If you take a little of your time to walk along the streets of old Jakarta – namely the Kota Tua area, you will find bits and pieces of dusty historical remnants, giving you a glimpse of the colonial era when aristocrats reigned and the rivers were still clear enough to drink from.

Café Batavia is one of the historical landmarks in the area. The café stands adjacent to the Fatahillah museum, ready to share its stories with you. And what’s more, it could be one delicious experience to savor.

• The Vibe
  Since colonial times, the building had served its duty with varying functions: as a district government office, residence and a warehouse, before it was restored in 1993. Many romances and tragedies have had their fair share of stories in its rooms and hallways.

  The combination of dark wood, classic furniture and dim lights with authentic large windows and lamps give the place a romantic and definitely nostalgic feel. Along with the faint sounds of old school Jazz music, Café Batavia certainly gets the vibe going. Collections of vintage photographs are sprawled across the walls giving a nostalgic feel.

  The restaurant is divided into several sections: the lounge, 2 dining areas - the smaller one with a stage downstairs and a larger one upstairs and a salon. Events such as costume or theme parties are sometimes held downstairs. Every evening from Tuesday to Saturday, the guests will be entertained with live pop, jazz or Latin music.

• The Food
  Cafe Batavia serves a comprehensive menu of Chinese and Western food. Several favorites of the guests are the fine, imported steaks and salmon dishes. The menu items definitely qualify for fine dining and so are the prices, but indulgence knows no boundaries, as you can see in one particular menu item: The Batavia Indulgence, which is Iranian caviar, Blinis and sour cream served with Vodka shots, or the assorted Batavia’s meat and seafood grill. The taste is truly authentic, as one can taste generous portions of creamy and savory Dutch-style potato balls with home-made mayonnaise on a light appetizer such as the Bitterbalen

  However, there are also economic ways to enjoy your time at the Batavia Café. For instance, you could opt for desserts only and delve in a fun yet elegant ice-cream eating session with your lover or friends. Why not order The Batavia Orgy Ice Cream? Don’t wince at the name just yet; it simply implies that this dish contains heaps of ice cream scoops with different flavors - ranging from chocolate, nougatine to curacao sherbert. The assorted delight is served with ginger biscuits and tons of fresh, tropical fruits, all mingling in a large glass grail – truly a festive.  The serving manner alone is done as a celebration, with the installing of sparkling fireworks to light up the session.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Batavia Café
A nostalgic spot that will surely leave an impression in terms of dining and atmosphere. Parking may be a little hard because it is located in a historical site, but the walk is worth it. The staffs are friendly and the place is open till late hours. Good stock of wine and liquors in the bar for those who enjoys great food coupled with fine wines.