Jakarta’s coffee culture is diverse and exciting, with something to offer for everyone. From traditional street-side stalls to trendy third-wave cafes, the city has a diverse range of coffee offerings catering to every taste and preference.
Many new cafes have opened up all over Jakarta in the past few years. Some of the reasons for this rise in popularity are the rising demand for high-quality coffee, the rise in popularity of coffee as a social activity, and the desire for new and different coffee experiences.
From classic Indonesian coffees like Kopi Luwak and Toraja to modern specialty brews, Jakarta’s cafes offer a world of flavor to explore. Whether you prefer a smooth, creamy latte or a bold, complex single-origin pour-over, there’s a coffee to suit every palate in this vibrant city.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the top 20 cafes in Jakarta that you will want to take advantage of. These coffee shops were carefully chosen because of their quality, uniqueness, and general appeal. So, whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a new place to relax and unwind, this guide is sure to point you in the right direction.
Top 20 Cafes in Jakarta Indonesia
1. Radio Dalam and Chief Coffee
Some people might be confused by the fact that Chief Coffee started out as a barbershop, but the coffee they serve is always very good. They started out by giving coffee to people who were waiting to see one of Chief’s barbers. Now, because their coffee is so good, they’re known as one of the best places to get coffee in Jakarta.
Their Cinnamon Cream Lotus Biscuit is one of my favorites. It’s a rich mix of espresso and caramel, with whipped cream, cinnamon, and Lotus Biscoff on top.
Since then, they’ve grown to several places in the city, but you should still go to the one in Radio Dalam. These are the newest locations of Chief Coffee. They have a cozy space where you can work or hang out with friends.
2. Kroma
Kroma has a simple atmosphere thanks to its few decorations and large eating area. It has been a favorite spot for locals to get work done on the weekends for a long time. The outdoor area of the coffee shop is small but lovely, and there are plants everywhere that will help you get work done.
Kroma’s prices are pretty average for a craft coffee shop in Jakarta, even though it’s in the fairly expensive area of Dharmawangsa. The coffee, chocolate, and hazelnut mix Kokonut is their signature drink and a crowd favorite. You can also order it in a 1-liter bottle to take home.
3. Harlan + Holden
Because Coffee is an extension of the fashion brand Harlan + Holden. It has a lot of the same classic, modern, and simple style as its parent business. The space is beautifully designed, just like the things sold in the store next door. The coffee shop’s stadium-style seats, which are arranged in a way that looks like it was done on purpose, are the perfect spot to take in the atmosphere.
Aside from having looks that would look great on Instagram, Because Coffee also has one of the most unique coffees in Jakarta: the Sea Salt Latte. The sea salt cream topping gives the coffee a nice salty undertone and a creamy texture that helps balance it out. You can also use almond milk instead if you want to stay healthy.
The coffee shop is in the Pacific Place shopping mall in downtown Jakarta. It is only a few minutes’ walk to the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex, which is one of Jakarta’s most famous landmarks and the official site of the 2018 Asian Games.
4. Kopi Muja
With a name that means “Coffee Worship” in English, Kopi Muja is completely dedicated to improving the art of making coffee. The simple, modern industrial style of the coffee shop comes from Muja’s desire to keep things easy and put the focus on the coffee itself.
Even though there are a few espresso-based drinks, the Everglow is without a question the star of the show here. This drink is a sweet mix of espresso, strawberry syrup, and soda. It will wake you up even more than your normal caffeine fix.
In a pinch, this South Jakarta coffee shop could also be used as an office space because it has a real meeting room on the grounds.
5. Kuningan’s Emji Coffee Bar & Space
Self-employed people who need a place to work are the only ones who could really enjoy Jakarta’s coffee shops as much as coffee lovers. Emji Coffee Bar & Space goes one step further by adding a real sharing space right next to its coffee shop. This gives mobile remote workers a place to work while still enjoying Emji’s great coffee.
The Black Waterfall Spro is the place’s specialty drink. It gets its name and its unique color from charcoal powder that is mixed in. Even though it looks pretty dramatic, this charcoal latte doesn’t taste too strong. The charcoal is mostly there to give the drink a powdery texture.
In Jakarta, you won’t have to look far to find good coffee, whether you like espressos or drip coffee. If you’re a remote worker looking for a change of scenery after months of working from home, these coffee shops not only serve coffee but also provide a comfy place to work.
6. Ottoman’s Coffee Brewers
Ottoman’s Coffee Brewers is a never-empty coffee shop! Even on weekdays, the place is always packed with coffee enthusiast. The place is pretty chic with a touch of pink here and there. If you order an espresso, you will get it served in a soft pink cup. It would help if you certainly tried their hot pink latte which is a mix of beetroot and several herbs, like cinnamon. You can find their stores located in Pluit in North Jakarta, as well as Kuningan in South Jakarta.
7. One Fifteenth (1/15) Coffee
You won’t mind staying here for hours while sipping a cup of good Coffee. Founded by the winner of Indonesia Barista Championship 2013, Dody Samsura, the coffee shop serves an uncommon and exciting coffee. You should definitely try their signature coffee, Rojali, which is made with a 12-hour pressed coffee mixed with soda and lime juice. For the first few seconds, it will even taste familliarly like tequilla. 1/15 Coffee can be found in Pondok Indah, Menteng, and Kemang – all located in South Jakarta.
8. Twentyfifth
Twentyfifth is a spacious café in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The place is homey with many adorable decorations, such as wooden chairs, terracotta pots and ceramic sugar containers. While you’re here, you should absolutely try their ice cold brew which looks light like tea yet has a robust and scented aroma. And if you are a fan of the king of fruit–a.k.a the durian–you should go for their soft durian cake, which is made from the fruit’s flesh. Super tasty!
9. Brew & Wood
Located in Cilandak, South Jakarta, Brew and Wood is a coffee shop with a calm ambience. The place has transparent glass walls lining the front, making Brew and Wood look tempting to anyone who sees it from the outside. Brew and Wood offers Kopi Susu Turunan which is packaged in a practical and easy-to-carry bottle and tastes quite strong yet creamy. Their Cheese Fondue Croissant is also one of the best choice you can find due to its soft texture combined with tasty melted cheese.
10. Samakamu
Iced coffee milk has been a new trend in Jakarta recently. One of the tastiest ones is brought to you by Samakamu Coffee, which is located in Karet Kuningan, South Jakarta. Their coffee milk, called Es Kopi Samakamu, has a strong taste of Coffee despite its milky texture. Even when the ice cubes have already melted, the strong and creamy taste is definitely still there! Samakamu Coffee also serves iced chocolate, which has a balance of both bitter and sweet tastes.
11. Bersahaja
Bersahaja Coffee is a coffee shop located in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. This place has a mainstay of iced coffee milk called the Es Kopi Bersahaja. It differs from other iced coffee milk in town in that Bersahaja uses sweetened condensed milk instead of brown sugar. It tastes similar to Thai iced coffee milk. If you buy it for takeaway, you will get it in a plastic cup with a quote saying, “Don’t be too busy looking for the perfect if the simple thing can make you happy.” Fyi, bersahaja means simple!
12. Turning Point
Although their location is a bit out of the way in Gading Serpong, Tangerang, Turning Point Coffee is a coffee shop worth a visit. Their Butterscotch Frappuccino is made from a perfect combination of espresso and butterscotch syrup with some blended vanilla ice cream. On top of Coffee, Turning Point also serves pandan latte, which is creamy, fragrant, and tasty.
13. Lima
Lima in Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta, might look ordinary from the outside, but once you taste their Charcoal Coffee, you know where the extraordinary is. Their famous Charcoal Coffee has an earthy and not-so-sweet taste that works well with the unique savor of charcoal. Another favorite menu choice at Lima is their iced coffee milk. It has a strong flavor, but when mixed with the provided butterscotch ice cream and palm sugar, the creamier texture makes it even more heavenly!
14. SRSLY
SRSLY has a super homey ambiance. The contemporary design, which is combined with an artsy touch, makes the shop a very cozy place to relax. Also, the refreshing green plants in the exterior add beauty to the shop. On top of that, the Coffee and the food would certainly make you want to go back to this coffee shop.
15. Serasa
Serasa Coffeetaria in Senopati, South Jakarta, offers the concept of an excellent canteen with a coffee shop that you definitely would want to take advantage of. The canteen concept allows us to choose more than ten kinds of homemade Indonesian dishes. Once satisfied with the archipelago’s rich cuisine, you should try their delicious coffee menus. It offers a variety of coffee choices ranging from lattes, brewed Coffee, and avocado iced coffee to iced Coffee with catchy names such as the Es Kopi Pelipur Lara – which literally means iced Coffee to get your sadness away.
16. On Three
Located at Senopati Suites, South Jakarta, On Three is worth a visit for coffee lovers who dare to try something different. The coffee choices in On Three are unique, with the choice of mixing coffee with coconut, black pepper, and even black sesame. One choice that you should definitely taste is their Spicy Pepper Latte. Remember to order their appetizing snacks like their Chicken Katsu Donburi or Spaghetti Bolognese to make the most of your coffee time.
17. Chief Coffee & Roastery
This is a coffee shop that is adjacent to a barber shop with the same name: Chief. So guys can trim their hair before hanging out! Chief Coffee and Roastery has coffee choices whose taste tends to be strong. They are certainly suitable for those of you who want to stay up all day.
18. Ardent
With concrete shades decorating their place in Puri Indah, West Jakarta, Ardent Coffee has become a café that can satisfy selfie fans with its pleasant selfie spots in almost every corner. The café serves a variety of coffee choices, such as Honey Milk Espresso, which has a taste that is not too sour with the right amount of sweetness. The truffle fries are also crunchy and tasty as they are fried in truffle oil and topped with parmesan cheese. Yummy!
19. Three Folks
People who like coffee in Jakarta really like Three Folks, which is in Cilandak, South Jakarta. There are many kinds of coffee at the cafe, including the Gray Latte, which tastes like milk tea; the Folksgato, which is an affogato with any type of ice cream; and the FolksBomb, which is a really tasty milkshake with coffee. The café’s signature drinks are the Folksgato and the Folksbomb. You should try them!
20. Say Something Coffee
Say Something Coffee is a coffee shop that is perfect for studying or working. The combination of their modern minimalist interior, jazzy hip-hop songs in the background, and fast Wi-Fi connection gives the right atmosphere to boost your productivity!
The baristas were informative when asked about their best-seller menu. Try the espresso because it is well-filtered, smooth & quite earthy, with an aftertaste that is not sour and slightly bitter. Also, you should order their Salted Egg Croissant! It is tasty even until the last drop.
Explore Jakarta’s coffee culture
Here are some suggestions for exploring Jakarta’s coffee culture beyond the top 20 cafes:
1. Attend a Coffee Festival or Event
There are many coffee fairs and events in Jakarta all year long. These are great ways to find new shops, try new coffee drinks, and learn more about the Jakarta’s coffee culture.
2. Take a Coffee Tour
Several tour companies offer guided coffee tours of Jakarta. They take the visitors to some of the city’s best cafes and provide insights into the local coffee scene.
3. Visit Local Roasteries
Jakarta is home to a number of local roasteries that offer tours and tastings. They provides a behind-the-scenes look at the coffee-making process and the chance to try unique, small-batch coffees.
4. Explore Traditional Indonesian Coffeehouses
In addition to the trendy third-wave cafes, Jakarta is home to many traditional Indonesian coffeehouses, or “warung kopi,” that offer a unique and authentic coffee experience.
5. Talk to Local Baristas and Roasters
Baristas and roasters are a wealth of information about Jakarta’s coffee culture, so take the time to chat with them and learn about their favorite cafes, brewing methods, and coffee origins.
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Conclusion
To wrap up, Jakarta’s coffee culture is a vibrant and diverse landscape that offers something for everyone. From its rich history to its innovative present, Jakarta has a unique coffee story to tell, and its cafes are the perfect place to experience it.
As you explore the top cafes in Jakarta, you’ll discover a world of flavor and variety. Everything from classic Indonesian coffees to modern specialty brews. You’ll also have the opportunity to try local snacks and dishes and chat with baristas and roasters to learn more about the city’s coffee culture.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there! By attending festivals and events, taking coffee tours, and visiting local roasteries, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the many facets of Jakarta’s coffee scene. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and memorable experience, Jakarta’s coffee culture has something to offer.
So, take the time to explore this exciting and dynamic world, and discover the many delights that Jakarta’s coffee culture has to offer. You’ll be glad you did!
