You will find everything from famous street of Jakarta stalls to high-class restaurants that display the richness and variety of Indonesian food and discover must-try Indonesian restaurants.
Let’s explore flavours of Indonesian cuisine with Social Expat’s curated listing to 20 Best Indonesian restaurants in Jakarta!
Must-Try Indonesian Restaurants in Jakarta Food Scene
In the heart of Jakarta, it has a number of international restaurants that serve food from Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Top Indonesian restaurants in Jakarta is organised across the city also add to the variety of foods available to attract locals and tourists. Pasar Santa, Pasar Baru, and Pasar Mayestik are some popular food markets.
Meanwhile, some food festivals have different programs all year round, such as local and international chefs, food lovers, and vendors, food testing, cooking demonstrations and workshops, and other food-related activities.
After all, Jakarta’s food scene keeps the cultural diversity going; it is dynamically and excitingly thrown at both locals and visitors for a dining experience.
Top 15 Best Indonesian Restaurants in Jakarta
For the food enthusiast who desires to taste everything Jakarta offers in terms of food, here are some restaurant suggestions highly recommended for an exquisite Indonesian experience. Some of these places include:
1. Namaaz Dining (Best Fine Dining Experience)
Located in South Jakarta, The restaurant operates on a set menu that evolves with seasons and takes diners on a gastronomic ride for 2 to 3 hours. Each meal is an experience, with it not relating just to taste but rather to food adventure presentation. It is the best fine dining experience in Jakarta.
Signature dishes include creative inventions such as Explodeng-an interactive dessert that actually pops and requires diners to wear raincoats against its playful bursts-and the honey fried banana, also known as pisang goreng madu in the native tongue, is perfectly served.
Location:Â Namaaz Dining
Open Hours:Â Tue-Sat (7pm-10pm), Mon & Sun (Closed)
2. Talaga Sampireun
Set around a pond, this restaurant exudes an authentically Sundanese dining experience. Its menu boasts of simple yet flavorful dishes of seafood.
Attentive service characterises the restaurants here, with even a guarantee that if meals take longer than 30 minutes to arrive, one gets a free food voucher. Experience the best range of Indonesian cuisine in Jakarta.
Click here to find out more
3. 1945 Restaurant
Located in the Fairmont Hotel, the 1945 Restaurant brings Indonesian tradition together with modern culinary style. Decorated with elegance, the restaurant is perfect for both business gatherings and romantic dinners. Famous dishes are Chicken Satay and Lobster-Pesmol; their beautiful presentation goes along with the dishes.
Location: 1945 Restaurant
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 12pm-10pm
4. Kila-Kila by Akasya
On top of being a rooftop, Kila-Kila has an amazing view and Indonesian cuisine minus any big indulgences. Some of the popular dishes which Kila-Kila offers are Cumi Hitam or squid in ink sauce, and Bakwan Jagung or corn fritters. Even live music is played at the bars to give off a complete happening vibe.
Location:Â Kila Kila by Akasya
Open Hours: Everyday, 11am-11pm
5. Bunga Rampai Menteng
Situated in a beautiful, ancient Dutch colonial mansion, Bunga Rampai is well-known for its beautiful decor and its very regal atmosphere. Its menu boasts dishes such as Tahu Telor, which is fried tofu with scrambled eggs, and Nasi Bali-these dishes are prepared and served perfectly.
Location:Â Bunga Rampai
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-9pm
6. Plataran Menteng
The Plataran Menteng located in Central Jakarta depicts elegance in colonial architecture with a modern touch of Java. Sharing menus of contemporary Indonesian cuisine, it is a great venue for gatherings and celebrations.
Location:Â Plataran Menteng
Open Hours: Everyday, 11am-10pm
7. Lara Djonggrang
The restaurant is famous for its magical decoration according to Indonesian culture. Traditional dishes were made very differently, such as Rendang and various grilled meats, all from fresh ingredients.
Location:Â Lara Djonggrang
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
8. Lumpang Emas Signature
Lumpang Emas Signature focus on authentic Indonesian cuisine and homey atmosphere. It stands out as a notable fine dining restaurant in Jakarta that deliver amazing food.
Location:Â Lumpang Emas Signature
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
9. Bebek Tepi Sawah
Bring diners to Bali and fire up your gastronomic senses with Balinese cuisine; Bebek Tepi Sawah is the home of crispy ducks and Bebek Betutu-smoked duck. Serene settings make it ideal to relax and enjoy traditional flavors.
Instagram: @bebektepisawah
10. Kembang Goela
Boasting an extensive menu from Indonesian to Peranakan food, Kembang Goela has nostalgic interior settings and high ceilings. Pretty famous on weekends, the place advises reservations.
Location:Â Kembang Goela
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
11. TeSaTe Restaurant
TeSaTe is a fabled restaurant serving the most authentic Indonesian taste os Sate dish in a casual setting. The restaurant serves traditional dishes in many varieties and at a very pocket-friendly price. It would be an excellent idea to come here with families or big groups.
Location:Â TeSaTeÂ
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 10am-10pm
12. Padang Merdeka
For people who like Padang food, Padang Merdeka serves it in a modern setting but on the cheap. Their specialty dishes are nasi padang and hot side dishes. It is one of the best authentic Indonesian cuisine.
Location:Â Padang MerdekaÂ
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 10am-10pm
13. Pempek Megaria
Pempek Megaria is famous because of its dish: Pempek, which is a salted fish cake native of Palembang. It is served here with a thick vinegar sauce to give it an even more gastronomical taste. Very famous among locals and visitors alike who want a taste of real Indonesian street food.
Location:Â Pempek Megaria
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 10am-10pm
14. Mie Ayam Gondangdia
Legendary for chicken noodles, Mie Ayam Gondangdia whips up comforting bowls of mie ayam together with fried wontons and other traditional delights within an environment aptly fitting for groups to converge in.
Location:Â Mie Ayam Gondangdia
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 9am-9pm
15. Gandy Steak & Bakery
While fundamentally a steakhouse, Gandy Steak & Bakery adds its own local twist in the form of local flavors combined with its steaks into some interesting fusion dishes-a haven for carnivores who also want a taste of Indonesia.
Location:Â Gandy Steak & Bakery
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
16. Plataran Menteng
Plataran Menteng is one of the uniquely romantic restaurant in Jakarta, boosting an incredible dining experience amidst traditional Indonesian architecture and lush greenery surroundings
The menu will contain an array of Indonesian dishes that reflect the diverse culinary identity in Indonesia. With Plataran Menteng, enjoy a highly remarkable dining experience, taking you back to Indonesia’s flavors-from nasi goreng to bebek betutu.
Location:Â Plataran Menteng
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
17. Lara Djonggrang
This restaurant in Menteng is located in a beautiful colonial-type house. Lara Djonggrang is not only an ordinary restaurant but a culture in itself. The interior is decorated with antiques and artefacts from Indonesia’s ancient history. It offers different traditional Indonesian dishes coming from Java, Bali, and Sumatra.
Lara Djonggrang offers the authentic Indonesian food tour from a complicated rice table down to fried tofu omelette. Many guests have also been in awe of how intricate the decoration and food have taken to detail.
Location:Â Lara Djonggrang
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 10am-10pm
18. Seribu Rasa Menteng (Top Indonesian Restaurants in Jakarta)
This restaurant prides itself on offering a wide variety of Indonesian dishes, including seafood. Signature items often highlighted by patrons include lamb in honey sauce, claypot tofu, and various seafood delicacies such as squid and lobster. The name “Seribu Rasa,” meaning “One Thousand Flavors,” reflects its commitment to showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Southeast Asia through carefully crafted recipes using fresh ingredients.
Location:Â Seribu Rasa Menteng
Open Hours:Â Everday, 11am-10pm
19. Noesaka, One Satrio
The menu at Noesaka is diverse, with authentic modern Indonesian flavors combined with modern twists. While specific menu details aren’t available online, the reviews give an idea that there will be a great variety of dishes, including seafood options, traditional Indonesian delicacies, and probably some fusion cuisine elements. The restaurant also caters to a range of dining needs: brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, and coffee.
Location:Â Noesaka
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-9.30pm
20. Kembang Goela Restaurant
Kembang Goela certainly has won hearts among guests for its best food, hospitality in service, and ambiance overall. Many of its guests recommend the restaurant for business meetings, family get-togethers, and honeymoon dinners Indonesia cuisine.
Location:Â Kembang Goela
Open Hours:Â Everyday, 11am-10pm
Jakarta Offers Street Food to the Fullest in Indonesia
Street food is everywhere in Jakarta with plenty of vendors open from dawn till dusk. This is a culinary adventure that is actually part of Jakarta City’s culture, whereby the diverse heritage is reflected through this staple of the city, and locals and visitors alike come to sample delicacies.
This includes satay, a dish of grilled meat served with peanut sauce, nasi goreng, and martabak are popular street food stall dishes and a favourite pancake stuffed with savoury and sweet flavours.
Jakarta Street Food gives one more than just the taste of delightful dishes, it’s a journey into the heart of Indonesian culture. From a tourist in search of new flavours to natives celebrating their own culinary heritage, Jakarta street food promises an unforgettable culinary adventure like none other.
Tips for Enjoying Top Indonesian Food
- Go to the food markets early in the morning, like Pasar Santa and Pasar Modern BSD, for fresh produce and variety. The peak meal hours should be avoided a little so that there is not a lot of waiting in a line, and you can have a relaxed dining.
- Research beforehand some of the popular local dishes and also places recommended to try them to make the most of your time.
- Go through crowded stalls in the popular areas like Jalan Sabang or Pasar Baru and try tasting some of the iconic dishes, such as Nasi Goreng or Satay.
- Indonesian Food Etiquettes: Washing of Hands, Eating with the Right Hand, Plates to be Shared, Gratitude. Be sure to enjoy Indonesian food, and always wash your hands as hand-washing facilities are provided.
- Must visit to the Pasar Santa Culinary Market will let one come across a very trendy market housing local food Vendors.
- One can also be a part of cooking classes in culinary arts to learn well about how to prepare Indonesian dishes, which provides insights into the local ingredients, techniques, and its cultural relevance.