Jakarta may not move as fast as London, but it’s certainly not as chill or laid-back as Melbourne either. For me this city runs on a different kind of energy often chaotic, but in motion. Living in a fast-paced city like Jakarta, while working in a high-speed role like mine (in construction hehe), has taught me to see coffee as a pause button. A small ritual to slow things down, amidst the chaos.

After years of living in Jakarta since graduating from Bandung, Kemang remains one of my favourite places for a morning coffee. There’s something about its laid-back neighborhood vibe, which make its neighborhood feels homie. I also have quite some favourite coffee spots there, though sadly, some have already closed. Still, if you ever find yourself wandering around the Kemang area, here are a few coffee shops I’d recommend.

Goni Coffee
Serving coffee for more than a decade, Goni still happens to be one of my all-time favourites. It’s a small café with serious coffee, no gimmicks, just great coffee. Most of the customers are regulars who keep coming back for the quality. Years ago, they also made their own ginger beer, which was amazing, though sadly it’s no longer on the menu. I’ve been visiting this cafe regularly since I lived in Jakarta after Bandung. After I went back to from my study in London four years ago, this was the 1st coffee shop that I visited, and yeah the barista still remember me.

Antipodean Coffee
Another Kemang legend that’s been around for more than ten years. It’s a great spot for brunch as well. Rumour has it the place is owned by a Kiwi, and their flat white is strong, bold, and satisfying. Their coffee is typically strong, plus they got a lot of menu as well. It’s a really good spot to hangout with friends.

1/15 Coffee
Also already serving coffee for quite some time, 1/15 is known for its solid espresso-based drinks and seasonal single-origin offerings. The café has a simple, clean and minimalist design. If I visited this coffee shop my favorite is their flat white. 1/15 got a really smooth flat white.

N.O.B Barnyard
Compared to the first three, this one is relatively new. The coffee is good, the pastries are great, but what really stands out is the ambience. They have a large backyard where vegetables are grown, so you can sip your coffee while staring at a veggie garden, perhaps contemplating life, or casually planning your retirement like me (kidding). They got cold brew as well, it’s really awesome to counter Jakarta heat during the day.

Omacoffee Brewers Kemang
One of the newer kids in the neighbourhood, Omacoffee has only been around for about a year. I’ve only visited this cafe several times, but it completely won me over. Both the filter coffee and espresso-based drinks were excellent. Their barista are friendly as well and I put this a new addition to my go to coffee shop list.

Well, Jakarta’s coffee culture keeps expanding. Compared to years ago, there are now countless coffee shops popping up across the city, serving better coffee and showcasing local beans. My own taste has evolved too. I used to lean toward espresso-based drinks, but lately I’ve been exploring single-origin filter coffee, enjoying how each bean tells its own flavor and story.

Through coffee, I’ve had meaningful conversations with baristas and fellow coffee lovers. Beside that, I try to learn to appreciate the journey behind every single batch of beans: whether they come from West Java, Aceh, Rwanda, Ethiopia, or Honduras. They travel hundreds, sometimes thousands of kilometers, just to arrive in our cup.

It’s a simple reminder to be grateful for small things: like a good cup of coffee, enjoyed slowly. So, always be grateful and keep enjoying coffee, mates ☕