Calling all Jakarta Vintage Lovers! This old house café's vibe is Mantap, but it has plenty of flaws.
qponx
2026-03-04
Step back in time at Kedai Tjikini, a Jakarta café with an authentic vintage vibe that transports you to the 1980s. Enjoy home-style Indonesian classics like Lontong Cap Go Meh and old-school coffee in a genuine colonial-era building. While the atmosphere is a major draw, this honest review also covers the downsides. Get the real scoop on its pricey menu, tricky parking, and unstable Wi-Fi before you visit this charming but flawed spot for a nostalgic experience.
Every time I pass by the old street of Cikini in downtown Jakarta, I feel like I'm watching an old Indonesian movie. Today, I finally walked into Kedai Tjikini, a place that's been on my list for a long time. The moment I stepped in, Anjay! It really felt like I'd time-traveled; the air was filled with the scent of old times.
Instantly Transported Back to 1980s Jakarta
The biggest selling point of this place is definitely the atmosphere! It's not that forced-retro style you see at influencer spots, but a genuine, settled-in vintage feel. The old colonial-era building, the creaky old Indonesian songs playing inside, the wooden tables and chairs, and the yellowed posters on the walls—every detail pulls you back to the Jakarta of your parents' youth[1].
My friend and I sat down and felt like we had to whisper. After struggling to decide for ages, we ordered the signature Lontong Cap Go Meh[2] and a Nasi Goreng Belacan[3]. The broth for the Lontong was really good, very rich, with that homemade taste an Indonesian auntie would make[4]. The shrimp paste flavor in the fried rice was also strong enough, savory with a hint of spice, very appetizing. Their coffee is also something special, using old-school beans from Warung Tinggi[5], and it's smooth to drink. We were shocked when my friend's iced drink arrived—it was a huge bowl, so refreshing[6]!
Time for some real talk, pros and cons
Okay, enough praise, let's get real. To be fair, the prices here aren't exactly cheap. A casual meal for two cost us around 150,000 Rupiah[7]. Compared to a roadside stall, my wallet definitely felt it.
The taste is okay overall, but some dishes felt a bit greasy[8], and the portion size for the main courses might not be filling enough for guys. Another small complaint: smoke sometimes drifts into the non-smoking area[9], which is a bit hard to take for non-smokers like us.
【An Insider's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls】
Finally, here's some solid advice for the girls who want to check it out. Take notes!
All in all, it's still worth visiting once for the atmosphere. It's a great place to Nongkrong and chat with friends, and to experience the "Tempo Doeloe" (old times) of Jakarta.
- Parking is a nightmare: If you're thinking of driving, take my advice: just don't! The parking spots out front are ridiculously few[10], and if your skills aren't great, you'll have a meltdown on the spot. I recommend just taking a Gojek/Grab, or parking your car at the Menteng Huis mall across the street and walking over.
- A heads-up for the work-from-cafe crowd: The atmosphere here is great for bringing a laptop to work, super chill. But their Wi-Fi can be unstable at times[11], so if you're on a tight deadline for important work, you might be rolling the dice.
- The Takeaway Mishap: If you can't finish your food and want to take it away, remember to absolutely! absolutely! remind the staff to pack things separately. Otherwise, they might just dump your fried rice and soupy dishes into the same bag... Don't ask me how I know 😅[12]
- Kedai Tjikini is a throwback to 80s Jakarta. Its colonial building and classic Indonesian tunes create an instant retro vibe [1].
- The Lontong Cap Go Meh has a rich broth with that authentic Indonesian auntie home-cooked taste—pure comfort food [2][3].
- Iced drinks come in a massive bowl loaded with ingredients. One sip beats the heat—so refreshing [4]
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