Written by Pia Vuolteenaho
Co-written by Dawn Pillay
Are you on a business trip in Jakarta with the kids in tow? Or residing in this bustling city with bored kids?
And when it’s time for a family meal, do you spend a lot of time researching for the best place to accommodate everyone?
Trying to find a place that serves great food, accommodates picky eaters and also offers fun and games for the kids while parents enjoy their food can seem daunting to say the least.
If you didn’t know that Jakarta actually houses many unique themed restaurants that will thrill you and your family on weekends, you probably wouldn’t have heard of some of these exciting kids-friendly restaurants we’ve dug out here for you!
Also read:
15 Scenic restaurants in Jakarta where you can dine with breathtaking views
13 unique themed restaurants in Jakarta you definitely need to try
13 cafes with Instagram-worthy desserts in Jakarta
From dining on a jetplane to exploring an Alpine village, here are our picks for 13 Jakarta restaurants that offer yummy eats and hours of fun for the whole family!
And after your tummies are filled, don’t forget to leave some room for these Instagrammable desserts!
1. Hop on board a jet plane: Taman Santap Rumah Kayu Ancol
Calling all aspiring daredevils – it’s time to climb on board and experience the thrill of air travel, without actually leaving the ground!
Taman Santap Rumah Kayu Ancol offers a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience, courtesy of the authentic airplane that sits in the restaurant’s lush garden.
Photo by yanti phan
The plane makes a great backdrop for all family photos, regardless of whether you’re dining in the garden or in the plane itself.
Photo by arinihaque,lovely.gillian
To keep the energetic little ones in check, just promise them a visit to the cockpit after they finish up their food!
Photo by nindyamaharani,dv.s3indonesia
For food, the main draw here is the seafood – the grilled shrimp is irresistibly scrumptious, while their dessert puddings will leave a sweet taste in your mouth.
Photo by shahepi,dwieryantoro,grzzz90
Before getting your head lost too far up in the clouds though, keep in mind that if you want to actually dine inside the airplane, you need to have a minimum order of Rp. 650,000++ (approximately USD $49).
Taman Santap Rumah Kayu
Address: Jalan Lodan Timur II No. 7 Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Jakarta
Contact: +62 81351900801 / +62 81808345671 / +62 85813488890
Website
2. Dine with penguins: Pingoo Restaurant
You must have heard of dining with lions and orangutans in Bali, but how about having a meal with these little creatures that supposedly only live in icy conditions?
Photo via ariachandra
Yes – penguins!
Your kids will love you if you bring them to this cute beach-house concept restaurant, where they can watch the Humboldt penguins at play in their aquarium, which is kept at 18°C – a temperature where these sub-tropic penguins can thrive.
Opened in Dec 2016, Pingoo Restaurant is part of Jakarta Aquarium, an indoor aquarium supported by Taman Safari Indonesia. This is also part of their penguin conservation programme, to increase the population of this endangered species in a safe environment.
In fact, as at January 2017, the offsprings are already of the 3rd generation! Trained professional teams of penguin keepers and aquarists from Jakarta Aquarium are taking care of the penguins daily.
As for food, you can expect to find grilled Western dishes, together with seafood.
Photo via jen belinda, ariachandra
And you don’t just get to feed yourself, but the penguins too! The Penguin Feeding Experience comes at Rp. 50,000 (approximately USD 4).
Photo via hendrikun
Video by gabriellaellyana
If your kids ever get bored (which we doubt), there’s even a play area for them!
Photo via fromasiawithlife, idiswara
Do visit early during the weekends though, to avoid the crowd!
Pingoo Restaurant
Address: Neo Soho Mall LG floor 101, Jl. Let. Jen S. Parman Kav. 28, West Jakarta
Contact: +62 21 2920 9072 74
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm (Lunch 11am – 2pm, Dinner 6.30pm – 8pm)
Penguin Feeding Time: 11am – 12.30pm and 5pm – 6.30pm
Prices: Minimum expenditure of Rp 300,000 (approximately USD 22.50) per table required
Website
3. Play in the Swiss Alps: Marche
This Swiss-themed restaurant offers a whole world of fun for the little ones! The restaurant’s design features mountain houses, cable cars and even an Alpine waterfall, all guaranteed to set your imagination soaring.
Photo by naldt
“Heidi House” is a special play area dedicated to kids, inspired by the Alpine heroine of the beloved Swiss children’s book.
This designated romping ground allows the little ones to let loose and work up an appetite while the grown ups look through the market-stall-inspired food displays, which offer a wide variety of European dishes.
Photo by andinipuspasari,lalaasl
And it’s not just about fun and games for the kids. Rather than sticking with your run-of-the-mill kids’ menu, Marche offers “Picky Meals” where the restaurant’s mascot Picky treats kiddos to a kid’s sized plate and the freedom to take their pick from whatever looks good that’s available in the restaurant – maybe it’s the savoury crepes or the quintessentially Swiss rösti potatoes – proving that versatile and healthy eating can be both fun and delicious!
Photo by punipun7
To channel their inner Master Chef Junior, Marche also offers a Kids’ Baking Class where little cooks get to dabble at pizza-making or learn how to whip up a batch of muffins. Cooking classes are priced at Rp. 145,000 (USD 11) per child and advance booking is required.
Marche
Address: Unit 500CP Plaza Senayan, 5th.floor, Jl Asia -Afrika No. 8, Jakarta
Contact: +62 21 5790 5856
Opening hours: Fri-Sat 11.30 am – 11.30 pm, Sun-Thu 11.30 am – 10.00 pm
Price: Picky Kid Menu including one beverage Rp. 60,000 (Approximately USD 4.50)
Website
4. Swing around in style: The Playground
Get ready to swing your way into a food coma at this chic restaurant where the name says it all – at the Playground, even the seats are actual swings suspended from the ceiling!
Besides swings, the Playground offers cute vintage-inspired toys for the kids – check out these adorable cars!
Photo by thau eve,enonoenini
The Playground’s eclectic menu has a loose Italian theme and you should definitely not miss out on their delicious pasta offerings – the classic aglio olio is particularly tasty, but a bit on the spicy side so watch out! For a more cheesy option, try the outrageous truffle mac’n’cheese.
For dessert, definitely go for their all-day martabak. These sweet treats are extravagantly topped off with ice cream, strawberries, chocolate and more.
Photo by elizabeth.verina,andypauhandoko
The Playground also has cute drinks served in bottles which come with an edible binky! Don’t be too quick to order this one for the kiddos though. Despite their innocent appearance, these whimsical drinks are in fact spiked with alcohol.
Thanks to the venue’s chic aesthetics, The Playground is ideal when you want to keep the kids entertained but don’t want to sacrifice style.
The restaurant also shows sports on big screens, so the sports fanatics won’t miss out on the big game while dining out with the family!
The Playground
Address: Street Gallery Ground Floor at Pondok Indah Mall, Jalan Metro Pondok Indah
Jakarta 12310
Contact: +62 21 2952 9729
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Sat-Sun 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Price: Rp. 35,000 – 160,000 (Approximately USD 3 – 12)
Website
5. Hop onto a rainbow bus and go Instagram-crazy: Wraps and Rolls
Wraps and Rolls is so much more than a restaurant. Thanks to the restaurant’s pastel-hued design mimicking a vintage bus, you’ll often find the place swarming with Instagram-happy couples snapping photos and kids staring in awe at all the bright colours.
Photo by gohstevanny
It’s practically every kids’ dream – hopping aboard your very own bus!
Photo by silvia reynold,kayleetjia
In keeping with the venue’s whimsical design, the dishes at Wraps and Rolls have cute names to match – try the Tuna Makarena (sautéed tuna with green peas and paprika served with an omelette).
Finish off the meal with a Yumm-Bun – the restaurant’s signature ice cream served in a brioche bun. We’d be willing to bet that the kids will go crazy over the toppings – for an extra fee, you can add rainbow cereal, oreo crumbs and more on top of your already extravagant dessert.
Photo by melatipratiwi,liaapotret,anggranioisky
As Wraps and Rolls is as Instagrammable as restaurants get, you won’t have to worry about staging that perfect family photo – just snap some photos of the kids having the time of their life aboard this psychedelic bus!
Photo by jesseline97
Photo by depita ss,ichadinia
Wraps and Rolls
Address: Rukan Garden House Blok B1, Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta
Contact: +62 21 29032940
Website
6. Discover a world of art and wonder: Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace
If you’re looking to spend the afternoon immersed in something a little more creative than cartoons and Candy Crush, look no further than the ever-hip Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace in Kemang.
Photo by johanesjeff
Don’t let the “art” part scare you – this spacious venue has plenty to offer for parents and kids alike.
With regular art exhibitions, workshops, live music and more, Dia.Lo.Gue invites you and your kids to explore, discover and delight in the magical world of all things creative.
Photo by maryoga
To keep the little ones thoroughly entertained, the venue has introduced Dia.Lo.Gue Playground, where kids get to release their creativity and take part in art projects without losing their sense of playfulness and natural curiosity.
Photo by somemandy
Dia.Lo.Gue also hosts special workshops and other activities specifically designed for kids. To balance out all that artsy stuff, why not treat your kids to a good old-fashioned pizza at Dia.Lo.Gue’s own restaurant?
Photo by kafitaseptiana,bunny._.yj
Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace
Address: Jalan Kemang Selatan No.99A
Contact: info@dialogue-artspace.com
Website
7. Fall in love with Hello Kitty once again – Hello Kitty Cafe
Some love it, and some hate it – but we can’t deny that this particular cute cat is a force to be reckoned with. Just look at all the merchandise Sanrio has come up with for Hello Kitty fanatics lovers.
Photo by hellokittycafejkt
In any article about themed cafes, you’re almost sure to find a Hello Kitty Cafe, and this one’s no different. For the Hello Kitty lovers in Jakarta, or visiting, you won’t want to miss this Hello Kitty Cafe.
Photo by reniutarii, detanursaf
Opened recently in May 2016, the cafe serves up treats such as delectable Kitty Sliders (Read: mini burgers), and naturally, more Hello Kitty-themed eats.
Photo via florencetamie, ayunoia
You can’t help but squeal “kawaii!!!” with the cutesy decor from cute wooden chairs complete with the signature Hello Kitty bows, to life-sized Hello Kitty sculptures and other similar paraphernalia.
Photo via chatrine92, ayunoia
All that’s left to do, is to remember to take photos of your time at your dream space! We’ll be waiting for those pix to flood Instagram. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/72x72/1f61b.png" alt="