What Where to Eat

The diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Jakarta reflects in its culinary art also. It is a delightful creation of local exotic fare and impressively influenced by the best of the epicurean extravaganza across the world. Food in Jakarta retains all the tastes and traits which are evident of its predominantly Muslim identity. But, the reason to rejoice for the food lovers is that Jakarta acknowledges the varied abundance of global cuisine and revels in the fascinating fusion which becomes a natural consequence. You name it and you have it -- from modestly-priced local dishes to grilled kangaroo, from lychee mocktail to Chateaux Lafitte – it can never get any better than this.

Jakarta offers the best selection of dining possibilities of any major Indonesian cities. Options are plenty ranging from street food corners and swanky food courts in the shopping malls to elegant and expensive fine dinning restaurants in world class hotels. In case, you don’t have the latest copy of the Jakarta Food Guide, check out which are the places for good food and what are the dishes to order for in Jakarta.

What to Eat in Jakarta

If you are tired of the same old dishes served at the average eateries, try out the exotic while you are on a trip to Jakarta. Original local meals are incomplete without a cone-shaped pile of long-grain, highly refined rice. The menu may include a soup, salad or the more commonly sauteed vegetables with garlic and another main dish. It is accompanied by at least one and often several delicacies which are known as sambals. Candlenuts, chilli, finger root, ginger, turmeric, lemon basil, lime leaves, Indonesian bay leaves are the most common spices and herbs used in the local dishes. You can try out Bakmi Goreng or fried noodles, Bakwan Malang or meatball noodle soup with fried wontons, Gado-gado or a mixture of vegetables and crackers with peanut paste and Satay or skewered barbequed meat.

Now, it’s time to turn back to our good old familiar tastes. If you are satiated with the Satay or Nasi Padang, go for some other dishes. The amazing variety of international cuisines in Jakarta include American, Asian, Brazilian, British, Chinese, Deli, Dutch, European, French, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Nouvelle, Pizza, Seafood, Spanish, Steak Houses, Swiss, Thai, Turkish, Vegetarian, Vietnamese and Tex-Mex. Isn’t the range truly awesome? Taste the best of world cuisine as the long line up of Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American and Indian restaurants bring you delicacies from all corners of the world.

Where to Eat in Jakarta

You will find some trendy eateries in Kafe Tenda or Tented Cafés which are located along the major through fares or at some of the vacant development zones like Sudirman Central Business District. The Gading Batavia Food Promenade at Jalan Boulevard Barat and Kelapa gading in north Jakarta are equally good if you are looking for that real ethnic flavor.

Jalan Thamrin, being the center of Jakarta, displays a good number of eateries. The Jakarta Theatre building, Sarinah department store, Plaza Indonesia and the other leading hotels on this street features fabulous dining possibilities to suit every taste and every budget.

Kemang in South of Jakarta remains the top preferred place of the tourists who are in quest of some eat-drink-and-be-merry destinations. Kemang is considered as the place that abounds with the best of eating houses. It brings to you the choicest of cuisines across the world like Lebanese, Italian, French, Mexican, American and Brazilian. Not to mention the ethnic local menus.

Jalan Jaksa has legions of restaurants and eating stalls. Visit one of the side streets of Jalan Jaksa where you can savor tasty Indonesion food prepared in the original way. Besides the 'rijsttafels', you can find an assortment of Korean, Thai, Indian, Mexican and American delicacies.

If you are in a mood to splurge, you can check out the restaurants of the five-star hotels and in the Golden Triangle area where business people are regular customers. The residential areas such as Kemang, Menteng and Kebayoran Baru also house a number of excellent restaurants offering international fare.