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Administrative and De Facto Capital city in Jakarta, Indonesia
Photo: Sakurai Midori, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Central Jakarta (Indonesian: Jakarta Pusat) acts as the commercial and business district of Jakarta. By day the many office buildings are filled with workers; by night, people stream into the shopping malls. Therefore, traffic is heavy all the time! The area encompasses Tanah Abang, Monas, Senen, Menteng, Jalan Jaksa, Senayan, and the road corridors along the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A statue of Arjuna and Krishna riding horse chariot, the scene taken from Mahabharata epic. Created by Nyoman Nuarta.
Pak Tani dan Bu Tani
Created by Matvei Manizer and Otto Manizer (from Russia). This statue commemorated the struggle for Independence by Indonesian farmers and their family.
Pembebasan Irian Jaya
This statue, right at the centre of the court, celebrates the annexation of Irian Jaya (West Papua) into Indonesia from the Netherlands in 1963. Has dancing musical fountain, futsal area, children playground, jogging track, and can be used at night because of good illumination.
The statue stands on the avenue named for his namesake. Sudirman (old spelling: Soedirman) was the leader of the Indonesian forces in the guerrilla war against the Dutch in Yogyakarta (1948-1949).
Monumen Nasional, often abbreviated Monas
A towering 137m-tall obelisk of solid bronze platted with 50 kilos of gold shaped into flames up top, this is the most famous landmark in Jakarta. The monument was commissioned by Sukarno in 1961 to celebrate Indonesia's independence, it was completed in 1975 after his death and is consequently known irreverently as Sukarno's Last Erection. The 1 square kilometre Medan Merdeka (Freedom Square) plaza/park around it was created by bulldozing a squatter community. In its basement, look for the collection of dioramas depicting the struggle for Indonesian independence from a firmly revolutionary point of view, while the top has an observation deck. The musical fountain at the east side of the park dances on weekends at 19:00.
This statue commemorates the rebellion against Dutch occupation (1825-1830), led by Prince Diponegoro from the Kingdom of Mataram, Yogyakarta.
Selamat Datang
This statue was an idea by Soekarno, designed by the vice governor of Jakarta Henk Ngantung. The statue waves to the north as athletes from the Asia Pacific region came to play the 1962 Asian Games.
Museum Nasional
Step back in time from humble prehistory to the Hindu Kingdoms, from the Dutch to the Independence. It has a fine collection of Hindu sculptures and cultural artifacts from around the country, as well as an impressive treasure room filled with gold items. Look out for the elephant statue at front, a gift from the King of Siam (Thailand) in 1871. The Gold room is closed 1 hour before the museum normal closing time.
Istana Merdeka
Along with the Negara Palace and others minor buildings, it forms the Presidential Palace complex. Built in 1796 as a mansion for a Dutch businessman, it became the centre of the Dutch administration during the 19th century, and the official residence of every single president. As of 2014, the Palace doesn’t seem to be open for public.
Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi
This is where the Declaration of Independence is read on August 17, 1945, by the founding fathers Soekarno and Hatta. Complete storyline of how the Independence came to be, through dioramas, mock-ups, and propaganda posters.
In 1928, a group of youth at the 2nd Youth Congress declared one motherland, one nation, one language. The museum has complete information on how the dispersed youth tied to their home region gathered in unity for an idea of a country that was yet to be officially formed, and when the creator of the Indonesian national anthem, W.R. Supratman, performed this piece on violin for the first time ever.
The former house of Gen. Ahmad Yani, who was kidnapped and murdered in the communist attempt to stage a coup in 1965. The house has become a museum.
Masjid Istiqlal
Not far from Gambir Station and Monas is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Designed by a Christian architect, the mosque was deliberately erected in front of an older cathedral by former president Soekarno to show religious harmony and diversity. The mosque is grand and gorgeous both inside and out, virtually every element was designed meticulously to reflect philosophical meanings of the Muslim world. Be sure to wear proper attire if you are going here for the day, or a sarong can be lent if you are wearing shorts. Get a guide to explore if you are on your own, but expect to pay a tip (arrange the amount before the tour) both to the guide and to the mosque.
The century-old neo-gothic church is the seat of the Jakarta Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. After you admire the design inside and out, go to the 2nd floor for a museum.
A collection of paintings, especially from Bali, ceramic from the Chinese dynasties, Buddhist statues with hand praying gestures, and other arts and crafts from across the archipelago. Sometimes there is a thematic exhibition or a cultural performance.
Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)
Home of the city's planetarium, theatres, art galleries, and Indonesia's famous non-profit theatre club, Teater Koma. Planetarium: Rp7,000 children over two years until finishing elementary school, otherwise Rp12,000. Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays shows at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00. Shows are 50-60 minutes long.
The only building in Indonesia whose sole purpose is for classical music hall. Regular performances by the Simfonia Jakarta Orchestra conducted by Stephen Tong and the gigantic 3217 pipes of the organ.
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
One of the most well-known places for performing arts in Jakarta. Indie and contemporary music and dance, and orchestra performances.
Institut Français Indonesia (IFI)
French cultural centre. Host each month several concerts of French and Indonesian musicians, film screenings & conferences about Indonesia culture.
Pamper yourself after a day at the hectic city with Indonesian style massages. For your well-being, the spa also offers swimming pool, sauna, gym, whirlpool, and manicure & pedicure.
Treatment: body, face, hand, foot, hair.
Treatment: body, face, hand, foot, hair.
This sports complex was built in 1960 for the 1962 Asian Games and underwent a major reconstruction for the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games. It consists of Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, which is the home of the Indonesia national football team, a secondary stadium used for track and field events, and the Sports Palace (Istora Gelora Bung Karno or Istora Senayan), which is used for badminton and basketball as well as music concerts.
40 hectares of excellent parkland. Wide pathways, fountains, collection of plants, are a remedy for the eyes and the body. At night and on the weekends, there are numerous community performances or doing lessons. There is a greenhouse that has no plants.
A smaller park that but has more high trees that can function as shade. Regular community performances, especially classical music under the trees every weekend!
A giant lake with a fountain at its centre, jogging track and seating area on its rim.
Green area with an array of picnic areas.
PRJ (Pekan Raya Jakarta)
Typically the largest events held in Jakarta are held here. The most crowded being the Jakarta Fair held in June and July where impressive deals in food, shopping, and amusement can be found.
By default, go with the mie ayam that features yellow noodles with braised chicken and mushrooms. Other dishes include vermicelli, kway teow, and Chinese style snacks and entrees. And they are halal which factors in the frequent crowds.
A very popular place for the Indonesian salad gado-gado and the so-called lontong cap gomeh.
A street stall that has been a longtime favourite for Middle Eastern lamb (or mutton) fried rice, in which it has a complex scent made from various spices. Expect to be very packed!
Established by the Italian Ragusa brothers in 1932, this hole-in-the-wall gelato parlor provides your imaginable ice cream menu, but has an antique charm that entices you to come back for more.
Part of Imperial Group
This restaurant can satisfy those that are on the budget while missing food especially from European or the US, or if you feel peckish for anything else. And where else can you find pizza for just Rp35,000?
Come in to treat yourself with nasi uduk, Jakarta's style of rice cooked in coconut milk and your choice of chicken or beef anyhow you want to have it on the side.
Soto tangkar is a Betawi beef soup dish.
Beirut Restaurant
Reasonably authentic and affordably priced Lebanese eats, with bonus points for the bizarre decor of Arabic weaponry and plastic scenes of green rural idyll.
While Indian restaurants are few and far between, this establishment nails it by serving both the northern and southern Indian delicacies.
Old house named after a legend from Prambanan and retrofitted with the contents (and roof!) of a 300-year-old temple that was in Semarang, serving up pompously self-styled "imperial Indonesian cuisine". The staff will be happy to show you around if it's quiet; be sure to check out the gorgeous Lara Djonggrang room. If you are eating with a big group (more than 20 people), book ahead and you will be assigned a room just for your group, with unique interiors.
Bistro featuring all-day brunch with diner style menus and a modest selection of desserts. Or drop by to drink coffee and mocktails (soda cocktails).
Across Red Top Hotel
Mouthwatering sweet martabak with a few classic flavours like bananas, cheese and chocolate, in addition to more expensive ingredients like the Ovomaltine, Toblerone and Green Tea Kit Kat. 10 pieces in a medium would already get you through 2 to 3 meals, and even more for the regular 16-piece. The savory egg martabak is also worth trying.
Seafood restaurant. Simultaneously big and noisy yet outdoors and peaceful, this popular seafood joint is packed every mealtime with punters queuing up for their famous grilled fish (gurame goreng) and fried tofu with shrimp (tahu kipas). Wash it down with an improbably tasty glass of cucumber juice (es timun).
Established in 1969, Kikugawa is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Jakarta since the Second World War. Serving authentic Japanese cuisine in simple Japanese house atmosphere. The owner is Japanese-Indonesian couple who had also established "Bengawan Solo" Indonesian restaurant in Tokyo.
While their seafood and tom yam are expensive, they are worth the price for using fresh catches. Their pineapple fried rice is a hit.
A budget to mid-range option for European specialties, with an emphasis on German breads and pork. Don't let the old interior throw you away!
A splurge Arabian fix frequented especially at dinnertime. The hummus and pita bread are desirable while the rice has a variety of fragrant you can choose from. Top it with a huff of shisha.
Upscale bistro that serves French haute cuisine with a selection of premium tea and desserts to accompany.
All you can eat Japanese BBQ where you can also upsize to savour the top quality wagyu beef.
A fusion of Japanese and French cuisine that is mainly frequented for tapas. Premium meat and seafood entrees. Reservation required.
Take your dining experience up, way up on the rooftop of a 56-floor building overlooking the forest of Jakarta's skyscrapers. European and American cuisine, some with an Asian twist, and an extensive collection of booze.
A Rijstafel-styled fine-dining restaurant in an old-fashioned Dutch house, serving mostly Betawi and Indonesian cuisine.
The oldest coffee roaster in Jakarta since 1878.
Mainly serves coffee and has indoor and outdoor spaces for drinking. No smoking allowed.
A wide selection of many Indonesian coffee beans. Offers training classes as well such as barista class, latte art basic class, roasting class etc.
Has an open roasting site and comfortable seats for hanging out or just working.
A coffee shop designed for a suitable working environment.
Es selendang mayang is a Betawi cold drink made from mixed rice and palm flour jelly with sweet coconut milk and ice.
Bar with burgundy (dark shade of red) decoration. The special drink from this bar is called "burgundy crush". Facility: live jazz performance, cigar smoking room. Drinks: fine wine, frozen vodkas, spirit, martini, Caipirinha, Caipiroska etc. It also acts as a bistro that serves snacks to full fledged meals.
An old-school wine bar that also provides an assortment of cigars to puff.
Attracts a younger crowd or the youth in spirit because of live music. Cover charge for non-hotel guests: Rp250,000.
Retro style cafe with some alcoholic beverages, but the live music & DJ is what draws the crowd.
The Jekyll and Hyde of Jakarta's nightclubs: as you step in, you'll find a stylish, quiet, well-lit wine bar, but behind the double doors lies a dimly lit and noisy nightclub packed with girls. The live bands are, however, a notch above the average.
18 fan single/double rooms with outside bathrooms. Nice front terrace.
The first and only IYHF-licensed hostel in Indonesia.
Budget style boutique hotel. Standard room (the suite only has a sofa next to it). Breakfast options are slightly less than plenty but satisfactory.
Near Tanah Abang train station. A simple room that has a small TV and fridge, and a small decent restaurant. Lots of green plants within the property.
Air-conditioned rooms with comfy beds, a telephone, mini-bar, refrigerator, and a writing desk and chair along with complimentary bottles of mineral water. Breakfast for a separate fee at Blueberry Pancake House.
Simple hotel near Jalan Sabang. Cheap rooms and a café.
Some standard rooms have no windows. Limited but decent options for breakfast.
Contemporary hotel with more than 230 rooms. 3 restaurants for lunch or tapas, considering the medium size of the property, and a bar.
A decent average room. Breakfast at the coffee shop. Balinese style spa and pool.
One of the premium hotels by Accor in Jakarta. Good hotel with spacious rooms. Only has 1 restaurant but offers 2 bars.
8 floors. Rooms, except suites, have connecting doors. The restaurant opens 24 hours. Less than 50 metres to Ismail Marzuki Park.
Prime location at Senayan, attached to the FX mall. Small hotel that has somewhat narrow rooms, but all of its rooms at level 40s has stunning views of the city. No breakfast in hotel but a lot in the mall.
A decent hotel midway between the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout and Cikini. Rooms can be booked with or without breakfast.
Small hotel and small rooms in a strategic location, an expat's playground. Dining at Coffee World.
Wonderful views of the Sudirman and Thamrin skyline. Close to Tanah Abang and Monas. Has Japanese restaurant, and Café Sirih that serves Indonesian and Chinese food.
A four-star hotel close to the Pecenongan late-night dining area. Rooms are small though. Note that Wi-Fi and airport transfer requires surcharge.
A simple and small hotel, adjacent to Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
A boutique hotel with artsy interior and extraordinary paintings at its rooms. There is also the real art gallery at the ground floor.
Offers 208 well-appointed rooms and suites, all of which have individually controlled air conditioning, 40 channels of Cable TV, and free High Speed Internet up to 1 MB. Amenities include fitness centre/gym, spa, and swimming pool. The Chinese restaurant has the all-you-can-eat dimsum at lunchtime!
Most likely the first splurge hotel built in Jakarta for the 1962 Asian Games. Nestled in front of the infamous roundabout for its namesake. Renovated sleek and spacious rooms. Despite the renovation and handover to the chain brand, the hotel still lefts a portion of its heyday heritage. 6 restaurants, including the Paulaner German brewery. Accessible from Grand Indonesia as well.
Posh big hotel but has only 2 restaurants (Mexican and a tea lounge). A hidden gem behind the glory of chain brands around the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.
Right at the HI roundabout, the friendly staff of the hotel will pamper you with the slightest details during your stay. Airport transfer require additional fee, but offers many options. The refurbished rooms back in 2009 give a clean and modern touch. 6 restaurants and bars, the French has a Michelin starred chef. Multiple options for massage and spa. On the weekends, a complimentary chauffeur service can take you to Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia malls.
A local luxury hotel chain, decent facilities for the rate.
Midway between Monas and the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, this hotel is in a strategic location. The Keiyaki Japanese restaurant is an open kitchen concept and has a number of signature dishes. Rooms are simple for the price, but has adequate facilities.
In the BNI 46 complex, nestled slightly behind the strip. The Asian chain hotel has 661 spacious rooms, all with stunning views of the city. The 6 restaurants and a New York style bar should not be missed. The Satoo even has a special station for herb drinks (the Indonesian jamu)! Even the locals do sometimes pay a visit to eat.
formerly Jakarta Hilton
Old hotel famous in the heydays of Hilton. A vast outdoor garden. Close to Senayan sports complex and malls at the southern edge. Interior is rather old.
A well defined hotel at the corner of Sarinah. Complete facilities in rooms and has a large bathroom. Italian style restaurant and lounge, with an indoor and outdoor bar.
Boutique hotel that applies concept of natural wood throughout its furniture and colors. Restaurant specialising in peranakan flavours. Rooftop terrace bar. Walking distance to Sarinah department store, and Grand Indonesia malls. Fast WiFi in rooms and public spaces.
Surprise, this is not an international chain (yet)! Surprise, it is actually apartment style, each room has a kitchen! Downstairs is the Ocha & Bella Italian & Japanese fusion restaurant. The tricycle named Ed can take you free of charge to a culinary trip at the nearby Sabang (H. Agus Salim) street!
At the east side of Monas. Another premium local brand. More than 600 rooms with glorious city views of the monument and the skylines. Has an Italian, Japanese, international restaurant, and a German tavern. The pool and spa are managed by Grand Odiseus, all in a Balinese style.
A cheap hotel in the middle of Senayan close to Gelora Bung Karno. Semi-Olympic size swimming pool. The restaurant only provides Indonesian food. The 16th floor executive room will also entitle you to an executive lounge with never ending helping of snacks.
A luxury local brand. Near Monas. Extensive garden, while rooms are slightly outdated. 7 restaurants to choose from, both local and international. The Bogor Café is known for its oxtail soup (Sop Buntut), while the Churchill Bar resembles a sports bar.
Classic colonial Dutch style hotel and all-suite rooms. French restaurant, rooftop bar.
350-room business hotel. At the Mangga Dua shopping complex. The La Avant is the primary restaurant and despite its French name, it is famous for the pulled Chinese noodles (La Mien) that has a silky taste.
formerly Sheraton Media
Near Mangga Dua and Kemayoran area. Rooms are old. The 17th and 18th floor offer executive rooms in Chinese and Balinese theme, respectively. Chinese, Thai restaurants, many lounges.
The local luxury hotel chain. At the strip that leads to the sports stadium and Senayan shopping complexes. Rooms are many but old (on its way for refurbishment). Premium and wide options of dining experience. Wi-Fi is free in public area, paid at your room. Restaurants can be crowded deeper into meal time.
Many options of food and drink, decent shopping options such as Daiso Japanese 100-yen shop.
popularly called GI
A big mall with high-end boutiques (both branded and independent) on its West mall, and a myriad of eating options at the East mall and the Skybridge. Highlights include Alun-Alun Indonesia arts and crafts, Seibu department store straight from Japan, the hourly Dancing Fountain at the 3A floor of the West mall, and Galeri Indonesia Kaya cultural performance at the 8th floor.
This is the place for computers and gadgets (but in most cases, not mobile phones). Come here to get a fix.
The Roxy strip is the place to look for mobile phones (but likely you won't get a new iPhone here). If you need a temporary smartphone and phone number, it is best to come here as you can hurriedly check for comparisons between shops. Haggling is the norm here, if possible get a local buddy to help with what is the best shop.
7 floors of furniture showrooms, from vintage to modern minimalist.
One part of the Mangga Dua strip is where the locals shop for electronics, from game consoles to Hi-Fi speakers. Note that unless you ask not to, most of the software sold here are pirated.
locally abbreviated PI
The standard-bearer of swank, but no longer the only game in town. Well located at the very centre of Jakarta, similar options as Grand Indonesia but with a bit more class. Good food courts and a well-stocked Periplus and Aksara bookstores. One of the top places to hang out in the Jendral Sudirman & M.H. Thamrin corridor with many F&B options, cafés and bars.
locally abbreviated PS
Anchored by Sogo and Metro department stores, this is the self-proclaimed "most stylish mall in Jakarta" and they just might be right, at least if you equate style with the ilk of the Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci shops that fill up the first floor. Check out the Kinokuniya book store on the 5th floor of Sogo, the largest in Jakarta with an excellent selection of English books. The Arcadia annex, lurking in the back across a parking lot, has a cluster of high-end restaurants, ice cream bar, and health centre. Next to Senayan sports complex.
The first mall in Indonesia. Indonesian batik, arts and crafts for a cheaper rate, and an increasing number of eating and entertainment options.
locally abbreviated Senci
Right in front of Plaza Senayan, this new building is a combination between shopping arcade, office tower, apartment, and hotel. A lot of exclusive brands can be found there, including its major tenant, Debenhams, a big department store from UK, and Topshop, a unisex boutique from UK. For you gadget lovers, Best Denki, the biggest electronic store from Japan has its biggest outlet outside of Japan in this mall. An exclusive Studio XXI cinema with 4 deluxe theaters and 1 premiere theater and a variety of food stalls from all over the world is here as well, including Krispy Kreme and Burger King. Senayan City also has restaurants open up until midnight in its "Crystal Lagoon" section.
A famous flea market located in Central Jakarta. Art, antique and souvenir shops. Favourite place for bargain hunters. Beware of pickpockets.
An open market operating since the Dutch colonial era in 1820. Famous in Jakarta for selling textiles, sporting equipments, shoes, cameras and accessories. For numismatic lovers, this is also the place to go to. Tens of sellers display their collection of old Indonesian currency and also currency from around the world. Pasar Baru is also home to the Indian community in Jakarta.
This is the prime place for garments in Jakarta or even Indonesia. The biggest in Southeast Asia and usually export to Africa and Middle East, arrangement delivery in all countries in the world. Groceries and semi retail (minimum 3 pieces) sale. All types of fashion are abundant. Haggling is not too necessary, mainly if you buy in bulk to get a large discount, the prices can be the cheapest you can find in Jakarta. There are 20,000 kiosks spread in Block A to F, Metro Block AA and BB, including Kebon Dalam Market near Hok Tek Tjen Sien Temple and also including Jembatan Tinggi Tanah Abang Bukit Shops. Because of the huge multi-purpose area, make sure you get to Metro Block AA & BB (the high brown and green building) for the quality garments, but still lower quality than ITC Mangga Dua's. Due to heavy traffic jams, walking a couple hundred metres may be necessary.
second-hand book shop.
By bus
The Transjakarta Line goes to Dukuh Atas from South Jakarta, where you can connect to Line 1 by moving to the platform upstairs.H. Thamrin Avenue, Hayam Wuruk and Gajah Mada.
By car
Central Jakarta is circled by Jakarta's inner ring toll road.5 km.
The Jakarta Government provides a hop-on tour bus that will take you to attractions across the city for free.
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Jakarta · International · HLP
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