From fine dining spots for date night to the city’s best Indonesian food for special occasions, we’ve got the best restaurants in Jakarta in one handy guide.
In a city as huge and diverse as Jakarta, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out across the city. But what constitutes as a top restaurant? World class food, for sure, but what about the service, ambience and location? Lucky for us, Jakarta food scene is full of sophisticated dining destinations to impress a date or out-of-towners, or to celebrate the most momentous occasions. So if you’re wanting to eat out in the city, here we give you our top picks of the very best restaurants in Jakarta to start your culinary adventure.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN JAKARTA
1. Altitude
Boasting sky-high (46 floors high to be exact!) city views is Altitude at Plaza Indonesia, home to not one, but six fine dining restaurants – award-winning Japanese restaurant Enmaru, Oscar serving up a taste of modern European cuisine, not your average grillery Altitude Grill, Yugen Shabu & Sukiyaki with premium beef, and the contemporary-Japanese Maza. We say try them all, and post-dinner, head up to the Cloud Dining & Lounge for a delicious rooftop cocktail to finish off the night on a cloud-high note!
Altitude at The Plaza, Jl M. H. Thamrin, Menteng, Central Jakarta, p. +62 21 2992 2448, e. [email protected]
2. Taste Paradise
Taste Paradise serves up upscale Chinese cuisine with an impressive menu of delicious dim sum and modern Chinese dishes. With wonderfully grand interiors and impeccable service, it’s no wonder this lavish dining spot is packed on the weekend. Start with the nutritious double-boiled hashima with ginseng and date, followed by the Cantonese classic BBQ crispy pigeon and finish off with the black glutineous rice served with a scoop of coconut ice cream. And a fancy dinner calls for a shot of premium Chinese arak…
Taste Paradise, Plaza Indonesia, Jl M.H. Thamrin, Menteng, Central Jakarta, p. +62 21 2992 3838/ +62 852 1666 6088; Open Mon – Fri 11am – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm, Sat – Sun 10am – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm.
3. Bunga Rampai
What better way to introduce out-of-towners to the wonderful tastes of Indonesian cuisine in a beautiful colonial house, set in the old historical neighbourhood of Menteng. Feel as though you’re going back in time at Bunga Rampai, where the service is impeccable and the food is simply delicious. Hot tip: everything here is delicious, and can be even better with a generous dollop of spicy sambal.
Bunga Rampai, Jl Teuku Cik Ditiro No. 35, Menteng, Central Jakarta, p. +62 21 3192 6224/5; Open daily 11am – 9pm.
4. Table8
Hotel Mulia is known for their delicious line-up of restaurants, but the award-winning Table 8 is a definite must-visit while in town. The luxurious and ornately-decorated dining room is a treat in itself, but it’s the Szechuan and Cantonese fusion dishes that really take centre stage. Try their famous all-you-can-eat dim sum (hellooo piping hot hakao and shumai straight from bamboo steamers) and the immune-boosting double-boiled superior soup.
Table 8 at Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, Jl Asia Afrika, Senayan, South Jakarta, p. +62 21 575 3270, e. [email protected]; Open Mon – Sat 12pm to 2.30pm & 6pm – 11pm, Sunday 11am – 2.30pm & 6pm to 11pm.
5. Javanegra Gourmet Atelier
Walk into Javanegra and you’ll feel as if you’ve been personally invited to an intimate dinner party hosted by Andrea Peresthu, chef and co-owner of the atelier. The cosy dining room is set right next to the open kitchen, where Chef Andrea whips up a delectable feast of Spanish-Mediterannean cuisine. In between courses, expect Chef Andrea to stop by the tables for a chat about his adventures in Europe that inspire the menu’s gastronomic theme – a welcome and warm addition to the entire dining experience.
Javanegra Gourmet Atelier, Jl Kramat Pela Raya No. 212, Kabayoran Baru, South Jakarta, p. +62 813 1861 3638; Open daily 10am – 7pm.
6. Namaaz Dining
Those who say you shouldn’t play with your food haven’t set foot in Namaaz Dining. Chef Andrian Ishak created Jakarta’s first molecular gastronomy fun-dining restaurant serving progressive creations, aiming to tease and delight patrons with unexpected sensations. Diners aren’t even given a menu for their degustation meal, to avoid spoiling any culinary surprises. Expect wonderful creations, and trust that what you see on your plate might not be what you taste on your palette!
Namaaz Dining, Jl Gunawarman No. 42, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, p. +62 811 155 7798, e. [email protected]; Open Tue – Sat 6pm – 9pm.