5 Best Restaurants in Jakarta, Indonesia

In the spicy cauldron of Jakarta cuisine, you'll find added zest in no-frills but comfortable Dapoer Melayu, which serves food of Aceh and North Sumatra. Choose from a smorgasbord of savory chicken and mutton curries, culinary show-stopping rendang (West Sumatran–style beef simmered for days in coconut milk and spices), assorted potato and corn cakes, aromatic soups—such as gulai kepala ikan (curried fish head), and vegetable stews. The high point for some may be sambal ganja, a traditional Aceh condiment of the little green leaf mashed with garlic and chili: heady stuff.

Creeping shrubbery shields this discreet bastion of the finest French food in Jakarta. Elegant and light-filled, two-story Emilie draws a cross-section of diners—European expats, business and political hotshots, plus those who simply love good Gallic grub. The kitchen focuses on meticulously prepared basic French food, accompanied by attentive, never haughty service. The à la carte menu includes recommended crab-and-bulgur salad with tomato gazpacho and succulent porc de Iberico. For a tour de France à la Emilie, splurge for the eight-course Discovery Menu, available with wine pairings.

An elegant treasury of Indonesiana, Lara Djonggrang celebrates the nation's culinary and cultural heritage. Authentic period decor leans toward antiques and brooding lighting in a rabbit warren of dining rooms within a historic Menteng district mansion. Lara Djonggrang's dizzyingly diverse menu also befits Tugu Group, homegrown operators of eclectic hotels and eateries, featuring tastes of the archipelago with a focus on Java. Some contend Lara Djonggrang favors style over spice; begin your deliberations with nasi rames platters, offering bites of Indonesia's many splendored tastes. Eat family-style and consider ordering extra, as main portions run small.

Founded back in 1947, Trio keeps earning major cred for its huge array of Chinese-Indonesian dishes. Must-tries include spring rolls, asparagus soup, scrumptious noodle dishes, and fried rice. At crowded meal times, find yourself sharing a Formica table with a gaggle of the city's socialites, a bunch of clubbers preparing for a night on the town, or an elderly couple heading down culinary memory lane. Owned by a founder's son, Trio has an old-school feel that extends to its simple, un– air-conditioned dining room and soberly dressed, dour-faced waiters still serving what fans say is the best Chinese food in town.

European-style brasserie–cum–bar Union shows staying power with the capital's fickle upscale diners and lounge hounds. Iconic white tiles, vintage finishing and photos, glass roof, and open windows overlooking Plaza Senayan's courtyard lend an elegant yet casual ambience. The food? Start with escargot in garlic butter, then Indonesian favorite bakmie ayan (chicken noodle) served with foie grass or a juicy cut seared on the grill, followed by velvet cake fresh from the bakery, and you'll understand why Union is always packed. The lycheetini isn't too bad either.