December 28, 2022
JAKARTA – Twenties is a column in which we give our top 20 list of anything and everything of interest, from food and history to pop culture, lifestyle and more.
Though Jakarta is slated to lose its capital city status in 2024, it is quickly becoming the country’s coffee capital, spoiling coffee enthusiasts with pleasurable experiences that can be had at cafes and roasteries all over the city. With Indonesia ranked the world’s third largest exporter of soluble coffee in 2021-2022, according to International Coffee Organization’s October 2022 market report, an increasing number of coffee shops are sprouting, offering a wide variety of both locally grown and imported beans.
Here are 20 cafes and roasteries in Jakarta to get your next caffeine fix.
Aksata Coffee & Roastery
Aksata Coffee & Roastery is widely known for offering classic coffee beverages such as long black, Americano and cappuccino using freshly roasted beans from Ciwidey, West Java. Aksata is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and while it is located in SCBD, it is relatively affordable at Rp 30,000 (US$2) for a cuppa.
At-home ‘Java’: Aksata Coffee & Roastery offers a 1-liter bottle of coffee with milk made using Ciwidey beans from West Java and roasted in-house. (Courtesy of Aksata Coffee & Roastery) (Courtesy of Aksata/.)
Anomali Coffee
Anomali Coffee offers the single-origin beans Bali Ulian, Sumatra Kerinci and Aceh Gayo, manually brewed and served with croissants. Located in Senopati and Menteng, Jakarta, Anomali is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. with prices ranging between Rp 25,000 and Rp 46,000.
Chief Coffee & Roastery
Chief Coffee & Roastery offers a variety of coffee beverages with a strong flavor, thanks to its use of Sumatra Kerinci beans. Its signature beverage is the Baileys cream latte, made with nonalcoholic Baileys, costing Rp 200,000 for two servings. Chief Coffee & Roastery has three outlets, all located in South Jakarta in Kemang, North Gandaria and Senopati, with the one on Jl. Kemang Raya open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Common Grounds
Common Grounds has three outlets, in Citywalk Sudirman, Pondok Indah Mall 2 and Senopati. It specializes in Bali Kintamani, Aceh Gayo and Toraja beans, and its kitchen serves dishes designed to complement the coffee, such as Smash Avocados and Donburi Japanese Curry. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Crematology Coffee Roasters
Crematology Coffee Roasters uses beans grown in various regions of the country and roasts them in-house. Its signature beverages are the Americano and long black, made using beans from Bali and Toraja, South Sulawesi, which are usually enjoyed alongside its popular Caramelized Banana Waffle. Its Crematology X Cipete outlet in Cilandak, South Jakarta, is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with prices starting from Rp 35,000.
Crossing borders: In addition to selling its own blends, Crematology Coffee Roasters is also known for its offering of “guest beans” from international brands, such as the Sweden’s Lykke Kaffegårdar artisan coffee. (Unsplash/Rizky Subagja) (Unsplash/Rizky Subagja)
First Crack Coffee
First Crack Coffee features beans from Flores, Bali, Papua and Central Java at several outlets across the city, including in Kebayoran Baru, Tanjung Priok and SCBD. Two coffee beverages usually cost Rp 210,000. The roastery also provides classes based on the curriculum of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) for anyone wanting to dig deeper into coffee.
Gerilya Coffee and Roastery
In 2016, when the founders of Gerilya Coffee and Roastery opened its doors on Jl. Banjarsari No. 8A in Cilandak, South Jakarta, they found immediate and positive reception of their coffee. Since then, Gerilya Coffee has ensured that every cup of coffee it serves, whether made using the Arabica or Robusta varieties, is of high quality. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., its Spaghetti Tuna Flakes is popular among customers.
Giyanti Coffee Roastery
Giyanti Coffee Roastery has seen tremendous growth since 2012, when it was launched in a tiny space. Today, it offers a diverse range of Indonesian beans, including Java Frinsa Estate and Aceh Gayo. Located on Jl. Surabaya No. 20 in Menteng, Central Jakarta, its coffees range from Rp 38,000 to Rp 46,000.
Harapan Djaya Coffee Roasters
Harapan Djaya Coffee Roasters is a small local roastery known for being one of the most affordable in town, with coffee for two costing around Rp 70,000. It uses blended beans, typically consisting of 80 percent Bandung Pangalengan and 20 percent Java Mount Tilu. It can be found at Jl. Kemang Selatan No. 125b in South Jakarta and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jakarta Coffee House
Jakarta Coffee House started out as a micro coffee shop and roastery in Jakarta. It has now developed into a go-to place for coffee training and education. Beverages usually start under Rp 50,000 at currently 10 locations, with its flagship store located in Cipete, South Jakarta.
KLTR Coffee Roasters
KLTR Coffee Roasters mainly uses fully washed Ethiopia Dhilgee Raro beans as its key ingredient. Themed after 1920s America, it is also famous for its tiramisu. Located on the upper ground floor of the Pavilion Apartment complex in Jakarta’s Central Business District, it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kopi Kalyan
Adventurous coffee enthusiasts will probably like Kopi Kalyan. Among its unusual beverages is the Chai Coffee Latte, which has a taste profile similar to ginger but smells like orange peel. Customers who want something to munch on should try the homemade Roti Kalyan, a type of bread, for pairing with coffee beverages that cost around Rp 100,000 for two. Located at Jl. Barito I No. 19 in Kramat Pela, South Jakarta, Kopi Kalyan is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Branded blend: Kopi Kalyan offers a coffee adventure with unusual blends, like its Chai Coffee Latte, packaged here in a can. (Courtesy of Kopi Kalyan) (Courtesy of Kopi Kalyan/.)
Kopi Pak Wawan
A slightly usual coffee shop that only accepts orders via WhatsApp (+6281280922474), Kopi Pak Wawan is physically located in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. It primarily roasts beans from Sumatra, Java and Flores, producing up to 1.3 tonnes of roasted coffee beans in six months.
Kuppie Coffee & Roastery
Kuppie Coffee & Roastery uses Aceh Gayo Takengon, Flores Bajawa and Bali Kintamani beans to create its distinct coffee for aficionados. The cafe also offers fresh croissants at its one branch in STC Senayan, Central Jakarta, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
People Temple Roastery
Another online roastery without a physical coffee shop, People Temple Roastery is based in Tangerang, Banten, and is popular among Jakarta’s coffee lovers. It offers Aceh and Sumatra Semendo single-origin beans as well as imported coffee from between Rp 50,000 and Rp 350,000.
Pikul Coffee & Roastery
Located in the culinary center of Cipete in South Jakarta, Pikul Coffee & Roastery offers a spacious, laid-back atmosphere that makes it popular among customers who enjoy doing some work while sipping coffee in a cafe. Beverages like the Ice-Citron Latte, made from naturally processed Ethiopian coffee beans, can be had for as little as Rp 25,000. Pikul Coffee & Roastery is open daily from 7 a.m.
Simetri Coffee Roasters
Simetri Coffee Roasters is known for its iced coffee latte, which combines an espresso shot with milk and caramel sauce. The coffee shop’s espresso uses light- to medium-roasted Arabica Argopuro from Mount Argopuro, East Java. It also offers a big breakfast menu for the empty-bellied at its outlets in Gandaria and Wijaya, which are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Local origin: Simetri Coffee Roasters’ most popular product is its medium roast Arabica Argopuro coffee bean from East Java’s Mount Argopuro. (Courtesy of Simetri Coffee Roasters) (Courtesy of Simetri Coffee Roasters/.)
Smoking Barrels Craft Coffee
Smoking Barrels Craft Coffee offers a fine selection of manually brewed coffee and espresso drinks. Customers usually purchase packaged, roasted Flores Manggarai or Bali beans at the physical store in Plaza Margaguna on Jl. Radio Dalam Raya in South Jakarta.
Tanamera Coffee & Roastery
The first Tanamera coffee shop opened in 2013 and it has since expanded across Jakarta as well as to other cities. Here, customers can order self-roasted coffee, typically enjoyed with the Tanamera Big Breakfast. Its signature coffee is from Mandailing, North Sumatra, but it also uses beans from Aceh Gayo, Bali Kintamani and Toraja. Most Tanamera outlets are open from as early as 7 a.m.
Smokin’ hot: The knowledgeable master roasters at Tanamera Coffee & Roastery prepare coffee beans, which are then brewed and turned into flavorful drinks. (Courtesy of Tanamera Coffee & Roastery) (Courtesy of Tanamera/.)
Ulin Coffee Roastery
Ulin Coffee Roastery is a private roaster that offers select local beans, such as Sumatra Mandailing, Sumatra Kerinci, Aceh Gayo, Aceh Takengon, Flores Bajawa and Toraja, with prices ranging from Rp 58,000 to Rp 350,000. It is located on Jl. Rawamangun Muka Timur No. 74B in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta.
Viverri Specialty Coffee Roasters
Viverri might be a familiar name among coffee aficionados who prefer beans from beyond the border. The roastery and cafe offers Brazil Cerrado, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe and Guatemala Huehuetenango at reasonable prices that start from Rp 35,000, and also offers light meals. Viverri Specialty Coffee Roasters is located in Penjaringan, Pluit, North Jakarta, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.