Jakarta, Indonesia

Super happy to be back in Indonesia again! My last time was 2 years ago, and my summary from that visit was here: https://www.hello965.com/my-4-days-visit-to-bali-indonesia/

This time, the Embassy of Indonesia in Kuwait, in coordination with Go Indonesia and the board of tourism invited me to go and explore beautiful Indonesia again .. This time to see the Capital Jakarta, and Bali!

Jakarta, the capital of Republic of Indonesia is located on the North West coast of the Indonesian Island, Java.

I’ve been told that Jakarta is Indonesia’s busiest destination in terms of both tourism and commerce.. As I reached, I understood what I was told. The traffic is insane!  Extreme traffic jam. Your best option to travel between places is bike (GoJEK & Grab applications)

This is my second visit to Indonesia, and my first to Jakarta! Excited to see the capital for sure!

 

Hotel Options

• Pullman
• Ascott (apartments hotel)
• Gran Melia Jakarta
• Mulli (5 stars, not a fan of the reception’s staff service)
• Mercure Hotel (4 stars)
• Mandarin Oriental
• Keraton at the Plaza
• Ritz Carlton
• Fairmont
• Raffles

Food:

I found a great list where I wanted to try some of its restaurants but due to my packed schedule, I did not have the freedom to try any of the below. I however researched them, and they look legit!

INDONESIAN RESTAURANTS 

Bunga Rampai
Tastes of Indonesian cuisine in a beautiful colonial house, set in the old historical neighborhood 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. Must-haves are their tahu telur, ayam goreng kremes, urapan, and sate lilit jimbaran with a side of sambal matah and crunchy emping.

Address: Jalan Teuku Cik Ditiro No. 35, Menteng, Central Jakarta
Telephone: (021) 31926225
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11am to 11pm

Namaaz Dining
Recommended by hello965 friends! Chef Andrian Ishak created Jakarta’s first molecular gastronomy restaurant serving progressive Indonesian cuisine, with an aim 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!

Address: Jln. Gunawarman No. 42, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, check website for bookings.

EUROPEAN RESTAURANTS

Emilie
Emilie is one of the city’s finest establishments to this day, serving up a tasteful menu of modern French cuisine. With a changing seasonal menu, it’s no wonder patrons keep returning to try out the restaurant’s artistically-arranged dishes.

Address: Jln. Senopati 39, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Telephone: +62 21 521 3626

Javanegra Gourmet Atelier
Cozy 25-seat dining room is set right next to the open kitchen, where Chef Andrea cooks up a delectable feast of Mediterannean-style dishes. In between courses, expect Chef Andrea to stop by the tables for a chat about his adventures in Europe – a welcome and warm addition to the entire dining experience.

Address: Jln. Kramat Pela Raya 212
Telephone: (021) 72780119
Hours: 8:00 am – 11:00pm

RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW

Altitude
Boasting sky-high city views is Altitude at Plaza Indonesia. Discerning gourmands have their pick between three high-end restaurants – Salt Grill for Chef Luke Mangan’s take on contemporary Australian cuisine, Gaia Ristorante for an elegant Italian meal, and the award-winning Enmaru for exceptional Japanese dishes. Post dinner, head up to Cloud Lounge for a delicious cocktail to top off the night.

Address: Altitude The Plaza, 46^th Floor, Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Kav. 28 – 30, Jakarta
Telephone: +62 21 2992 2448

Akira Back
Another dazzling penthouse dining spot is trendy Akira Back, a favourite among patrons kick-starting their weekends. The restaurant serves up fusion Japanese Korean dishes, such as their signature Tuna Pizza, and other delightful favourites like their AB Tacos and Crispy Kalbi Roll. Be sure to try out their Asian-inspired cocktails, such as the refreshing Lychee Lush Lemongrass.

Address: MD Place Building, Jln. Setiabudi Selatan No. 7, Penthouse Level
Telephone: +62 21 2904 0777
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12pm to 12am

JAPANESE RESTAURANTS

Tatemukai: Japanese Fine Dining
Hidden behind an unassuming wooden façade – right in the centre of Grand Indonesia Shopping Town – is Tatemukai, a tiny omakase bar serving the freshest Japanese fare flown straight in from Japan. Expect melt in your mouth toro, uni and wagyu, and even delicacies like horsemeat sashimi and fugu (blowfish) on special days. Make sure you reserve one of the 25 seats per sitting in advance, as Tatemukai doesn’t take any walk-in customers.

Address: Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Sky Bridge, Level 3A, Jln. M. H. Thamrin No. 1, Central Jakarta
Telephone: (021) 2358 1807
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11am to 3pm, 6.30pm to 10pm

CHINESE RESTAURANTS

Table 8
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. 

Address: Hotel Mulia Jakarta, Gound Floor, Jl. Asia Afrika Senayan, Jakarta Selatan
Telephone: +62 21 575 3271
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm. Sunday to Saturday: 8am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 11pm.

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 weekend mornings.

Address: Plaza Indonesia South Gate 4^th Floor #01, Jln. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28 – 30, Central Jakarta
Telephone: +62 21 2992 3838

 

Finally, don’t miss SkyEE (famous rooftop bar with great views of Jakarta)

 

 

Cafes:

• Ruang Seduh
• 1/15 Coffee (One Fifteenth Coffee)
• Sophie’s Authentique
• Pipiltin Cocoa

 

Shopping:

We went around, and my favorite two shopping places in that order are:

• Grand Indonesia Mall (If the weather is bad, spend the day here..)
• Lotte Shopping Avenue in South Jakarta

 

Things to see:

• Miniature Park in Jakarta (a little village! I liked it a lot, just make sure the weather is walking friendly)
• Jakarta Old Town
• Istiqlal Mosque
• Ancol Ocean Dream

 

Bandung, East Java, Indonesia

– Recommended by Eman Al Adsani #Hello965friends

A getaway from Jakarta to the mountain side..

Approximately 150km from Jakarta, is in a river basin, surrounded by mountains. The hills provide a natural defence for the city, one of the reasons it is believed Indonesia’s colonial rulers, the Dutch, planned to move the capital here.

Three people recommended that I go visit Bandung for a change, unfortunately I was precommitted with a preset itinerary, so I couldn’t go. One of the friends recommended  the Padma Hotel in Bandung, she said its really beautiful. The best season to visit in September

She also gave a tip: don’t forget that welcoming drink, it’s called “Baji-gur”

(PS. Those pictures were taken back in 2012)

As a personal opinion, I see Jakarta as a stop-over to other destinations, or a work/business destination and this is mainly due to the crazy traffic I witnessed. However, and if you’re the type who likes to see and explore anyway (like me), then I do recommend you find a key area where everything you want to see is around you, since every 5 minute trip will be an hour trip.

I almost never say this, but for Jakarta, I highly recommend targeting the connected-to-a-mall sort of hotel. It’s worth it!

Cheers

Fatima