Step Back in Time: Exploring the Nostalgic Charm of Cafe Batavia in Jakarta's Historic Old Town
Updated: Apr 6
Cafe Batavia is a historic café located in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. It is situated in the old town area of Jakarta, known as Kota Tua. The café is housed in a colonial-era building that dates back to the early 19th century and has become an iconic landmark in the city.
Cafe Batavia is known for its nostalgic atmosphere and vintage interior, which reflects the colonial Dutch architecture of the building. The cafe is adorned with antique furnishings, including old photographs, vintage mirrors, and traditional decorations, creating a unique ambiance that takes visitors back in time.
Apart from its dining offerings, Cafe Batavia is also a popular venue for cultural events and live performances. It often hosts art exhibitions, jazz nights, and other cultural performances, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
Due to its historical significance and unique ambiance, Cafe Batavia has been featured in several movies and has gained international recognition. It has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists who wish to experience the charm of Jakarta's colonial past while enjoying good food and live entertainment.
Read on for more on the wonderful food we tried, how to find Cafe Batavia, our YouTube video highlights and our restaurant rating!
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Our Cafe Batavia Highlights
This incredible cafe is one of the oldest buildings in Jakarta Old Town and it is full of old amazing photographs dating back to as early as the early 1900's! This cafe has an incredible history, which we both love.
It has a beautiful lower floor with incredible sweets and desserts and it's a great place to find a cold beer (there aren't many places for that in Jakarta) or other spirits. After a long day our exploring the museum and square it was just the tonic!
We also enjoyed exploring the upper floor Salon with incredible views of the square overlooking the Jakarta History Museum, and to watch the many locals and tourists cycling through the square with the pretty pink and blue bicycles that you can rent there. They even come with matching sun hats and look super cute!
We stayed until the evening to listen to the live band and they didn't disappoint. We also made some new YouTuber friends who were a blast, and although we didn't have the chance to sample the food we have no doubt that it would be amazing. It certainly looked good as we saw others being served. We look forward to coming back to Jakarta and trying it out.
NOTE: It is worth pointing out that this cafe permits smoking on the ground floor, however the upper Salon is smoke free.
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The history of the Cafe Batavia building and the surrounding area
The building that houses Cafe Batavia in Jakarta has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. Here's an overview of the building's history and the surrounding area:
⪢ The Construction of the Building
The building was constructed in 1805 during the Dutch colonial period in what was then known as Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies. It was initially built as the residence for a high-ranking Dutch official named J. G. van Angelbeek. The architectural style of the building reflects the Dutch colonial architecture prevalent during that era.
⪢ Dutch East Indies Era
During the Dutch East Indies era, the building changed hands and purposes several times. It served as a bank, a residence for government officials, and even a social club for high-ranking colonial officials. Over the years, it became a prominent gathering place for the European elite in Batavia.
⪢ Japanese Occupation
During World War II, Jakarta (then Batavia) was occupied by the Japanese. The building was used as a headquarters for Japanese military officers during their occupation of the city.
⪢ Post-Independence Period
After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, the building was briefly used as the office for the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. However, it fell into disrepair in the following years.
⪢ Restoration & Cafe Batavia
In the early 1990s, the building underwent extensive restoration efforts led by Indonesian and Dutch investors. The restoration aimed to revive the building's historical charm and preserve its colonial heritage. The restoration project included converting the building into a café, which eventually became Café Batavia. The café opened its doors in 1992 and quickly gained popularity for its nostalgic ambiance and unique setting.
⪢ Surrounding Area
The building is located in the Kota Tua (Old Town) area of Jakarta. This historic part of the city is known for its colonial architecture, with various Dutch buildings still standing today. The surrounding area features several other historical landmarks, including Fatahillah Square (also known as Taman Fatahillah), Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum (Puppet Museum), and other cultural attractions.
Kota Tua has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, attracting visitors who are interested in Jakarta's history and heritage. The area has undergone revitalization efforts to preserve its historical buildings and promote tourism.
Today, Café Batavia stands as a testament to Jakarta's colonial past and serves as a prominent landmark in the city's Old Town area. It continues to be a popular destination for people seeking a nostalgic experience, good food, and a glimpse into Jakarta's history.
Cafe Batavia Menu
The menu is extensive and is on the slightly higher end of prices for food in Jakarta. But you do really get what you pay for and the incredible ambience and vibe here makes it well worth it. Unfortunately we did not try any of the dishes as we mentioned, but we did take a few shots of the wonderfully presented menu to give you a bit of an idea:
How to get to Cafe Batavia Kota Tua
If you are thinking of visiting, why not combine with a tour? Travel back into Jakarta’s past and enjoy a tour of Old Batavia and appreciate the town’s Dutch-style structures as you journey around town in your own private car.
Visit Old Batavia’s famous attractions including Fatahillah Museum and the National Museum of Indonesia Be accompanied by a friendly and informative guide who will provide you with interesting facts about the town! Tap the link below for more information:
Alternatively, you can follow these directions to get to Café Batavia:
⪢ By Taxi / Car
If you're starting from a different location in Jakarta, hail a taxi or you can use a ride-hailing app like Gojek or Grab. The driver will take you to the entrance of Kota Tua (Old Town). The cafe is located near Fatahillah Square, a central landmark in the area.
⪢ By Public Transportation
Take the TransJakarta bus system to the nearest TransJakarta station. The closest station to Old Town is Kota Tua. From the TransJakarta station, you can either walk or take a short taxi or becak (traditional three-wheeled cycle rickshaw) ride to Cafe Batavia. You can also take the commuter train (KRL) to Jakarta Kota Station, which is within walking distance of Old Town.
Note that you will need a pre-loaded transit card to access public transport (you cannot pay on site). You can order one here with Klook for home delivery or airport pick up.
It's worth noting that Jakarta's traffic can be heavy, especially during peak hours. Plan your visit accordingly, allowing for potential delays. Also, consider checking the current transportation options and schedules for the most up-to-date information.
Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.14, RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 12am
Friday: 9am to 1am
Saturday: 7am to 1am
Sunday: 7am to 12am
Live music bands play at 8pm every night.
Contact: +62 21 6915534
Reservations & Menu: cafebatavia.com
Note that at busy times reservations may be required, All major credit cards are accepted, although there is no option for contactless payment.
Watch on YouTube, including live music and a special Karaoke performance from Jenn!
Check out our time at Cafe Batavia on YouTube! This video was particularly special for us as we had a momentous moment in our journey happen right in Jakarta; we FINALLY achieved monetization status and joined the YPP program!
It takes SO much time and dedication and all of those hours, easily HUNDREDS, have been free up until this point. To be paid and rewarded for it now is a blessing we still can't quite believe just yet!
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like and subscribe! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
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Our Cafe Batavia experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
✓ Atmosphere: 5/5
In our opinion the vibe here was absolutely fantastic. How could it not be with all of that history bundled into mahogany furniture and photographs spanning a hundred years. From the seating to the bathrooms, bakery to the salon, this place really feels cool. We loved the smooth jazz music before the live music started, and that was great too. Top marks!
✓ Cost: 4/5
✓ Food: N/A
✓ Service: 5/5
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