Good places in North Jakarta? This shop's coffee is Mantap, but the food is a bit Anjay…
qponx
2026-01-25
Discover Roetara, a trendy hangout spot in North Jakarta perfect for your next weekend chill session. This Instagrammable cafe boasts a fantastic vibe with live music, making it a great nightlife destination. While the drinks, especially the signature Es Kopi Aren, are a must-try, the food can be a gamble. For the best experience, stick to their amazing coffee and authentic Indonesian dishes like Mie Godog. It's the ideal place for great drinks and even better company.
Don't know where to nongkrong on a weekend night? A friend dragged me to this place, Roetara, in North Jakarta. To be honest, I've never had high hopes for cafes in North Jakarta, but the moment I walked in, wow! The vibe was absolutely on point! 😎
The live music was in full swing, the indoor AC was blasting like an icebox, while the outdoor area was a whole different world. Groups of friends were sitting around tables, chatting—isn't this the perfect way for Jakarta's youth to spend their nightlife[1]?! The whole place is super Instagramable; any random shot looks great.
The Drinks Are Good, the Food... You Be the Judge
Let me start with the conclusion: when you come here, just focus on the drinks!
The signature Es Kopi Aren[2] I ordered was truly Mantap! The blend of palm sugar, fresh milk, and espresso is superb. It has that rich, smooth taste I love, not the cloyingly sweet, flashy kind. My friend also said their Matcha[3] was very good, with a vibrant green color and a smooth taste.
For the main course, we tried the highly recommended Mie Godog[4], which is an Indonesian Javanese noodle soup. A warm bowl of it is so comforting, and the flavor is very authentic. I feel like I could come back just for this! 😋
BUT! To be perfectly honest, the quality of their food is a bit like opening a blind box... I glanced at the pasta on the next table, and the portion was really mini[5], and my friend also said the taste was just... emmm... very average, not great value for the price. Seems like the chef's performance is a bit inconsistent.
A Guide to Avoid Pitfalls | Must-Read Before You Go!
Finally, a few sincere suggestions for all you darlings planning to check this place out:
Overall, it's a great spot to nongkrong, where the vibe is better than the food. It's perfect for a small get-together with friends, but don't have high expectations for the food
- Best Time: Come at night! It's amazing to come here to chill with friends and listen to live music. But don't stay too late, I heard it can get a bit noisy for the neighbors late at night[6].
- Transportation: If you're driving, parking is hard to find[7]; you'll need the staff at the entrance to help guide you. It's better to come by motorcycle or ride-hailing.
- Cleanliness: Overall it's okay, but some friends mentioned that the cleanliness of the restrooms could be improved[8], so neat freaks, be prepared.
- Ordering Strategy: Order coffee and drinks with your eyes closed. For main courses, go for the local Indonesian dishes (like Mie Godog). Be cautious when ordering Western food!
- North Jakarta's spot: vibe on point, live music pumping! Jakarta youth's perfect night out[1].
- Signature Es Kopi Aren[2] is Mantap! Palm sugar, fresh milk, espresso blend perfectly – rich, not cloyingly sweet, no artificial taste.
- A hot bowl of Mie Godog[3] is super comforting, authentic – I'd come back just for it! 😋
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