Cafe Batavia, Jakarta

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Near the North West corner of Taman Fatahillah is one of the most famous (if not the most famous) restaurant of Jakarta. It is not the food which makes this restaurant famous, but the décor and atmosphere of this colonial house (picture 1) which was build in the 19th century. The restaurant at the first level is just a marvel of architecture, interior design and decoration, where the colonial atmosphere of the high windows with the Persian shutters, the wooden pillars, the wooden floor, the palm trees in big containers, the simple lamps at the ceiling, the well distributed tables with just with sober décor (picture 2). . . . . all this really fits and is just beautiful, no more words! And with this, all these photographs, beautiful photographs, from the fifties to eighties, from celebrities or anonymous people, it gives a real personality to the Café Batavia, and I liked a lot sitting near the window (picture 3), for a short lunch. Ah yes, lunch! In that sort of décor, the food has to be good; I had a very simple, but good nasi goreng kepiting (fried rice with crab) and a sorbet (picture 4), called “my very first time”, mixing tropical (mango) and northern (raspberry and strawberry) tastes and flavours; very interesting blend.
All this has a price, and it is expensive for local standards, but spending one-two hours in this place is an experience. Café Batavia is very easy to identify on Taman Fatahillah (picture 5).

Easily the most famous and historic restaurant in town, Cafe Batavia is housed in a restored 19th-century Dutch colonial building just opposite the old Dutch city hall (now Jakarta Museum). The place is a living reminder of Jakarta's luxurious (as well as oppressive) colonial past, when Dutch officials would wine and dine their nights away in luxury while the local residents barely scratched out a living.

Now full of tourists and expats, Cafe Batavia is both gaudy and sophisticated at the same time. The food is fairly decent and the wait staff are very enthusiastic. They also serve a decent brunch.

Every visitor should at least visit Cafe Batavia, if not actually dine there, just to get a better understanding of colonial life in Dutch Batavia.

Favorite Dish: The Eggs Norwegian (poached eggs on smoked salmon with Hollandaise sauce) served at Brunch are quite good. They also have fine steaks in the evening.

I like this cafe especially dinner time...sooo romantic and also nice view of old building....and so many photos of importand ppl on the wall, even in the rest room...:)

Favorite Dish: My special one here is Lighly smoked Tasmanian Salmon, Nicoise salad....where the salmon taste great with string bean.

The restaurant is housed in an old Dutch colonial. Across from the Jakarta History Museum. The restaurant serves great international food. The walls of restaurant are cluttered with large framed photographs, which turn out to be menus hidden on the other side. I thought that was a cool touch. They also serve a great brunch. The pink guava sorbet is great. Service is top rate. They are more than happy to call you a taxi when you want to leave.

It is like stepping back into the 1920's or 40's. The restaurant is very colonial, polished wood tables with crisp white linen, sweeping staircase and a large bar. The toilets are worth a visit. Darkly painted with black and white photographs covering the walls. The mens urinal is backed by a mirror which my husband found quite strange!!

Favorite Dish: We had Chinese food which was excellent, we were there for lunch. The bar would be lovely for a few drinks in the evening. I have no idea of the cost as we were taken out by a friend so I have made a guestimate.

One of the few restaurants in the city that has an authentic setting, making it a unique and prized venue in the old town center of Batavia. The decoration is made of wood and hundreds of pictures. The lounge and lavatories are also quite original.

Favorite Dish: Ostrich - a very well cooked delicacy and quite a treat for Jakarta

Deep in the heart of old Batavia ... you'll find a gem of a dining experience at Cafe Batavia, located on the northwest corner of the Fatahillah Square, across from the Fatahillah Museum. The restaurant is housed in a 19th-century colonial-era building, the second oldest on Fatahillah Square. Filled with antiques and original fixtures from the period, you'll feel like you are stepping back in time the moment you enter. Hundreds of pictures of bygone eras line the walls and provide a trip down memory lane. And the real treat lies in the delicious meal you are about to experience - delicious dishes, prepared by a master chef, Didier Basse. Don't forget to try the homemade ice cream, Cafe Batavia is famous for it! Visit the upstairs Churchill Bar and find out why it's made Newsweek's 'World's Best Bars' list ... twice!

Favorite Dish: Dimsum at midnight

It is a great place to experience what live must have been like in those VOC days. A favourite place for wining and dining, Café Batavia was batavia’s first and genuine sailor’s bar. The building dates back some 350 years. It was fully restorated in the early 90’s, while its interior reflects colonial times.

Favorite Dish: Various from european till local, such as sop buntut kambing (goat's tail soup). They have wine also!