The 'deluxe' Bandar Djakarta: Fly-free, but service-free? 🤔
qponx
2026-02-25
Craving seafood in a more refined setting? Pesisir Seafood, the upscale sister of Bandar Djakarta, boasts a beautiful, fly-free, garden-like ambiance. The food is a major highlight, with must-try dishes like the Salted Egg Yolk Squid and Garlic Butter Crab. However, be prepared for slow service and weekend crowds. This review gives you the full scoop on the hits, misses, and essential tips (like making a reservation!) for a better dining experience.
Whenever friends come to Jakarta and want to eat seafood, the first thought is always Bandar Djakarta. But to be honest, the one in Ancol is super crowded, and the atmosphere is, well... you know. So when I heard they opened a high-end, upgraded version, Pesisir Seafood[1], in Bintaro, I rushed right over.
I was truly amazed the moment I walked in. The main hall is spacious and bright, decorated like a small garden. The key point is, I couldn't see a single fly![2] Anjay, to have this kind of environment for seafood in Indonesia, just for this, I'm giving it 50 extra points! The vibe is on point, and it feels more suitable for family gatherings or for bringing someone important. It's much more comfortable than just Nongkrong at the old place.
Food Review: Hits and Misses
There were a lot of us, so we ordered a few signature dishes. I have to say, the flavors were truly Mantap!
Salted Egg Yolk Squid (Cumi Goreng Telur Asin)[3] was the best dish of the night! The outer layer was fried to be super crispy, the salted egg yolk sauce was coated so evenly, with a grainy texture, it was incredibly satisfying with just one bite, and I couldn't stop eating it.
Garlic Butter Crab (Kepiting Saus Bawang Putih Mentega)[4] was also amazing. The sauce was fantastic, the garlic aroma and the rich sweetness of the butter were perfectly balanced. The crab meat was fresh and plump, and even licking my fingers was delicious. For the grilled fish[5], we chose the Jimbaran sauce. The fish was very tender, and the sauce was flavorful. Overall, the freshness of the seafood was on point[6].
Oh, by the way, chili heads, take note: their Sambal is free and self-service, and there's a huge variety[7]. This definitely deserves praise!
Okay, some real talk…
OK, enough with the praise, it's time to complain. The ambiance is really great, but the service just can't keep up... We went on a weekend, and the place was completely packed. It was as noisy as a wet market, and you basically had to shout to have a conversation. Also, it was really hard to get a waiter's attention, and the food came out extremely slowly[8]. We'd finish one dish and the next one was nowhere in sight; we were starving. This level of service doesn't match its price and positioning, which was a bit disappointing.
Tips to Avoid Pitfalls & TL;DR Guide
- You must! Absolutely! Make a reservation in advance![9] Especially on weekends and public holidays, or you'll be waiting forever. They have VIP rooms for 8-20 people[10], which are great for family gatherings or company outings, but you need to book those even further in advance.
- Go during off-peak hours! If you don't want to experience the "wet market" noise and turtle-speed service, try to avoid peak lunch and dinner times on weekends.
- Parking is a huge headache! If you're driving on a weekend, be prepared. You'll have to circle a few times to find a spot[11]. If your parking skills aren't great, I suggest arriving early or just taking a taxi.
- Ordering Recommendations: Go straight for the Salted Egg Yolk Squid and Garlic Butter Crab; you basically can't go wrong with them. If you love spicy food, don't forget to get your "chili freedom" at the free sambal station
- Shockingly clean seafood spot—not a single fly in sight [1]! The vibe beats old Ancol spots, great for impressing the family [2].
- MUST-TRY: the Salted Egg Squid [3]. Addictively crispy, with a rich, sandy salted egg sauce coating every piece.
- Spice lovers, rejoice! Their free, self-serve Sambal wall gives you "chili freedom" [4]. The heat is insane
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