Jakarta Food: 18 hand-picked places

A spacious restaurant serving both Nusantara and Chinese Indonesian cuisine. The fish dishes and vegetables are especially good, and fried chicken and soups are regular favorites. A good fit for family meals and group gatherings.

A modern dining restaurant serving dishes from across Indonesia’s islands with contemporary presentation. Signature dishes include crispy fried duck with yellow spice sauce and grilled prawns seasoned with rujak spices.

A casual spot for bakmi and coffee. Its signature bakmi pairs springy noodles with oven-roasted chicken and bok choy. The black pepper and mushroom version is savory with a gentle heat.

A family-friendly restaurant serving mainly American fare alongside Indonesian, Chinese, and Italian dishes. Popular picks include tenderloin steak with Happy Day sauce and salmon pink pasta. The spacious dining room is well suited to meals with family.

An Argentine grill restaurant centered on asado-style meals meant for sharing. The picanha is tender and juicy, with chimichurri bringing out the meat’s flavor. Live music plays in the evenings.

A family-run snack stall serving treats since 1958. Ketan susu—soft, chewy sticky rice topped with grated coconut and condensed milk—is sweet and nutty. Add savory fried tempeh for a tasty contrast.

A casual spot centered on spicy Indonesian-style noodles, with dim sum on the menu too. The signature Mie Goyang Level 4 is savory and spicy, with a little broth left in the bowl and topped with cheese and crispy wontons.

A casual dining spot bringing together a brasserie, bakery, and bar. The red velvet cake is fluffy, with a smooth cream cheese flavor and balanced sweetness. A nice choice for cake and drinks after a meal.

A mall restaurant serving Indonesian cuisine, with satay and seafood at the heart of the menu. Chicken and lamb satay pair well with savory peanut sauce, while sate lilit comes with sambal matah. A good spot for sharing nasi campur and gurame with a group.

A restaurant serving rice dishes and traditional snacks from across Indonesia. Nasi Manado comes with balado egg, cakalang fish, and crispy fritters, while the tangy, spicy sambal dabu-dabu whets the appetite. A good option for a meal in the mall food court.

A Betawi-style restaurant serving soto and other Indonesian soups since 1974. Its soto daging is simmered without coconut milk, letting the spices shine, and comes with tender beef and acar made with cabbage and carrots.

A hotel restaurant serving Indonesian specialties alongside a range of Asian and Western dishes. Its signature Nasi Campur Dharmawangsa brings rice and an assortment of sides together on one plate. The garden-surrounded outdoor seating makes for a relaxed meal.

An Indonesian seafood restaurant with a spacious, open dining area. Tahu kipas, stuffed with shrimp and fried, and gurame pesmol showcase the flavors of fish and seafood. The upstairs area is air-conditioned, making it a comfortable choice for family meals.

A traditional Indonesian restaurant serving both satay and seafood. The grilled aroma of the chicken satay whets the appetite, and it pairs well with lontong.

A restaurant serving Javanese home-style cooking and Indonesian dishes. The spicy chicken dish ayam rik and savory mendoan are popular. The interior is decorated with vintage pieces, and there’s seating in the garden.

A simple satay stall with plastic chairs under a canopy. The generous servings of chicken are chunky and juicy, topped with plenty of mild, slightly sweet peanut sauce. The goat satay is tender, too, without a strong smell.

A restaurant serving home-style dishes from across Indonesia’s islands. Choose side dishes from a warteg-style counter to build a nasi rames, and try grilled beef ribs with peanut sauce or richly spiced beef dishes.

A halal tasting-menu restaurant that reimagines Indonesian cuisine through molecular gastronomy. The seasonal 17-course menu presents familiar local dishes in surprising forms and formats. Expect a long dining experience, usually lasting 2–3 hours.