Morning

When in Jakarta. Start the day with a scrumptious brunch at Maple & Oak in the upscale Menteng district. The cozy space atmosphere paired with modern design is the perfect setting to enjoy their light bites or filling dishes and end the meal on a sweet note with a dessert. From there, head to Giyanti café nearby and have a taste of authentic Indonesian coffee from locally sourced beans.

Midday

Market Stroll. One mile away awaits Jalan Surabaya, Jakarta’s legendary open-air market that sells a delightful hodgepodge of traditional and modern artifacts across the many cultures that have influenced this massive city. If you’re looking for a piece of authentic home décor, from ancient Indonesian tribal masks to Chinese jade dragons, this is your spot. 

Bird’s-Eye View. Ride the lift to the top of Monas, the National Monument in the center of Merdeka Square and take in Jakarta from more than 400 feet high. If it’s not a clear day, keep your feet on the ground: Merdeka Square contains multiple national memorials and statues, a fountain and top-notch people watchin

Afternoon

Best Street Food. Jakarta’s widely celebrated street food comes in two types: carts on the road and small, family-run eateries in more-or-less permanent locations. Be sure to visit Jalan Sabang, walking distance from Monas, where you’ll discover an array of carts and tents selling cuisine across the archipelago. The specialty is, of course, gado gado, an Indonesian favorite of lightly steamed vegetables, fried tofu and/or tempeh, and eggs in a sweet peanut sauce. Add lontong (banana leaf-wrapped rice cakes) to round out the dish.  

Take a Break. Eastern medicine cites proper digestion and low stress as keys to good health. Keep yourself in prime condition with a detoxifying deep tissue massage at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place. The day spa is a tranquil oasis on the eighth floor, including a soaking tub, sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool. 

Evening

A Dinner To Remember. Reserve a table at enchanting Bunga Rampai, where authentic Indonesian cuisine is served in a rustic-yet-elegant setting. The restaurant is one of Jakarta’s hottest venues for traditional Indonesian cuisine. Bunga Rampai’s menu epitomizes Indonesian comfort food, done the right way. They serve an authentic Indonesian fare, with a few Dutch additions to the menu. Housed in a classic Dutch building, walk into Bunga Rampai and you’ll instantly feel its elegant Indonesian charm.

Rooftop Toast. Often, in a city of skyscrapers, the best evenings end with a sky-high nightcap at Skye Bar and Restaurant, 56 floors up on the roof of the BCA Tower. Once it gets late, local DJs spin tunes. 

Morning

Sacred Architecture. Jakarta is a majority Muslim city, but many religions have found a home here, and the metropolis prides itself on religious tolerance. The most striking church is the triple-spired Jakarta Cathedral, built in 1901 in the neo-gothic style. Across the canal, you’ll see the gleaming Javanese marble and signature dome of Istiqlal Mosque, the largest place of worship in Southeast Asia.

Midday

Old Town Brunch. It’s hard to beat brunch at Café Batavia, just north of Merdeka Square in Jakarta Old Town, in one of the oldest buildings in the city on historic Fatahillah Square. The restaurant’s colonial-style interior is perfectly on point, and its menu features a mix of Western and local cuisine. Try nasi goreng, a fried egg on top of fried rice. 

I Scream, You Scream. Pop into Ragusa Italian Ice Cream for a post-brunch sweet treat. The historic shop has been a part of Jakarta since 1932.

Culture Break. Linger at Fatahillah Square to take in the lively scene of street peddlers, puppet shows and people on bikes, bordered by colonial buildings. The fountain in the center is a replica of the 18th century original, used to supply water to the city back when it was known as Batvia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies. 

Afternoon

Healthy Delights. Take care of your body and become more familiar with the SCBD district by grabbing healthy delights at Berrywell. Choose from their variety of smoothie bowls complete with fruit toppings along with cold-pressed juices, wraps and pastries perfect for an afternoon treat.

Mixology Masters. Continues on to Potato Head at the Pacific Place Mall to try one of their award-winning cocktails that are inspired by Indonesia’s fresh and exotic flavors. The bar’s tropical, open-air patio offers a welcome break from the bustling city. 

Evening

Farewell Dinner. Reap the culinary bounty of Indonesia’s international influences at Amuz, just around the corner from The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, on the second floor of the Energy Building. The gourmet restaurant’s chic Parisian interior features original artwork by two of Indonesia’s top painters and pairs well with the resplendent menu of contemporary French cuisine and fine European wines.

Morning

Fresh Start. Start the day with a peaceful stroll through Taman Suropati park, taking in the beauty of the surrounding greenery. 

Midday

Beautiful Indonesia. Get acquainted with this island nation’s history at Monas, a national monument to commemorate the fight for independence. You’ll find a National History Museum at the bottom of the monument displaying scenes from a pre-historic Indonesia.

Afternoon

Grand Cinematic. The XXI Cinema in Plaza Senayan elevates the experience of watching movies in its premiere section with spacious reclining chairs, blanket, and a butler to deliver snacks right to your seat.

Afternoon Pick Me Up. As a nation rich in spices and agriculture marvels, the local coffee is a must-try. Head back to Senopati, which is home to a variety of coffee shops.

Evening

Dinner at Plataran. For an unforgettable meal, make a reservation at Plataran, Dharmawangsa, which serves refined Indonesian and Asian-inspired cuisine. With a design that resembles a traditional royal Javanese compound, the space overlooks an old-fashioned style garden.

Night Life Scene. Popular with ex-pats, foreign correspondents and visiting dignitaries, the Dragonfly is a Jakarta hot-spot. Enjoy the relaxed lounge vibes in the evening, or come later and watch as the space transforms to a dance club.

Morning

Go Carless. Wake up early and enjoy a brisk walk or jog during Jakarta’s Car-Free Day in the Sudirman and Thamrin areas. From 6 to 11 a.m., vehicles are barred from the area, with the exception of the TransJakarta bus. Enjoy an active morning alongside locals and street entertainers.

Brunch Time. Brunch is one delightful Western trend that has found firm footing in Jakarta. Start your day with a decadent Sunday meal at Pacific Restaurant & Lounge, where everything from oysters and scallops to upscale renditions of Jakarta’s famous street food are available.

Midday

Old-Style Shopping. The best place to experience Jakarta’s traditional open-air shopping is in the Menteng market on Jalan Surabaya Street. Stalls are packed with all manner of home décor, from many countries and time periods, along with vintage handbags, jewelry and anything else you can fit in a shopping bag. 

Modern-Day Shopping. Jakarta is known for its megamalls, across all spectrums of shopping, from bargain to luxury. Get a sense for the metropolis’s mall culture at its largest, the 6.9-million-square-foot Grand Indonesia. All the high-end retailers are here, plus favorite brands like H&M and Zara.

Afternoon

A Bite To Eat. Jakarta’s megamalls are more than just retail. At Grand Indonesia you’ll find 124 restaurants ranging from ice cream shops to local and international chains to one-of-a-kind gourmet kitchens. 

Arts and Crafts. Stop by Alun-Alun, to browse through a rich collection of traditional and contemporary textiles from around Indonesia, antiques, jewelry, and even souvenirs to bring home to your loved ones.

Evening

Farewell Dinner. Enjoy one last taste of this dynamic city at Tugu Kunstkring. The kitchen is highly regarded for its exceptional modern Indonesian cuisine, and the lavish interior makes you feel like royalty. The grand building dates to 1914, when it housed the Fine Arts Circle of the Dutch East Indies.