for light dining, especially at night and on weekends. Not a place for fillers, this milk bar offers sticky rice and a truly authentic Indonesian experience.
Address: South Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 212 933 6087
Cuisine: Padang
Family-friendly outlet serving regional Indonesian specialties in a casual, mall-based setup. The food of the Minangkabau people has arrived in Jakarta, bistro style. Serving authentic Padang-Peranakan fare, this grill applies a unique concept to traditional Padang cuisine. Though mostly associated with inexpensive street grub.
Address: Senayan, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 140 0445Jakarta Nightlife
Although Jakarta is not a primary tourist destination, it has much to offer the nocturnal reveller and the pleasure-seeking epicure. In this sprawling and chaotic megalopolis, visitors will find a mix of venues packed with domestic and international performers. Jakarta’s hangouts are as plenty and varied as in any other big city, from the grungy dive bars, casual family diners all the way to high-class eateries. Tourist offices and 4- and 5-star hotels are the best places for gleaning information on performances, concerts and the latest happenings.
Bars in Jakarta
BART has proven to be tops in Jakarta, thanks to its trendy profile as much as the beautiful nightscape it offers. Located on the seventh floor of Artotel Hotel, this chic watering hole is a whirlwind of fun at weekends, when the city’s artists and designers come out to play, but prepare your eyes for its zebra-themed interior. Unlike many venues, BART is spacious and not claustrophobia-inducing. The food is prepared in the hotel’s kitchen on the first floor and consists of a mix of Asian and Western dishes.
Address: Gondangdia, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 3192 5888
Website: www.artotelgroup.com
The so-called ‘Winston Churchill’ bar is popular with expats and locals looking to escape the sounds and smog of North Jakarta. Sitting on the north-western corner of Fatahillah Square, this popular café-cum-restaurant is definitely worth a stop, especially after a whole day of sightseeing in Kota, Jakarta’s old town. Its colonial interior is quite atmospheric though its rather large menu can be a bit pricey. Live music is played during the week as well as weekends.
Address: Pinangsia, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 216 915 534
Website: www.cafebatavia.com
We are thrilled to announce that St. Regis Bar Jakarta, proudly ranked #88 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Join us to celebrate this prestigious recognition and experience our sophisticated ambiance with exceptional cocktails. Raise a glass to unforgettable evenings at one of Asia’s finest bars.
Address: Setia Budi, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 094 8893
Website: www.marriott.com
Clubs in Jakarta
Expansive, multi-level nightspot offering pulsing DJ sets, cocktails & a vibrant light show. Powered by the best audio system in the world, Colosseum brings you a new dimension in the entertainment world. Music concerts become livelier. DJs become .. well, better DJs.
Address: Pinangsia, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 216 909 999
Website: www.colosseum.id
Go-go dancers move to R&B tunes played by a live band at this buzzing club with karaoke rooms. Club 36 Jakarta is a rectangular and factory-sized event space boasting a killer sound system for weekend moving and shaking. The 3D projection mapping on its walls can be quite nauseating or mildly spellbinding, depending on how many rum and cokes you’ve had.
Address: W Mangga Besar, West Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 216 269 666
Website: www.club36jakarta.com
Established in 2014, HW Group is an embodiment of excellent service, new trends, and hype. We are Indonesia’s biggest and fastest-growing lifestyle entertainment company with more than 40 locations to indulge our guests.
Address: Senayan, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 088 6170
Website: www.hwgroup.id
Live music in Jakarta
Double Doors in West Jakarta has gained a reputation for its live music sets and convivial atmosphere. The manager is a musician himself, so he regularly gets on the piano. The food menu serves a mix of Western, Dutch and Indonesian pub grub, just a notch higher in quality. Its upper floor also has a sports room.
Address: Jalan Puri Indah Raya Blok T2, 15, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 21 5835 6816
Website: www.ddjakarta.com
Spacious, brick-clad outpost serving Indonesian & Asian fare alongside beer, wine & cocktails. A live music band plays 90s favourites to a down-to-earth crowd.
Address: Senayan, South Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 215 140 0949
Website: www.biko-group.com
Coffee, cocktails & casual Indonesian grub offered in a hip, low-key venue with outdoor seating. Popular with ex-pats, Molly’s pub has all you’d expect from pub favourites like fish and chips, stew on weekends.
Address: Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta.
Telephone: +62 813 1604 4666Jakarta Food And Drink
Food In Jakarta
A Dutch-invented smorgasbord of various meat, fish, vegetable and curry dishes.
A traditional dish consists of fried rice and meat, flavoured with spices and accompanied with vegetables.
Fried chicken, a national staple.
Traditional soupy broth with meat and vegetables, and sometimes featuring chicken and noodles.
A fiery chilli paste, a hot and spicy condiment to many dishes.
Indonesian meatballs usually made from chicken or beef. A popular street food.
Skewers of beef, chicken or lamb, cooked on hot coals and served with peanut source.
A speciality of Sumatra that consists of a densely spiced coconut beef stew.
A Javan salad of raw and cooked vegetables with peanut and coconut milk sauce.
Suckling pig roasted on a hand-turned spit over an open fire, a delicacy in Bali.
Drink In Jakarta
most consumed beverage in the world.
- Tea teh manis (sweet tea)
Indonesian households commonly serve teh manis (sweet tea).
Fruit juices (jus) are very popular.
kopi tubruk (coffee mixed with sugar and hot water and poured straight in the glass without separating out the coffee residue) to guests.
- Soft Drinks ( bajigur & bandrek )
A hot sweet beverages can also be found, such as bajigur and bandrek.
Bir pletokThis signature drink of Jakarta is known for its strong aroma of spices and bright red color. Although the name is “bir” (beer), this drink does not contain alcohol at all. It is made from a mixture of spices: cinnamon, ginger, lemongrass, fennel, cloves, chilies, and cardamom.
- Wine ( Berapa Kisaran Harga)
Berapa Kisaran Harga red wine di Indonesia
Joya is a nutritious family milk beverage made with the finest ingredients. Riched in 10 essential vitamins and 9 minerals and the goodnes of milk with egg.