Updated October 2026
For a first date in Jakarta, try Museum MACAN, SKYE Bar & Restaurant, or Café Batavia. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A Jakarta date can be a skyline drink at sunset, an evening in the colonial old town or a snack crawl through Chinatown. Plan around the traffic and keep it to one part of the city.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from free squares and galleries to a museum, the seaside and special-occasion restaurants, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
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MuseumKebon JerukRpAll ages
A museum of modern and contemporary art, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Big, photogenic exhibitions give you plenty to talk about.
AKR Tower Level M, Jalan Panjang No. 5, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta Barat 11530 · Takes bookings
Rooftop barThamrinRp Rp Rp30s
A rooftop bar and restaurant on the 56th floor, open since 2012, with an open terrace and a view over the skyline. Go for a sunset drink for a special-occasion feel.
56th floor, BCA Tower, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta Pusat · Takes bookings
RestaurantKota TuaRp RpAll ages
A grand colonial-era café on Fatahillah Square, with dark wood, old photographs and cocktails. Perfect after a walk around the old town.
Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No. 14, Kota Tua, Jakarta Barat 11230 · Takes bookings
RestaurantMentengRp Rp Rp30s
A 1914 building that once housed the Dutch East Indies fine arts circle, now an art-filled restaurant with the Suzie Wong Lounge. Dramatic and romantic for a special dinner.
Jl. Teuku Umar No. 1, Gondangdia, Menteng, Jakarta · Takes bookings
LandmarkGambirRpAll ages
The 132-metre obelisk in the middle of Merdeka Square, the city's great open space. A walk around the square in the cooler late afternoon is a classic, inexpensive date.
Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta · Walk-in
ParkSawah BesarRpAll ages
A historic square from the Batavia era, now a city park. Calm in the evening and close to the cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque.
Lapangan Banteng, Sawah Besar, Jakarta Pusat · Walk-in
Art galleryGambirRpAll ages
The national art gallery, showing Indonesian modern and contemporary art in a colonial complex next to Merdeka Square. A calm, cultured daytime date.
Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14, Jakarta 10110 · Walk-in
WaterfrontAncolRp RpAll ages
Jakarta's big waterfront leisure area, with beaches, a theme park, an aquarium and seaside restaurants. Good for a playful day date or a sunset by the sea.
Ancol, Pademangan, Jakarta Utara · Walk-in
NeighbourhoodGlodokRpAll ages
Indonesia's biggest Chinatown, a historic trading quarter full of temples, markets and food stalls. Wander and snack your way through it together.
Glodok, Taman Sari, Jakarta Barat · Walk-in
WaterfrontPIKRp RpAll ages
A coastal township in the north-west of the city with a seafront, restaurants and cafés. Go for an evening of food and sea air.
Pantai Indah Kapuk, Penjaringan, Jakarta Utara · Walk-in
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
IslandsJava SeaRp RpAll ages
A chain of small islands in the Java Sea, administratively part of Jakarta and reachable by boat. A day trip of snorkelling and beaches feels a world away from the city.
Kepulauan Seribu, off the coast of North Jakarta · Walk-in
Cultural villageJagakarsaRpAll ages
A village around a lake that preserves the culture of the Betawi, Jakarta's original inhabitants, with traditional houses, food and performances. A gentle, local and unusual day out.
Srengseng Sawah, Jagakarsa, Jakarta Selatan · Walk-in
Popular places to meet people in Jakarta include POS BLOC (creative hub), Car Free Day Sudirman-Thamrin (weekly event), and Gelora Bung Karno (sports complex). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Museum MACAN or Café Batavia. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Jakarta is number 78 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 5.1 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Jakarta is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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