22 Enchanted garden-themed restaurants and cafes in Jakarta for a magical experience right within the city!

Written by Grace Oktaviani
Co-written by Cisca Lim, Junanto Xu and Beverley Lennon
Edited by Beverley Lennon

Who says only Bogor or Bandung have lush outdoors? Although we bet you so rarely get to enjoy them, believe it or not, nestled in Jakarta’s concrete jungle are garden-themed cafes decorated with refreshing greenery, where you can escape to right in the city! They’re the real definition of an “urban oasis”!

Whether you’re looking for a romantic dining spot in Jakarta or a chill place to hangout with friends or family, you’ll be sure to experience a special moment at these enchanted restaurants and cafes .

Time to get ready to experience these gardens of paradise where you get to dine al-fresco, be a fairy for a day and be transported to a magical world!

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1. Unwind in an enchanted garden – The Garden

Love flora and greenery but can’t stand the heat or insects? The Garden could be just what you’re looking for, as this café brings vibrant nature indoors!

Enter this enchanted garden and you’ll fall in love with the lush garden ornaments. Every corner here is decorated with blooming flowers, calming green leaves and nature-inspired decor. It’s like having a picnic among nature, but with the AC on!

Not only is the setting here terrific, the food that The Garden offers is also equally great. You must try their Crispy Duck Kecombrang, which comes with three different sambals (chilli paste), and don’t miss the ‘She’s Slice of Heaven’ for dessert. The name doesn’t lie – this creamy Mille Crepe Cake will send your tastebuds to heaven. You can choose between Taro or Milo sauce!

Since everybody loves this indoor garden restaurant, it gets a bit crowded during peak hours, so we recommend coming around 11am for a more relaxing dining experience, or make a reservation beforehand.

PS: The exterior decoration changes seasonally, so stop by often to catch the various looks.

2. When Jakarta meets Ubud… – Six Ounces

Be Alice in Wonderland at this secret hideout in the middle of the city’s bustling life. With the fast-paced life Jakartans have, we bet that’s exactly what you need! At Six Ounces, you can experience the best of both worlds – be close enough to the city, all the while not feeling it at all , as you’re set in nature!

I personally love their exposed red bricks and carved wooden doors that remind me of the temples in Bali.

Past guests rave about their Truffle Mushroom Cream Ravioli which apparently tastes amazing; these are stuffed with spinach and coated with a delectable truffle cream sauce. And not to miss out on the Beef Bitterballen which is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!

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3. Escape to a green sanctuary – Arborea Café

Every once in a while, everyone appreciates a serene retreat to nature and spending a relaxing day among lush greenery. And if you think such a natural sanctuary is impossible to find in a metropolitan city like Jakarta, Arborea Café will prove you wrong!

Opened during the 2018 Asian Games, this café initially served as a resting spot for athletes to unwind after a day of hard training and competitions. But after the event was over, it eventually became the favourite chillax haven for city dwellers.

Arborea Café is the perfect place for you to seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta.

Although it only serves light snacks and beverages, we bet the fresh air and greenery here will feed your mind and soul!

4. Who says Jakarta is all bricks and skyscrapers? – Cork&Screw Country Club

I know… Jakarta can feel extremely stuffy. In fact, all you’ll see are cars, buildings and tons of people. And when it’s the weekend or public holiday? Chances are, you’ll be caught in terrible traffic!

Well, like any city, life here can get hectic and pretty awful, but what if you want a change in scenery, yet can’t afford going too far? The next best thing you can do is find a spacious place with greenery so you can chill with your loved ones like at Cork&Screw Country Club.

For a venue located in the heart of Jakarta, the place is surprisingly big. They have an expansive lawn area where you can settle down at picnic tables. The best way to enjoy your time here is to get hold of their Back to The Roots (a mixture of orange juice, carrot juice and yakult) and their scrumptious Monte Cristo sandwich!

Best part? They also have an indoor area, in case it gets too hot outside!

5. A cosy hangout spot – Yamalu

Rather than a big place, I always try to keep my gatherings with friends and family small and intimate; preferably at a place where there aren’t many people so that we can hear each other talking. Now, guess what? You can find it in Jakarta! Yamalu fits the bill!

Stepping in here will feel as cosy as your own backyard. A cute glass cafe sits right in the middle of the garden, which is filled with lush plants, and adorned by vines. If I were you, I’d definitely opt for the outdoor seating area to indulge in their Truffle Mushroom Burger and Pepperoni Pizza. They also have heartier dishes like their Butter Rice Dori Katsu; end the evening with a warm cuppa!

6. This secret cafe sits right in the middle of tall buildings! – Kopi Bukanagara

I absolutely love the city, whether it’s the glitz and glamour, high-rise buildings or fast-pace life. However, I must admit, nothing calms me more than feeling the wind blow on my face and smelling fresh air from the surrounding plants and trees. Luckily, we’re in Jakarta – a city where everything is available.

Giving off a slight New York vibe, Kopi Bukanagara feels like a cafe located at a rooftop greenhouse. It’s surrounded by tons of high-rise steel and glass buildings that’ll make you mistakenly think you’re in the middle of Manhattan city!

Whether you’re here only to enjoy a cup of hot Macchiato or a proper Nasi Uduk or Nasi Kuning, one thing’s for sure – you won’t want to leave anytime soon 😉

7. Stop and smell the flowers at this florist café – ONNI House

Smartly combining the concepts of home living, florist and kitchen into an Instagram-worthy Korean-style café, ONNI House in Tanjung Duren is one of the newest additions to Jakarta’s burgeoning café scene.

Of course, since this is a florist-inspired café, it is adorned with multiple colourful blooms to brighten up your day as you dine. If you’re intrigued enough to want to bring some home, you can buy various flowers and plants from Onni Flower Market, located in the middle of the café.

Get comfy inside the spacious and homey indoor area, or opt for the outdoors where you can have your OOTD shots in natural sunlight. But whichever you choose, both have radiant floral decor that will bring you one step closer to nature (and Insta-fame)!

Besides the great design and ambience, the menu here will surprise your palate too. There are plenty of options for you to choose from, ranging from Western, Asian and Indonesian food. Do try their special Tempe Fried Stick, Nasi Liwet or Mie Goreng Jawa – you won’t regret it!

8. Sail through a hearty feast at the river-themed restaurant – JimBARan Lounge

Located in AYANA Midplaza Jakarta, JimBARan Lounge invites you to *almost* literally sail through a hearty feast.

This river-themed restaurant will transport you to an oasis, just like those riverside dining spots one can find in tranquil Ubud.

As we all know, Jakarta can get pretty hectic and fast-paced. Those looking to slow down and catch a breather will find this a wonderful spot to escape to and have a luxuriously relaxing night, especially amongst lush trees and the calming sound of water.

Offering Western and Intercontinental cuisines, take a seat in any of the lovely circular lounges and start placing your order.

Dining here is as good as it gets, with great natural views and nothing but good vibes all around.

9. Everything’s fresher outside where you can sit by the lake – Kokonut & Curtains – by Wakimukudo

Cafes have arguably overtaken restaurants across busy Jakarta; especially when it comes to the aesthetic aspects of the venue.

Kokonut & Curtains for instance, brings the whole Instagrammable vibes of Bali to Jakarta, allowing you to take an immediates escape to the tropics – something that’s not easily found in the city.

I mean, who knew you could find such beautiful gardens, surrounded by a stunning green lake right within Jakarta? You’ll be surprised at how much peace you can find here.

Soothing ambience aside, food served at the cafe is also meant to colonize your senses, particularly your taste buds – weird creations include their dragonfruit fried rice.

10. Experience an indoor garden! – Odysseia

Looking for a place to impress your SO in Jakarta? Have your special date at Odysseia, amidst Christmas lights (when it’s season), lush trees and comfy, blue sofas.

Located right within one of the most upscale malls in central Jakarta, Odysseia offers a wide variety of food you can choose from, from Classic Cheesecake and Peach Strawberry Royal Mocktail to Truffle Pizza (which is so good by the way!!).

But the best time to visit this place is when the sky turns dark. That’s when the magic happens, with the fairy lights blinking all over the trees, bringing a little bit of glitz, glamour and a whole lot of romance to your evening!

11. A garden that’s up in the sky – Hause Rooftop

Hause Rooftop is our definition of “garden of paradise”. How often do you even find yourself surrounded by nature, all the while enjoying views of a magnificent city? Well, that’s what awaits when you step into Hause Rooftop, a place where one gets the buzz of alfresco dining.

With both indoor and outdoor areas to choose from, you can enjoy your time here, come rain or shine.

On the outside, there’s an abundance of plants and greenery surrounding the seatings – a very controlled and stylish take on the wilds of nature, without compromising on the cosmopolitan vibes, this is the ideal spot for some post-office hours drinks with friends and colleagues!

12. Fancy dessert surrounded by nature? – BEAU by Talita Setyadi

Thanks to Pastry Chef Talita Setyadi (a local Indonesian who graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in France), Jakartans are never missing out on fresh bread, healthy food and perfect pastries for brunch! Now, wait until you get to see where these beauties are served.

You’ll be charmed by BEAU (which means ‘handsome’ in French) – a little cafe draped in foliage and relying much on natural lighting.

Serving everything good for your body, BEAU doesn’t use any kind of preservatives, additives, artificial coloring and only uses natural leavening!

The best time to drop by is for tea – they have some delectable desserts and we’ve heard that they attract the whole sweet tooth crowd in the afternoons. Not-to-be-missed items include the Passion-Pomelo Tart and Matcha-Choco Croissant!

Vegans rejoice; the cafe offers more options than just mehhh salads too!

13. Love’s a picnic! – Twin House Coffee & Garden (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

Bored of dining indoors? Switch it up with the open air and green landscape at Twin House Coffee & Garden.

Perfect for casual meals, Twin House is your picnic-style cafe right in the midst of Jakarta’s lovely scenery. Right in front of the cafe sits a garden is dotted with colourful picnic rugs complete with low wooden tables.

Not in the mood for a picnic? Just head indoors and be greeted with its rustic and vintage interior, decked in white walls and large windows, where sunlight streams into every cheerful corner.

Once you’ve settled down for a meal with your sweetheart, choose from a variety of Western and Asian cuisine. Don’t forget to finish off with dessert – the perfect sweet ending to your lovely date (and without much damage to your wallet too)!

14. Blissful sunset during your picnic date – SIKU Dharmawangsa (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

At SIKU cafe of Dharmawangsa South Jakarta, sunset is a much-awaited affair in their garden. With a chill picnic concept, you don’t have to go all the way to the beach for some sunset-canoodling.

While the outdoor picnic is a favourite, the indoor cafe has its own perks too. Neat retro tables and spacious ground aside, there’s also a studio upstairs for yoga, zumba and belly dancing classes – available for women and kids!

We also love the wide selection of finger snacks such as homemade rissole and french fries. They’re the perfect prelude to main courses such as fried rice, chicken porridge, spaghetti bolognese, and the sweet & spicy snapper.

15. Romantic and Instagramable meal with a traditional twist – Restoran Omah Sendok (From Rp. 200,000 for two)

If you and your beau share the same love for traditional food, you won’t go wrong at Restoran Omah Sendok.

Enjoy a wide spread of Indonesian cuisine, such as Bandeng Priyayi, Gurame Soup, Grilled Chicken, Soto Tangkar, Bistik Jawa, Gado- Gado, Karedok, Tahu Cocol, Ponogoro Satay, Grilled Ribs and more.

Wait till you hear about dessert – Kue Pancong (sweet coconut cookies), Bubur Sumsum (coconut milk porridge), Wedang Ronde (sweet ginger herb soup) and other to-die-for local sweet treats.

And don’t mind if we Instagram this cafe for our own Pinterest-inspired wedding venue!

16. Rooftop romance overlooking the city skyline – Sky Garden Cafe (From Rp. 200,000 for two)

Have you had a romantic rooftop garden dining date before? If you haven’t, it’s a mandatory couple experience, and we know where’s best!

At the rooftop of Rasuna Icon Hotel in Kuningan, Sky Garden Cafe is a love nest serving a top notch dining experience with a side of Jakarta’s skyline.

Surrounded by tall greenery, imagine a dinner with twinkling city lights from the distance. At the same time, your waiters roll out yummy Western, oriental and local dishes ready to be devoured. Most importantly, they come at pocket-friendly price tags too!

For the most enjoyable rooftop romance, make sure you come early (before 5 pm) or make a prior reservation.

17. Betawi cuisine along the sidewalk – Historia Food & Bar (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

Step out of your comfort zone and add a Betawi chemistry to your relationship. (Betawis are indigenous people of Jakarta.)

Here at Historia Food & Bar of Old Batavia, it’s all about colonial indulgence in one cozy and luxurious restaurant.

Start your date prior at Fatahillah Museum nearby, then continue with a romantic culinary by ordering the favourite appetizers – Jalangkote and Lumpia Oma. Get on with authentic main courses such as Babanci Mixed Rice, Sampyok Chicken Rice, Kecombrang Chicken or Grilled Bandeng with Sambal Matah. The perfect drink here is either the fresh Ice Tajin or Ice Jenggala.

If the weather permits, head outdoors and relax in its unique Parisian-sidewalk seating. It’s as homey as it’s photogenic! Words to the wise: come early because it’s a popular spot even for non-couples!

18. A metropolitan Bali love story – Smarapura Traditional & Resto (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

Let Bali come to you right in Tebet, South Jakarta.

Smarapura Traditional & Resto is a Bali-inspired restaurant, and its name means “a beautiful and enjoyable place”.

Served by waiters in traditional Balinese uniforms, your table overlooks the clear pool complete with the peaceful sound of trickling water. Don’t miss out on their special Balinese dishes such as Ayam Betutu or Grilled Smarapura Ribs to complete your Bali experience.

And nope, no tourist price here – just the standard cafe price tag you’ll approve.

19. Affordable fine dining in a classy green space – PEPeNERO, SCBD (From Rp. 200,000 for two)

You must already know this – a fine dining date does wonders to all relationships.

PEPeNERO is just the perfect solution when your bank account doesn’t allow you to splurge.  This restaurant understands that all it needs is a classy interior, a reasonable price and romantic vibes to get you going!

Head out to its semi-outdoor area with tall glass windows that showcase the gorgeous open garden below. Or head to the second floor, where you’ll find a lovely indoor green space.

The menu here is mostly Italian, so expect hearty pastas, yummy soups, mouth-watering pizzas and other delicious varieties.

20. Vintage dining and snuggle in a gazebo under the stars – Warung MJS (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

Take your sweetheart back to Java and Chinatown in the ‘50s era at Warung MJS Setiabudi. This unique vintage cafe is old-school-loving at its best!

Shaded under the tall verdant trees, secure your own romantic gazebo perched above the blue swimming pool. If not, grab some of the quirky wooden seats around!

Short for Warung Mbah Jingkrak, the fun concept here dials back to the old period of Java and Chinatown. The collection of old soy sauce bottles, vintage cigarette packs and other Chinese decorations add fun nuances for all diners.

21. Sweet As Strawberry – Strawberry Cafe (From Rp. 150,000 for two)

Strawberry lovers, dive in. This is your strawberry heaven complete with the green farm and tree decorations!

Not stopping at a strawberry-themed space, even the food is all cooked with strawberries (yes even for fried rice and spaghetti!). And the garnish? You guessed it! It’s strawberries instead of the usual tomatoes or cucumbers.

Desserts take the cake with sweet strawberry creations such as Strawberry Flambe or Chocolate Fondue. Don’t leave without some strawberry souvenirs too – keychains, sandals, pens, dolls or maybe more strawberries?

22. Swing by a refreshing rainforest ristorante – Bottega Ristorante (From Rp. 200,000 for two)

Pull up a chair and have a seat at Bottega Ristorante. While not in any way affiliated with Bottega Veneta (that luxurious brand with the gorgeous designer products), Bottega makes a great place to engage in some retail nature therapy.

The refreshing rainforest theme will take you away into a soothing semblance of Mother Nature, and makes the perfect backdrop of a hearty meal.

Order up a dish or two off the Western-influenced menu, and dig into Truffle Mac & Cheese, Penne Arrabiatta, or Braised Pork Belly – there are a lot of comfortable favourites available here.

What this means is that you’ll get to dig into familiar comfort food, while you relax in Bottega’s soothing surroundings!

Now you know where to go for a quick meal that’ll also serve as a quick city-break! Share this with all your friends who are tired of high-rise buildings and crave for a good dose of green and fresh air!

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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