A Gastronomic Guide to Jakarta
The cuisines of the Indonesian archipelago in its capital, with the hotels that make Jakarta a comfortable base.
Photo: Park Hyatt Jakarta
Jakarta is the best place to taste Indonesia’s diversity without crossing its islands. Cooking from Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and Bali all arrives here, and the most interesting restaurants treat that range as a subject rather than a menu category.
An archipelago on the plate
Padang restaurants from West Sumatra, Javanese and Sundanese cooking, and Betawi dishes such as soto Betawi, a rich coconut-milk beef soup, all coexist in the capital. The pleasure lies in moving between them, ideally with a local who can explain what to order.
Kaum, part of the Potato Head family, goes further, exploring recipes and techniques of indigenous communities across the archipelago and the rare spices they use. Plataran Menteng serves the classics in a restored colonial mansion, which makes it a gentler introduction.
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
Three hotels cover the range. Raffles Jakarta is the choice for art lovers, and Hotel Indonesia Kempinski suits history and a central location.
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta offers quiet elegance.
Sources: What’s New Indonesia: Indonesian restaurants in Jakarta. Check the official websites for current information.
Stay
Hotels in this guide
Dine
Restaurants in this guide
Jakarta · IndonesianKaum JakartaPotato Head's Indonesian restaurant in Menteng, built on indigenous cooking from across the archipelago.
Jakarta · JapaneseHenshinA Nikkei restaurant on the top three floors of The Westin Jakarta, led by Akira Oshita.Jakarta · IndonesianPlataran MentengIndonesian cooking and a signature rijsttafel in a three-storey Dutch colonial house in Menteng.Journal
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