Family reunions can be challenging to arrange for many reasons – from finding the right date and location, to arranging for food prep. It’s no surprise that the combination of our small living spaces and limited time and energy to cook homemade meals has made restaurants a desirable solution.
We’ve put together a list of Jakarta family restaurants, cafes, and hotel buffets with lots of space and a selection of local and international dishes. Since family gatherings may involve big groups, don’t forget to book three days to a week in advance and stick to pandemic safety guidelines at all times.
Talaga Sampireun’s Cikarang outlet boasts lakeside dining and open-air areas
Image credit: @talagasampireun
Some people manage to go on annual quick getaways with their extended family, but for most of us, it can be quite challenging to get everyone’s schedules in sync. Luckily, there’s Talaga Sampireun, a restaurant that will make you forget about the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours as you catch up with your relatives.
A seafood spread
Image credit: @talagasampireun
All seven branches in Bintaro, Ancol, Puri, Bogor, Cikarang, Depok, and Bekasi exude laid-back tropical holiday vibes. Younger family members can run around and feed fish in the pond while the adults just sit back and enjoy the view.
The menu offers a variety of seafood and Indonesian style stir-fried vegetables. To save you the trouble of choosing individual dishes, get the Paket Sangkuriang (Rp. 1,000,000, ~USD69.94) – or Sangkuriang Set – which is enough for 10 and includes beef tongue with sambal ijo, and grilled prawn with honey, among other delicious dishes.
Find each outlet’s booking numbers and locations on their Instagram stories. GrabFood and GoFood delivery is available too.
Omah Sendok’s courtyard
Image credit: @omahsendok
Nowadays, more and more restaurants and cafes with a sleek, industrial aesthetic have popped up across the city. While they’re definitely stylish, sometimes you just want to sit somewhere with an old-school touch. Omah Sendok is one of them.
Rawon
Image credit: @akuadin
You can choose from traditional Javanese dishes such as Rawon (Rp. 65,000, ~USD4.54), a beef stew served with salted duck egg, sambal, and sprouts, as well as Mie Godog Omah (Rp. 43,000, ~USD3.00).
Image adapted from: Rio Husnadi Hidayat and @omahsendok
The indoor area is cozy and the outdoor section is breezy and spacious – great for kids to move around in – so you’ll be able to just relax for a nice family reunion over lunch or dinner.
Address: Jalan Taman Mpu Sendok #45, Selong, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12190
Opening hours: 12PM-7PM, Daily
Telephone: 0215214531
Image credit: @aromapadi_cipete
The ambience of Aroma Padi is the opposite of Omah Sendok’s. Located in Cipete, one of South Jakarta’s hottest foodie destinations, it is elegantly modern and has plenty of space – making it ideal for big families. Aroma Padi offers Indonesian food along with a variety of dishes inspired by neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand.
Image credit: @aromapadi_cipete
Try some Malaysian-style shrimp, Udang Telor Asin Penang (Rp. 85,000, ~USD5.94) or the ultimate Indonesian comfort food, Nasi Goreng Kampung (Rp. 45,000, ~USD3.14). The portions are quite big, so ordering several dishes to share with the family might be a good idea.
Udang Telor Asin Penang
Image credit: @aromapadi_cipete
Fans of coffee should try Aroma Padi’s premium brand coffee such as the Java Wine MV (Rp. 30,000, ~USD2.09) from Mount Slamet. Enquire by phone about delivery options.
Address: Jalan Cipete Raya No.6, RT.8/RW.4, Cipete Selatan, Cilandak, South Jakarta 12410
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 02127822000
Image adapted from: @pagisoreid
Padang restaurants are one of the most popular places for casual weekend lunch or dinner with the family due to their convenience and choice of food, but Pagi Sore has several branches that are large enough for proper reunions. The way food is served, as in all Padang restaurants – on small plates stacked on top of each other – also adds to the festive atmosphere.
Image credit: @pagisoreid
You can choose from go-to Padang dishes such as ayam pop, a variety of gulai, grilled shrimp with sambal, and rendang, which is West Sumatra’s world-famous beef dish. These start from Rp. 26,000 (~USD1.82) a piece.
And wherever you live in Jakarta, chances are there’s a branch near you. Pagi Sore locations are at Rawamangun, Cempaka Putih, Cipete, Kalimalang, Jeruk Purut, Alam Sutera, Tebet, BSD, Sunter, and a new PIK venue opening soon.
Image adapted from: @midorijapanese_id
Midori is a local Japanese restaurant that’s perfect for family gatherings because it’s cozy and makes you feel as if you’re at your favorite relative’s house. Even though it can get pretty packed during lunch hour, the atmosphere remains soothing.
Image credit: @midorijapanese_id
There are outlets in Jakarta’s Pondok Indah, Menteng, Mayestik, Puri Kencana, Kelapa Gading, Bintaro, Bogor, Bandung, BSD, and Anyer areas, so you can choose the one that’s easiest for everyone to get to.
A variety of tasty Japanese dishes are on offer, such as sushi (from Rp. 20,000, ~USD1.40), Unagi Yanagawa Jyu (Rp. 150,000, ~USD10.48), and bento that come with different combinations of dishes from Rp. 114,000 (~USD7.96). As for dessert, kids will love the fish-shaped Waffle Ice Cream (Rp. 36,000, ~USD2.51).
Image credit: @siku.dharmawangsa
Since many live in apartments these days, it might be good to have an outdoor gathering for once. Siku Dharmawangsa looks just like a house with a yard where both grown-ups and little ones can enjoy the space together.
Breakfast Quesadilla
Image credit: @siku.dharmawangsa
Specialty dishes such as Wagyu Over Rice (Rp. 88,000, ~USD6.14), Tomato Ricotta Pesto (Rp. 93,000, ~USD6.49), and Breakfast Quesadilla (Rp. 98,000, ~USD6.84) will make a great weekend brunch here.
Alternatively, if you’re thinking of having a get-together with at least 15 people, you can rent out the outdoor space starting from Rp. 5,000,000 (~USD353.07). For this option, you’ll get an unlimited amount of iced tea and you can bring your own food.
Address: Jalan Darmawangsa X #120A, Cipete Utara, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12150
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10AM-8PM | Fri–Sun 10AM-10PM
Telephone: 08117220120 or 02122776376
Image credit: @daryboo
When you’re not quite sure what sort of cuisine everyone in the family can agree on, hotel buffets can be a viable option. Anigré, which is located in Sheraton Hotel, offers a host of international dishes ranging from dim sum to sashimi to curry.
Image credit: @lynn.zhen
One of the highlights is the dessert section, with lots of cute and colorful treats to choose from. In addition to cake and pudding, you’ll also be wowed by the bread corner, which offers many different types of European-style rolls and loaves.
Lunch hours are from 12PM to 3PM and dinner hours are from 6PM to 10PM (from Rp. 398,000, ~USD27.76 per person). Kids aged 3 to 12 years old get to eat for half the price while it’s free for infants under 3. Do note that the dress code here is smart casual.
Address: Jalan Kyai Moh. Syafii Hadzami #45, Kebayoran Lama Utara, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta 12240
Opening hours: 6AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 02180630888
Image adapted from: @labiltity
Satoo is another buffet option that could go on your list of Jakarta family restaurants to dine in. Located in the Shangri-La Hotel, this restaurant offers fresh seafood that’ll make you want to fill up your plate.
Image credit: Shangri-La Jakarta
Lobsters and shrimps aren’t the only mouth-watering food you’ll find, as you’ll also be able to try duck, beef, and pasta. There’s also an attractive dessert area that has pretty little cakes lined up, and even a jamu counter with 12 drink mixes with natural herbs and spices. Do ask in advance about Satoo’s current options for vegetarians and those of you with food allergies.
For now, Satoo is open for breakfast and dinner, and also offers home dining delivery packages.
Address: Kota BNI, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 1, Karet Tengsin, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta 10220
Opening hours: 6.30AM-10AM, 5.30PM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 02129229999
This list will hopefully be the much-needed cheat sheet for those of you who often play the role of the planner in the family.
You’ll have enough options to choose from among these Jakarta family restaurants, cafes, and hotel buffets’ different moods and foods.
For more family-friendly spots in Jakarta:
Cover image adapted from: @aromapadi_cipete, @talagasampireun, @siku.dharmawangsa, and @midorijapanese_id
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This article was originally published by Dwiputri P. in November 2020. Updated by Xin Tian K. on 28 May 2021.
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