The dining scene in Jakarta is progressively updated. Every month, there are restaurants, cafes, and bar openings in every corner of the Big Durian. Here are nine establishments that we pick for your next date or hangout reference:
After a temporary closure during the pandemic, LEÓN is coming back stronger with a new concept and a slightly different name. The place is now called Leon Goldstein—or it will be abbreviated to LG. The new LEÓN is now a hybrid bistro with a coffee shop and a cocktail bar. Gone are LEÓN’s signature black hue interior and dark brown leather sofas and chairs replaced by more casual, less of a gentleman’s nest and more of a family-friendly personality.
On the main floor lies a contemporary all-day dining bistro fusing pan-Asian, American, and European favorites, including signatures like pan-seared salmon, oxtail soup, and selection of premium steaks. When it fully opens in August, a coffee shop on the first floor will serve high-quality beans and pastry in a light and airy Scandinavian interior. There will also be a speakeasy-themed cocktail lounge that focuses on hand-crafted spirits, bourbon, whiskey, and a small wine selection.
Jalan Wijaya I No. 25, Petogogan, Jakarta Selatan
Broaden its existence in South Jakarta, Common Grounds has just launched its new outlet in Pondok Indah Plaza 2 compound with a new interesting concept. The recently opened branch is now not only serving coffee and Common Grounds’ beloved meals, but also cocktail selections and a special menu (their pizza is to die for!). Common Grounds Pondok Indah Plaza 2 is also serving as a retail store where guests can find several cool t-shirts and sneakers at its retail corner.
Pondok Indah Plaza 2 No. 23, Duta Niaga Sektor II, Blok BA, Jakarta Selatan
After their success stories in Grand Indonesia and Senopati, Greyhound opened its third branch in Jakarta in late June 2022. The new outlet embraces the theme of urban meets nature and is adorned with a tropical garden design with various indoor plants here and there. The cafe is also completed with an outdoor area should the patrons want to dine in an open space. For the new branch, Greyhound will still offer their beloved Thai Food with a Twist menu, including some new dishes like Ayutthaya Grilled King Prawn, Thai Beef Paradise, Mango Tamarind Grouper, and No Bake Speculoos Cheesecake. Aiming as a hangout place, Greyhound Menteng also offer alcoholic beverages and live music and DJ entertainment.
The third branch of this youthful restaurant and bar is located in the Cikini area, on the famous Cikini Raya strip. Officially opened on 30 June 2022, their latest outlet promised to bring a fresh concept while maintaining its bohemian garden vibe. The new concept in question includes VIP Room, Private Room, and Shisha Room, three facilities that are absent in their two first outlets in SCBD and Spark. The Cikini branch comprises two mezzanine floors that can accommodate 200 guests. There are indoor and outdoor areas on the first floor, whereas the second floor is dedicated to the lounge area and its new facilities. For the menu, they still carry their well-loved eastern and western delicacies from nasi goreng to sandwiches and steak. Like its previous branches, there will also be live music and DJ performance at Lucy in The Sky Cikini.
Located on Jalan Teuku Cik Ditiro in the Menteng area, the new hangout place sits adjacent to Anomali Coffee and Common Grounds Coffee Roaster. Crio is a mix of a restaurant, a chocolate and pastry shop, and a cocktail bar, but in an exquisite setting and presentation. The interior is dominated by earthy hues with black marble tables and chairs upholstered in velvet and leather. For the menu, Crio offers modern tapas food with a wide selection of chocolate creations and playful cocktails.
Hiro Group, the F&B group behind the successful Sushi Hiro, is extending its portfolio by opening The Garden Osteria, an Italian restaurant with stay to the root food and enchanting property design. The restaurant’s design is a nod to Italian house design with curvy windows. Inside, a large chandelier hanging above a quirky fountain in the middle of the restaurant creates a very Italian-style dining experience. Here, patrons are invited to savor Italy’s most refined cuisine, from Seafood Pizza to a selection of mouthwatering pasta to steak and tantalizing desserts.
Hailing from Surabaya, Urban Wagyu is a newcomer to Jakarta’s steak scene. With three outlets in their hometown, Urban Wagyu is known best as an affordable steakhouse serving various kinds of steak cuts such as striploin, porterhouse, rib eye, tomahawk, wagyu marbled beef, and high marbling score wagyu meat. For instance, Wagyu Tomahawk with a marble score 6+ is priced at only Rp128.000++ per 100gr. Their first branch in Jakarta is located in Ruko Golf Island in Pantai Indah Kapuk, but they will soon open their next branch in Pondok Indah Mall 3.
As per their Instagram page, Golden Joy is an award-winning, first authentic Hakka-Indian cuisine restaurant from Kolkata, India. They are known to serve Chinese Hakka food with a fuse of Indian spice and influence. Chinese food but developed by an Indian company? That would be intriguing.
There are few good Balinese restaurants in Jakarta, and Bali Timbungan reigns. Previously known as Bebek Timbungan in Bali with its always packed outlet in Sunset Road Kuta and more scenic branch in Secret Garden Bedugul, the restaurant is coming to the capital at the newly revamped Sarinah. Different from any other Balinese restaurant in Jakarta, Bali Timbungan offers more complete Balinese heritage cuisine with celebrated Balinese ingredients of duck, chicken, and seafood. Their main dish is bebek Timbungan, cooked traditionally inside bamboo for 12 hours.
