Jakarta has a thriving literary culture, not only evident in its annual Jakarta International Literary Festival, but also in the growing popularity of book cafés among the younger crowd that marks its future in reading as bright.
The Orient Jakarta, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
As far as gorgeous hotels go, the Orient Jakarta is definitely up there. With the caption “Royal Hideaway Hotel,” it goes all-out with lavish, East-inspired interiors and a semi-outdoor infinity pool that looks absolutely out of this world.
Where’s the draw for bibliophiles, you ask? As it turns out, the Orient Jakarta also has a library lounge decked out in Persian style, with intricately painted folding screens, historic-looking art pieces, and plenty of seating for a leisurely afternoon tea.
Address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.36, Bend. Hilir, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10210, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 2PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
The Dharmawangsa
The Dharmawangsa Jakarta is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel looking like a modern take on a fancy ducal estate. Set in the leafy, upscale Kebayoran Baru district of South Jakarta, the design was inspired by Indonesian art and classic Javanese style, the detailing apparent in patterned carpets and tastefully placed wooden screens.
Book lovers will most enjoy the Library, one of the hotel’s four Majapahit Lounges. It’s a space with both elegance and comfort, with plush armchairs perfectly suited to reading and relaxing.
Address: Jl. Brawijaya Raya No.26, Pulo, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
Batapav Coffee & Eatery
If you want a new favorite place to try, Batapav Coffee & Eatery isn’t just a great book café, but an awesome café in general. It has a cozy, laid-back atmosphere with calming music playing in the background and a bookcase on standby with some decent reads, mainly in English.
Visitors also praise the coffee for being high quality, and the resident cats are yet another attraction that keeps people coming. In addition to coffees, teas, and sweet treats, they serve meals like nasi tahu telor (fried tofu on rice) and beef mentai rice.
Address: Jl. Citayam, RT.7/RW.1, Rw. Bar., Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12180, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 11PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 8AM – 11PM
POST Bookshop
This independent bookstore and publisher sits on the upper floor of Pasar Santa, a hip market in South Jakarta. Established in 2014, it specializes in local indie titles from lesser-known presses, literature, poetry, children’s books, and pre-loved finds.
The outside leaves an almost art-pop impression with simple, straightforward lettering and bright yellow against navy. Meanwhile, the inside is straightforward, but still stylish, with yellow detailing against white brick. It also hosts loads of workshops and other literary events throughout the year.
Address: Santa Modern Market, Jl. Cisanggiri II No.6 upper floor, RT.5/RW.4, Petogogan, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12170, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 2PM – 7PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
The Erasmus Huis Library
As the Netherlands’ cultural center in Jakarta, Erasmus Huis is a place that celebrates multiculturalism, constantly hosting events and exhibitions of all sorts, from lectures to musical performances and beyond.
While its many events are certainly something to see, its library is also most definitely worth a visit. Half pristine white and half natural wood, it gives the impression of an almost celestial space—but not one that’s untouchable. The vibe is only enhanced by the circle of lights hanging from the ceiling, brightening a room already flooded with natural light.
Address: Jalan Haji R. Rasuna Said Kav. S3, RT.8/RW.3, Kuningan Tim., Kecamatan Setiabudi, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed
Makan di Tebet
While its Instagram fame might make it a touch crowded, Makan di Tebet is popular for good reason. This book café serves a combination of Indonesian comfort food like nasi goreng, Western treats, and unique fusion dishes that give you a taste of both worlds.
With a wall lined with shelves and filled to the brim with books, the setting is both lively and casual, making it an easy place to gather as a group or read from their small but high-quality library.
Address: Jalan Tebet Barat Dalam Raya No.29, Dalam Raya No.29, RT.7/RW.3, Tebet Bar., Kec. Tebet, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12810, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 10PM
Gramedia Grand Indonesia
Gramedia Grand Indonesia is one of Indonesia’s largest bookstores, located in the Grand Indonesia East Mall in central Jakarta. Its interior design utilizes white bookcases with black shelves and trimming to give a sharp, modern feel, but one that doesn’t feel cold or impersonal thanks to the warm lighting subtly shining from just out of sight.
This store offers extensive collections of books, stationery, school supplies, toys, and musical instruments. Much of their stock is in Indonesia, but they have a healthy offering of international and imported texts as well.
Address: Mall Grand Indonesia East Mall, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.1 Lt. 3, Kb. Melati, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Periplus at Plaza Indonesia
If you know anything about bookstores in Indonesia, you’ve almost certainly heard of Periplus, the country’s leading bookstore chain. Founded in 1985, this chain specializes in imported English-language books, magazines, stationery, and gifts, and it is pretty much everywhere.
In Jakarta specifically, their most recently renovated outlet is in Plaza Indonesia Mall, and the white lace-like ceiling adds a nice touch to its polished, natural wood shelves. Visitors especially praise the varied selection, spanning across multiple genres and subjects, whether business, politics, or religion.
Address: Plaza Indonesia Floor LB, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.28-30, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Jakarta Library and HB Jassin Literary Document Center
Though undoubtedly a public library, the Jakarta Library and HB Jassin Literary Document Center in Cikini is as far as you can get from the sort of gloomy, stuffy stockhouse of books you might see in movies.
Opened in 2022 with an innovative longhouse-inspired design, the Jakarta Library looks almost like an enormous, modern café, making top-tier use of space spread out over multiple floors. Meanwhile, the HB Jassin Center archives Indonesian literary critic H.B. Jassin’s collection of documents, manuscripts, and personal items.
Address: Taman Ismail Marzuki Jl. Cikini Raya No.73 8, RT.8/RW.2, Cikini, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10330, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 10PM
Kedai patjarmerah
With a very intentional lowercase, Kedai patjarmerah takes its name from the main character, Patjar Merah or “Red Patjar,” of a famous novel from 1938 about espionage, Indonesian anti-colonialism, and history.
This bookstore takes after the spirit of that by showcasing indie publishers, small presses, and lesser-known authors in literature, philosophy, and history. The collection is primarily in Indonesian, but it also has some local titles translated into English.
Address: RRMM+7FJ, Jl. Pos, Ps. Baru, Kecamatan Sawah Besar, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10710, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 10AM – 8PM
– Thursday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
Coffee Book
Coffee Book is a cozy book café in South Jakarta, combining a curated selection of books with quality coffee, snacks, and a relaxed atmosphere. Guests are free to pick up a book from the shelf and read alongside a warm beverage or light meal. There are even board games stacked on the shelf, making it a great place for group hangouts as well.
Most who stop by say it’s great for work and study, with quite a few praising the food as well. Its design is simple and straightforward, but affordable.
Address: Jl. Buncit Raya No.39B, Kalibata, Kec. Pancoran, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12740, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 7:30AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: Closed
Taksu Book Cafe
This book café is a homey little spot that blends bookshelves with specialty coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and resident cats. Books are available for guests to read in-store or to purchase (particularly if there’s something that caught your eye).
While the design is nothing extravagant, it creates a pleasing place to spend time, filled with nice touches like a painted mural on the wall and the contrast of green against white. It also has a comfortable reading room, great for book clubs and poetry nights.
Address: Gg. Alit 2 No.51, Cilandak Bar., Kec. Cilandak, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13210, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 8:30PM
– Friday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Transit Bookstore
This is a special sort of English-language shop, because not only does it sell books in English, but it has a specific theme: that is, books with a strong sense of place, plus a smaller theme that changes regularly. (Gotta keep ‘em on their toes!)
While they don’t have an online category of books, they often spotlight recommended titles on their Instagram page and are very open to orders and questions from customers. A lot of their selection is unique, meaning it’s the best place to go if you want something outside of the stock found in bigger general stores.
Address: Jl. Bintaro Tengah No.N2/35 Lantai 2, Bintaro, Kec. Pesanggrahan, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12330, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 2PM – 7PM
– Thursday to Sunday: 11AM – 8PM
OMAH Library – Guha Boboto
OMAH Library has two locations, and we’re going to focus on Guha Boboto with its unique architectural design. It offers some truly standout visuals, with bricks and wooden boards alike laid in varying, juxtaposed patterns that create a strange sort of harmony, like encapsulated chaos.
Note: a fee and a reservation are required in advance. The cost varies depending on how long you want to stay—from 35,000 IDR (US$2) for two hours to 100,000 IDR (US$6) for a full day.
Address: Jl. Penyelesaian Tomang III Jl. Kav. DKI No.16 blok 30, Meruya Utara, Kec. Kembangan, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11620, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10:15AM – 6PM
Kinokuniya Bookstore in Jakarta
Fancy seeing Kinokuniya again—but no real surprise since Kinokuniya Bookstore is one of the biggest bookstore chains in the world. Though it’s based in Japan, it’s so popular in Indonesia that it has three branches in Jakarta alone.
One of the more notable locations is in Central Market PIK. It has a fluid design with smooth wooden floors and bookcases of varying shapes that create a pleasing picture. Its book collection is impressive, as well, featuring hundreds of thousands of titles in multiple languages, including comics, children’s books, fiction, Japanese manga, and stationery.
Address: Central Market Pik Lantai 1 FF02-03A, Golf Island, Kawasan Pantai Maju, Jl Jl. Boulevard Raya, Kamal Muara, Penjaringan, Jakarta 14470, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Libri e Caffè
With a quiet yet sophisticated vibe, Libri e Caffè spans two floors to create the perfect combination of fun and quiet studiousness. Downstairs, you have the café with high-quality coffee and snacks. Upstairs is a calm reading space where you can work, study, or relax.
While the upstairs library has an entrance fee, it’s well worth it to gain access to the comfortable, spacious floor and the vast book collection, which ranges from local to international titles in Indonesian and English.
Address: Rukan Osaka Asahikawa Blok G No. 18 dan 19 Tempozan Promenade Boulevard, Salembaran, Kec. Kosambi, Tangerang, Jakarta, Banten 15214, Indonesia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 8AM – 8PM
