A Gastronomic Guide to Jakarta
Discovering the cuisines of the Indonesian archipelago in its capital, with the hotels that make Jakarta a comfortable base.
Jakarta is Indonesia's great culinary crossroads. This guide focuses on restaurants that reveal the country's regional cuisines and on hotels that offer calm in a demanding city.
An archipelago on the plate
Jakarta is the best place to taste Indonesia’s diversity without travelling across its islands. Padang restaurants from West Sumatra, Javanese and Sundanese cooking, and Betawi dishes such as soto Betawi, a rich coconut-milk beef soup, all coexist. Kaum goes further, exploring the recipes of indigenous communities, while Plataran Menteng serves the classics in a heritage house.
Evenings above the city
For a change of register, Henshin pairs Nikkei cooking with panoramic views from the upper floors of The Westin Jakarta.
Where to stay
Raffles Jakarta is the choice for art lovers, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski for history and a central location, and Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta for quiet elegance.
Practical notes
Traffic can turn short distances into long journeys; group visits by district. Many restaurants are busiest on weekend evenings, so book ahead.