Jakarta - the vibrant and chaotic capital of Indonesia, is not often associated with leisurely mornings. But nestled in the heart of the city’s historic old town, Kota Tua, there’s a colonial-era gem that invites you to slow down and savour the past — Café Batavia.
This morning, I decided to escape Jakarta’s usual hustle and take a trip back in time. My destination: Café Batavia, a storied restaurant and café facing the grand Fatahillah Square, where Dutch colonial architecture still stands proudly. This 19th-century building, lovingly restored and artfully preserved, offered not just a meal, but an experience — a breakfast I won’t soon forget.
An Atmosphere Steeped in History
As you approach Café Batavia, its tall wooden shutters, wide balconies, and antique signage immediately transport you to another era. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by rich teak interiors, walls adorned with hundreds of vintage black-and-white photographs, and soft jazz music playing in the background.
The upstairs dining room — where I chose to sit — overlooks the bustling square below. Sunlight streamed through the tall colonial windows, casting a golden hue across the white linen-covered tables. You could easily imagine Dutch officials or Indonesian intellectuals gathering here a century ago, sipping coffee and exchanging ideas over breakfast.
A Unique Breakfast Dish: Fried Butter Chicken on Pandan Waffle
When it comes to breakfast at Café Batavia, the menu features a variety of Western and Indonesian fusion dishes, but one item stood out to me immediately — the Fried Butter Chicken on Pandan Waffle.
The dish arrived beautifully plated. A generous, golden-fried chicken thigh, perfectly crisped, sat atop a thick pandan-infused waffle that emitted a subtle, sweet aroma.
But this was far from Southern American food without the maple syrup — this was Southeast Asian indulgence at its finest.
The fried butter chicken was incredibly flavourful, juicy inside and crispy outside, with a rich buttery seasoning that wasn’t overwhelming. Each bite was balanced — savoury with just a hint of sweetness, especially when paired with the pandan waffle.
Speaking of the waffle — it was moist, soft, and fragrant, the pandan flavour delicately infused throughout. Not overpowering, but enough to give it a Southeast Asian character that made the dish feel uniquely local. The combination of textures — crispy chicken, tender waffle — was nothing short of satisfying.
This was not just breakfast. It was easily one of the most inventive dishes I’ve had in Jakarta.
Blue Batak Black Coffee: A Taste of Sumatra in a Cup
To accompany my meal, I ordered their special house coffee, the Blue Batak Black — a premium single-origin brew from North Sumatra.
The name alone intrigued me. "Blue Batak" refers to the unique processing method that gives the beans a distinct blueish hue before roasting. It’s known for producing a clean, slightly sweet cup with earthy undertones.
The coffee was served in a classic brown porcelain cup — simple, elegant. The aroma was rich and inviting, hinting at chocolate, spice, and a bit of fruitiness. I took my first sip black and was immediately impressed. It was smooth, slightly sweet, and surprisingly mellow for a black coffee. The finish was clean, leaving a pleasant lingering taste on the palate.
This wasn’t just a morning pick-me-up — it was a moment of quiet reflection. I sipped slowly, watching the early tourists and street performers below in Fatahillah Square. The city was waking up, but inside Café Batavia, time felt suspended.
Café Batavia is more than just a restaurant. Even their men's toilet is a portal to the Jakarta of old — a time when this city was still called Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Eating here is not about speed or convenience; it’s about savouring a sense of place, of legacy, of flavors both familiar and new.
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