OMG! This forest cafe in Jakarta is half heaven, half hell…
qponx
2026-01-24
Discover a hidden forest cafe in Jakarta that feels like a true "urban jungle"! This stunning, open-air spot is perfect for photos and serves tasty Indonesian snacks. But it's a mix of heaven and hell. While the atmosphere is a unique escape, be prepared for constant traffic noise, disappointing coffee, and a serious mosquito problem after sunset. This guide reveals if the beautiful scenery is worth the trade-offs before you decide to visit this unique location.
Anjay, the first time I came, I almost thought my GPS was broken. Who would've thought there's a place like this hidden inside the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry complex?[1] Walking past the government building and seeing that all-wood structure surrounded by green trees, it really gave off an"urban Jungle" vibe! I felt like I was instantly transported somewhere else, not in Jakarta at all[2].
High Hopes, But Reality...
With an atmosphere like this, you just have to sit down and chill for a bit. The whole cafe is open-air, with three floors, an amazing view, and sunlight filtering through the leaves. Taking photos here is truly Mantap!
First, the food. Luckily, it wasn't a letdown. You have to order their signature Tahu Bakso[3]. It's fried to be so fragrant and crispy, yummy! The Mie Godog[4] my friend ordered was also flavorful, a proper Javanese boiled noodle dish. It's just that the portion sizes are a bit of a Schrödinger's cat situation—the fried snacks are huge, but the main courses are a bit mini[5].
But! I really have to complain about the coffee... The latte I ordered felt more like drinking milk; the coffee flavor was so faint it was practically non-existent[6]. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? I heard their single-origin pour-overs are pretty good, so I'll give it another chance next time.
Let's Be Real, Some Hard Truths Need to Be Told
The atmosphere is genuinely great, but the downsides are just as painfully real.
First of all, don't expect it to be completely quiet. It's right next to the main road, Gatot Subroto, so the traffic noise never stops[7]. Looking for a peaceful, serene time? That's a bit difficult.
Secondly, and this is the biggest killer: mosquitoes! Starting in the evening, the mosquito army clocks in right on time, and there are an absurd number of them![8] If I hadn't brought mosquito repellent, I would've been so done... Lastly, maybe because it's completely outdoors, the cleanliness in some corners is, umm... a bit hard to describe. You can smell a strange odor[9].
A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Must-Read Before You Go!
So, for all the girls who want to come here to Nongkrong, take my advice:
So, are you willing to put up with these drawbacks for this slice of"forest"? Let's chat in the comments! 👇
- Best Time: Definitely don't go on the weekend! It's so crowded you'll be waiting in line forever[10]. If you want a quieter experience, come on a weekday morning.
- Survival Gear: Long pants! Long pants! Long pants! And bring a gallon of mosquito spray![11] Otherwise, you'll just be a mobile buffet for the mosquitoes.
- Digital Nomad Friendly?: It's actually very convenient for working on a laptop; there's plenty of Wi-Fi and power outlets[12]. But that's only if you can automatically tune out the noise and the mosquitoes, haha.
- Weather Forecast: Since there's basically no indoor seating, be sure to check the weather before you head out. If it rains, your trip will be for nothing.
- Hidden all-wood structure cafe in Forestry compound. Lush greenery = instant urban Jungle escape![1][2]
- Signature Tahu Bakso: crispy, super yummy! Authentic Javanese Mie Godog for flavorful, satisfying![3][4]
- Digital nomad friendly: Wi-Fi, power aplenty. Work efficiently in lush greenery![5]
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