Jakarta's 23k Late-Night Diner: The toast is perfect, but the coffee... save yourself.
qponx
2026-03-04
Discover a hidden late-night spot in Jakarta's Benhil area! This cozy, retro diner is perfect for night owls, serving amazing comfort food at super affordable prices. Don't miss the incredibly thick Roti Bakar (grilled toast) and flavorful Bihun Goreng. Open until 1 AM, it's a budget-friendly haven. Just a friendly warning: while the food is a must-try, coffee lovers might want to skip the disappointing brews and come for the delicious snacks instead.
In the Benhil area of downtown Jakarta, if you want to find a place to Nongkrong and chat at night, it's either ridiculously expensive or so loud it gives you a headache. Yesterday, while wandering around with a friend, we actually stumbled upon this little spot. The storefront is so small we almost missed it, and it's actually connected to the law firm next door[1], Anjay! 🤣
Pushing the door open, the space isn't big, but I loved the retro vibe. The dim yellow lighting paired with old-fashioned chairs instantly made me feel like I'd escaped the hustle and bustle of Jakarta[2]. We came for a late-night snack and just ordered the signature dishes without thinking, and it turned out to be a total success!
When that Roti Bakar (grilled toast)[3] arrived, I was shocked—it was so thick! Grilled to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the aroma of butter was amazing, Mantap! There was also the Pisang Bakar (grilled banana)[4], the smoky banana paired with sweet brown sugar syrup—who could resist this combination! The Bihun Goreng (fried rice vermicelli)[5] my friend ordered was also surprisingly delicious, full of 'wok hei' and the flavor was spot on.
BUT! Time for some real talk. I give the food here high marks, but the coffee is... hard to describe. The one I ordered, the beans felt over-roasted, and it had a burnt, bitter taste[6]. My friend's caramel latte was tragically sweet[7], it felt like drinking a whole can of syrup. So, if you're coming specifically for specialty coffee, this place might disappoint you.
Lazy Guide 👇
- 💰 Price: The value for money is really high! A cup of coffee is only around 23k IDR[8], and you can get some snacks for about 50k per person. It's super friendly for students and those living paycheck to paycheck.
- 🌙 Hours: The key thing is, they're open until 1 AM[9]! An absolute blessing for Jakarta's night owls.
- 🚗 Transportation: ⚠️ Heads up! Don't drive here! There's no parking! Coming by motorcycle is the most convenient, or you can park at the Indomaret next door[10].
- 👯♀️ Occasion: The place is small and the tables are close together, so it's suitable for coming to Chill with one or two friends, not great for gossiping or talking about multi-million dollar deals, haha[11].
- Dim lighting + vintage chairs, instantly taking you from bustling Jakarta **back to the good old days**. Perfect for a quiet Nongkrong [1].
- The **Grilled Toast Roti Bakar** is amazingly thick, crispy outside, soft inside, and buttery – pure late-night bliss! [2].
- Open until 1 AM! Jakarta's **night owls'** go-to late-night spot. Mom won't worry about you finding a place to chat anymore [3].
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