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Step Back in Time: Exploring the Nostalgic Charm of Cafe Batavia in Jakarta's Historic Old Town
Updated: Mar 2
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.
Aside 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. Cafe Batavia has even featured in several movies and has gained international recognition.
Read on for more on the wonderful food we tried, how to find Cafe Batavia, our YouTube video highlights and our restaurant ratings!
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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:
Cafe Batavia Opening Hours
Cafe Batavia is open 7 days a week.
● 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.
How to Get to Cafe Batavia Kota Tua
There are multiple transport options to get to Cafe Batavia in Jakarta:
By Taxi / Car
By Public Transportation
By Bus
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⪢ Contact Information for Cafe Batavia
● Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.14, RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
● 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.
⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Jakarta and Beyond
Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com.
Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
Watch on YouTube: 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!
Our Cafe Batavia Experience Ratings
Despite not eating anything here, we can still vouch for a great experience, with absolutely no doubt as to the quality of dining!
There is a high-class yet down-to-earth feel here, and coupled with its incredible history this makes Cafe Batavia a must-visit in our humble opinion!
Atmosphere: 5/5
Cost: 4/5
Food: n/a
Service: 5/5
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