If you are looking for a glimpse of the old Jakarta visiting the Café Batavia in the Kota area is a simple must. Centrally located in the “Old Town’ district intrinsic details and funky décor make of this restaurant a place worth visiting and exploring whether you are newly arrived or have been here for a long time.

As you enter this beautiful art deco building you feel as if you are stepping into the early 1900s. Black and White everywhere, lovely music, fantastic ambiance and of course a huge bar become the perfect ingredients to a fun day or night out.

The menu is varied and will appeal the palate of almost any foodie, whether adventurous or not. A favorite of mine are the Chinese dumplings and I’ve heard the ox tail soup is exquisite. If you feel like having a more Occidentalized fare, hamburgers and grilled chicken will surely satisfy your cravings. If you are looking for something stronger, you will find not only the classics but also some concoctions with a twist of Asian flavors.

My favorite pastime when visiting Café Batavia, other than taking pictures and chasing the  boys around, is sitting by the window and taking in what Jakarta is (and was) all about. People riding bikes around with hats that match the colors of the bike, street performances, museums, street food. What else could we ask for as an ultimate cultural experience?

Tips

1. Café Batavia is very kid-friendly so don’t shy off if you have little ones.
2. Check out their Facebook Page to know when they have live music and other events.
3. If you are visiting on a weekend later in the evening make a reservation so you have a good seat by the windows.
4. If you are in the Kota area make sure you visit the Wayang Museum. They have a beautiful display of puppets from all over the world including the famous Javanese Wayang Golek.